Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, the streets of Konoha were filled with unfamiliar faces.
While there were always many unfamiliar faces, they were usually just ordinary outsiders.
But now, the unfamiliar faces were adorned with forehead protectors engraved with various symbols, clearly indicating they were ninjas from different ninja villages.
The villagers of Konoha were not alarmed; rather, they felt a surge of excitement.
The sudden influx of ninjas from other villages signaled that this year's Chunin Exams were approaching, and soon they would once again witness the thrilling battles of ninjas.
Especially the shop owners, who had already begun stockpiling goods, preparing to make a quick profit.
This was the Chunin Exams, one of the grandest events in any major ninja village.
July 1st, 3 PM.
Team 8 gathered at their usual spot, holding their application forms as they made their way to the ninja academy.
On the way, Aburame Shino, with his hands in his pockets, remarked, "Konoha is the host, so we're at a disadvantage. There must be many people gathering intel on us, while we know nothing about them."
"It doesn't matter; intel gets updated. The information they've gathered is already outdated," Izayoi chuckled. "I believe you all have grown during this time."
At his words, both Hinata and Aburame Shino smiled confidently.
Before long, Team 8 arrived at the ninja academy.
Stepping back onto the campus after several months, both Izayoi and Hinata felt a sense of nostalgia.
Walking down the familiar path, their gazes seemed to traverse time, catching glimpses of their past selves from a few years ago.
From chubby-cheeked toddlers to slightly less innocent children…
Back then, Izayoi and Hinata walked side by side, inseparable.
Thinking of this, Izayoi and Hinata instinctively glanced at each other, and upon locking eyes, they seemed to understand what the other was thinking, sharing a tacit smile.
Arriving at the familiar main building, as Team 8 stepped onto the first step, Aburame Shino and Hinata's expressions shifted slightly.
"This is… Genjutsu." Aburame Shino formed a Boar Seal with his hands, disrupting the flow of chakra within him.
Hinata did the same.
"To be precise, it's a Genjutsu Barrier," Izayoi said with a smile. "It seems the Chunin Exams have already begun."
Upon reaching the second floor, the three saw the corridor packed with people; some appeared dazed and confused.
Others seemed to have realized something, blocking the staircase leading to the third floor, only to be stopped by two Chuunin guarding the entrance.
"Quickly dispel this Genjutsu Barrier; we need to go to the third floor."
Before Team 8 could reach the staircase, they heard a familiar voice.
"It's Sasuke-kun."
Hinata spoke the name of the voice's owner, her gaze shifting to a bystander in the crowd, softly adding, "And Neji-nii is here too; he's participating in the Chunin Exams."
As if he heard Hinata's voice, Hyuga Neji, who was watching Team 7's performance, turned to look.
Seeing Hinata, he immediately walked over, expressionless, and bowed slightly, saying, "Hinata-ojousama."
His manners were impeccable, but his tone held no respect, and a flicker of disdain crossed his eyes as he bowed.
"Good luck in the exams, Neji-nii," Hinata said gently.
"Same to you, ojousama." Hyuga Neji quickly composed himself, straightening up and nodding. "I hope to face you in the Chunin Exams."
After saying this, Hyuga Neji turned his gaze to Izayoi beside Hinata and spoke, "You must be Izayoi?"
"Do you have any advice for me, last year's top student?" Izayoi replied with a smile.
"...You're strong." Hyuga Neji assessed Izayoi from head to toe, offering that evaluation before coldly stating, "But you should be aware of your limitations. You have no hope with the ojousama; it's a difference in bloodline, and it's your fate."
"Neji-nii, be quiet."
Before Izayoi could respond, a somewhat icy voice rang out.
Hinata's gaze was no longer gentle; it was sharp as she looked at Hyuga Neji, filled with warning.
Her entire aura had undergone a significant transformation.
"My apologies, ojousama."
Hyuga Neji bowed in apology and then turned to leave.
Watching her cousin depart, Hinata returned to her demure demeanor and softly said to Izayoi, "Izayoi-kun, Neji-nii didn't mean it; please don't hold it against him."
Placing a hand on Hinata's head, Izayoi ruffled her hair and praised, "Hinata, you were really cool just now! It's such a shame I couldn't get my camera out in time."
"Indeed, your aura was quite imposing just now," Aburame Shino nodded in agreement.
The top three students were certainly not to be underestimated.
In this Chunin Exams, perhaps they would witness the full strength of Izayoi, Hinata, and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Not at all, you're overpraising me."
Hinata blushed at the compliment, lowering her head and fidgeting with her fingers, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.
If one didn't know better, they might think she had a dual personality, rather than being Haruno Sakura.
"Hey… Izayoi, Hinata, and that guy, you all made it!"
At that moment, the voice of Uzumaki Naruto reached their ears.
Team 7, having just finished their performance, was making their way toward Team 8.
"I'm Aburame Shino."
Seeing that Uzumaki Naruto hadn't mentioned his name, Aburame Shino felt the need to assert his presence.
"Oh, Shino, hey there."
As usual, Aburame Shino's assertion went unnoticed.
Uzumaki Naruto merely greeted him before focusing on Izayoi, grinning widely, "Izayoi, you guys are here for the Chunin Exams too! This time, I won't lose to you!"
"Oh?"
Izayoi's interest was piqued. "With that confident look of yours, have you learned any jutsu from Kakashi-Sensei?"
If that were the case, the butterfly effect would be significant.
The original work avoided imbalances in the main characters' strengths, but it led to Kakashi being heavily criticized.
The Copy Ninja, who mastered thousands of jutsu, couldn't even bear to teach his own teacher's son a basic C-rank Wind Release.
This was even considering that Uzumaki Naruto had already learned how to climb trees.
But it was unavoidable; Uzumaki Naruto had mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. With his massive chakra reserves, even if he only learned a C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, he would be among the strongest of the Genin, and the protagonist's inspirational story would falter.
Hundreds of Shadow Clones using Wind Release: Great Breakthrough would undoubtedly be more powerful than Uchiha Madara's Great Fire Annihilation.
"Hehe… just wait and see, you and Sasuke," Uzumaki Naruto rubbed his nose, boasting, "I'll definitely leave you both
in shock."
"Riddler, get out of Konoha."
Izayoi quipped, drawing curious looks from Hinata, Aburame Shino, and Uchiha Sasuke.
Their gazes seemed to say, "Who are you to talk?"
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