Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 145: The Chunin Exams

Nagato had no idea that he had become the center of a brewing storm.

In fact, as he participated in the Chunin Exams, he was rather curious about Jiraiya's student, Uzumaki Naruto. He wanted to see what kind of person Naruto was.

And soon enough...

They met.

What Nagato hadn't expected, however, was that the chief examiner for the Chunin Exams was none other than his own teacher, Jiraiya.

Jiraiya had gone off searching for Orochimaru but returned to Konoha empty-handed just in time for the exams. The moment he arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned him the role of overseeing the entire event.

Clearly...

This decision carried deeper meaning.

The Chunin Exams involved all of Konoha's allies and held great political significance. Having Jiraiya in charge was both a show of strength and a sign that Hiruzen had high expectations for him.

For example...

As a potential candidate for the Fifth Hokage.

Jiraiya objected, of course, and even suggested that Tsunade take his place. But Tsunade wanted nothing to do with such a troublesome position.

"What a pain..."

Jiraiya sat in the Hokage's chair, glancing at the list of examiners who had already been selected. He had only come to lend his name to the event.

But after reviewing the list of examinees...

He scratched his head.

It seemed he had more to do than just sign off on things.

Because...

There were quite a lot of participants this year.

The Sand Village had sent its ninja, including the three children of the Fourth Kazekage.

Konoha had entered many of its new-generation Genin into the exams, including Naruto's Team 7, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio of Team 10, and Team 8, which consisted of Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame—the heirs of three major clans.

Not to mention...

Team 3, who had missed the previous exams.

The strongest young talents in Konoha were all here.

Besides them, smaller villages like Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure had also sent teams. But these minor villages were rarely worth noting—they seldom produced remarkable talents.

"This is going to be an interesting exam."

Jiraiya skimmed through the exam structure and list of examiners, familiarizing himself with his role.

But then...

As soon as the first written exam began...

He noticed something unusual.

Something he had overlooked.

The first exam tested the participants' ability to gather intelligence. The chief examiner, Morino Ibiki, had prepared an extremely difficult written test, forcing the Genin to cheat. Their ability to do so effectively was a measure of their espionage and information-gathering skills.

It was...

An intriguing test.

Byakugan users from the Hyuga Clan peered through papers.

Sharingan users from the Uchiha Clan copied movements.

The sand-user Gaara relied on his Third Eye.

But these weren't surprising to Jiraiya.

He had seen far too much in his lifetime.

What caught his attention...

Was a masked Genin from Amegakure—using origami to pass answers.

It stirred a faint memory in his heart.

A memory of a long-lost student.

But that was in the past.

Once the first, relatively merciful written exam concluded, the real test—the second round—began.

This was where deaths could occur.

The second exam tested teamwork, survival skills, and a Genin's ability to handle crisis situations.

Proctor Anko Mitarashi distributed two types of scrolls—Heaven and Earth—to each team and sent them into the Forest of Death. To pass, teams had to steal the missing scroll from another group and reach the finish line.

Simply put...

This was the only phase where deaths were likely.

Outside the Forest of Death.

Team 7 watched their competitors with curiosity.

Naruto's gaze darted around, trying to spot anyone unusual. But with his limited perception, he failed to recognize the real threats.

"That kid over there..."

"He's Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Konan had been watching Naruto closely. She spoke softly to Nagato.

"He's also Jiraiya's new disciple. Lord Shigen told us to ensure his safety."

"He seems..."

Nagato looked somewhat puzzled.

He had been observing Naruto since the first exam.

How should he put it?

That kid seemed... a little dumb.

At least, in that regard, he truly resembled their teacher, Jiraiya.

After all...

Jiraiya had been kind of an idiot, too.

Well...

More than just a little.

Deva Path Pain surveyed the area before speaking calmly.

"Once the exam starts, locate them first."

"Just in case..."

"...Anything goes wrong."

He glanced down at the document in his hand—the exam's waiver form.

By signing it...

The Genin officially acknowledged the possibility of death during the test.

Of course...

Nagato's team had no need to worry.

There was no one in Konoha, nor in the entire Chunin Exam, who could defeat them. Calling this "newbie hunting" was an understatement.

Still...

True talent was impossible to hide.

Even though Nagato and Pain refrained from using the Rinnegan, relying solely on basic taijutsu and ninjutsu, they still stood out.

Inside the Proctor's Room.

Jiraiya's expression grew serious.

The Amegakure team was performing exceptionally well. No matter how they tried to blend in, they were far too mature and composed compared to the other Genin.

"This team is impressive."

Jiraiya watched the monitor feed, commenting to the other Jonin present.

"Before the fighting even started, their squad showed superior sensory capabilities. And when they engage in battle, their strikes are decisive. That's not something ordinary Genin can pull off."

"In fact..."

He glanced at the other Jonin in the room before adding:

"...Even many Jonin don't fight as efficiently."

"I agree."

Asuma Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, nodding.

"Amegakure really sent some elite fighters this time. Are they trying to make a statement?"

"No doubt."

Kakashi observed the battle footage carefully.

"They're more composed than the Sand team. They fight with complete confidence, as if they already know they can't lose."

"Every time..."

Kurenai Yuhi, standing beside Asuma, frowned in concern.

"They only send one person to attack."

"The other two just stand by and watch."

That meant they were certain one teammate alone was enough to handle the situation.

They didn't even bother wasting extra chakra.

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"Looks like they're about to run into some real competition."

Jiraiya turned to another screen, where Sasuke was casually taking down a group of Rain ninja with a Fire Release technique.

Unfortunately...

His attack was too powerful.

The flames engulfed a camera, cutting off part of the surveillance feed.

"I wouldn't call that a fair fight..."

Might Guy frowned, still focusing on Nagato's team.

His battle instincts were sharp.

And something about them... put him on edge.

"Even though I believe in Lee and Neji..."

He muttered.

"...The difference in strength is just too great."

Guy had no doubt Rock Lee and Neji could stand up to prodigies like Gaara.

But...

Not against the Amegakure team.

Because what he sensed from them...

Was danger.

Real danger.

The kind that meant if he fought them, he would have to risk his life.

"Nagato and his group..."

"They're standing out too much."

Shigen had been quietly watching the exam unfold.

And he, too, noticed the problem.

"They're going to attract unwanted attention in Konoha."

"...By the way," he added.

"What names did they even use to register for the exam?"

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