Capítulo 41: Chapter 41: Chunin Exam
"It has been quite busy these days," Orochimaru said, walking alone on the street, taking a rare moment to relax.
The Chunin Exam was approaching, held once a year. The current Chunin Exam was much simpler than the future ones. It was essentially a test of physical prowess, where the one with the stronger fist emerged as the winner - straightforward and rough.
Yet, this was a selection of ninjas, and though the customs were more aggressive due to the different times, it wasn't merely about written tests. The exam aimed to test their hearts, survival instincts, and their ability to cooperate. They would have to traverse the dangerous Death Forest covertly and seize scrolls, but the ninjas needed to assess the situation and work together. Hence, the first level was a melee.
This level was relatively straightforward, with fifty or sixty participants forming groups of three to four, fighting it out in a massive arena akin to the circular one where the Twelve Konoha ninja's of the future generation would compete.
After about two-thirds of the participants were eliminated, the remaining ones would duel one another. Hokage and the esteemed ninja clan leaders would recommend qualified contestants to become Chunin.
Even medical ninjas had to pass the first level, as they needed to learn how to protect themselves on the battlefield.
In previous years, Hokage-sama might not be present, but this year Tsunade was going to participate, and the Senju family might also attend.
Orochimaru wasn't wealthy at the moment, unable to do much about it. Most of his net worth lay in the medical field, and he had been burnt financially by Uchiha. For over half a year, he couldn't even afford to eat ramen without a job.
Thankfully, he was an apprentice of Konoha's Jonin Sarutobi. He would never starve, and once he became a Chunin, he would naturally receive allowances.
"Do ninjas only go outside to make money? It feels like they're doing missions just to eat," Orochimaru mumbled to himself. This world was a distorted one. It relied on the strength of ninjas to protect the country's economy and ensure its development. Generally, small vassal countries couldn't build ninja villages and could only hire ninjas from larger nations.
However, how could the money earned from missions be enough to sustain a ninja? During times of peace, there were fewer robbers and rebels, and most high-level missions were issued by the village, with the money sponsored by the daimyo.
Ultimately, the daimyo was like an ATM, and the village's Kage was a superficial show of respect, easily replaceable. Every country needed more land to develop, and to acquire land, it had to be plundered by ninjas. Cultivating ninjas required a lot of money, so in the end, it all boiled down to the need for land.
This world was indeed quite wild. Due to conflicting material interests, resources in the Naruto World were unevenly distributed. They didn't suffer from scarcity but rather inequality, leading to conflicts and fights even if they understood each other.
As Orochimaru ate a few meatball strings, he wondered if he could secretly use his ninja abilities to run a company in the future and then use capital to influence the world.
"Why is this ramen so salty!" Orochimaru complained, "Maybe they put too much seasoning?"
At that moment, Orochimaru spotted an acquaintance. "Hey! Hiruko, what are you up to?"
"Ah! It's Orochimaru." Hiruko seemed quite amicable but also a bit uncertain.
"The Chunin Exam is approaching, so we're seeing many outsiders arriving," Hiruko said nervously, glancing at a few fierce-looking guys.
"Hahaha, don't mind those guys who come from far-off places," Orochimaru pointed at some older individuals with umbrellas, "See those old folks? They're probably from the Land of Rain. Still participating in the Chunin Exam at their age, it seems like they don't have much of a future in their lives." Orochimaru's voice wasn't loud, but one of the "old men" seemed to hear someone talking about him behind his back. When he turned around, he noticed Orochimaru and Hiruko.
"Hey, what are you two brats looking at!" The old man with a bushy beard fiercely roared, his small eyes staring intensely.
Hiruko felt a bit flustered due to his lack of strength.
The ninja smirked, his tone bloodthirsty, "You brats are ninjas too? I bet you've never even killed anyone!"
Hiruko's face flushed, but he didn't know how to respond. His teeth clenched, and a strong sense of inferiority washed over him.
Why was he so weak? Despite his efforts, he couldn't even catch up to those geniuses!
Hiruko glanced at Orochimaru, wishing he had that kind of talent.
"Scum, who are you talking to!" Orochimaru, not wanting to pay the bill, let blood-red pupils appear in his dark golden eyes. A cold and eerie spiritual force pressed against the ninja.
"You..." The big man sneered, about to say something when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine, and cold sweat broke out. It was like he had become a guinea pig, targeted by a vicious hunter. Orochimaru, draped in a white robe, seemed as cold as a dark abyss. Without saying a word, he turned around and left. The few others next to him stared at Orochimaru for a moment before turning around and leaving as well.
That was an ominous aura. This kid wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Orochimaru looked at them and sneered. He intended to intimidate them, but he didn't expect them to be so sensible.
In truth, Orochimaru had merely tested them. He realized they were wary of him. If he entered the Chunin Exam, they wouldn't dare provoke him.
In the Land of Rain, one could survive not just by strength but also through prudence and rationality.
"Look, Hiruko, those outsiders might seem strong, but they're just passersby. The cannon fodder from those small countries is usually the first to be eliminated in the melee!" Orochimaru said with a smile, feeling no need to be modest in front of such scum. His words were more about supporting Hiruko, boosting his confidence. If it were just an ordinary person, Orochimaru wouldn't even bother to greet them.
"Uh, Orochimaru, my strength is too weak. I won't participate in the exam this year," Hiruko said, feeling embarrassed and inferior, yet he remembered Orochimaru's performance.
"Uh... well, if you have any training issues, you can come to me!" Orochimaru smiled softly, his voice hoarse and magnetic, reminiscent of an excellent scammer.
"Okay."
Orochimaru continued strolling down the street, noticing an increased presence of Anbu ninjas. They were clearly prepared for any potential riots caused by outsiders.
Any foreign ninja could participate in the exam as long as they passed the security and identity checks, even if they didn't have a forehead protector. As long as they didn't pose a safety hazard, Konoha welcomed such stepping stones to sharpen their own ninjas.
Finally, Orochimaru reached Hokage Rock and gazed at Tobirama's portrait. He couldn't help but complain, "Why does it always look like a portrait? Whoever carves these head portraits must never do anything good."
"Keep a low profile this time and try not to influence the plot too much." Orochimaru's advantage was his knowledge of the future's events. Although things might have changed, it provided Orochimaru with an opportunity to grow.
"Time to focus on physical training again and try the Lion's Combo."
Orochimaru returned to his secluded "cave" and began practicing in silence.
A person living alone for a long time would inevitably become gloomy, indifferent, or even crazy, right?
.....
Three days later, the much-awaited Chunin Exam in Konoha Village commenced. Orochimaru and Tsunade both signed up to participate, while Jiraiya had gone to Myōboku Mountain - a place Orochimaru wasn't sure if he could enter.
The event was significant in Konoha. Common people finally had the chance to witness the techniques of master ninjas. The place was overcrowded, and getting a ticket was challenging.
This was the stage where ordinary civilian ninjas could stand out and the pathway for family ninjas' promotion. Rumors had it that the Princess of the Senju clan would be the primary assessor, and even the Fire Country's name was involved. A grand procession and numerous guards surrounded the luxurious carriage.
While most of the guards were strong ordinary people, a few were genuine ninjas, but they were all above Elite Chunin level. Orochimaru didn't dare underestimate them.
"Orochimaru, you can help me divert attention," Tsunade touched Orochimaru's back and whispered. After all, she was still an eight-year-old girl, and such a big scene made her nervous.
"Don't worry, our little princess," Orochimaru replied with a sly smile. As a quiet otaku, Orochimaru thought he might be nervous in such a situation, but the knowledge of his invincible strength erased any doubts. He was just going to bully the children!
Orochimaru wasn't really a loser in his past life and he had seen many grand scenes. Being their professional leader, Orochimaru was accustomed to "low-key victories," so he was more excited than nervous.
Let the world witness my debut, I am me, a different Orochimaru...
"Perform well. I'm looking forward to it," Sarutobi said, wearing black attire that made him look spirited and mighty. Indeed, he was a ninja skilled in combat!
In the distance, two groups of people dressed in armor entered the venue without uttering a word. One group was mainly dressed in green and gray, while the other was in dark red, giving off a somewhat oppressive atmosphere. The surrounding ninjas kept a certain distance, as they were associated with the recent "Konoha Hospital Arson Case." Uchiha clan was led by the second elder and hadn't been accompanied by the first elder, Tobirama, or even the heads of the other major clans; they had entered through another channel.
Observing them, Orochimaru noticed that foreign ninjas made up about one-third of the participants. All three major clans of Konoha and the eight major clans were taking part. Even the sparsely populated Hatake clan sent members to participate. Orochimaru thought he saw a few classmates from the same class, the trio of Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji, and someone who looked like Kakashi?
"Interesting, Hyuga and Uchiha are here too," Orochimaru said excitedly.
"Orochimaru, this is the Chunin Exam. Don't do anything reckless." Sarutobi knew about the previous incident and was aware of Orochimaru's strength. He didn't want his apprentice to go astray.
At nine o'clock, all the instructors and students entered the arena, and after repeated explanations from the referee and assistant ninjas, the spectators also took their seats.
At ten o'clock, the teachers left the stage, and the Chunin Exam officially began!
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