Chapter 30 (Patreon)

[Phantom Step: Move with ghostlike speed and evade a wide range of close-combat and long-range attacks.]

Naruto’s face flushed with excitement. He clenched his fists as he read the description of his new supernatural ability.

Then he checked his status panel again.

...

Host: Naruto Uzumaki

Age: 12

Strength: Special Jōnin

Chakra Natures: Wind, Water, Earth (granted by the Sage Body)

Special Title: [Killing Heart]

Points: 300

Supernatural Abilities:

Ever-Changing

Immortal-Binding Rope

Phantom Step

Bloodlines:

Uzumaki Clan Sage Body (Level 4, God-Level Bloodline)

Deidara’s Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai (Level 2)

Skills:

Uzumaki Clan Sage Body — Innate Abilities (Advanced): Immense Chakra Reserves, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kagura’s Mind’s Eye, Physical Healing, Aptitude for Sealing Techniques

Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai — Innate Techniques (Beginner): Clay Birds, Clay Ants

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique (Transcendent)

Body Flicker Technique (Transcendent)

Transformation Technique (Advanced)

Clone Technique

Substitution Technique (Transcendent)

Exceptional Chakra Control (Beginner)

Flying Thunder God Technique (Intermediate)

Reanimation Jutsu (Unlearned)

Tandem Paper Bombs (Unlearned)

Bringer of Darkness Technique (Unlearned)

Hashirama Senju’s Wood Style Ninjutsu (Unlearned)

Tobirama Senju’s Water Style Ninjutsu (Unlearned)

Basic Taijutsu (Proficient)

Basic Genjutsu (Proficient)

Basic Ninja Tool Throwing Techniques (Proficient)

B-rank Wind Style Ninjutsu: Hurricane (Proficient)

C-rank Wind Style Ninjutsu (Proficient): Great Breakthrough, Gale Palm

C-rank Earth Style Ninjutsu (Proficient): Underground Projection Fish Technique, Subterranean Voyage, Headhunter Jutsu, Hiding in Rock Technique

C-rank Water Style Ninjutsu (Proficient): Wild Water Wave, Water Prison Jutsu, Water Clone Jutsu

Items: None

...

His strength had risen to the level of a special jōnin.

That assessment mainly reflected his ability to ambush and assassinate opponents. Under the right circumstances, he had a good chance of killing even a jōnin.

In a direct confrontation, however, he would still fall short.

“Naruto... am I really that weak?” Sasuke asked beside him, frowning.

“Sasuke-kun, you’re strong!” Sakura hurried to reassure him, worried that his confidence had taken too much of a blow.

“I asked Naruto.”

Sasuke gave her an irritated look, then turned back to him.

Sakura’s expression fell. She said nothing more.

Naruto smiled at Sasuke.

“You think having a two-tomoe Sharingan makes you unbeatable? Want to try another match?”

“Fine!”

Sasuke agreed without hesitation, his eyes burning with determination. After the humiliation Lee had put him through, he seemed eager to recover some pride by fighting Naruto.

The two stood ten meters apart.

“Ready?” Naruto asked.

Sasuke didn’t answer immediately. His blood-red eyes remained fixed on Naruto, the two tomoe clearly visible in each.

Then he sneered.

“This time, I’ll see through every jutsu you use!”

Phantom Step!

Whoosh!

Across from him, Naruto smiled.

Then another Naruto was suddenly right in front of him.

Sasuke’s Sharingan spun, barely managing to make out the face inches from his own.

Another Naruto? How is he so fast?!

There was no time to think. He instinctively raised his arms to shield his face and chest.

Thud!

A blow struck his face from below, sending him flying into the air.

Did he really expect his Sharingan to keep up with a supernatural ability?

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have defeated Sasuke for the sixth time.]

[Mission: Defeat Sasuke Seven Times.]

[Progress: 6/7.]

[Keep going to earn the mysterious reward!]

...

On the way to the exam room, Sasuke kept his head lowered and said nothing.

His repeatedly clenching fists made it clear that he was anything but calm.

He had thought awakening his two-tomoe Sharingan would let him defeat anyone in his way. Instead, Lee had beaten him first, and then Naruto had done the same.

What can I say? I have the system on my side.

Naruto almost offered that as consolation, then thought better of it. It would probably only make Sasuke angrier.

Sakura also wanted to comfort him, but she was afraid he would ignore her or snap at her again.

Kakashi was waiting outside the exam room.

He had hoped to give his three students a few final words of encouragement. Instead, Naruto walked past without acknowledging him, and even his favored student, Sasuke, ignored him.

Only Sakura gave him an awkward nod before the three pushed open the door and entered.

More than a hundred genin from different villages had gathered in the classroom. Some looked arrogant, others strange. There were older candidates mixed in among the younger ones.

Unfriendly eyes turned toward Naruto and his teammates.

They were competitors, after all. Soon enough, they might have to fight one another.

Under so many hostile stares, Sakura swallowed nervously.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, snorted, and glared straight back.

Then a girl hurried over and threw her arms around him from behind, breaking the tension.

“Sasuke-kun! It’s been so long! I missed you!”

The sight of her longtime rival hugging Sasuke immediately drove Sakura’s nerves away. Anger took their place.

“Get away from Sasuke, Ino-pig!” she snapped, pointing at Ino.

“You’re still as ugly as ever, Forehead!” Ino shot back.

Naruto watched them with an amused smile, then turned toward Shikamaru and Chōji, who had followed Ino over.

He was about to greet them when he spotted Hinata approaching with Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame.

His future wife had arrived too.

Naruto immediately stepped forward and took her hand.

“It’s been a while, Hinata. How’s my future wife doing?”

Hinata’s face turned scarlet. She swayed, already on the verge of fainting.

“Hey, hey! This is the third time. Is it really that embarrassing?”

Naruto caught her, torn between amusement and disbelief as he looked at her flushed face.

Would she still get this flustered over holding hands once she was married, like in the original story?

He couldn’t help chuckling at the thought.

“Hey, Naruto! Quit flirting with our teammate right in front of us! Do you want a fight?”

Kiba shoved him back, clearly annoyed. He had always acted as though he were Team 8’s leader, and he rarely bothered with politeness.

Naruto smiled and finally gave Hinata a little breathing room, releasing her hand.

But he couldn’t resist one last remark.

“I’ll protect you in the next exam, future wife!”

“You? Protect Hinata?” Kiba scoffed. “You’re the one who finished dead last! Just make sure she doesn’t have to rescue you!”

At that moment, a young ninja with silver hair and glasses approached them.

“You nine rookies should probably keep your voices down,” he advised kindly.

Naruto looked at Kabuto, and the corners of his mouth lifted.

The man certainly knew how to put on an act.

Still, Naruto couldn’t help admiring him. A ninja born without a kekkei genkai had managed to become one of the shinobi world’s most dangerous figures. His talent and resolve were remarkable.

Playing the helpful senior, Kabuto began explaining the Chūnin Exams to the nine newcomers. Before long, he had earned their goodwill.

Naruto barely listened.

Instead, he looked around the room, counting the candidates.

“What are you doing, Naruto?” Sakura asked.

The others stopped talking and turned toward him. Kabuto did the same.

“Counting everyone who’s taking the exam.” Naruto smiled at Kabuto. “Actually, I should’ve just asked you. Kabuto-senpai, how many candidates are there?”

“One hundred and fifty-three. Fifty-one teams.”

Kabuto answered without hesitation, watching Naruto with amused interest.

Tailed beasts and their jinchūriki fascinated him. Unfortunately, Orochimaru was busy preparing for his next body transfer, so Kabuto hadn’t had an opportunity to study them.

“One hundred and fifty-three?”

Naruto’s eyes lit up.

Apart from a few familiar teams he would feel uncomfortable attacking, the other candidates all represented points.

And with Asura Field active, every kill would earn him twice as many.

These were elite genin selected by their villages. Nobody would send unprepared rookies just to fill the numbers. Advertising weakness would only put their village in danger.

Some of the candidates were bound to possess the strength of chūnin already.

The thought made Naruto tremble with excitement.

Before he could contain himself, he raised his right arm and pointed around the classroom.

“You hear me? You’re all weaklings! I’m going to beat every last one of you!”