Konohagakure
The 10,000-seat arena in the Hidden Leaf Village was buzzing with life. Wealthy merchants, nobles, and daimyō from various nations had gathered to witness Konoha's Chūnin Exams.
The preliminary rounds were over. Sixteen Genin had advanced to the tournament finals.
The ninja system pioneered by Konoha had been widely adopted by other hidden villages. Yet Konoha's standards for promoting a Genin to Chūnin weren't based solely on combat strength or flashy ninjutsu.
A Chūnin candidate was also evaluated on tactical intelligence, calm under pressure, leadership ability, and other critical qualities.
In the Chūnin Exam duels, both winners and losers could be promoted — performance and character mattered more than outcome.
Of course, overwhelming strength never hurt.
Throughout the vast arena, Leaf shinobi in blue uniforms and blue caps stood every 20 meters. They wore standard-issue black vests and ninja swords on their backs.
Other shinobi in blue patrolled the interior, ensuring safety and order among the crowd of thousands.
On their left sleeves was a circular emblem: a shuriken encircling an Uchiha fan. The right armbands bore various titles like "Public Order," "Security," "Special Police," and "Guard."
To ensure everything ran smoothly, Naraku had all officers from the Police Force on duty, including those who had been off-leave. All available personnel not critical to Konoha's day-to-day operations had been reassigned here.
Village Administration squads managed the outer perimeter, while Special Police secured the interior — making the entire operation virtually airtight.
Notably, none of the Kage from the major villages attended. It was common practice for them to remain within their own borders rather than risk appearing in another village.
On the highest pavilion of the arena sat Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, alongside Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu, silently observing the matches.
"It's time to begin,"
Hiruzen said calmly, exhaling smoke from his pipe.
The advisors remained quiet. An Anbu kneeling nearby made a hand seal and vanished in a puff of smoke to carry out the signal.
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Opening Match
In the first match, a Genin from Kusagakure (Hidden Grass Village) faced off against a Konoha Genin.
Naraku, seated among the audience, had no particular interest in the Genin matches — he was there mainly to oversee the event.
On the battlefield, the Genin exchanged basic transformations, clones, and substitution techniques, along with a few C-rank jutsu, engaging in a balanced, tactical brawl.
After about six minutes of fighting, the Konoha Genin landed a decisive kick, sending the Grass ninja flying.
Unable to rise, the referee called the match, declaring the Konoha shinobi the winner.
The Konoha Medical Corps quickly dispatched a first aid team with a stretcher to retrieve the injured and transport him to the on-site emergency medical room.
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Second Match: Kakashi's Debut
The second match drew far more attention.
A boy who appeared to be only five or six years old was standing across from a much older Genin from Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village) — about fifteen years old.
Rain Village made it a point to attend these exams, determined to shed the image that they relied solely on the legendary Hanzo the Salamander. They wanted to prove that their shinobi were skilled and capable in their own right.
The stark age gap between the two fighters drew gasps and excited murmurs from the spectators.
"Is that Hatake Kakashi?"
The small silver-haired boy in a mask was unmistakable. Naraku recognized him immediately.
The audience's discussions confirmed it.
"That's White Fang's kid, right?"
"I heard he graduated after only a month at the Academy."
"Isn't he only six years old? And already taking the Chūnin Exam?"
The crowd buzzed with excitement. The name "White Fang" carried immense prestige across all nations. His son's participation made the journey worthwhile for many nobles and dignitaries, who now cheered fervently from the stands.
Even Naraku, initially disinterested, now turned his full attention to the match.
This was the third match — where the Police Department had been assigned to closely monitor the crowd and maintain order. Naraku had a direct stake in ensuring things remained controlled.
The referee blew the whistle.
Kakashi and the Rain ninja immediately began testing each other, hurling kunai and shuriken while nimbly dodging and maneuvering around the field.
Despite his age, Kakashi demonstrated advanced chakra control, a high chakra reserve, and precise technique.
The Rain ninja soon decided to press his advantage — exploiting his greater height, strength, and experience — by closing in for taijutsu combat.
Kakashi, small and young, appeared to be at a serious disadvantage in close quarters.
Naraku expected Kakashi to retreat and counter — but instead, Kakashi stood firm, feet spreading slightly, his back arching downward like a coiled spring.
The short sword on his back was now visible.
His right hand calmly moved toward its hilt, his stance poised like a predator preparing to strike.
The Rain ninja, eyes gleaming with cruelty, charged forward with an umbrella tipped like a spear.
"Go to hell!"
He lunged with murderous intent.
Naraku, observing from the stands, activated his Sharingan, locking onto the moment of engagement.
Kakashi exploded forward in a flash.
His blade drew cleanly from its sheath in a fluid motion, slashing diagonally from shoulder to waist.
While not traditional Iaijutsu, the draw-and-strike technique was swift and lethal — an improvised form resembling White Fang's legendary sword style.
Rain Genin froze mid-attack, stunned.
Kakashi appeared behind him, calmly sliding his short sword back into its sheath.
A beat later, a deep crimson line appeared on the Rain ninja's body, stretching from left shoulder to right abdomen.
He collapsed in two, blood spraying.
Some in the crowd turned away, horrified. Others stood and cheered wildly.
"That's White Fang's Short Sword!"
Naraku thought grimly.
The match had lasted only one exchange — no grappling, no jutsu — and ended in a fatal blow.
Despite the Rain Genin's age and physical strength, he'd been utterly outclassed.
The emergency team didn't even attempt to help — the wound was beyond saving.
Death was a known risk in the Chūnin Exams. All participants had signed waivers acknowledging the danger.
But such a quick and decisive death was rare.
Hatake Kakashi had proven he was a genius of exceptional caliber.
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Spectators' Reactions
On the high platform overlooking the arena:
"Is that Kakashi, White Fang's son? His swordsmanship carries the same presence as his father's…"
Shimura Danzō observed with an emotionless face, but his eyes were filled with intense interest.
"Yes," said Mitokado Homura,
"He's truly an elite shinobi."
"Promote Kakashi to Chūnin."
Utatane Koharu offered the suggestion without hesitation.
"Mmm."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled from his pipe, his face shadowed and unreadable.
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