A Shocker (2)

[Nara Shikamaru's POV]

If someone asked me what I wanted to be if I got reincarnated, I would answer clouds. They lounge around the sky with no one to pressure them. They do nothing but still get people thanking them whenever they accidentally cover the sun on a sunny day. I did something worthy of gratitude, but my deed was often left unappreciated.

What a drag to be human.

"Ne, Shikamaru, where do you think is Naruto-kun? I heard something happen to him in the second stage. Do you know what happened?"

What a drag to be this blonde's teammate.

"I am just as clueless as you are, Ino," I sighed.

"Put more energy, will you? Aren't you giddy for your match?"

"Why will I get excited for such a troublesome activity?"

"Sensei, Shikamaru is intending to lose!" Ino blabbered.

I could feel Asuma-sensei's gaze on me. Instead of saying anything, he just puffed out his smoke. He had given up on straightening me up, not that there was anything to change to begin with. I was not lazy or unmotivated. I was being energy-effective. Asuma-sensei knew it well, so he didn't say anything.

"Anyway, what is the big announcement that the Hokage told us?" Choji wondered while snacking on his chip.

"Do you know something about it, Sensei?" I asked, also curious about it.

"Oh, that?" Asuma-sensei smirked. "Let's just wait and see."

"Why are you trying to act cool, Sensei? It doesn't fit you."

"Keuk. You have a sharp mouth, don't you, Blondie?"

While Ino nagged Asuma-sensei, my mind instantly recalled the only absent person in the arena. No one had seen him since the end of the second stage, but I was sure he was not someone who would miss his teammates' matches. Judging by their confused looks, his teammates also seemed to be clueless about his whereabouts. The announcement might have something to do with him.

"Everyone, welcome the Kage!"

The Hokage and the Kazekage entered the booth. The arena was filled with cheers. The civilians and Shinobi alike were excited to see the Kage. Hokage-sama stepped forward and raised his arm. Instantly, everyone quieted down. Man, I wished I had that power against my blonde teammate.

"What a beautiful day for all of us to gather here. I can see the excitement in your eyes and hear our most brilliant Genin's hearts beating in anticipation. They come here to show their best—to earn their place in the ranks of the Shinobi. On the other hand, you are here to see what they can do and witness the might of our future."

The audience cheered and Hokage-sama raised his hand again to calm them down.

"A few days ago, after a few discussions with important parties, I decided to announce good news to everyone in this village. You must be wondering what it is and that is part of your reason why you come here."

That made me realize something. Although it was by no means shocking, the number of clan heads attending the event was quite unusual. Whatever was going to be announced must be important. I straightened up and listened keenly.

"With great excitement, I introduce the new proctor of the exam."

Huh? Why is there so much fuss about a new proctor?

"Namikaze Naruto!"

Namikaze?

As the shock coursed through my body, two pointy swords embedded themselves in the center of the arena's ground. Lightning sparkled around the swords and Naruto appeared in a flash, holding the twin swords in his hands. His coat fluttered lightly, adding a dramatic effect to his entrance. However, that didn't matter as I believed everyone had the same thought in mind.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Namikaze Naruto, but I think you better know me as Uzumaki Naruto."

No wonder he looks so familiar. He is the very son of the Yellow Flash.

"Naruto-kun here is the son of two of our greatest heroes, our late Yondaime, Namikaze Minato; and his wife, Uzumaki Kushina. Circumstances forced us to hide his identity for years, however, he is now ready to face every challenge this world has to offer. I think it would be unfair to keep the information to ourselves, so we decided to share this good news."

Murmurs spread around the arena. The civilians were talking about the Demon Brat. Naruto chuckled softly in amusement, but everyone could hear it. There was something eerie to it, so everyone turned silent. I also unconsciously gulped.

"Yes, I am the very Demon Brat you despise. I am the Kyūbi Jinchūriki, Namikaze Naruto, the son whom Namikaze Minato, my father, sacrificed to save his beloved village, the very instrument who killed the Kyūbi."

Judging by Hokage-sama's gaze, I didn't think they had briefed about this. A silent conversation happened between the two and Hokage-sama spoke up.

"Applause, everyone!"

Kurenai-sensei was the first one to applaud. Everyone followed suit and the arena was eventually filled with deafening applause. The Shinobi looked at Naruto with respect, but most of the civilians looked at him with guilt and fear hidden under their eyes. Everything clicked into place. I finally understood why they treated Naruto that way.

It must be a shocker for everyone.

***

[Uzumaki Naruto's POV]

While I got to spit on a lot of people's faces, this kind of publication felt idiotic. I couldn't even take pleasure from it as I had never considered the civilians worthy of my attention. What a drag. Hiruzen instructed to begin the match as soon as the audience calmed down. I put Kiba behind my back and called upon the contestants.

Sakura managed to get into the finals, so the draw deviated from canon. The first match was between Neji and Shino. Quite a bad matchup I would say. Byakugan could easily spot Shino's bugs. However, Shino could still land a cheap blow given the number of his bugs.

"The match should stop once either of you is incapable of continuing the match or forfeits. Unnecessarily escalation will be dealt with accordingly," I explained. "Then, begin!"

Swish!

Neji didn't even bother to wait for me to get away. He dashed at Shino as soon as I started the match. Of course, it was a trivial detail as he could never touch me even if he exerted everything in his repertoire. Shino distanced himself as he spread his bugs around. Neji ignored them as he created a layer of Chakra to protect himself.

"Hijutsu: Mushidama!"

Figuring that he would never be able to thwart Neji, Shino sent a swarm of bugs at Neji that quickly surrounded him, entrapping him in a sphere. Neji stopped for a moment and then emitted Chakra through all of his Tenketsu.

"Hakkesho: Kaiten!"

He spun, creating a Chakra barrier around him, propelling all of the bugs that tried to swarm him. Shino created a clone with his bugs and then immediately rushed at Neji. Shino was in front of Neji as soon as Neji stopped spinning. Despite so, Neji remained calm.

"Hakke: Kūhekishō!"

He pushed his palms forward and sent a wave of compressed Chakra toward the unsuspecting Shino. The boy was launched backward. Fortunately, his bug clone protected him from the attack. Although it was not enough to negate the impact, it still prevented him from getting knocked out.

Of course, that was all that Neji needed to begin his onslaught. Shino tried every method possible to even disturb Neji's pace but failed miserably. The boy was not suited for head-on battles. He might have a chance if his opponent was not Neji, though.

"Proctor, I forfeit!" Shino announced.

"Coward, you shouldn't surrender so easily!" Neji fumed.

Shino remained in his spot and ignored Neji. He was too exhausted to care about the stuck-up Hyūga's remark. I was about to announce the match when I realized the said Hyūga didn't plan to end the match. With a sigh, I moved between Neji and Shino, catching Neji's hand before it struck Shino.

"The match has ended, Genin. Back off."

I pushed him lightly, but that threw him to the edge of the arena. Before I could hear a complaint, I raised my hand and announced the winner.

"Winner, Hyūga Neji."

The medic team entered the arena and escorted Shino out of it. Neji glared at me for a moment before scoffing and eventually getting out of the arena. A five-minute break was given to the committee to clean the arena. The next matchup was Sakura vs Kankuro. Normally, it would be an indiscriminate loss for Sakura. However, she would win this match.

"I forfeit," Kankurō announced.

"W- What!?"

Sakura was torn between enjoying the easy victory or getting mad at the boy's unwillingness. She looked at me uncertainly, but I raised my hand to announce her as the winner.

"Winner, Haruno Sakura!"

"Ossha! Go, Sakura!"

"Eh… this is not how I envisioned it to go down."

Sakura couldn't enjoy her victory. She must feel that the training she had undergone in the last month was useless. Kankurō was not interested in the Kunoichi's meltdown. He left the arena without even glancing at Sakura. I walked up to Sakura and put my hand on her head. That woke her up from her trance.

"You can prove yourself in the next fight."

"Y- Yes. Watch me!"

"Sure."

Sakura looked at me in determination for a moment before avoiding her gaze. My Sekigan told me that she felt something about me.

Shocker.