SHINOBI EXAM

Compared to Itachi's turmoil, Sasuke's side was unexpectedly calm.

Returning home with his mother felt surreal. Sitting in the living room, waiting for a meal he hadn't had in so long, Sasuke almost thought it was all a dream. That evening, he eagerly demonstrated his shuriken techniques and Fire Style skills to his mother, skills he had honed over the years.

The next morning, as Sasuke opened his eyes, his dark pupils stared blankly at the ceiling. Tears silently slipped from the corners of his eyes into his hair, soaking the pillow beneath him.

I don't want to wake up from this dream so soon…

"Sasuke? Come have breakfast when you're up!"

"Mother…"

It took almost half a minute to convince himself that this was real. Sasuke quickly dressed and rushed to the living room.

Mikoto was standing there, holding a lunchbox. "After breakfast, could you deliver this to Naruto-kun, Sasuke?"

"Naruto?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, Naruto," she replied with a smile. "Didn't I tell you to treat him like a little brother? Itachi was so excited when he learned I was pregnant with you!"

Sasuke's confusion deepened. Why can Mother talk about that man so calmly?

Mikoto turned away, gracefully dodging the topic. Left without a choice, Sasuke finished his breakfast, took the lunchbox, and headed toward the place Naruto called home.

---

Naruto's Morning

Naruto was jolted awake by a persistent tapping sound on his window. His disheveled blond hair stuck out in all directions, and he rubbed his sleepy eyes, still clad in oversized pajamas and a comical nightcap.

When he saw Sasuke standing outside, wearing his usual annoyed expression, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Why are you acting like Kakashi-sensei and sneaking around windows?"

Sasuke frowned. "Idiot! If you'd left your door unlocked, would I need to knock on your window?"

Naruto opened the window sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry."

Glancing at the messy room, Sasuke wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Can't you clean up? Forget it, here." He handed over the lunchbox. "Mom made this for you."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock. His blue eyes sparkled like the sky, his blond hair glinting in the morning sunlight. "Really?! She's amazing—just like you, Sasuke!"

"Go wash your face, idiot," Sasuke grumbled.

---

Morning Practice

After savoring the first homemade meal he'd ever had, Naruto tackled cleaning his cluttered room. Though it took some effort, he finally managed to carve out a clean area, separating the mess with an imaginary barrier.

Once done, he and Sasuke headed to the seventh training ground, where Sakura was already waiting.

The trio engaged in multiple sparring sessions. Naruto's initial confidence quickly gave way to frustration, but he grew more determined with each loss. It wasn't until Sakura suggested meeting Kakashi together that the session ended. Neither Sasuke nor Naruto seemed willing to concede defeat.

---

A New Mission

The three made their way to Kakashi's dormitory. They knocked on the door but received no answer.

Sakura frowned. "Is Kakashi-sensei not here?"

Naruto scratched his head. "Doesn't he usually pass out for a week after using up all his chakra?!" He mimicked Kakashi's injured demeanor from the Land of Waves, exaggerating every detail.

Before anyone could respond, a laid-back voice called out, "Hey, you three."

Turning around, they saw a man in a Jōnin vest holding a senbon needle between his teeth like a toothpick.

"Who are you?" Naruto asked bluntly.

"I'm here to inform you of the second test. Gather at Training Ground 44 tomorrow morning at seven o'clock," the man replied nonchalantly.

"Training Ground 44?"

"Yes. It's also known as the Forest of Death."

"Death… forest?" Naruto gulped.

Ignoring their reactions, the Jōnin—Shiranui Genma—vanished as quickly as he'd appeared.

The trio hurried back to prepare their gear for the next phase of the Chūnin Exam, postponing their visit to Kakashi until later.

---

The World Beyond

Meanwhile, in the lower region of the Land of Fire, two ninjas stood at the edge of remote villages, eager to return home.

Their return was possible due to a strange phenomenon—a global "Horror Questions and Answers" event.

This mysterious event wasn't limited to Konoha; it spanned the entire Land of Fire and beyond, affecting even ordinary civilians. The rules dictated that if a civilian answered correctly, it would count as if a Konoha ninja had succeeded. As a reward, a deceased Konoha ninja could be resurrected.

These two resurrected ninjas, filled with gratitude, set off toward their respective homes, driven by bonds of love and loyalty.

---

Konoha's Unfolding Mystery

Konoha had always assumed the horror quiz was an isolated event, occurring only during the Chūnin Exam and exclusively within the village. But as more accounts surfaced, it became clear that this was a global phenomenon.

During one such quiz, the stakes had risen significantly. Naruto's correct answers had revealed future events, with his responses projected across the entire world.

This projection was the result of a negotiation led by Morino Ibiki, head of Konoha's interrogation unit.

Doubting the quiz's legitimacy, Ibiki had demanded proof:

"Show us evidence. Why does Uzumaki Naruto have the correct answers?"

He had also requested a specific projection:

"We want to see footage of the Fourth Great Ninja War, where the leader of the Allied Shinobi Forces declares his willingness to sacrifice himself to protect Naruto. And we question the authenticity of the war itself!"

The entity behind the quiz had simply replied:

"Understood."

The term "we" turned out to have broader implications than Ibiki had anticipated. Without a defined scope, the projection spanned the entire world.

---

End Note

The trio braced themselves for the second round of the Chūnin Exam, each carrying their own doubts and determination. Meanwhile, the mysterious quiz continued to reshape the lives of shinobi and civilians alike, proving that the bonds of the ninja world were far stronger—and more unpredictable—than anyone could have imagined.

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