Candidates, this way. Please find your assigned seats according to your examination room number once inside.
"Team leaders and accompanying personnel, please follow me. We have live broadcasting, and the situation in each examination room can be monitored in real-time."
For every ninja squad that arrived, a ninja was assigned to greet them. This task was incredibly demanding. The majority of Konoha's strength was dedicated to security, and these reception ninjas had to receive dozens of teams each, repeating the same words over and over.
It was supposed to be a break from the Ninja Academy, but Iruka, who had finally gotten some time off, was thrown back into busy work.
"Gekko, how's the recording coming along?" Iruka, sweating profusely, walked up to Gekko Hayate, grabbed a bottle of water, and gulped it down. It seemed even a teacher's throat couldn't withstand speaking so many repetitive phrases.
Gekko Hayate rubbed his already severe dark circles and said indifferently, "As of yesterday, 361 people have arrived, totaling 121 teams."
"361 people, 121 teams? That number is wrong, it should be 363 people, right, Hayate?"
Iruka picked up the roster and began to check. Many teams had a checkmark next to them, indicating they had arrived today, but many more were still missing.
"This, this is?"
Iruka flipped to a page on the roster and seemed to see something astonishing, letting out a cry of surprise.
"Amegakure, the Village Hidden in the Rain, has only sent one person, alone?"
Gekko Hayate nodded, "I was also surprised for a long time when I first saw it."
"A solo team, this... is that allowed by the rules?"
Iruka scratched his head, unable to comprehend the higher-ups' decision. He chuckled, "121 teams, one from each ninja village. Incredible! Over a hundred ninja villages have come to Konoha this time."
Although many villages hadn't arrived, almost all the moderately well-known ones had.
"There are even many villages I've never heard of, but the Five Great Ninja Villages are still worth noting."
Iruka nodded and continued to flip through the roster.
"Hoshigakure, I've heard of that one. Chick-Ninja Village? What is that?"
...
Examination Room 43. Naruto sat in his seat, bored, his chin propped in his hand, drool almost escaping his lips.
"If I'd known the exam would start this late, I should have eaten Ichiraku Ramen before coming. Now I'm hungry, and the exam hasn't even started."
"Stop complaining, Naruto, be serious!" Sakura, sitting in front of Naruto, was going crazy with his constant mumbling.
Just then, another person walked into the examination room. Seeing who it was, Naruto instantly covered his face, almost hiding his head under his desk.
"Why him? Is he also here for the Chunin Exams? Please don't notice me!"
*Tap, tap, tap.*
The footsteps grew closer, and Naruto's heartbeat grew louder. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped beside him, followed by the sound of a chair being pulled out. Naruto's heart sank; the worst had happened!
Seeing no escape, Naruto awkwardly raised his head and said to the newcomer, "What a coincidence, are you here for the exam too, Toneri?"
Toneri replied with a faint smile, "Naruto, long time no see. I've missed you dearly. Is that Sasuke you're always talking about over there?"
Hearing "missed you dearly," Naruto's skin crawled. But seeing Toneri's gaze shift to Sasuke, Naruto's sense of crisis exploded, and he quickly said, "Whatever you have to say, say it to me! Don't set your sights on Sasuke!"
"Set my sights on you?"
Sasuke turned his head and glanced indifferently at Toneri. Toneri appeared gentle and refined, seemingly easy to bully. Compared to Kimimaro, whom he had met yesterday, Toneri posed much less of a threat, and Sasuke immediately lost interest.
Naruto, relieved, quickly changed the subject, "By the way, Toneri, is your eyesight healed?"
"I had surgery a few days ago, and it's much more convenient now."
"That's really great." Although Naruto felt a little scared when facing Toneri, he was genuinely happy that the other person could see again.
The brief interlude passed quickly. The examination room gradually filled up, but the large screen in front remained dark, and the proctors hadn't entered. Time was ticking away...
"What's going on! The examinees are all here, why hasn't it started?"
Shikaku Nara pushed open the door to the broadcast room, a look of displeasure on his face. Did these people have to wait until the last second to start?
"Um, the exam papers haven't arrived yet, so we can't start!" one of the proctors replied tremblingly.
Shikaku Nara's face darkened. "Who is in charge of the papers? Tell them to hurry over!"
"It's Uzumaki Rin Yu."
"Uh... what time is it now?"
"8:58 AM, two minutes until the exam begins."
Shikaku Nara leaned against the door, sighing helplessly, "Then let's wait two more minutes. Proctors, please be patient."
"Yes!"
Something fishy is going on! Who is this Uzumaki Rin Yu? To make the military advisor, Nara, who is by the Hokage's side, wait like this.
His surname is Uzumaki? The Hokage's wife also has the surname Uzumaki. Could he be the Hokage's brother-in-law?
Most of the proctors present were from the younger generation. Rin Yu's reputation in Konoha wasn't particularly good; only the older generation had heard of him.
"Dry Father really has face!"
Might Guy was very excited today because he was the chief proctor for the first stage, appointed personally by Rin Yu. Guy felt this was a sign of his dry father's trust and recognition of his youth!
He, Might Guy, would definitely not let down his dry father's expectations!
"It's 8:59 AM, and he's still not here."
Time ticked by, but Rin Yu's figure still hadn't appeared at the door. Although no one complained out loud, everyone was anxious.
This was the Chunin Exams for the entire ninja world. If the first stage was botched, Konoha would lose face on a global scale.
"20 seconds... 32 seconds... 48 seconds..."
Shikaku Nara counted silently. Might Guy, on the other hand, was not nervous at all. He was sure his dry father would arrive at the last second, absolutely!
*Whoosh!*
A disheveled figure suddenly appeared behind Might Guy. His hair was messy, his clothes were on backward, and he was holding his waistband with one hand. His face was a little pale, but Might Guy recognized him as his dry father at a glance.
As expected of his dry father, youth should be unrestrained!
"Quick! These are the exam papers, and these are the answer sheets. There are still 10 seconds left, everyone, teleport to the examination rooms immediately!"
The proctors present had no time to admire Rin Yu's new look. They quickly took the answer sheets and teleported away.
"Phew, glad I made it."
"Rin, Teacher Rin Yu, what's going on? Were you attacked?"
"Yes, you could say that."
Rin Yu handed a thin questionnaire to Might Guy and said solemnly, "Good luck, Guy. Teacher believes you can do it!"
Might Guy declared firmly, "I will definitely respond with the most passionate youth!"
"Turn on the projector!"
Rin Yu pushed Guy forward and said sternly, "Guy, begin!"
Might Guy took a deep breath, straightened his attire, and said into the camera:
"Uh, hello everyone. I am the chief proctor for the first stage, Konoha's Jonin, Might Guy."
"Now, let's answer the questions together with the most passionate youth!"