Naruto: I Am Uchiha Sasuke!?

Just as the three Sound ninja were about to make their move, several shuriken rained down from above, embedding themselves in the ground right in front of them.

They immediately halted.

"Hey, you guys planning to get yourselves kicked out before the exam even starts?" Sasuke twirled a kunai in his hand, his tone calm but taunting.

"Tch, don't get cocky! I could kill you right now!" One of the Sound ninja growled, raising a hand toward Sasuke.

"Enough!"

A sudden roar erupted from the podium, followed by a loud bang as smoke exploded, revealing a group of examiners standing before them.

The lead examiner, Morino Ibiki, fixed the Sound trio with a cold stare. "What's this? You want to get disqualified before the first test even begins?"

A wave of killing intent rolled off him, making the three Genin freeze in place. A chill ran down their spines.

"S-Sorry... we got carried away," one of them muttered as they backed away into the crowd.

Still casting a sidelong glance at Sasuke, one of the Sound ninja thought to himself, You got lucky this time...

Ibiki swept his gaze across the room. "Listen up! Fighting outside of designated matches is strictly forbidden. Anyone caught violating this rule will be disqualified immediately."

His voice carried an air of finality, silencing the room.

"Now, everyone turn in your admission slips and prepare for the first test—" Ibiki paused for effect.

"A written exam!"

---

"What?! A written test?!"

Naruto's horrified scream echoed through the room.

"No way! A test like this?!" He clutched his head, looking as if the world was ending. "This is it... I'm done for..."

He wasn't alone. Many of the other candidates wore equally distressed expressions.

In the eyes of most ninjas, strength and combat skills were what truly mattered. Not many had taken the time to study written theory.

"Take your seats. The test begins now."

One by one, the examiners handed out thick stacks of test papers.

Sasuke glanced at his paper and smirked. So, the rules are pretty much the same as in the original timeline...

He scanned the questions—complex for most Genin, but utterly trivial for him. Thanks to his extraordinary comprehension and near-photographic memory, these were nothing more than simple riddles.

This test is all about intelligence gathering, Sasuke mused, discreetly observing the room.

Sure enough, many of the candidates had already begun using their unique methods to cheat:

Kiba relied on Akamaru hidden in his jacket.

Shino's insects relayed answers to him.

Hinata and Neji activated their Byakugan to peek at others' answers.

Even Tenten and Lee used subtle tricks to copy responses.

The only one truly lost was, of course, Naruto. He sat frozen, staring blankly at his test paper, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Sasuke sighed internally. This guy never knew a single answer... yet somehow, he still passes in the end. Unbelievable.

Throughout the exam, several candidates were caught cheating.

"You there! That's your third offense—you're disqualified!"

"And you! That was pathetic. Out!"

One by one, students were kicked out, the strict proctors making the room increasingly tense.

Finally, Ibiki arrived at the crucial final question.

"If you answer the tenth question wrong, you will remain a Genin for the rest of your life."

The room fell silent. Many candidates hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes. Slowly, some stood up and walked out, forfeiting the test rather than risking their futures.

Sasuke merely crossed his arms, unimpressed. As expected, Naruto won't back down here.

And just as he thought, Naruto stubbornly held his ground, refusing to leave.

With that, the first exam ended.

---

Without warning, a woman suddenly burst into the room.

"Seventy-eight candidates left?! Pfft, Ibiki, your test was too easy!"

Bang!

A kunai embedded itself in the wall, startling some of the examinees.

"Listen up, maggots! My name's Mitarashi Anko, and I'll be your examiner for the second test!"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze observing her.

Anko... trained by Orochimaru, huh?

Dressed in a beige trench coat, a tight mesh bodysuit underneath, and dangerously revealing attire, she carried herself with bold confidence.

Sasuke smirked. That outfit is as reckless as her personality...

His mind quickly shifted. Speaking of Orochimaru…

He subtly scanned the room, his enhanced senses stretching outward.

That chakra... so strong!

His eyes locked onto a single Rain ninja wearing a bamboo hat.

There he is.

Orochimaru had already infiltrated the exam. He wasn't here just to watch—he had his eyes on Sasuke.

He came to plant a seed in me... the seed of seeking power.

Sasuke's lips curled slightly.

Too bad, Orochimaru. I don't need your pathetic tricks anymore.

---

Anko grinned as she addressed the crowd.

"Since too many of you passed the first round, the second exam will be extra brutal!"

She held up two scrolls, one labeled "Heaven" and the other "Earth."

"The rules are simple: each team gets one scroll. You need to collect both types and make it to the tower at the center of the Forest of Death within five days. Fail, and you're out!"

Murmurs spread among the candidates.

"As you can tell, this will be a survival test," Anko continued, smirking. "Oh, and one more thing..."

She held up a stack of papers.

"You all need to sign a waiver. Because..."

She pointed behind her.

"There's a real chance you won't survive."

The massive iron gates of the training ground loomed ahead, behind them a vast, dark forest filled with towering trees and the eerie sounds of hidden creatures.

Many candidates gulped.

"The Forest of Death, huh?" Sasuke murmured.

"Alright, let's hurry up and start!" Naruto shouted impatiently.

"Oh?" Anko grinned, narrowing her eyes. "So eager, are we?"

Swish!

A kunai flashed through the air, heading straight for Naruto.

Naruto barely dodged, but the blade left a thin cut on his cheek.

Anko appeared behind him in an instant, her voice a seductive whisper.

"I hate when brats interrupt me..."

Naruto swallowed nervously.

A Rain ninja stepped forward, handing Anko her kunai.

"Here, examiner. You dropped this."

Anko smiled as she took it, then turned back to the crowd.

"Alright, everyone, I wish you luck—but try not to die too soon."

The heavy gates creaked open.

The second exam had begun.

--

(A/N: Advance Chapters Are Available On My Patreon... Please Think Of Joining It)