The Konoha stadium was teeming with people.
The circular stands were packed with spectators from all corners of the ninja world, mostly nobles and daimyō from various countries.
Half of them, however, were Konoha villagers or ninjas from the village.
Among them were Hyūga Hiashi and the members of the Hyūga clan, the Uchiha who remained in the village, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, and many more...
In the place of honor sat the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, surrounded by Konoha's top dignitaries.
With Hiruzen's announcement, the third exam officially began.
"Itachi~, do your best~~!"
In the stands, Uchiha Izumi, who had come to support Itachi, cheered for her beloved with enthusiasm.
"..."
Sitting next to Sasuko, Naruto finally had the chance to observe Itachi's girlfriend.
With her almond-shaped eyes, Uchiha Izumi gave off an impression of pure innocence.
The small beauty mark under her eye added a seductive charm to her appearance.
Her long black hair, flowing down to her waist, contrasted with her dazzlingly fair skin.
Without a doubt, she was an extraordinarily beautiful girl.
Being in the middle of adolescence, her body was beginning to develop, taking on more feminine curves.
Her status as a ninja gave her a slim and athletic figure...
"Mmh..."
Holding back her cheers for her brother, Sakoremained silent, calmly observing the match.
From the start, she maintained a mysterious aura around her when Naruto was present.
Not really knowing how to behave with a friend, Sakoacted cautiously, afraid that Naruto would drift away because of her status.
Daughter of Uchiha Fugaku... The title sounded glorious, but it wasn't what she truly wanted.
A friend, in her view, was meant to be a pure relationship—free of calculation or ulterior motives.
At least, that's what she believed for now.
"I... I forfeit!"
Itachi's opponent, a genin from Konoha who had already witnessed his abilities during the second round, immediately gave up.
Defeating an enemy without fighting.
Itachi didn't waste a second and turned on his heels.
Such an insignificant opponent didn't even deserve a word from him.
The stadium was silent for a moment, then erupted in even louder cheers.
"Hmph..."
In the dark corridors of the stadium, Danzō observed the scene.
Hidden in the shadows, protected by his subordinates, he felt safe.
Clearly, Itachi's power inspired fear, which explained the panicked reaction of his opponent.
"I've often thought... it would be better if that boy weren't a ninja from the Uchiha clan. Then, I wouldn't have to worry..."
The Second Hokage's theories were absolutely correct.
The Uchiha clan was a cursed clan.
A threat to Konoha—they needed to be eliminated.
Soon, Itachi's second opponent appeared.
Dark skin, white hair.
Clearly, a ninja from Kumogakure.
It seemed odd, considering Konoha and Kumo were in conflict at the border, with casualties every day.
Normally, Kumo shouldn't have been participating in the Chūnin Exams.
But politics is a hypocritical game.
Even if both villages were fighting to the death, they could still put on fake smiles and maintain a façade of cordiality.
Wanting to compete not only on the battlefield but also during the Chūnin Exams, Kumo had sent its ninjas to participate.
Now, all eyes were fixed on the two young fighters on the field.
"That Kumo genin is nicknamed 'Nemuri the Sleeper'. He's quite well-known among Kumo's younger generation..."
A subordinate of Danzō calmly explained Itachi's opponent's identity.
"Begin!"
As soon as the referee gave the signal, the match ended... instantly.
Itachi rushed toward his opponent—five meters away—and delivered a kick so fast the other didn't even have time to react.
The opponent was slammed against the stadium wall, crashing into a crater in the stone.
Unconscious before he even hit the ground.
The cheers came to an abrupt halt. A deathly silence followed.
No one had expected such an outcome.
The opponent had been defeated before he could even respond, which meant that Uchiha Itachi already possessed strength beyond that of a newly promoted chūnin.
In other words, no ninja of that level could stand up to him.
"That boy, Itachi..."
Danzō narrowed his eyes, noticing the two-tomoe Sharingan shining in Itachi's gaze.
Already two tomoe?! Since when?!
My brother is amazing~~!
Sakoclenched her fists, her teeth chattering with excitement. She restrained herself from showing too much enthusiasm.
Then she glanced at Naruto.
He looked completely stunned.
Not surprising, considering the overwhelming performance from her brother.
"The winner is... Uchiha Itachi!!"
The referee, snapping out of his shock, announced the result with a slightly trembling voice.
It was clear that Itachi had far surpassed the expected level for the exam.
Possessing a two-tomoe Sharingan was proof that he would at least become a jōnin in the future.
The cheers resumed, louder than ever, filling the stadium for a long time...