[Konoha Village]
This year's Chunin Exams had already begun.
Each ninja village had many genin, but not every genin could get a recommendation from their instructor.
Because most genin didn't have such high talent, they were only suited to handle some simple missions.
Or else they had to act as assistants under other chunin, and only after a few years of tempering would they be able to participate in the Chunin Exams.
There were some who had just graduated and came to accumulate experience, and others who had settled for a few years and gained some strength.
So the age range for the Chunin Exams was very broad.
This time the number of exam candidates wasn't small, roughly a hundred people.
Early in the morning, these candidates arrived at the Konoha Ninja Academy.
Those who knew each other gathered together.
The elite class that had only graduated half a year ago didn't match the age of the others, so naturally they stuck together.
The academy was still in normal session, and many stood in the corridor, seeing on the training field that some of their old classmates hadn't yet graduated.
It felt like they belonged to two different worlds now.
Kimimaro was the oldest among them, and from years of practicing taijutsu, his body had developed the fastest.
Compared to the other elite classmates, he stood a head taller.
The only one about his height was Karin, whose body had developed earlier.
Coincidentally, they were in the same small class and stuck together.
Karin had just taken a stroll around and came back, "The school's the same as when we left. Still, graduating is better."
Kimimaro and Haku exchanged a glance, and Haku continued the thought, "I actually really liked the school environment."
To be precise, these two boys who had come together from the Land of Water had grown up in lonely, destitute days.
Only after coming to Konoha's academy had they truly lived a bit of small-group life.
Though during that time their strength hadn't improved much, for their hearts it had been vital healing.
Karin's childhood was a bit better than Kimimaro and Haku's, so she had fewer feelings of sorrow. She was a lively, social person, "Who would've thought we'd be in the Chunin Exams in such a short time, it's just too awesome."
Haku covered his mouth and laughed, "Karin, don't be happy too early. Rengoku-sama said the Chunin Exams have a written test."
"Ah…"
Karin rubbed her hair in frustration, her theory grades weren't very good.
After all, she had to study sealing techniques every day, so naturally she didn't have much energy left.
At this moment, a boy with a squat gourd on his back walked over.
It was Gaara.
After Shukaku had been extracted from him, he was no longer a jinchuriki.
On his belt he now had a forehead protector, and the engraved emblem was Konoha's symbol.
"You're here, the exam's about to start. We have to go in."
Shion wasn't a ninja, so she didn't come for the exam.
Yakumo was busy strengthening her body, so Rengoku didn't let her join either.
Since Rengoku arranged the exams personally, Kotetsu and Izumo weren't made to do the boring gatekeeping chores.
The candidates filed into the largest classroom. It was packed with people, most of them older genin.
Karin's eyes immediately spotted Sasuke in the crowd.
"Sasuke!", Karin waved, calling out to him. But Sasuke looked like he'd seen a ghost and hurriedly dodged to the side.
A mischievous smile appeared on Karin's face, and she led her teammates to chase after him.
In Gaara's eyes, there was only Naruto, "Naruto, it's been a while."
Naruto was also very happy to see Gaara, especially since Gaara now wore a Konoha forehead protector, "That's great, Gaara, you came too."
Meanwhile Sasuke was finally cornered by Karin. Karin looked down at Sasuke from above, "Sasuke! You see your senior sister and you don't even greet me?"
Sasuke's face darkened, and he stepped back, "Karin, don't think just because you've grown taller you can act like my senior sister."
"I joined the clan before you, I'm the senior brother, you can only be the junior sister!"
Karin put her hands on her hips, pride written all over her face, "Wahaha, I won't accept having such a short senior brother."
"Anyway, since you're not taller than me, you have to call me senior sister!"
Sasuke looked utterly unconvinced, "What's so great about being tall? In this world it's strength that counts!"
Karin's eyes gleamed, "Looks like you don't accept me, Sasuke. Dare to make a bet?"
How could Sasuke resist provocation, "I am Uchiha Sasuke, what wouldn't I dare?"
"What's the bet?"
A sly smile passed over Karin's face, "The Chunin Exams have battles. If we get drawn against each other, whoever loses is the junior."
"If we don't get drawn together, then we go by exam scores, whoever scores higher is the senior."
"Do you take the bet!?"
Sasuke snorted, "I take it!"
Karin clapped her hands, "When you lose, don't you dare back out."
Sasuke absolutely didn't believe he would lose, because Karin's sealing techniques had hardly any combat power early on.
"I am Uchiha Sasuke, I would never back out."
Their exchange drew the attention of several others from the elite class.
Since Karin had grown taller, she hadn't really gathered with them, and most people only thought this red-haired girl looked familiar, like Karin, but no one was sure.
After all, 10-year-old Karin → 16-year-old Karin, the body difference was too great.
Hearing Karin and Sasuke's words, a few girls finally confirmed this really was Karin.
Ino came to Karin's side, pinched her arm and shoulder, but her eyes were fixed on Karin's chest, her tone full of envy, "Karin, how did you grow so big?"
Hearing Ino's voice, Karin spun around proudly, "Hahaha, jealous?"
Hinata and Hotaru didn't come up to talk, but they still looked curiously at Karin.
Tenten quietly stole two glances at Karin's chest, then lowered her head to look at her own.
Her eyes also sparkled as she looked at Karin.
"Don't even think about it, this is my special ability."
"I'm way stronger than before. This Chunin Exam, I'll definitely have the highest score."
Karin joked and played around with the girls.
Sasuke saw Karin fitting in so well and felt depressed.
Itachi was a brother-complex, and Sasuke had always been pampered by him. That overflowing love made Sasuke also want a little brother or sister to spoil.
But now Fugaku and Mikoto had no plans for more children, so Sasuke naturally set his sights on junior brothers and sisters.
He still remembered when he first met Karin, how she'd timidly hide behind their teacher.
And how she'd sweetly call him senior brother.
At that time Sasuke had been overjoyed, ready to take good care of his junior sister.
But unexpectedly, it didn't take long for Karin's personality to change completely.
Not only did she often tease Sasuke, she wasn't clingy at all, shattering Sasuke's desire to play the big brother.
Now she'd even grown taller than him, and was aiming to be his senior sister.
Since Karin couldn't be counted on, Sasuke turned his head toward Naruto.
Only to find Naruto and Gaara chatting happily together.
Sasuke felt completely miserable.
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