'What the hell is going on? Why are none of them stepping forward?'
Just moments ago, they had all been obedient and compliant. But now, as if some collective switch had flipped, every single participant stood frozen, blatantly defying him. It baffled Tenzo—this sudden change in attitude left him frowning with barely restrained irritation. Still, considering Naruto might be observing him closely, he held himself back, enduring the silence a little longer in hopes that the crowd would overcome their hesitation and step forward.
"I mean... are we really just going to keep waiting like this? The examiner looks pissed again!"
"What else can we do? I'm not gonna be the first one to step up and get slaughtered..."
"Sigh, maybe we should just wait a bit longer. Someone's bound to crack eventually, right?"
But things didn't go as hoped. The more people misinterpreted Tenzo's intentions, the more they stiffened like statues at the sight of his deepening scowl. Whispers buzzed through the air, and the crowd's resolve to let someone else step up first only grew firmer.
'So that's how it is... You're all really gonna make me "personally" invite you up, huh?'
After a long stretch of silence, with no one daring to take that crucial step forward to draw lots, Tenzo's last shred of warmth finally disappeared. His voice returned to the cold, flat tone he was known for, and his eyes swept over the uncertain, distressed faces in the crowd as he spoke again, his expression dark and stern.
"Very well. If that's how it's going to be, then I'll—"
"Me, me, me! I wanna go first!"
Just as Tenzo began descending from the stage to forcibly 'invite' someone, a sudden childish voice rang out—like heavenly music to everyone's ears. A small figure burst from the crowd, face beaming with excitement, hopping energetically up the stairs to the platform. In no time, the kid was standing proudly in front of Tenzo, hands on hips and positively glowing with enthusiasm.
As the little figure got closer, Tenzo finally recognized the would-be hero: none other than Naruto, the same boy who had dared question him at the end of the second round of the exam.
Then again, it made sense. Aside from Naruto—who, of course, had firsthand knowledge of the structure of the test since he helped design it—none of the other examinees had the courage to act. After all, they had just experienced an unexpected twist in the second round and were now completely unsure of what the "lot drawing" truly meant. What if it was another trick? What if a simple action during the draw triggered an elimination trap?
"Oh? You again, kid?"
Tenzo blinked in mild surprise but quickly realized this was the perfect opportunity to help ease the tension in the crowd. He reined in his creeping bloodlust and returned to his gentle, smiling demeanor, narrowing his eyes kindly as he knelt slightly to meet Naruto's height and offered him the box.
"Alright, since everyone else is being so modest, you can start us off."
"Huh? Really? Awesome—! I'm first!!"
At that moment, Naruto was still puzzled by the cold, unfamiliar energy swirling within him. But knowing it wasn't something he could figure out right away, he shelved the thought and forced a cheerful expression. With a small shake of his head to snap himself out of it, he refocused on helping Tenzo handle the current situation, completely unaware of the suspicious glance Itachi was giving him.
By stepping up when he did, Naruto not only prevented Tenzo from exploding again but also did so with perfectly timed acting. As he bounced up onto the stage, his goofball smile and exaggerated cheerfulness came on like a switch. And when Tenzo handed him the box, he jumped with childlike joy as if he'd just won a contest. His performance was flawless, portraying a curious, gutsy little brat with Oscar-worthy precision.
"Hmph! Since I'm first, I won't be polite about it, okay?! Watch closely now as the Great Naruto Uzumaki performs the Ultimate, Invincible, Super-Mega—Draw!!"
Chattering excitedly, Naruto stood on tiptoe and reached into the box Tenzo had lowered for him. He fumbled around until his hand grabbed a small wooden ball. In that moment, using the angle created by his back blocking the view of the crowd, he winked subtly at Tenzo and moved his lips in a silent message.
'Make sure to group me with Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata later.'
Not because Naruto wanted to abuse his position as the actual test creator to cheat and help his friends pass... no, no, nothing like that. Ideally, he'd have liked to draw names randomly and fairly and just hope luck was on his side, letting him carry two "strangers" to victory. But...
Thanks to the label Danzo had pinned on him—the "Nine-Tails' reincarnation"—Naruto knew all too well that no one else would willingly let their child team up with him. Aside from Sasuke and Hinata, he couldn't think of anyone who wouldn't flee in terror the moment they saw his name paired with theirs.
Sure, even if his teammates ran off, Naruto could still pass the test solo... but isn't clearing a team-based exam with a full group way more impressive than passing alone? Especially when your teammates are the beloved heir of the Uchiha Clan and the pampered princess of the Hyuga Clan? From an outsider's perspective, even if they breezed through the test, the credit would go to them. People would just assume Naruto got lucky and rode their coattails to victory. Nobody would actually notice how well he performed.
Well... okay, to be honest, Naruto couldn't exactly claim he was doing this entirely for noble reasons.
Because in addition to all those respectable-sounding explanations...
There was also the fact that he was insanely jealous.
Back when he wrote this exam, Naruto had already planned to team up with Sasuke and Hinata. Even though he knew that after graduation, Kakashi would take him and Sasuke and Sakura into Team 7, while Hinata would be assigned to Team 8 with Kiba and Shino under Kurenai... they would be in completely separate squads.
But if this draw was truly random, and Hinata ended up grouped with some other guy?
Yeah, no. Not happening.
Because to this vinegar-soaked little Crown Prince...
That! Was! Absolutely! Not! Allowed!