Naruto: One Click Maxed Ninjutsu and Tsunade Lost It!

Right now, what Nagi cared most about was why Hiruzen had summoned him.

"It's like this… As you know, Konoha is hosting the Chūnin Exams soon," Hiruzen began, launching into a long-winded explanation about how important the exams were, how the daimyōs were paying close attention, and so on.

But after listening for a while, Nagi still didn't get to the point. "And what's that got to do with me? I'm not even supposed to take the Chūnin Exams."

Nagi cut straight through the nonsense. After all, he was already a Special Jōnin. He had zero interest in an exam meant for Genin.

That's when the Third Hokage began to look a little embarrassed.

"You see, among the younger generation in Konoha, you're the only one worthy of the title 'number one genius.'"

"And the other villages are all sending their top talents too. If you don't participate…"

The implication was obvious: he wanted Nagi to enter the exam to show the other villages just how fearsome Konoha's genius really was.

"As for your status, don't worry. The way you became a Special Jōnin is… unusual. Since you never formally went through the Chūnin Exams, I can use our host privileges to sneak you in."

In other words, Hiruzen was willing to bend the rules just to win.

And technically, Nagi's title of Special Jōnin was more about treatment than rank — on paper, he was still a Genin.

So really, why couldn't he participate?

"Got it. I'll handle it," Nagi waved casually, thinking this was much less of a big deal than expected.

"That's great!" Hiruzen beamed. With Nagi in the mix, Konoha's victory was practically secured.

——

Elsewhere, the group from Sunagakure was still reeling after leaving the ramen shop.

"Gaara, why did you stop me from fighting that guy?" Kankurō asked, confused by Gaara's sudden restraint. Normally, Gaara was the first to jump into a fight.

"That person is strong," Gaara answered flatly, his eyes still full of unease. That guy had felt like he could crush him with just a glance.

"The others said his name is Nagi, Konoha's number one genius," Temari added.

"A genius from one of Konoha's major clans?" Kankurō frowned.

"But that doesn't make sense…"

Temari fell into thought. As far as they knew, Konoha's most prominent clans were the Uchiha and the Hyūga. The Hyūga had no famous powerhouse, and they'd already met the last remaining Uchiha — Sasuke.

"Who is this Nagi guy, really?"

"No idea," Gaara said. "But someone like him probably wouldn't even bother with the Chūnin Exams."

He simply couldn't believe that a person that strong would stoop to participate. It would be unfair to the rest of the ninja world.

"Damn… if he's really that powerful, then what about our plan—"

"Shut up!" Gaara cut Kankurō off sharply, eyes locked on him.

Kankurō instantly realized he'd said too much and clammed up. Technically, he was Gaara's older brother, but Gaara was absolutely the type to kill him without hesitation.

"Let's keep a low profile. No need to draw too much attention," Temari quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. She couldn't just watch Gaara kill Kankurō.

Gaara, hearing her words, grudgingly reined in his rage.

He didn't consider Temari or Kankurō real siblings anyway — even his biological father, he wanted dead. The only reason he hadn't killed them yet was because he wasn't strong enough. Yet.

——

Soon, the list for the first round of the Chūnin Exams was released.

Outside the first test room, Naruto and the others finally learned the shocking news.

"Nagi's joining the Chūnin Exams!?"

Shikamaru's eyes went wide. They'd been training hard for a week straight, only to find out that Nagi would also be participating?

"Nagi's in too? That's awesome! I'm definitely going to beat him in the exam!" Naruto was the only one excited about it.

Everyone else was hoping they didn't end up facing him.

"With Nagi's strength, he'll pass the Chūnin Exams easily!" Ino and Sakura, unlike the others, lit up with fighting spirit upon hearing the news.

But the candidates from the other villages were all confused.

"Who's this Nagi they're talking about?"

"No idea. From the sound of it, he must be pretty strong."

However, three people in the crowd suddenly narrowed their eyes.

"You hear that? That guy Nagi — he's our target," said Dosu, his tone dark.

They were the Sound Ninja Trio, sent by Orochimaru.

"He's extremely important… and extremely dangerous. Whatever you do, don't underestimate him!"

Dosu remembered Orochimaru's warnings clearly — they were etched into his mind. If Orochimaru said this guy was strong, then he absolutely was.

But Zaku and Kin didn't feel the same way.

"If I can beat that Nagi guy, I'll definitely earn Lord Orochimaru's praise!"

"No way. That guy's mine!"

Watching the two of them spouting drunken bravado while sober, Dosu simply shook his head.

They were hopeless.

Unlike them, Dosu had a clear understanding of his own limits. If Orochimaru himself said this guy was out of their league… then he absolutely was.

"I just want to see what he looks like," Dosu murmured, eager to lay eyes on the so-called genius who had Orochimaru so on edge.

[End of Chapter]