"Didn't you come to participate too? Shikamaru."
Menma said with a faint smile.
To be honest, in the Hidden Leaf Village, there weren't many people Menma didn't dislike, or even had a bit of goodwill toward. Shikamaru was definitely one of them. Whether it was Shikamaru's intelligence or his personality, neither was repulsive. Under normal circumstances, Menma would be happy to be friends with someone like him. However, for Menma, who didn't want to follow the path of the original Naruto, having friends in the Hidden Leaf Village was a luxury.
It would even seem naive and stupid.
Was he supposed to play the "bonds" card too?
That would truly be a joke.
Perhaps one day in the future, such an opportunity would arise, but definitely not now. Or to be more precise, the bonds he wanted were bonds with people who could walk alongside him.
"Sigh, I was forced into it too."
Shikamaru shrugged, wearing an expression of utter helplessness.
"Being able to participate in the Chūnin Exams is great! Why do you look so unwilling, Shikamaru?"
Beside him, Naruto patted Shikamaru's shoulder with a chuckle.
This only made the helplessness on Shikamaru's face deepen.
Sasuke maintained his cool demeanor. Even when Shikamaru and Choji greeted him, he merely nodded slightly in response.
If it were anyone else, they might think Sasuke was provoking them. But Shikamaru and Choji had gentle personalities, and as fellow graduates, they were well aware of Sasuke's arrogant nature.
"Oh oh? Menma-kun, you changed your clothes? Wow! You look much more charming than before!"
At this stage, the girls' focus was still largely on appearances.
The moment Ino saw Menma and the others...
Initially, her gaze was entirely on Sasuke. But in the next second, she was attracted by Menma's brand-new attire. Her bright eyes sparkled as she spoke in a tone full of amazement.
"Mhm mhm. Menma's outfit really is much more handsome than before."
Beside her, Choji nodded while munching on snacks, looking at Menma happily.
"Yeah, thanks."
Menma replied with a smile.
"Tch. How come you get all the good stuff, Sakura? Your luck really is unmatched."
Ino looked at Sakura Haruno with a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
"Hehe, envious? Too bad you don't have such an opportunity, Ino."
Sakura put her hands on her hips, looking very smug.
"Ahhh! Damn it! You billboard brow, you're pissing me off!"
"Ino-pig!"
"Billboard brow!"
It was the familiar "love-hate" drama between the girls.
Menma, Shikamaru, Naruto, Choji, and the others were long used to it.
Meanwhile.
On the other side, the three members of Team 8 also approached.
The ten of them, who could be considered acquaintances, began chatting, and the volume gradually rose.
This drew dissatisfaction from some of the other Genin around them. The Genin from the Hidden Leaf naturally wouldn't say anything; even if they were annoyed, they were from the same village, so they had to maintain appearances.
But people from other ninja villages weren't so accommodating.
"Hey, brats! This isn't your home. Keep it quiet! If you keep making noise, I'm going to..."
A scarred man wearing a Waterfall forehead protector stepped forward with a fierce expression.
Just as he was spouting arrogant words...
Before he could finish...
From the opposite side.
Menma turned and took a step forward.
Boom!
A terrifying chakra aura far exceeding that of an ordinary Genin erupted from his body.
Along with a faint, chilling killing intent.
"Oh? Then tell me, what are you going to do?"
Menma's face changed as fast as flipping a page. One second, he was smiling gently; the next, his expression was grim. Staring coldly at the scarred man, his aura locked onto him completely.
The Waterfall ninja's expression changed involuntarily. Sweat seeped from his forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
This aura...
Was far stronger than his own.
"Hm?!"
"This guy..."
"He's killed people. And not just one."
"And that chakra signature... This guy isn't an ordinary Genin."
"Looks like a tough nut to crack."
The other Genin around them looked at Menma with surprise.
In the crowd behind...
Neji, Lee, Gaara, Kabuto, and others also looked at Menma's position with varying expressions.
And in the furthest corner of the crowd, a timid-looking girl with fiery red hair just like Menma's looked at him with surprise and curiosity.
Even Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, and the others looked at Menma as if re-evaluating him.
In just less than half a year, the top student of their class seemed to have undergone earth-shattering changes.
"I... this..."
Completely intimidated by Menma's aura, the Waterfall ninja seemed to be in a very awkward position.
He couldn't advance.
And he couldn't retreat.
Right at this delicate moment...
Bang!
The door at the front of the classroom was suddenly pushed open.
Clatter!
Tap tap tap tap!
A group of ninja wearing standard Leaf flak jackets marched in, led by a man in a black trench coat with an extremely fierce face.
"Silence!"
The fierce-looking man walked straight to the podium, hands in his pockets. His icy gaze swept over all the Genin present. His cold words sent a chill through the hearts of the vast majority of them.
Taking this opportunity, the Waterfall ninja hurriedly retreated to his teammates' side.
Menma glanced at the Waterfall ninja indifferently, then focused all his attention on the man in black standing on the podium.
This was the Hidden Leaf's torture and interrogation expert.
"Hmph. Looks like everyone is in high spirits. I can understand that; after all, it's the Chūnin Exams. However, I need to remind you all: no matter how excited you are, this is an exam hall, and I am the proctor for your first round of exams. My name is Ibiki Morino. During the exam, all your actions must follow my commands and meet my requirements. If anyone acts without my permission or behaves recklessly, I will immediately disqualify them. Understood?!"
Ibiki looked coldly at the Genin below. His words, spoken one by one, were accompanied by a chilling aura spreading through the room.
Even the most unruly among the Genin reined in their wildness slightly.
seeing the silence below...
Ibiki nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. Then let's begin your first exam. Hand in all your application forms, then take the seat corresponding to the number you receive. This exam is a written test."
Ibiki signaled several Leaf Chūnin beside him to bring out paper boxes, then addressed the numerous Genin in the classroom.
"Oh? A written test? Looks like this round will be easy."
Hearing Ibiki's words and seeing the Chūnin holding exam papers...
A look of joy immediately appeared on Sakura's face.