Chapter 14: The Chunin Exams Begin

The Chunin Exams had arrived, and the tension in Konoha was palpable. Genin from all across the village and beyond had gathered, including Rayne, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and many others. This was no ordinary exam, and Rayne knew that full well.

Sitting in the exam hall for the written portion, Rayne felt a wave of confidence wash over him. Thanks to his past life, where he'd watched the entire Naruto series, the questions were a joke. He already knew how this phase of the exam worked—an assessment designed to test your information-gathering skills without directly copying answers.

His teammates, Haruto and Ayame, were a little less certain.

"Rayne, do you think we've prepared enough for this?" Haruto whispered nervously from his seat.

Rayne leaned back, keeping his expression calm. "Just do what you can. It's not about getting every answer right. Trust me."

Haruto furrowed his brow, confused but trusting Rayne's words. Ayame gave a small nod of acknowledgment from a few rows over, determined to stay focused.

Rayne breezed through the questions, already knowing the exam's trick: It wasn't about the answers at all. As long as you didn't panic or get caught cheating, you'd be fine. With his keen observation skills and Copy Talent, he made sure to help Haruto and Ayame whenever he could, passing them subtle hints without drawing attention to himself.

Observing Naruto, Sasuke, and Others

Rayne's eyes swept across the room. Naruto sat there, sweating, clearly out of his depth with the written questions. Sakura seemed focused, easily scribbling down answers. Sasuke, with his brooding look, seemed calm, likely using his Sharingan to observe others and gather information.

Rayne felt a flicker of curiosity. Sasuke... the one with the Sharingan. It was fascinating to see someone from the Uchiha clan, wielding the same power that had recently awakened within him. Rayne still had no clue whether his Sharingan was truly inherited from his parents or something he copied without realizing it. Either way, he couldn't afford to let it out just yet.

As Rayne finished the last question, he leaned back, confident that he'd passed. The written part of the exam was merely a formality for him.

After the Exam

Once the written test ended, the room began buzzing with excitement and nerves. The survival portion of the exam would begin soon, and it was far more dangerous. Rayne walked out of the exam hall with Haruto and Ayame, discussing the next phase.

"You were awfully confident in there," Ayame remarked. "You better not be hiding anything from us, Rayne."

Rayne grinned but kept silent. It was better not to mention the things he had copied so far—or the fact that he had somehow unlocked the Sharingan during training a few weeks back.

What if I copied it? he still wondered, uncertain. Could I have accidentally copied a bloodline without knowing? Or was this part of me from the start?

These thoughts plagued his mind, but there was no time to dwell on them now. The second exam was right around the corner.

Heading Into the Forest of Death

Before the team entered the Forest of Death for the survival portion of the exams, their jōnin instructor, Shiro Takeda, gave them some last-minute advice.

"Stay sharp," he said, his voice low and serious. "This phase isn't about fighting—it's about survival. Watch each other's backs, and don't take unnecessary risks."

Rayne nodded, absorbing the guidance. His Copy Talent had already provided him with more than enough techniques to defend himself, but this wasn't just about him. He had to work with his team, and the stakes were high.

Around them, other teams prepared for the same challenge. Rayne briefly locked eyes with Naruto, who looked as determined as ever, and Sasuke, who was focused and distant.

Rayne smirked to himself. This exam might actually get interesting.