Chapter 2: 2. I Pass Tests With Ease!
Ryusei opened the door to the registration building, stepping into a room buzzing with energy. Genin from various villages were gathered in groups, waiting their turn to register for the Chunin Exams. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, every corner of the room filled with whispered strategies and determined glances.
As he scanned the room, Ryusei spotted Naruto and Team 7. Naruto, always the first to notice his brother, immediately yelled out enthusiastically, "Ryusei! Over here!"
Ryusei made his way through the crowd, his presence drawing curious looks and hushed whispers. He reached Naruto, who was practically bouncing with excitement. "Hey, Naruto," Ryusei greeted with a smile.
"Are you assigned to a team for the exams?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Ryusei shook his head, his expression confident. "No, I'm not. Everybody would just hold me back."
Naruto nodded, understanding his brother's perspective, but the statement didn't sit well with everyone. Sasuke, standing nearby, crossed his arms and frowned. He had never seen Ryusei fight but had heard countless rumors of his prowess, some even claiming that Ryusei was a more remarkable fighting genius than their father, the Fourth Hokage.
Sasuke couldn't hide his irritation. "You talk big, Ryusei. But I've never actually seen you in a real fight. Just how strong are you, really?"
Ryusei turned his gaze to Sasuke, his expression calm but with a spark of determination in his eyes. "I guess you'll see soon enough, Sasuke. The exams will be the perfect opportunity to show everyone what I can do."
Sakura, standing beside Sasuke, looked between the two brothers, sensing the tension. "Well, it's not like we'll be fighting each other right away. We should focus on getting through the exams first."
Naruto, trying to lighten the mood, grinned. "Yeah, believe it! We'll all get our chance to show what we're made of."
As they chatted, the other genin in the room continued to steal glances at Ryusei, whispering among themselves. His reputation as a prodigy and the son of the Fourth Hokage had clearly preceded him, adding an extra layer of excitement and rivalry to the already charged atmosphere.
The registration line moved slowly forward, and soon it was Ryusei's turn. He approached the registration desk with a confident stride, ready to take on whatever the Chunin Exams had in store. His resolve was unshakable, and the words of his father echoed in his mind, reminding him to stay true to himself and his training.
As he completed his registration, he glanced back at Naruto and Team 7, giving them a reassuring nod. "Good luck, everyone. Let's give it our best."
With those words, Ryusei stepped away, his focus sharpening as he prepared for the trials ahead. The Chunin Exams were about to begin, and he was ready to prove his worth to the world.
"Next!" The call came from the registration desk, and Ryusei stepped forward confidently. The registration process was swift, Ryusei efficiently filling out the required forms and answering the necessary questions. The Jonin overseeing the registration glanced at Ryusei with a mixture of curiosity and respect.
As Ryusei handed back the completed form, the Jonin couldn't help but think about the young shinobi standing before him. It was unusual for someone to be testing solo in the Chunin Exams, especially at such a young age. There was a certain aura around Ryusei, an undeniable presence that set him apart from the other genin in the room.
"You're not with a team?" the Jonin asked, his tone betraying a hint of surprise.
Ryusei shook his head, a calm determination in his eyes. "No, I'm going solo."
The Jonin nodded slowly, his thoughts racing. He had heard rumors about Ryusei, mostly whispers of his extraordinary skills and the enigmatic tailed beast of unknown origin that he harbored. It was said that this beast had the power to subdue even the mighty Nine-Tails. To the Jonin, it seemed that Ryusei was operating on an entirely different level compared to the other participants.
"Good luck," the Jonin said, handing back Ryusei's registration papers. "You'll need it."
Ryusei nodded in thanks, taking the papers and stepping away from the desk. As he walked back to where Naruto and Team 7 were waiting, he could feel the eyes of the room on him. His reputation, though shrouded in mystery, had clearly preceded him.
Naruto grinned as Ryusei approached. "All set?"
Ryusei nodded, a confident smile on his face. "Yeah, all set."
Sasuke's frown deepened, his competitive spirit ignited by the presence of someone who was constantly rumored to be better than him. "Let's see if you can live up to the hype, Ryusei."
Ryusei met Sasuke's gaze evenly. "You'll find out soon enough."
With the registration complete, the group waited for the next stage of the exams to begin. The room was filled with an electric anticipation, every participant eager to prove their worth. Ryusei could feel the energy around him, but his focus remained sharp, his mind already strategizing for the challenges ahead.
As the genin continued to chat and prepare, Ryusei took a moment to center himself, remembering his father's words. The Chunin Exams were just the beginning, and he was ready to show everyone, including his skeptical brother Sasuke, what he was truly capable of.
As Ryusei, Naruto, and Team 7 walked through the halls toward the test room to wait for further instructions, they came across Rock Lee and his team. Lee, always eager to test his skills against strong opponents, stepped forward with his usual enthusiasm and respect.
"Ryusei Namikaze!" Lee called out, his eyes shining with determination. "I have heard many tales of your strength and prowess. I challenge you to a sparring match!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, curious about this new development, while Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "This is gonna be awesome!" Naruto whispered to Sakura, who nodded, albeit with a touch of concern.
Ryusei met Lee's gaze with a calm smile. "I accept your challenge, Rock Lee."
The other genin quickly gathered around, creating a wide circle in the hallway to give the two fighters space. The anticipation was palpable, everyone eager to witness the clash between these two skilled shinobi.
Lee took his stance, his focus intense. "I will show you the power of hard work and dedication!"
Ryusei nodded, his expression serious. "And I'll show you the power of a prodigy."
Without warning, the fight began. Lee moved with incredible speed, his movements a blur as he aimed a rapid series of kicks at Ryusei. But before anyone could comprehend what was happening, there was a swift, almost imperceptible movement from Ryusei.
In the blink of an eye, the fight was over. The gathered genin stared in stunned silence, trying to process what they had just witnessed. All they knew was that one moment Lee was attacking, and the next, he was embedded in the wall, his legs and behind sticking out comically.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Whoa! What just happened?"
Sakura blinked, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Did... did anyone see that?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a mix of irritation and grudging respect creeping into his expression. "So that's Ryusei's speed..."
Ryusei walked over to Lee, who was still stuck in the wall, and helped him down gently. "You have great speed and strength, Lee. It was an honor to spar with you."
Lee, despite his predicament, managed to bow respectfully once he was back on his feet. "Thank you, Ryusei. Your skills are truly remarkable."
The gathered genin began to murmur among themselves, the reputation of Ryusei Namikaze solidifying even further. As they continued on their way to the test room, Naruto couldn't contain his excitement.
"Ryusei, that was incredible! You're amazing!"
Ryusei smiled at his brother's enthusiasm but remained focused. "Thanks, Naruto. Let's make sure we all do our best in the exams."
Sasuke, though still a bit irked, couldn't deny the impressive display. "Guess I'll have to step up my game."
With that, they arrived at the test room, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The Chunin Exams were about to begin, and Ryusei was more determined than ever to prove his worth and achieve victory.
As Ryusei, Naruto, and Team 7 waited in the test room, they struck up a conversation with a group of ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist. The Mist ninja, wearing the distinctive dark blue uniforms of their village, eyed the Konoha group with a mix of curiosity and caution.
One of the Mist genin, a boy with short, spiky hair and a scar across his cheek, spoke up first. "So, you're from the Leaf Village, huh? I've heard your village has some pretty strong shinobi."
Naruto grinned, always eager to talk about their home. "You bet! We're the best! I'm going to be the Hokage one day!"
The Mist ninja raised an eyebrow, amused. "Big dreams, huh? What about you, Ryusei? We've heard a lot about you."
Ryusei smiled modestly. "I'm just here to do my best, like everyone else."
Another Mist ninja, a girl with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes, nodded. "We've heard you're the son of the Fourth Hokage and that you have some... unique abilities."
Before Ryusei could respond, the door to the room opened with a loud creak. A tall, stern-looking proctor with a scar running down the side of his face entered, his presence immediately commanding attention. The room fell silent as he moved to the front, his gaze sweeping over the assembled genin.
"Listen up!" the proctor barked, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "My name is Ibiki Morino, and I am the proctor for this first stage of the Chunin Exams."
Ibiki's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the room, ensuring he had everyone's attention. "The first test will be a written exam, but don't think it's as simple as it sounds. This exam will test not just your knowledge, but also your ability to gather information and work under pressure."
He began to hand out test papers, continuing his explanation. "You will each have a set of questions to answer. There are ten questions, and each one is worth a certain number of points. The last question will be given fifteen minutes before the end of the exam. The total score of your team will determine if you pass or fail."
Ibiki paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "There are strict rules you must follow. If you are caught cheating, you will lose points. If you lose all your points, your team will be disqualified. However, the methods you use to gather information are up to you. Use your skills wisely."
The room was tense, every genin fully aware of the stakes. Ryusei glanced at Naruto and Sasuke, both of whom seemed determined and ready.
Ibiki's voice grew even more serious. "Remember, this is a test of your abilities as a shinobi. Cheating will not be tolerated, but neither will ignorance. You have one hour to complete the exam. Begin!"
The genin quickly focused on their papers, the room filled with the sound of scribbling pens and the rustle of papers. Ryusei took a deep breath, ready to face this first challenge head-on, knowing that the real test of his skills and determination was just beginning.
Ryusei glanced around the room, observing the various methods the other ninja were using to cheat. He noticed Gaara discreetly manipulating a sand eye to gather information, Sasuke using his Sharingan to copy Shikamaru's answers, and both Hinata and Neji utilizing their Byakugan to replicate Ryusei's test answers. Meanwhile, random genin who attempted more obvious cheating methods were quickly caught and failed, their teams disqualified.
As the room settled into a tense silence, Ryusei simply gazed at his test paper, flipping through the pages with a calm demeanor. To the proctors watching, it seemed like he was merely skimming the questions. Suddenly, he broke the silence. "Done!" he announced confidently, shocking everyone since the exam had just started a minute ago.
Ibiki, the head proctor, looked skeptical but curious. He walked over and examined Ryusei's test paper. After a moment, he nodded in approval. "Impressive. You can either stay and wait for your team to finish or wait for further instructions around the academy. It will be broadcasted for the next stage."
Ryusei shook his head. "I don't have any teammates."
Ibiki raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Very well. You are free to leave."
With that, Ryusei bid farewell and teleported back to his house. As he entered, he was met with an unexpected and unwelcome surprise—the sounds of his parents' intimate moment. Grimacing, he quietly snuck his way to the kitchen, grabbed another bowl of ramen, and quickly teleported back to the classroom.
The sudden reappearance of Ryusei caused another wave of shock and murmurs among the genin. The fact that a genin could teleport so effortlessly only added to his growing mystique and reputation. Whispers and rumors about Minato's prodigy son began to spread rapidly.
Before the chatter could escalate further, Ibiki's voice boomed across the room. "Silence! Anymore talking, and you will fail the exam!"
The room immediately fell into a hushed silence, all eyes now on their test papers. The gravity of the Chunin Exams settled in once more, and the genin refocused on their tasks, aware that they were being closely monitored.
Ryusei settled back into his seat, his mind already shifting to the upcoming stages of the exam. He knew that the written test was just the beginning and that greater challenges awaited. As he glanced around, he could sense the determination and anxiety in his peers, fueling his own resolve to excel and prove his worth.
Ryusei noticed Naruto struggling with his test, his face contorted in frustration as he stared at the incomprehensible questions. With a sigh, Ryusei decided to help his brother. He raised his hand and called out to the proctor. "Excuse me, I need to get some water. I'll be right back."
Ibiki glanced at Ryusei, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Make it quick," he said.
As soon as Ryusei stood up and started walking, he transitioned into a blur of motion, his movements so fast they were almost invisible to the naked eye. He sped to Naruto's seat, his hand moving swiftly and precisely to write the correct answers on Naruto's paper. Naruto, initially confused, quickly realized what was happening. He silently thanked Ryusei in his heart, a grateful smile playing on his lips.
A nearby Jonin proctor noticed something unusual but couldn't quite catch what it was. He frowned, his eyes scanning the room, but he couldn't see anything out of place. Everything appeared normal, albeit a bit more tense than usual.
With his task complete, Ryusei returned to his seat and resumed his relaxed demeanor. Moments later, Naruto, feeling confident with the answers provided by Ryusei, raised his hand. "Done!"
The room erupted in whispers and murmurs of disbelief. Naruto, who was notorious for his lack of academic prowess, had completed the written exam faster than many of his peers. The genin around him were stunned, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.
Naruto quickly stood up, his voice loud and cheerful. "Ryusei, wait up! I'm coming too!"
The murmurs intensified. For Naruto to finish the exam so quickly and confidently, especially given his usual struggles with such tasks, was nothing short of miraculous. The other genin exchanged glances, their silent thoughts almost palpable: If Naruto could finish this quickly, what did that say about their own abilities?
Ibiki's stern voice cut through the room once more, restoring order. "Silence! Any further talking, and you will be disqualified!"
The genin fell silent, their eyes reluctantly returning to their test papers. Ryusei and Naruto walked out of the room together, Naruto beaming with newfound confidence and Ryusei satisfied that he had helped his brother.
As they exited the exam room, the whispers and rumors continued to swirl behind them. Ryusei's reputation grew even further, not just as Minato's prodigy son, but as someone who could defy expectations and elevate those around him. With the first stage behind them, they were ready to face whatever challenges the Chunin Exams would bring next.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone