novelhk Chapter 394: The White Eye Intimidates the Entire Audience!
Chapter 394: The White Eye Intimidates the Entire Audience!
Chapter 394: The White Eye Intimidates the Entire Audience!
The standoff in the corridor lasted only a second.
Sasuke's cold glance with his crimson Sharingan with its two tomoe was enough to make Kotetsu and Izumo, who were disguised as genin, tremble.
Those were the eyes of someone who had truly experienced life-or-death battles, mixed with the unique ocular power and pressure of the Sharingan.
Although it's only a pair of tomoe, Sasuke's experience in the Anbu has made him use those eyes far beyond what his peers can.
That single glance sent the two veteran Chunin into a daze for a moment, as if they had been dragged into some kind of illusionary world.
Taking this opportunity, Sasuke stepped forward and used his shoulder to push aside the two people blocking his way. Then he reached out and tried to push open the classroom door marked "301".
The gate remained unmoved; the illusion had not been broken.
Sasuke frowned, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
At this moment, Mianma slowly walked forward and formed a simple hand seal with one hand.
"Illusion - Release!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding scenery rippled outwards like waves on water.
The sign on the wall that read "3F" has changed to "2F". The classroom door sign that read "301" has peeled off like faded paint, revealing the real "201" underneath.
The tightly closed wooden door had now returned to its original lightness and could be opened with a gentle push.
Behind the door was not a classroom, but a staircase leading to the third floor.
Menma turned around and waved to Naruto and Hinata, who were still in a daze behind him: "Let's go, we don't have much time left."
Naruto then realized what was happening, his eyes lit up, and he excitedly yelled, "Menma-nii is amazing! You solved it so easily!"
Hinata quickly followed, her fair face filled with admiration.
Sasuke stood there, watching Menma easily break the genjutsu, pursed his lips, and ultimately said nothing.
"Let's go." He snorted and winked at Sai and another teammate behind him, and the three of them followed.
After the Konoha group disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Tenten blinked, his eyes shining, and said, "Is that the 63rd top seed, Shinma? Kakashi's Team 7—they look like they're not simple!"
Lee stared intently at the stairs, his thick eyebrows furrowed: "Uchiha Sasuke—and that Menma—they're not ordinary genin."
Although the exchange just now was brief, Xiao Li keenly sensed only the tip of the iceberg of the two men's strength.
Sasuke's Sharingan genjutsu could instantly affect two guys who were clearly not genin, while Menma easily broke through their genjutsu.
In fact, Xiao Li and his companions had long seen through this simple illusion.
The reason they acted as if they had been deceived was a strategy they had planned together. Before the real exam began, they would try not to reveal their true abilities to avoid becoming the target of everyone's criticism.
Tenten turned to look at Kurama Yakumo beside her and found the quiet girl clutching her easel tightly, her eyes fixed on the direction Menma had left, her expression complex.
"Yakumo, what's wrong?" Tenten asked curiously.
Kurama Yakumo was silent for a few seconds before speaking softly, her voice barely audible: "That person... gives me a very strange feeling..."
She didn't continue speaking.
From the moment he first saw Menma, Yakumo felt an indescribable sense of familiarity and fear.
That feeling was very similar to the inner demon called "Ido" that had caused the deaths of her parents and plagued her for many years.
But Menma looks gentle and sunny, completely different from Ido's violence and twisted nature.
Why would someone have this misconception?
Unable to understand, Yakumo could only hug his easel tightly, as if that would give him some sense of security.
On the other side of the corridor, Kotetsu and Izumo watched as more and more genin saw through the genjutsu and headed to the third floor. They exchanged a glance and then deactivated their transformation techniques.
After the two returned to their original appearances, Kotetsu rubbed his temples and said with a wry smile, "Those three little guys from Kakashi's Jonin class are really something else—and that Uchiha Sasuke, just now, I almost thought I'd run into an Uchiha Jonin."
He still feels lingering fear.
When those crimson Sharingan eyes swept over, even for only a moment, it made Kotetsu feel as if he had been dragged into some kind of icy bottom, and a feeling of suffocation instantly overwhelmed him.
On the battlefield, such a moment of distraction could be extremely dangerous!
Izumo Kamui nodded, his expression not very good: "That Menma—his method of breaking illusions was too easy."
Both of them were veteran Chunin from Konoha, having weathered many storms, but this Chunin Exams, they felt they might witness something extraordinary.
"Looks like this Chunin Exams is going to be quite exciting." Kotetsu stretched his shoulders and grinned. "Let's go, Izumo, we should go report to Captain Ibiki. The first exam is about to begin."
The two simultaneously formed hand seals, transforming into two wisps of smoke and disappearing from the spot.
Third floor corridor.
Menma, Naruto, and Hinata had just stepped out of the stairwell when they saw a familiar figure leaning lazily against the windowsill.
With silver spiky hair, wearing a black mask, and her right eye obscured by a headband, she held the ever-present book, "Make-Out Paradise."
"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
Kakashi slowly raised his head from the book, his dead fish eye sweeping over the three of them, and said lazily, "Because this is an off-site exam for the Chunin Exams."
He closed "Icha Icha Paradise," stuffed it into his ninja tool bag, then walked up to the three of them, his tone unusually serious.
"Listen, the Chunin Exams are completely different from the missions you've carried out before. This is not an exam you can pass by fighting alone; it's a test of teamwork."
Kakashi's gaze swept over Menma, Naruto, and Hinata in turn.
"The Chunin Exams are conducted in teams of three. From the moment you decide to participate, you must uphold the principle of teamwork. If any member of a team is absent or eliminated, the entire team will be disqualified from continuing the exam."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"This is the reality of being a ninja. In a real mission, your comrades are your back. If you can't even protect or trust your own teammates, then you weren't qualified to become a Chunin in the first place."
Naruto seemed to understand, but he nodded vigorously anyway: "I understand! Kakashi-sensei! We'll definitely get through this together!"
Menma smiled, took out three application forms from his ninja tool bag, and handed them to Kakashi: "Then, I'll leave it to you, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi took the form, glanced at it briefly, and after confirming that everything was correct, his expression relaxed a bit: "Go ahead, I'll wait for your good news."
He stepped aside, revealing the door to classroom 301 behind him.
The door looked ordinary, but at that moment it seemed to lead to another world.
Naruto's fighting spirit was immediately ignited, and he pumped his fist: "Kakashi-sensei, get ready for a victory celebration! We'll definitely become Chunin!"
Menma, one hand on his hip, said, "Kakashi-sensei, you'd better prepare to pay a hefty price tag. I heard that 'Yakiniku King' recently launched a limited-edition Wagyu beef set meal."
Kakashi's lips twitched slightly, clearly still vivid in his memory of Hinata's enormous appetite last time.
But he quickly reverted to his lazy demeanor: "Let's talk about it when you guys actually become Chunin."
Hinata followed closely behind Menma, and mustered her courage to say to Kakashi, "Please rest assured, Kakashi-sensei, we will definitely do our best."
"Okay." Kakashi nodded and watched the three of them walk towards the door.
Mianma reached out and pushed open the classroom door.
Squeak—
The heavy wooden door slowly opened, revealing the scene inside.
This is a large lecture hall, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people.
At this moment, the classroom was already filled with genin from various ninja villages, a dense, dark mass.
The moment the door opened, everyone's eyes turned to them.
Those were gazes that were sometimes fierce, sometimes indifferent, sometimes scrutinizing, and sometimes curious.
Genin from different countries and villages wore different clothes and various headbands. Some had bandages wrapped around their faces, some carried strange ninja tools on their backs, and some had obvious killing intent in their eyes.
The atmosphere in the classroom was oppressive and heavy, filled with silent competition and hostility.
Naruto was startled by the scene and instinctively took a half step back, muttering softly, "So many people—and they all look so fierce—"
Despite his bald face, he remained calm as his gaze swept across the classroom, quickly spotting several familiar figures.
In a corner of the Sound Village, Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses and gave him a gentle yet meaningful smile.
In the Land of Stars region, Gaara crossed his arms and closed his eyes to rest, as if everything around him was irrelevant.
Kankuro cautiously observed his surroundings, and when he saw Menma, his expression became noticeably more serious.
Temari and the three members of Ita's team, including Kaori and Kurotsuchi, were chatting about something.
On the other side of Kirigakure, Hozuki Suigetsu casually crossed his legs and waved to Naruto when he saw him.
Chojuro smiled shyly, while Hinokami Uzumaki looked at Menma thoughtfully.
Also present were Karui, Omoi, and Atsui from Kumogakure, sitting by the window, talking in hushed tones.
Just then, Sasuke's team and Lee's team also walked in one after another.
As soon as Sasuke entered the classroom, he sensed the oppressive atmosphere, but he only frowned slightly. Sai's fake smile also turned serious, and the other person remained silent like a ghost.
Soon, the other genin from Konoha also gathered around.
"Hey, Menma, you guys got here pretty fast." Shikamaru walked over lazily, followed by Choji and Ino.
Choji was munching on a bag of potato chips when he saw Menma and gave him a good-natured smile.
Ino jumped right next to Sasuke, her eyes sparkling: "Sasuke-kun~ You're here!"
Kiba, Sakura, and Shino also came over.
Kiba, with Akamaru on his shoulder, said nonchalantly, "Hey, Sasuke, why do you look so grumpy? Did you guys do anything to those two guys upstairs?"
Sasuke gave a soft snort and didn't say anything, but the impatience in his eyes was clearly getting stronger.
Ino was still clinging to him, practically hanging on him: "Sasuke looks so handsome today~"
Seeing this, Sakura immediately bristled and stepped forward to pull Ino away, yelling, "Ino-boo! Let go of Sasuke!"
"Wide forehead! What are you doing!"
The two girls were about to start arguing when—
A red figure flashed past them at an astonishing speed, leaving behind a fragrant breeze.
The next second, the figure pounced on Menma, clinging tightly to his arm like a koala.
"Brother Menma~ You're finally here! Xiang has been waiting for you for so long!"
Wearing oval-framed glasses, Kaori Haku, with her long, bright red hair, was blushing and starry-eyed. She was pressed against Menma, making no attempt to hide her infatuation and affection.
This scene silenced the entire classroom for a moment.
All eyes turned to them.
The Konoha 11 were completely stunned.
Shikamaru's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, and he suddenly looked at Hinata beside him. Then, he instinctively took a half-step back and muttered, "Damn it—that woman—"
Choji froze, the potato chips in his hand hovering near his mouth, forgetting even to chew.
Ya trembled all over, and the red pill on his head let out a terrified "woo-woo" sound, its ears drooping down.
Sasuke's expression turned solemn as he activated his Sharingan.
Ino and Sakura forgot their argument, shivered at the same time, and instinctively hugged each other.
Naruto took three steps back, sweat beading on his forehead, and whispered, "I...I didn't see anything—"
At this moment, Hinata, standing next to Menma, had her head down, her bangs covering her eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.
But her body was trembling slightly, and her hands were clenched into fists.
A few seconds of deathly silence.
Then, Hinata slowly raised her head.
The Hinata who was just moments ago timid, gentle, and shy has vanished.
Instead, there were a pair of white eyes filled with anger and domineering aura.
Veins bulged at the corners of his eyes, and there was not a trace of shyness in those eyes, only naked possessiveness and warning.
A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, and her entire demeanor underwent a dramatic change, as if she were an enraged lioness.
"You stinking woman—"
'
Hinata, the leader, grabbed Kaori's wrist and forcefully pulled her away from Menma.
"Stay away from my face!"
Xiang stumbled slightly from the tugging, but quickly regained her balance. Instead of backing down, she defiantly made a face at Hinata, the leader of the group: "Heh~ Menma-nii isn't all yours~"
This statement was like igniting a powder keg.
Hinata, the leader, suddenly widened her Byakugan, and the veins around her pupils bulged.
An invisible pressure suddenly erupted from her body, spreading outwards like a shockwave.
That wasn't just killing intent, but a kind of intimidating power that came from the depths of her bloodline—the Byakugan of Hinata, the eldest sister!
Xiang, who was closest to the victim, turned pale and instinctively took a half-step back.
The air seemed to freeze.
Just then, a tall, thin man from the Sound Village, whose face was wrapped in bandages and only one eye was visible, impatiently slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"Hey! You bunch of Konoha brats! This is too much! This isn't a playground for you!"
He hadn't finished speaking.
Hinata, the leader, suddenly turned her head and glared fiercely at them with her icy Byakugan eyes.
Just one glance.
boom!
It felt as if an invisible giant hammer was smashing down on the Sound Ninja.
He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing hard into the back wall of the classroom with a dull thud.
Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the wall, and dust fell in clumps.
The Sound Ninja collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with terror and disbelief.
Meanwhile, the other genin in the classroom also felt this terrifying pressure.
The entire classroom was completely silent at that moment.
More than a hundred genin, elites from various villages, all looked at the Byakugan girl with shocked, fearful, and wary eyes.
The girl who was just a moment ago like a shy little rabbit is now exuding a more terrifying aura than most people present.
What kind of power is that?
Without forming hand seals or making a move, a single glance was enough to send someone flying.
"Does anyone else have any objections?"
Hinata, the leader, coldly surveyed the entire room. Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
The ordinary genin present couldn't help but shudder.
After saying that, Hinata, the eldest sister, took Menma's arm again and glared at Kaoru in a defiant manner.
Karin pouted and muttered softly, "Why are you being so fierce?!"
Menma sighed helplessly and gently patted Hinata's hand: "Alright, alright, calm down, the exam is about to start."
.
Hinata, the leader, then slightly toned down her aura, but her Byakugan eyes still vigilantly scanned the surroundings, as if warning everyone.
The atmosphere in the classroom remained heavy, but unlike before, no one dared to underestimate the group of Konoha genin anymore.
In the corner, Gaara slowly opened his eyes, his emerald green pupils looking at Hinata. He knew Karin's strength well; to be able to subdue Karin and be so intimate with Menma—this woman was probably not someone to be trifled with.
Temari and Kankuro exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.
"That Hyuga clan's Byakugan—the main family's princess, huh—" Temari whispered.
Kankuro nodded, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead: "That oppressive aura just now—it seemed even stronger than that of Jonin Neji."
Kurotsuchi rubbed her temples helplessly, while Kuroranmaru had an expression that said, "I knew it."
On the other side, Hozuki Suigetsu whistled, "Wow, are the girls in Konoha this fierce?"
Chojuro pushed up his glasses and whispered, "Suigetsu, don't talk nonsense, or you'll get glared at and sent flying—"
Hinoka Uzumaki looked at Kaori, who also had red hair, with a complicated expression.
At the front of the classroom, Shikamaru patted his chest, looking troubled, and said, "That scared me to death—for a moment, I thought a fight was about to break out—"
Choji finally swallowed the potato chips in his mouth, and said with lingering fear, "Big Sister—how scary—"
Ya nodded vigorously, and Akamaru trembled on his head.
Ino and Sakura hugged each other, both looking terrified.
"Quiet down, you bunch of useless trash!"
A cloud of smoke exploded, and a tall figure emerged from the smoke, with short black hair, a face covered in crisscrossing scars, wearing a black coat, and eyes as sharp as an eagle.
Ibiki Morino, head of the Konoha Torture Department, and chief examiner of the first written exam.
He appeared with a group of Konoha's torture squad ninjas.
His arrival silenced the last whispers in the classroom.
All eyes were on him.
Ibihi glanced around the classroom and finally walked to the podium with a blank expression.
"I am the examiner for the first exam, Morino Ibiki."
His voice was deep and hoarse, carrying a sense of authority.
"Before the exam begins, I'd like to announce a few rules."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room like a knife.
"First, no talking, passing notes, or using any ninjutsu to cheat is allowed during the exam."
"Secondly, each team has three members, and each person starts with 10 points. The exam uses a deduction system; 2 points are deducted for each instance of cheating. When a team's total score falls below 0, the entire team is eliminated."
"Third, if any member of the team scores 0 points, the entire team is eliminated."
As soon as he finished speaking, a suppressed gasp filled the classroom.
These rules are too strict.
Ibiki looked at the various expressions on the faces of the people below the stage, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"So, the first round of the Chunin Selection Exams..."
"The written test will now begin."