Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 407 The Third Exam with Changed Rules

Chapter 407 The Third Exam with Changed Rules

The interior of the tower appears more spacious than its exterior suggests.

Passing through the heavy iron gate, the first thing that comes into view is a circular hall.

The gray-white stone wall extends upwards, narrowing into a dome at a height of twenty meters, with a huge chandelier hanging in the center, casting soft light into every corner.

Several corridors are distributed around the hall, leading to different areas, such as rest rooms, medical rooms, and supply points.

Menma and his two companions, guided by an examiner wearing a Chunin headband, passed through the hall, turned into the left corridor, and stopped in front of a door marked "07".

"This is your temporary rest area." The examiner handed over three access cards with a blank expression. "You may use all the public facilities in the tower until the end of the exam, but you are prohibited from entering other teams' rest areas. In case of emergency, contact the command room through the communication device at the end of the corridor."

"Understood." Menma took the card.

The examiner nodded, turned and left, his footsteps echoing in the corridor until they gradually disappeared.

Naruto had already impatiently pushed open the door.

He let out an exaggerated exclamation, rushed inside in three steps, and plopped down on the bed by the window.

The mattress bounced a few times, and he fell back down, his limbs spread wide, and he exhaled deeply.

"Finally, I can rest!"

Hinata followed her in, looked around, and gently pursed her lips.

This is a standard three-bed room.

Three single beds were placed side by side against the wall, with the snow-white sheets and blankets neatly folded under the fluorescent light.

There was a small wooden cabinet by each bed, with a lamp and a water glass on it.

Near the door is a water dispenser, and in the corner stands a simple clothes rack.

Everything was so clean—like a hospital ward.

Hinata didn't choose a bed, but walked to the window and gently pulled back the beige curtains.

Outside, dusk was gradually falling.

The sea of ​​trees in the Death Forest transforms into deep green waves at dusk, stretching all the way to the horizon.

In the distance, a wisp of smoke rose faintly from a certain direction, probably indicating that some test takers were still camping in the forest at night.

"Three more days." Menma sat on the edge of the middle bed, leaned back, put his hands behind his head, and slowly lay down. "For the next three days, we'll be waiting here."

The texture of the ceiling stretched out in his field of vision, like some kind of abstract pattern.

He remembered that in the original story, the number of teams that passed the second exam far exceeded expectations, which led the Third Hokage to urgently add a preliminary round, an individual elimination tournament held inside the tower.

However, this time, because the overall strength of the participating teams is generally stronger and the battles are more intense, the number of teams that will eventually reach the tower is expected to change significantly.

The world has been turned into a complete mess by myself, so will the qualifiers still exist?

"At least I can get a good night's sleep now." Hinata's voice came from beside her, soft and slightly shy.

She had left the window at some point and was sitting on the edge of the hemp bed.

Her slender fingers unconsciously gripped the snow-white sheets. Her profile was outlined in the soft light of the lamp, her eyelashes drooping like butterfly wings.

Mianma turned his head to the side, and his eyes met hers.

Hinata's face flushed red, and she immediately turned her face away, tightening her grip on the bedsheet.

"Um, well—I just feel—it's really not a good place to rest in the forest—" she explained softly, her voice growing softer and softer.

Naruto was completely unaware of the change in atmosphere.

He was sitting up in bed, curiously examining the bedside lamp switch, clicking it repeatedly to make the light flicker on and off.

"This lamp is quite interesting."

"Naruto." Menma sighed.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Menma-nii?" Naruto asked, turning his head.

"It's nothing." Menma sighed as he looked at his silly younger brother, whose eyes were clear yet held a hint of foolishness.

dong dong dong.

The knock came at just the right time.

"Coming, coming!" Naruto immediately jumped out of bed, rushed to the door in three steps, and pulled it open.

A silver-haired ninja stood outside the door, his left hand in his pocket and his right hand raised to his shoulder, waving lazily.

"Yo."

The familiar black mask, the headband worn at an angle, the lazy, dead-fish-like gaze.

"Congratulations on passing the second exam." Kakashi's tone was completely weak, not at all like he was offering a congratulatory message.

"—?!" Naruto's eyes widened, his mouth forming an "O" shape: "Kakashi-sensei?! What are you doing here?!"

"Oh dear." Kakashi scratched the back of his head, his gaze shifting slightly upwards. "It just so happens that we're here for some reason."

As he spoke, he walked into the room on his own.

Hinata had already stood up from the edge of the bed and politely bowed slightly: "Hello, Kakashi-sensei."

"Mm." Kakashi waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. There were no injuries, no signs of fatigue, and not even obvious wrinkles or stains on their clothes.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but it was quickly masked by his nonchalant expression.

"You guys seem to be having a lot of fun in the forest?"

"We weren't just playing around!" Naruto immediately retorted, "We took the exam very seriously!"

"Is that so?" Kakashi remained noncommittal, walked to the window, leaned against the window frame, and casually pulled a small book with an orange cover from his ninja tool bag.

Menma sat up in bed and asked bluntly, "Kakashi-sensei, when does the third exam start?"

Kakashi paused in his flipping through the book.

He raised his head and looked at Mianma with his crescent-shaped eyes.

"That's one of the reasons I came to see you. The second exam will officially end in three days, after which you'll have five days to rest and prepare."

He paused.

"Then we'll move on to the third test—a team competition."

"A team battle?" Naruto tilted his head, looking completely confused.

His pockmarked eyebrows twitched slightly.

This change was greater than he had anticipated.

"As the name suggests," Kakashi explained, his tone unusually serious, "each team that passes through will engage in a three-on-three head-on battle in a designated area, and the winning team will have all its members promoted to Chunin."

"

He glanced at the three and added, "The losing team isn't entirely without a chance. This exam introduces a comprehensive evaluation mechanism similar to that of the Jonin teams. If they perform exceptionally well in battle, even if the team is defeated, outstanding individuals may be promoted to Chunin."

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Naruto is processing this information.

Hinata lowered her head, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, in Mianma's mind, the underlying logic of this rule change had already been connected.

The game has evolved from 1v1 individual battles to 3v3 team battles.

This is not simply about increasing the visual appeal.

In this exam that brings together geniuses from the five great nations and numerous smaller ninja villages, the team competition better reflects a ninja village's overall training level, teamwork, and tactical execution.

This is not just a contest between genin, but also an open competition and demonstration of the future backbone of each village.

It is foreseeable that the third exam will become a stage for the major ninja villages to secretly compete and demonstrate their military strength.

In a large, highly anticipated venue, these teams represented their respective villages.

Konoha vs. Kumogakure.

Konoha vs. Kirigakure.

Konoha vs. Iwagakure.

Konoha vs. the Land of Stars.

When the teams from those two villages clash, the spectacle will undoubtedly be spectacular.

It generated a lot of buzz.

The smell of gunpowder will be overwhelming.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, an old man criticized by Danzo as "too gentle," made an exceptionally ruthless move in this game.

The introduction of the Jonin Council gives Konoha, as the organizer, more room to maneuver.

"Understood." Mianma's brows gradually relaxed, and he nodded.

Kakashi glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.

He turned and walked towards the door, waving his hand behind his back to the three of them: "Having finished the second exam ahead of schedule, you have three more days to rest than the other teams. I look forward to your performance in the third exam."

"Wait, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto took two steps to catch up. "You still haven't told me why you're here!"

Kakashi paused for a moment.

"—Because I am your teacher."

He didn't turn around, but pushed open the door and walked out.

Naruto stood at the door, scratching his head. He felt that something was off about the sentence, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The third day at dusk.

The crystal chandelier in the tower's lobby was lit, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

The door opened again.

Three figures filed in: Xiang with her red hair flying, Hei Tu looking tired, and Lan Wan with unsteady steps.

"We've finally arrived—" Ranmaru's voice was visibly weary.

"Where is the rest area? —" Kurotsuchi looked around, stretching his aching shoulders.

"I'm so angry! Next time I meet that bastard covered in water, I will beat him into a pig's head!" Xiang walked along the indicated route to the rest area while waving his fists viciously, his joints cracking.

Her purple crop top was dusty, and her black hot pants had several scratches.

A dangerous emotion burned in his pupils, causing a passing examiner to unconsciously take a few steps around him.

Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously.

They did indeed have the upper hand in the river battle two days ago.

Ranmaru's red-eyed shadows actually played a significant role in the Hidden Mist Technique, while Kurotsuchi's ninjutsu and taijutsu overwhelmed Chojuro, and Kaori nearly captured Hozuki Suigetsu alive with the Adamantine Sealing Chains.

If it weren't for the sudden and fierce battle between the Konoha and Kumogakure teams downstream, which drew everyone's attention with its explosions, they could have completely crushed the Kirigakure team and captured the scroll.

But the other party isn't stupid either.

Taking advantage of Kaoru's distraction from the fierce battle downstream, Hozuki Suigetsu used the Water Transformation Technique to break free. He then quickly retreated with the injured Chojuro and the paralyzed Hinoka under the cover of the Mist Concealment Technique.

By the time Xiang came to her senses, the Mist Village trio had already disappeared into the depths of the thick fog. To avoid being taken advantage of by a third party, they could only watch helplessly as the Mist Village team took the opportunity to escape.

Kurotsuchi shrugged: "So we had to steal another team's scrolls from the Grass Ninja. It was a bit of a hassle, but at least we got through it."

"It's different!" Xiang exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That was my first time using the Diamond Lock in actual combat! It could have ended perfectly!"

She grew angrier the more she thought about it, and clenched her fists even tighter.

Ranmaru silently took out a soldier's ration pill from his ninja tool bag and put it in his mouth, deciding not to get involved in the topic.

Just then, Xiang's eyes suddenly lit up.

It was a change in expression from anger to surprise, and then to a kind of dangerous excitement.

Heitu followed her gaze.

On the other side of the lobby, at the entrance to the rest area, a boy with short black hair, wearing a black tracksuit, was holding a glass of water, leaning against the wall, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Brother Menma—!!!"

The sound of incense exploded in the empty hall, echoing layer upon layer.

She was like a red cannonball, instantly covering a distance of more than ten meters and plunging headfirst into Mianma's arms.

"Waaaaah, I'm so miserable! I was bullied by the Hidden Mist Village! They even used the Hidden Mist Technique to escape! That's too much!"

She buried her face in his chest, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and hung on him like a large, aggrieved feline.

Menma's hand, holding a water glass, hovered in mid-air; his expression was calm, but his eyes held a helpless look.

"—Relax first."

"Don't loosen it!"

"The water is going to spill."

"Then let's sprinkle it!"

A few seconds later.

Two more people walked out from around the corner of the corridor.

Naruto was holding a bag of potato chips he bought from a vending machine and putting them into his mouth; Hinata followed behind him, holding a bottle of mineral water.

Then she saw the fragrance.

Naruto froze, potato chips dangling from his mouth.

Hinata stopped in her tracks.

The air fell silent for a moment.

Then-

Hinata lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes.

"That... Hinata?" Naruto asked cautiously.

Hinata did not respond.

She looked up.

In those white eyes, that gentle and shy soul seemed to have been put on pause.

Instead, a completely different aura has emerged.

"You stinky woman."

"

Her voice was no longer gentle, but rather like a long-suppressed volcano finally erupting.

"Stay away from my face!"

She strode forward, her movements decisive and swift, grabbing Xiang by the back of her collar and pulling her off Mianma like a kitten.

Caught off guard, Xiang stumbled a couple of steps after being pulled, but immediately glared back defiantly after regaining her balance: "What do you mean, 'your Mianma'?! Mianma-nii is my savior! Our bond is much deeper than yours!"

"Bonds?" Hinata, the leader, sneered, arms crossed, looking down at him. "How many years have you known Menma?"

"Haven't you heard of love at first sight? Hmph~"

The two girls faced off, and it seemed as if invisible sparks were crackling in the air.

Another corner of the hall.

Hozuki Suigetsu had just stepped through the door.

He carried his long sword and sewing needle on his shoulder, looking exhausted from a long journey.

Following behind, Chojuro not only had his glasses askew, but also had bandages visible peeking out from under his collar.

Hinaka walked last, her face pale and exhausted.

Shuiyue shook her hair, her gaze unconsciously sweeping across the hall.

Then he saw the fragrance.

Kaori was confronting Hinata and didn't notice him.

After thinking for half a second, Mizuki decisively turned around and pushed Chojuro and Hinokami in the opposite direction.

"Come on, come on, there's a vending machine over there, I'll buy you drinks."

Chojuro looked bewildered: "But Suigetsu, that's the toilet over there—"

"Then let's drink right outside the toilet, stop talking nonsense."

Hinoka glanced back at the red-haired woman in the center of the hall, then at Mizuki's tense back, and surprisingly did not expose her.

Night falls.

The lights inside the tower were dimmed, switching to night mode.

Most of the candidates who passed the second exam have returned to their respective rest rooms to recharge.

The corridor was quiet, with only the occasional night examiner passing by, his footsteps as light as a cat's.

Sasuke sat alone on a bench in the corner of the hall, his back against the cold stone wall, a faint burning pain still lingering in the depths of his black pupils.

That was the backlash from the illusion being forcibly broken.

He closed his eyes, and in the darkness emerged the desert, that yellow, savage eye, and the almost pitying look in Gaara's eyes as he looked down at him.

"Guess who wasn't taken away?"

"If you want to know—"

"Just go ask him yourself."

His fists were clenched at his sides.

My fingernails dug into my palm, and a stinging pain shot through me.

Countless fragments flashed through Sasuke's mind.

A mother's gentle smile.

My father's serious yet proud gaze.

The man raised the knife; the blade was cold in the moonlight.

And the man's last words to him: "You're not even worth killing now."

"My foolish brother, run away, live a wretched life, and one day come before me with eyes just like mine!"

He harbored hatred for six years.

He thought he hated the man who killed his entire clan and his parents.

But now someone is telling him that his mother is still alive, that not all of his clansmen are dead, and that the man killed far fewer people than he thought.

What does his six years of hatred amount to?

Why didn't anyone tell him the truth?!

Those countless nights spent practicing alone until their fingers went numb, those days driven by revenge to desperately become stronger, those moments of loneliness when they thought they were "the last Uchiha" —

What does that even mean?!

>