28 Chuunin Exams... Almost

Since the exams were only 1 month away, Kuro's team learned the basics of teamwork; a simple battle formation and quick signals to retreat, attack, wait, etc.

Kuro also managed to obtain the ability to absorb chakra from Yoroi and the Mystical Palm from Kabuto.

Previously, Kuro could use a weaker version, called Healing Technique, which consisted of creating a small white orb to heal some external wounds.

On the other hand, the Mystical Palm is Rank A and is capable of healing external and internal injuries.

However, Kuro needs the Yang element to make it easier to use and to bring out the full potential of the technique.

The team coordination was also acceptable given the little time they had.

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Kuro is walking towards the Academy right now.

Today is the day the Chuunin exams begin and teams should bring their signed applications to room 301.

When Kuro arrived at the Academy, Kabuto and Yoroi were already waiting for him at the entrance.

The three exchanged greetings and entered.

Unlike in the series, there are no teachers using Genjutsu to trick the Genin as to which floor they were on, at least not yet.

The time limit is until 3:00 PM and Kuro arrived at  least half an hour early.

"I heard that this year the exams will be more complicated." Kabuto spoke when they reached the 3rd floor.

"We'll see." Yoroi chuckled and spoke in a dismissive tone, just as they reached the front of the room.

Kuro opened the door and the 3 of them entered, attracting the attention of the many participants who had already arrived.

Most of them had a Konoha or Suna headband, however, regardless of their origin, almost all of them did their best to look intimidating.

"Kuro!" Right after entering, Ino appeared from the right and after pushing Kabuto a bit she pounced on Kuro. "Hehe~ I knew you were coming."

Kuro sighed at her antics. "Well, of course. I already told you before."

"Hey girl, be a little more careful, will you?" Before Ino could say anything, Kabuto spoke.

"Ah? And who are you?" Ino stopped hugging Kuro and looked at him.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and spoke, "I am Kabuto Yakushi and I am on the same team as Kuro."

Ino brought her index finger to her chin and nodded, "Hm. I see, so it's you."

Before anyone could speak, a lazy voice came from the right.

"Why don't you calm down a little, Ino?" Shikamaru walked over with his hands in his pockets, followed by Chouji who was eating potato chips.

Ino frowned and looked at him, "Shikamaru, you should start taking the exams seriously by now and stop being so lazy."

Shikamaru sighed, "What a drag. " After saying that, he looked at Kuro. "However, since you are also participating, I suppose I will have to take it more seriously."

'Or so I'd like to do, but his abilities are way above a Genin... Sigh... How troublesome, I just hope I don't have to face him.' Shikamaru thought, wondering again why he participates in something so annoying.

Kuro nodded, "I hope so. By the way, do you know where to deliver the applications?"

He nodded and pointed to the door at the other end of the room. "Yes, it's on the other side of the door."

Kuro nodded in thanks and headed for the door with his team.

"That girl seems like she loves you very much. Don't be offended but, you don't seem like someone very sociable." Kabuto spoke while adjusting his glasses.

Kuro just shrugged and kept walking.

When they were in the middle of the room they passed by a certain team from Sunagakure and Kuro's eyes briefly met the turquoise-colored ones of the leader.

"How handsome." The blonde girl on the team laughed softly and muttered.

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"Hey, Kuro!" After they submitted their applications, they heard a shout from the left.

The one who came to the front was Kiba, with Akamaru above his head.

Shino was on the left and Hinata on the right.

"I'll wait for the exam to start on my own." Yoroi said before returning to the room.

"What happened? We scared your friend?" Kiba laughed and asked when he arrived.

"Maybe?" Kuro shrugged.

Shino was the one who spoke this time. "So, you got teammates to participate in the exams."

Kabuto raised his hand and smiled. "I'm Kabuto Yakushi and the one who left is Yoroi Akado."

Kiba snorted, "It doesn't matter if you're alone or in a team, it won't be the same as the Academy. Akamaru and I are going to tear you apart this time." Akamaru barked in response.

"I see…" Kabuto was a bit surprised by the Inuzuka's outburst and rubbed the back of his head.

Kuro ignored him and was about to return when a small voice rang out.

"Um... I don't think you should speak like that Kiba... well... with so many participants from other villages, it would be best if we support each other." Hinata spoke sheepishly while playing with her fingers.

Shino nodded.

"Tsk. Whatever." Kiba replied before seeing Kabuto and Kuro heading back to the hall and he followed them along with their team.

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There were new teams in the room, the most notable being Naruto and Rock Lee.

Rock Lee's team was already seated, making Kuro wonder if the applications had already been submitted.

Team 7, on the other hand, was standing at the entrance talking to Shikamaru's team.

Ino and Sakura also get along much better than in the series, as Ino is not interested in Sasuke this time.

However, there is still the occasional conflict, due to Sakura insisting that Sasuke is better, while Ino supports Kuro.

"Oh? It seems like the whole group is getting back together." Kiba spoke when they arrived.

"Um… Hello Naruto..." Hinata greeted softly after Kiba spoke.

"Hm?" Naruto looked at Hinata who was a little behind Kiba.

She was a bit surprised and her cheeks flushed red.

"Kuro, so you will participate as well." Sasuke showed a challenging smile.

'Gaara of the desert, Rock Lee and Kuro. These exams are getting more and more interesting. ' Sasuke thought, anticipating the start of the Chuunin exams.

Kabuto smiled and spoke, "Don't be offended, but maybe you should lower your scandal a bit. You guys are newbies, I don't think it would be good to draw too much attention."

Sakura frowned, "And who are you?"

"Kabuto Yakushi." He replied as he adjusted his glasses.

"It's from Kuro's team." Ino whispered to Sakura.

Kabuto smiled, "Just look around you. You are making a very bad impression."

The other participants looked at the rookies with animosity and annoyance.

"The test puts a lot of stress on them and their behavior could upset them a lot, so be more careful." Kabuto explained.

After that, Kabuto told them how it was not the first time that he participated in a Chuunin exam and showed them the information cards that he had.

He explained the villages that were participating, as well as the number of participants from each of them.

Kuro also took note of the comment about Otogakure, knowing what it would provoke moments later.

When he finished explaining Gaara and Rock Lee's profile at Sasuke's request, the newbies realized that the other participants were more experienced and older than them, causing a rather tense atmosphere.

"Hey Naruto. Don't worry, we'll be fine." Sakura spoke after seeing Naruto tremble.

However, the blonde raised his head and pointed to all the Genin from other villages.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I'm going to beat all of you!"

The stares of the participants became more hostile and annoying.

Sakura quickly hit Naruto's head and started to apologize.

However, while that was happening, Kuro, Kabuto, and other participants noticed the movement of the Otogakure Genin.

They quickly cut through the crowd, however, in Kuro's eyes, their movements were extremely slow.

One of them jumped right after reaching a few meters from Kabuto and threw 2 Kunai.

One of them was going in the direction of Kuro as he was standing next to Kabuto.

Kabuto jumped back to avoid it.

On the other hand, Kuro tilted his head and when the Kunai was passing by, he grabbed it and threw it incredibly fast.

The Kunai made a small cut on the Genin's ear, but he only realized it when he felt a small breeze pass by his head.

At that moment, the other Otogakure Genin, who had bandages all over his face, except the left eye, was already in the air.

However, after seeing what happened to his partner, he changed his target from Kabuto to Kuro.

He came down at full speed, directing his right arm that had a large amplifier, straight at Kuro's head.

However, before he made contact, Kuro stepped to the side and raised his knee at high speed, hitting the Genin's stomach, causing it to rise a bit.

Kuro quickly used that lift to grab the Genin's neck with an iron grip.

"What are you doing?" Kuro asked in a calm tone.

"Ugh..." The Genin used both hands to try to free himself, however to no avail.

Not even the sound waves he used now or when he attacked had an effect.

Kuro opened his hand and the Genin fell to the ground.

"Cough…! Cough…!" His companions quickly arrived as he coughed.

"Dosu! Are you okay!?" The woman with the Otogakure headband asked as she checked her partner.

The other Otogakure Genin looked at Kuro with wariness and sweat on his face.

After he noticed the cut on his ear, he looked up and his leader was already being grabbed by the neck.

"Hey Kuro! Are you okay!?" Ino asked as she approached with Kabuto behind.

Kuro nodded.

"Thanks for that, I don't know if I could have dodged it." Kabuto smiled and spoke, a bit of sweat on his forehead.

Before he could respond, an explosion sounded from the podium and a cloud of smoke covered him.

"Alright, degenerates! Everybody shut up and listen!" Ibiki's voice rang out before the podium clears.

Besides Ibiki, there were many teachers.