Revolution in the Ninja World

There were some simple truths that Orochimaru had no reason not to understand, namely that some talents, once missed, were missed forever. It was impossible to get them back, even through force… The current Habara was completely different from the Habara of a few months ago.

Leaving aside the breathtaking Wind Release ninjutsu that Habara had used, the main issue now was the individual value he demonstrated through that technique… The Hokage had taken notice of him. Everyone liked talent, especially young talent with great combat ability and creativity.

Although Orochimaru didn't care about some Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai—after all, Habara's chakra level wasn't nearly enough to unleash the true power of Magnet Release—"Number One's" value was far greater than imagined. He shouldn't have given up on him so hastily… This was what Orochimaru regretted most. What an excellent test subject, how could he have just given up on him like that?

But he had given up. At the time, Orochimaru had hurriedly taken Habara's blood extract, excitedly going off to develop the Cursed Seal.

"And did you not notice another very important point? That child used all those techniques without forming any hand seals, which means that in a fast-paced battle, only Minato among those present would have an advantage over him."

Then Orochimaru started saying strange things, or at least, if Habara could hear this, he would definitely think they were strange.

A ninja of Orochimaru's caliber certainly wouldn't think that Habara had really only used one or two ninjutsu in the previous battle. Hadn't he seen him quickly stacking buffs? In the time it took the Uchiha to use the Great Fireball Technique, Habara had stacked a whole body's worth of buffs.

The key was that Habara had clearly undergone a transformation similar to Cursed Seal activation; Orochimaru could see that he was utilizing natural energy.

That's why Jiraiya just stood there, frowning, without saying a word. His focus wasn't on Habara, but on Orochimaru.

"Speaking of this young man, I met him once before…"

No one paid attention to Orochimaru's strange remarks. The Third Hokage began to recount his previous encounter with Habara, briefly explaining the content of their conversation.

This connected the dots. It was precisely because of that encounter that Habara had developed such thoughts. Cause and effect, it made things more understandable.

This young man clearly had a problem with ninja clans, so from the Hokage's perspective, how should someone like Habara be viewed?

The specific thoughts were complex and couldn't be explained in a sentence or two, but one thing was certain—no supreme ruler of any organization disliked their subordinates keeping each other in check.

Weakening the political power of Konoha's ninja clans was definitely not a bad thing.

"In any case, this young man's strength is worthy of recognition."

Finally, the Fourth Hokage said this.

Many things fell into the category of "everything goes without saying."

Several Earth Release ninja quickly completed temporary repairs to the arena, and the Chunin exams continued.

And, as expected, faced with the subsequent battles, everyone felt a sense of anticlimax… whether it was the examinees, the proctors, or the audience.

So, things should proceed in order. If you let the person who should be the grand finale do the opening act, wouldn't they just ruin it?

After the first round of duels concluded without incident, the winners indeed had to continue fighting, screened layer by layer, until the last victor emerged.

Everyone fought without much enthusiasm, because the victor had already been determined… From time to time, the examinees' gazes would flicker towards Habara.

However, they were quite mistaken.

After three battles in the second round, it was Habara's turn to appear again. At this moment, his unlucky opponent was racking his brains, thinking about how to lose gracefully.

"The opponent's strength is terrifying, that's for sure, but what's even more terrifying is that he's ruthless, cruel, and shows no mercy. Such a person must be inherently unloved, have no morals, and be a lone star of misfortune… What should I do? Should I just forfeit?"

However, at this moment, Habara, who hadn't even left the viewing platform, raised his hand to signal the referee and said:

"I forfeit."

Yes, Habara directly announced his forfeit, citing excessive chakra consumption in the first battle.

"Are you sure?"

The proctor was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but confirm again.

"Certain. I don't have the strength for a second battle right now."

"…"

Since Habara had said so, his opponent naturally won by default.

Many people on the viewing platform, who had been craning their necks, looked somewhat disappointed. Many wanted to witness again Habara's high-level Wind Release ninjutsu that had almost instantly killed the Uchiha… This was the so-called "watching the fun and not caring about the consequences." They hadn't considered the feelings of Habara's opponent.

But Habara had felt it, because there was an incredibly resentful gaze directed at him from the arena…

You've got to be kidding me. Why did you forfeit? So all my mental preparation was for nothing? What a waste of my emotions.

That was roughly the meaning.

So Habara silently wondered if he said he was just kidding and that he would indeed participate after all, would that poor fellow's heart be able to take it… For most Genin, the Chunin exams were a major life event, and someone like Habara, who simply forfeited, was rare.

Because the Chunin exams were such a big deal, making someone's emotions go up and down like that was a bit too wicked… Habara was just having some dark-humored thoughts.

After removing certain unexpected factors, the rest of the Chunin exams proceeded very smoothly. In the end, a ninja from the Akimichi clan, of a similar age to Habara, emerged victorious.

But unfortunately, the results of the exam wouldn't be announced immediately. Konoha would conduct a comprehensive assessment of the examinees' performance in battle, and then determine who would pass… Theoretically, the final victor wasn't necessarily qualified, and being eliminated in the first round didn't necessarily mean disqualification.

The exam results would be announced at a later date. The Fourth Hokage gave another speech to the examinees, roughly encouraging and inspiring the losers, praising and expressing expectations for the winners, and then informing the Genin that they could disband.

And just as Habara was about to leave, Kakashi appeared before him again.

"Well, if it isn't Kakashi-senpai again…" Habara greeted him naturally.

Kakashi still had that half-dead look and tone, "I don't know if it's just me, but I always feel like there's some malice when you call me 'senpai'… Please follow me. The Fourth Hokage wants to see you."

"Understood."

Habara followed behind Kakashi.

The two of them entered a lounge on the side of the second-floor viewing platform, and then Habara saw the Fourth Hokage.

Only the Fourth Hokage was there; the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, who had been seen during the exam, seemed to have already left.

Habara had made the Fourth Hokage's first hosted Chunin exams incredibly lively, so he was here to receive a reward… Okay, that was a bit of a stretch. Habara had a pretty good idea why the Fourth Hokage wanted to see him.

The most obvious reason…

"Habara, that Wind Release ninjutsu you used during the exam, you…"

"Lord Hokage, that was my original ninjutsu," Habara said.

The key to answering this kind of question was to keep a straight face, not skip a beat, and try to appear calm and sincere, creating the impression of telling the truth.

But Habara didn't need to worry about any key points, because…

He wasn't the type of person with overly thin skin, especially thin.