"Discuss what?"
"About the Chunin Exams. I heard it's very dangerous and you might even die. I'm so scared, I don't dare to participate anymore."
"It's okay, I'll protect you."
"But I'm still scared. How about this? Let's give up on the Chunin Exams together. Such a dangerous thing isn't suitable for girls like us at all. I've already decided to quit. You're my best friend, so you'll definitely stay with me, right?"
Ino gave a bitter smile, making Kano frown... At that moment, a mist gradually began to rise around them.
Just as Kano was hesitating, a Ninja from the Hidden Rain Village appeared.
"Are you also candidates for this exam? Then I'll finish you off here first to reduce the competition!"
"Kano, look out!"
Ino pushed Kano aside, but she herself was subjected to a storm of attacks!
"Ino!"
Kano's eyes widened, and tears welled up. She ran to Ino's side; her body was covered in Kunai, and she had completely lost all signs of life.
"Ino!!! Wake up!"
Kano shook Ino, but she didn't respond at all.
"If you don't want to end up like this, give up on the Chunin Exams. Maybe I'll let you go."
The Hidden Rain Village Ninja slowly approached Kano with an umbrella. When Kano noticed him, she was startled and fell to the ground in a panic.
"Don't come any closer... Don't kill me..."
Seeing her terrified state, the Hidden Rain Village Ninja couldn't help but shake his head. Just then, he realized he couldn't move. A sense of crisis rushed toward him, and the Hidden Rain Village Ninja immediately shouted.
"I am Iru-k—"
At the same time, he released the Transformation Jutsu.
The kubikiribōchō was only negative 1 millimeter from his neck, and a spike was already pressed against his chest.
"Iruka-sensei, why is it you?"
Kano was also startled. Fortunately, her reactions were fast, otherwise Iruka would be dead by now. Seeing it was her teacher, Kano couldn't continue to restrain him.
She immediately released the Shadow Binding Technique, letting Shadow Zabuza and Shadow Haku return to the shadows. The mist also began to dissipate.
"Ahaha, I came to test your character and resolve for participating in the Chunin Exams."
Who would have thought that while testing Kano, he almost got himself killed! Who did Kano learn this from? Pretending to be weak to lure the enemy in, then striking with lethal force without a second thought just to ensure the kill. Not only did she restrain him, but she also targeted his neck and heart simultaneously.
Iruka's heart was still thumping loudly.
"I thought it was really someone from another village coming to cause trouble. I was planning to kill them directly."
To be honest, Kano had no memory of this part. She didn't remember such a test before the Chunin Exams.
"When did you realize this was a Genjutsu?"
Iruka pointed at the fake Ino on the ground.
"Probably when Ino and I held hands. Usually, when I take her hand, she interlocks her fingers with mine. Today she didn't do that, so I suspected it was fake."
"So you played along, intentionally feigning weakness to lure me out and then go for the kill? If you found out early, you could have just said so, and the test would have ended sooner."
"I didn't think it was a test. I was just thinking about how to kill this Ninja from another village who dared to act wild in Konoha. Anyway, people die in the Chunin Exams."
Iruka broke out in a cold sweat. He hadn't expected that Kano, who looked gentle, kind, and weak, was actually so strong and ruthless, willing to kill at a moment's notice.
"Iruka-sensei, are you thinking something very rude? Kindness and gentleness can coexist with being decisive and fierce toward enemies!"
Does she have mind-reading powers?!
"I get it, I get it. I'll go back and report now. You should also rest early and prepare for tomorrow's exam."
"So, did I pass?"
"Pass, you definitely pass."
If she hadn't held back, she would have almost solo-killed a Chunin like him. How could she not pass?
"Yay!"
Kano made a peace sign, then summoned Shadow Deer and leisurely went home.
Meanwhile, Iruka ran to find Kakashi and asked him what was going on. How did little Kano, who was originally a dead last, get raised by Kakashi to be like this?
Kakashi said he didn't know either. Hadn't she been like this since she left the Ninja Academy?
For the second day's exam, she still remembered the original plot. The Two Gatekeepers were there, and Sasuke stepped forward to show off and see through their Genjutsu.
Rock Lee also made a cool entrance! He blocked the attacks from both Sasuke and the gatekeepers.
"Hey, this is different from what we agreed on."
Neji stepped forward to lecture Rock Lee, while Lee looked at Kano with burning eyes.
"My name is Rock Lee. konoha songstress Kano-chan, please go out with me! I will protect you until I die!"
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about, bushy eyebrows! How could Kano-chan possibly go out with you!"
Naruto was the first to jump out in opposition, and many other males started popping up one after another.
"Exactly! Who do you think you are? Even if the konoha songstress looks for a boyfriend, she'd look for someone like me!"
"Pah! Why don't you take a look in a mirror? With that face of yours, do you think the konoha songstress would even look at you?"
The scene became very chaotic for a moment, as a group of men were almost ready to fight over Kano.
"Sorry, Lee. You're excellent, but we're not right for each other."
At this time, Sasuke and Neji also faced off. With nothing more to say, they were almost about to fight. With time for the exam being tight, Sasuke dragged Naruto out of the center of the crowd and called Kano to hurry to the exam site.
Before they could reach the exam room, they were stopped again.
"That guy with the fierce eyes, wait a moment."
Just like in the plot, Lee came to challenge Sasuke, winking at Kano along the way.
"Kano-chan, love～"
Kano only smiled at him and had no other reaction. She didn't dislike Lee as much as Sakura did in the original work; instead, she thought such a hot-blooded man was quite cool.
Of the "bro" variety, of course.
By the way, where was Sakura? She didn't see her. She remembered Sakura also became a Genin, led by an unknown Jonin. Did she come to the exam this time too?
Kano was only familiar with Ino. When she started hanging out with Ino, Ino had already fallen out with Sakura, so Kano didn't have much interaction with Sakura.
"Dammit, why does everyone challenge Sasuke? Why does no one challenge me!"
Naruto was indignant on the side, but he was far less impetuous now than in the original work.
The two of them quietly watched Sasuke get beaten up; Naruto was even snickering.
Sasuke got so frustrated he activated his Sharingan, rushing forward despite the pain.
Then he was sent flying again.
"Pfft!"
Seeing Sasuke suffer a setback, Naruto couldn't hold back his laughter. Kano tapped Naruto on the head, telling him not to mock his teammate, then stepped forward to catch the flying Sasuke.
"You underestimated him. Let me handle this."
"Your Taijutsu is even worse than mine. If you go, it'll be even more hopeless."
Kano mocked him in her heart: If I used Taijutsu, I could definitely beat you, Erzhu-zi, into the ground.
Ignoring Sasuke, she walked in front of him.
"Lee, I'll fight you this time."
"I don't fight women. My challenge is for Uchiha Sasuke. Kano-chan, please step aside. I'm afraid of hurting you."
"How about this? You aren't allowed to use the Eight Gates while fighting me. If you can beat me, I'll give you a chance to pursue me. How about it～"
Bushy eyebrows' face turned red instantly. Seeing his reaction, Kano knew he had taken the bait.
"I will naturally use my full strength against you; it's a sign of respect. Are you coming? This is a one-time opportunity～"
Even Naruto, standing nearby, was envious. He wished he could take Lee's place.
"Alright! I'll be careful not to hurt you!"
"Then let's begin. Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique."
Caught in the Genjutsu, Lee fell straight to the ground. As for when he could get back up, that depended on when someone came to save him. Who told this Taijutsu idiot to have zero Genjutsu resistance?
"Alright, let's go. The exam is about to start."
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