The Gamer: Naruto World - Chapter 52

Early morning, on the day of Chūnin exams, the academic section of the Hokage tower welcomed the ninjas from the several hidden villages, big and small. In a group of three, they entered tower after showing their ID card, submitting their papers and in exchange grabbing a number token.

Raito, Naruto, and Hinata stood in front of the tower, showing the Chūnin guard their ID card.

“Naruto, Hinata and Raito, huh?” He looked through the clipboard and said, “You three are supposed to go to the demonstration hall.”

“Good luck.” He took out three number token and gave it to the three of them.

“Yosh, let’s go.” Naruto took a big step forward on the way to become a Chūnin, soon to the seat of Hokage.

“Baka. Don’t you know we have three demonstration hall?” Raito pulled the back of Naruto’s jacket and turned to face the Chūnin, “Which demonstration hall? Which floor?”

“2nd demonstration hall, second floor.” The Chūnin guard answered nonchalantly as he nodded his head slightly. The three didn’t see but after they entered the building, the Chūnin scribbled a few words on the clipboard.

“Thank you.” Raito bowed slightly then walked in.

Walking in, they could see other ninjas from different village walking. Some big, some small, some fat, some thin. It was like that, people from different worlds have different stripes. But the one thing was common, they were extremely vigilant of their surroundings and one another, some were paranoid enough to suspect their own teammates.

“We have to go to the demonstration hall on the second floor. Don’t get involved with anything for now.” Raito’s voice appeared in Naruto’s and Hinata’s head, as they nodded slightly. After months of grinding, Raito had increased his stats high enough for using the Mind Voice Transmission technique of Yamanaka Clan. When Ino had learned about Raito learning this technique, she was red in anger and cursed the clan, no one knew what the real reason was. Inoichi who watched Ino cursing inside the clan chambers let out a wry smile.

“Raito~! Naruto~! Hinata~!” Came the loud voice of Chōji. Chōji walked in from a corner with Ino and Shikamaru. They had waited for Raito and the group for quite a time.

“Chōji!” Naruto turned and hugged Chōji seemingly trying to lift him up.

“You’ve gotten heavier,” Naruto commented but was replied with his cheeks being stretched by Chōji. “Bakanaru.”

“Ino-chan.” Hinata grabbed Ino’s hand and smiled. They looked like two sisters born from the same mother as they held hands, gossiped in low voice and giggled softly.

“Oi, Shika.” Raito walked, turning his head around. Looking at different shinobi, whether walking past by or which were already in the demonstration hall.

Shikamaru also looked around and walked towards Raito. He was also trying to assess the people walking around or so it seemed.

“There are slightly more than a hundred and fifty people inside the building who are below eighteen years of age.” Raito started. He had already started after his encounter with Gaara and sand shinobi, with his ‘Chakra Sense’, reading most of the description of the ninjas. Although there were few ninjas who had used disguise, Raito didn’t think about it much. All of them were from Kusagakure, even their squad leader and the squad leader of Otogakure.

“Below eighteen… those who are allowed to take Village Chūnin exams. After eighteen, they have to hope for the field promotion.” Shikamaru informed which Raito already knew.

“Among five great villages, three have decided to participate. Wind, Water, and Fire, and the rest they are from smaller hidden villages.” Shikamaru added.

“And since exams are held in Konoha, most are from Konoha naturally.” Raito smiled.

“This year Kirigakure sent four teams, announcing that war has ended in the village and they are ready for work.” Shikamaru smiled. He was sure that it would end now.

“Um…Fire has 75, Wind has 48 and Water has only 12.” Raito pushed forward with his information.

“Watcha’ talking about?” Kiba b.u.t.t in between Shikamaru and Raito from nowhere.

“Nothing!!” Both Shikamaru and Raito let go of each other and shouted at Kiba.

“Seesh, just asking.” Kiba pulled his tongue out then turned his head.

From behind Shino and Sasuke walked in silently and while many of the girls had an interested look towards Sasuke, no one made a move to express it. It seemed that their life of Genin had somehow changed them.

“Sasuke-san, Shino-san.” Hinata bowed slightly then turned to chat with Ino. It seemed that their topic was quite a forbidden one as Hinata looked around from time to time and Ino glared at the Kiba who wanted to walk in.

Seeing that Shikamaru and Raito didn’t want to answer him, Kiba looked at the two girls in the groups and tried to walk in but was stopped by Ino’s intense stare. It was his second warning… if he crossed once more than Kiba would have to deal with Kunoichi merciless gossiping.

Sasuke who was looking at all the ninja around him, a small smile appeared in his face. Feeling the tense atmosphere, he straightened his back and loosened his arms, ready to defend against any attack.

“Hah!” a loud ‘thump’ sound heard as Lee wearing a green bodysuit and yellow arm and leg warmers dropped near Sasuke.

Looking at Lee, Raito sighed and moved behind Kiba and disappearing from the scene.

Lee stood up, looked at Sasuke then moved his head in search of someone, someone specific, Raito. “I thought I saw Raito-kun just now.”

“Who are you?” Sasuke tried his best to not move from his spot as he glared at the bowl haircut and thick eyebrow teen in front of him who seems to be similar to his own age.

“Me? Call me Rock Lee, Taijutsu specialist.” Lee pointed his thumb to himself and announced.

“And?” Parts of his body twitched as he looked at Lee. Sasuke gritted his teeth and wanted to turn around but he saw Lee changing into a fighting stance.

“Sasuke-kun, I heard from everyone that you are the strongest of this batch of graduates but I think there is someone even stronger than you. Do you think you are the strongest?” Lee asked as he pulled back his arm.

The question was somewhat awkward for Sasuke because his Uchiha pride couldn’t say that he was weaker, he couldn’t admit being weaker. But still, Sasuke looked at the direction where Raito was supposed to be.

Although he would hate to admit it, Raito was stronger than himself, for now. In these past couples of months, Raito has sparred with him a couple of times or he had forced Raito to spar with him but he was defeated every single time.

“Hmph!” Sasuke snorted and changed his stance. “Try it for yourself.”

Even though Sasuke and Lee made a scene, Raito and the group walked upstairs despite Naruto grumbling. But there were some who were very interested in watching this small battle. Like the shinobi from Otogakure and Kusagakure.

“That’s Lee for you. He is a battle maniac.” Raito answered to the gossiping behind him.

“You trained with him?” Shikamaru raised his eyebrows.

“Yup I did and he is right now a lot stronger than Sasuke,” Raito answered with a nod and smile.

“…Sasuke.” “Hey, Raito what do you think the exams will be like?” Naruto asked.

A playful smile appeared in Raito’s face as he answered, “Of course, one part will definitely be fighting.”

“Fighting, huh? I can beat asses-”

“I am glad you all came.” Kakashi’s voice drew everyone’s attention. Kakashi along with Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai was waiting near the entry door.

“Sensei!” The group called out slightly in respect and slightly in good feeling at the Jōnins.

“We are here to cheer you all.” Kakashi gave them a thumbs up and looked at his team with a smile.

“Hehe. That’s so nice of you all.” Naruto laughed embarrassedly while scratching his head.

“We will do our best.” Hinata bowed to Kakashi and others and looked towards the door.

“Hmph.” A snort of disdain came from the back where a Hyūga came wearing dark brown shorts, blue shinobi sandals, and wrapped bandages around his right arm, c.h.e.s.t, and right leg. His hair long tied in a loose ponytail tied at the end. Wearing a Konoha Hitai, symbolizing his loyalty. He had a permanent emotionless but strict face pasted on his face. As he looked at the group, his gaze came to land on the back of his clan member, Hinata. Looking at her, his emotionless face had disgust for just a second before disappearing.

Those who noticed, noticed and those who didn’t, didn’t.

“Lee, that’s too much. Didn’t we decide not to show off?” Tenten smacked Lee at the back of his head and sighed.

“But people were saying that Sasuke was the strongest…I-I don’t believe that.” Lee puffed and said with a righteous tone.

“Ugh…Ah!” Tenten who felt a headache from Lee’s talking saw all eyes focused on her and Lee which made her jump.

“Gai-sensei!”

“Lee.”

Before anyone could react Lee and Gai had come to face each other.

“Kurenai-sensei!” Kiba’s loud shout announced the arrival of their team.

Raito sighed and turned to face the door. He looked behind and said softly, “I will be going in first.”

“Ah! Wait, Raito.” Naruto turned and followed Raito. He was not going to let Raito out of his sight.

“Naruto-kun, Raito-kun, I am coming too.” Hinata also walked quickly.

“My food,” Chōji hurriedly walked inside.

“Sensei, wish us luck.” Ino winked and ran inside.

“…What a drag.” Shikamaru looked at the door for a while then walked inside.

Everyone couldn’t help but look at the group of Genins. There was faint awkwardness as team eight walked upstairs, which had a slightly bruised Sasuke.

“It isn’t helping much.” Kakashi looked at Kurenai who nodded.

“My Genins! Do your best!” Gai gave his Genins a bright smile and a thumbs up.

After their small discussion, Kakashi glanced at Gai and felt that he could somewhat relate but Kurenai who was responsible for Sasuke felt that it was a really bad situation.

“Haha, youth!” Gai suddenly burst loudly.

Inside the demonstration room, a crowd of more than a hundred shinobi from different villages stood in groups of their own. And while some glared at each other, most were just discussing among themselves.

A hundred Genin in a single hall seemed… suffocating. Every once in a while, they would look at you and try to devise a plan to kill you.

“So many…” Naruto gasped.

“We have to go against all of them.” Raito smiled.

“They all look… strong,” Hinata commented.

“Not many get to become Chūnin on their first try,” Shikamaru added.

“Almost half of them have taken Chūnin exams before.” Ino walked forward and informed.

“Means that they are hella strong.” Raito whistled.

Naruto looked at his friends then turned to look at everyone in the hall. With a grim determination and a big smile on his face, Naruto announced, “I will definitely beat all of you here and become Chūnin. That’s one step closer to becoming Hokage, Believe it.”

Naruto’s voice was neither loud nor small. But everyone who was paying attention heard it clearly and immediately they began sneering.

“That stupid looking brat wants to become Chūnin?”

“Hey didn’t ya hear it? That punk wants to become Hokage.”

“C.o.c.ky bastard.”

The door opened once again and Neji’s and Sasuke’s group walked in. The two groups were showing their opposition as they made a clear distance while walking in.

“Oi, isn’t that the last surviving Uchiha?”

“There is another one alive…”

“They say he is very strong.”

“Is he? Heh, someone just made him eat dirt…hehe.”

As Sasuke heard that, he glared at the shinobi in front. Jaw clenching, he wanted to smash them but was stopped by the rookie group.

Lee and Tenten dragged Neji to some of their batch friends to reconnect.

Sound, Waterfall, Grass, Rain, Mist, Sand. With a variety of shinobi in the same room, things were tenser than a stretched bow. If anyone started a fight, the whole room would be… a fighting arena, a match free for all, blood and gore, a pleasant scene. Although all of them were said to be Genins but… at the same time, there were people like Gaara and Naruto.

Everyone in the room was easily above level twenty but only a few were above thirty and there were three unknowns from the Kusagakure with unknown level and unknown name.

Raito didn’t have to even look at anyone in the room to know that all of them were looking at them. Raito saw that these shinobi from different villages, most of them looked at Naruto and Sasuke. He was casted like a background character in the game right now. But what made him stand on guard was that the three unknowns from the Kusagakure were looking at Sasuke from beginning to present. Even though there were other teams, who were looking, Raito felt a bit nervous.

‘Hinata…Can you check on the Kusa team at the left part of the room? Just… don’t look at them directly.’ Raito immediately acted on his guts and asked Hinata to check them.

“An.” Hinata quietly nodded then used Byakugan, hidden from the rest. While Raito could see everyone on a certain distance but he couldn’t see through the mask and disguises.

“Raito-kun, they don’t match anyone from bingo book.” Hinata shook her head.

“What? What? What are you talking about?” Naruto turned with a cheery face.

“…Nothing.” Hinata answered with her small voice. It was too low for even Raito to hear. It wasn’t because she was too shy to speak with Naruto. That stage had already passed. It was because Neji who was with his team was looking at Hinata with an intensity more than she could bear.

“Uchiha clan? Elite ninja?”

“Hey! What does that mean!?”

“He is just a loser.”

All of a sudden, voices started appearing out of nowhere targeting Sasuke and Uchiha clan.

Sasuke’s cornea turned red and his eyes moved to those shinobi from different villages. In a rage, he couldn’t pinpoint who was it that started it but he could feel everyone laughing at him and his clan.

Uchiha pride. Strongest warriors. Uchiha Clan…ruined.

His face turned ugly as a d.e.s.i.r.e to kill grew inside him.

The circle in Sasuke’s pupil with one magatama started spinning.

“…”

“Oi, look that’s Sharingan.”

“It’s red, red.”

“What a waste?”

Ino who was quiet till now faced Sasuke and grabbed his hand. Chakra passing through her hand as she said in a soft voice. “Sasuke-kun, calm down.”

“You are acting like a lion in a zoo, you know.” Raito turned back and said to the glaring Sasuke.

“What’s the use of gritting teeth? When the time comes just to beat them to death.” Raito added, his voice caused Sasuke to contain his anger.

Raito turned his head and looked at the three ninjas from the Otogakure. ‘Manipulating sound?’

“See those from Otogakure?” Raito pointed with his chin. Clearly, a kind of arrogance in Raito’s face, “If you are a loser than they are dog pissed ashes.”

“…”

“…”

It looked like Hinata was already used to Raito but others had various expressions on their faces.

Even Naruto who had known Raito for the longest, had his mouth hung open. ‘And Kakashi-sensei says that I am the most unpredictable ninja.’

Sasuke looked at Raito with a confused face and Ino who was trying to calm Sasuke, felt her face twitching.

“That idiot.” Ino huffed.

Shino, Shikamaru, and Hinata looked at Raito trying to guess what was really happening.

“Hey, what the heck!?” Kiba shouted.

Raito continued, “That small hidden village from nowhere who got approval recently. What good shinobi can they send?”

Once again the entire room was silent as the shinobi from different villages singled out the shinobi from Otogakure, waiting for a play to enjoy.

“Look at three of them, so-”

Bang!

“You idiot! What are you doing?” Ino huffed as she headlock Raito.

Grabbing her thin arm, Raito replied, “Why not? Those three bastards were changing their sound to make confusion among the shinobi of all the hidden villages here to provoke us. So, why not? They are dragging all the villages into trouble. Do you think everyone is stupid to insult the village where they can possibly die at any time?”

“Change voice?”

“Their village name says that they specializes in sound…so maybe.”

“Bastards trying to trick us…”

There was a sudden outcry among the shinobis. These groups of shinobi were of course affected by Raito’s skill.

The Otogakure shinobi who were just isolated were cursed by the dozen of shinobi

The team leader Dosu Kinuta, was a hunched teen which made him look short was wearing bandages covering most of his face, leaving only his left eye uncovered. He had a piece of metallic equipment on his right arm and wearing a large poncho with long sleeves, a snake patterned scarf around his neck, a straw raincoat.

The female member of the team, Kin Tsuchi had fair skin, black eyes with very long black hair, almost reaching down to the ground, tied by a violet ribbon right near the end. She wore a forehead protector, a pale green vest somewhat similar to a flak jacket, snake patterned pants with a snake patterned skirt over it, and a snake patterned scarf around her neck.

The other male member Zaku Abumi, had spiky, black hair and dark eyes, wearing a beige shirt with two black stripes and three prints of the kanji for death down the front. As with his teammates Dosu and Kin, he wore a snake-patterned scarf around his neck.

While being head locked by Ino, Raito glanced at them. The shinobi from Otogakure had shifted their focus to him, which made Raito let out a sigh of relief inwardly. But the problem were, the shinobi from the Kusagakure, who still had their focus towards Sasuke. Although they retracted their gaze, Raito still felt like they were eyeing Sasuke.

Kin gritted her teeth and stepped out. “You are framing others. You don’t have any proof, why are you slandering us?”

“Proof? Who needs that?” Raito laughed evilly and looked around, “I will ask if anyone of you guys were involved in…saying bad things about Konohagakure. If you all… just now insulted our village, please raise your hands. But if none of you were involved and think that shinobis from Otogakure were the cause of everything than there is no need to speak.” Even those who were not involved were used by Raito.

Zaku and Kin glared at rookie nine while Dosu closed his eyes and exhaled a breath.

“That is totally against us. What the heck is that?” Zaku glared and pulled his hand back.

“Don’t put the blame on us for things that we didn’t do.” Kin pointed at Raito.

Dosu who was silent till now took a step and disappeared in a blur. He ran with full speed taking many turns and finally reaching the rookies from Konoha.

“You can’t prove that but we heard you insulting our village, loud and clear” His right arm with metallic equipment raised high and his fingers like a claw.

To everyone, it looked like he was aiming for Raito but at the very last moment, Dosu stepped slightly to the left and went for Sasuke.

Dosu passed by Raito who had taken extra few steps forward. Raito only lifted his hand and brushed his fingers on the metallic equipment and did nothing.

‘He did something just now.’ Neji furrowed his brows as he looked at Dosu’s right hand. ‘Byakugan’

Ino took a couple of steps back hurriedly, looking at Dosu’s momentum but was held steady by Hinata.

“Hmph!” Dosu swung his right arm going for Sasuke’s face.

But Sasuke was no rock, to let someone just punch him. He leaned back and dodged the swing. He lifted his leg, ready for a rising kick to the chin.

“Uzumaki Drop!”

“You guys are going too far!!!” Zaku roared.

Snake → Rabbit → Boar “Decapitating Airwave”

“Stop it right there.” Ibuki appeared with raging winds throwing everyone involved off the ground which included Zaku, Dosu, Naruto, Sasuke and finally Raito. Were it not for the ‘Adhesion’ skill activated, Raito would have blown off like everyone else.

Shikamaru heaved a sigh of relief as his tensed muscle relaxed. Chōji also opened his ch.i.p.s and started eating in front of the whole army. Kiba had retracted his sharp nails and his fangs also became smaller.

Of course, everything may not be noticed by everyone but the Chūnins were able to see everything perfectly, added the sand siblings and the Kusagakure shinobi.

But nobody noticed the low buzzing sound coming from Shino and the tiny crystals falling from the holes in the metallic equipment in Dosu’s right arm.

“You maggots! Who gave you permission to fight!?” Ibuki shouted with his loud and heavy voice. His rough, gangster-like appearance gave him dangerous appearance….plus the sound technique, taught by Anko gave everyone an oppressive feeling except for a few.

Even Gaara looked down and touched his c.h.e.s.t where his heart was.

Ten Chūnins wearing a grey uniform stood with a clipboard on their hands letting out a mocking smile as they looked at the Genins.

“Fight! And you are out of Chūnin exams FOREVER!” Ibuki glared at the quarreling group and not seeing them react much he gave a sneer and gave everyone a measuring glance.

“Every one of you have a number ticket. There is number on the table, find them and sit down in five minutes.” Ibuki nodded and looked at the door. While the Genins had sorted themselves, the door was opened and a few people walked in with a sealed paper bag.

Those people divided and cut open the seal taking out stacks of paper.

“First Chūnin exams, written test. We can’t hope for a stupid Chūnin leading the team, can we?” Ibuki smirked as he saw many paling.

“W-written test!?” Naruto turned around and around in fear as he looked for support. Raito was far into the front whereas Hinata sat at the last bench. ‘I am… doomed.’