Chapter 37: Orochimaru?
Early the next morning.
Konoha held a morning meeting regarding the upcoming Chunin Exams.
For these Chunin Exams, most of the Jonin squad leaders recommended the Genin they led to participate.
Even Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma, who were responsible for the rookie Genin, all three recommended the students they led.
Although they faced opposition from Iruka, he couldn't make the three of them withdraw their letters of recommendation.
As soon as the morning meeting ended, Kakashi left immediately to avoid becoming the focus of everyone's discussion again.
"Ka..."
Might Guy wanted to call out to Kakashi but was a step too slow; he had been struggling with how to interact with the current Kakashi lately.
After all, Kakashi had turned into a girl, so how could he still spar and duel with her without any reservations?
But if he couldn't duel Kakashi to his heart's content, wasn't that a waste of youth!
It had prevented Guy from properly expressing his youth during this time!
Therefore, he planned to have a good talk with her about this the next time he saw Kakashi.
However, when he actually ran into Kakashi just now, he didn't know how to speak up. For some reason, looking at the current Kakashi, he always felt an inexplicable nervousness in his heart.
Kurenai Yuhi looked in the direction Kakashi had left, then back at the dejected Guy, and sighed in her heart.
What a pair of ill-fated best friends!
Men and women are different; they would likely find it difficult to return to the casual way they used to interact from now on.
Seeing this, Asuma simply patted Guy's shoulder silently.
...
"Kakashi-sensei, you're late again today!"
On the bridge, Uzumaki Naruto and the others had been waiting for a long time. By the time Kakashi finally arrived, they were almost too tired to complain.
Seriously, late every single day!
"Well, there was a meeting today, so I'm just a little bit late."
Kakashi explained in a lazy tone, then pulled out three application forms and handed them over.
"What's this?"
Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke each took one, all feeling curious.
"Chunin Exam application forms?"
When they saw the contents, they all showed expressions of surprise.
"Finally, is it finally here!" Uzumaki Naruto gripped the application form with both hands, his heart unable to stop racing with excitement.
Even the corner of Uchiha Sasuke's mouth couldn't help but curl into a slight smile.
Sakura, on the other hand, looked at the application form with a complex gaze.
"Whether or not to participate in these Chunin Exams is up to your own will. If you choose to participate, just sign your name."
Kakashi spoke calmly as she watched the three's reactions.
"Does that even need to be said! Of course I'm participating!" Uzumaki Naruto answered without a second thought.
"Well, don't be in such a hurry to answer. You can go back and think about it for a day, then give me your answer tomorrow." Kakashi raised her hand and tapped the impatient Naruto, then continued, "No missions today. Free time."
After saying that, Kakashi left. After all, someone was uneasy and she needed to leave an opportunity for them to conduct a test.
A short while later.
Kakashi arrived near the Konoha gate and walked into a random shop from which she could see the entrance.
After sitting down, she began to secretly observe the Ninjas from various countries who were constantly walking in.
"That pale-faced guy... is that Orochimaru?"
Soon, Kakashi noticed a Ninja who seemed to be Orochimaru. If she remembered correctly, Orochimaru had initially participated in these Chunin Exams as well, only to later disguise himself as the Fourth Kazekage to watch the matches.
Just then, the Ninja suspected to be Orochimaru seemed to sense something and suddenly turned his head to look toward Kakashi.
"Was I discovered!" Kakashi was startled. With so many people here looking at them curiously, he could precisely lock onto her gaze?
One can only say, as expected of one of the Sannin!
Kakashi suppressed her surprise and pretended to lower her head to drink tea. At the same time, she secretly decided that, as expected, when facing a powerhouse of this level, she must hit them with a Kamui the moment they met!
Absolutely no probing, and no close-quarters combat!
"Kakashi, huh!"
Having just walked through the Konoha gate, Orochimaru took a glance at Kakashi before withdrawing his gaze, but he couldn't help but stick out his tongue and lick his lips, feeling a bit excited.
It was said that after Kakashi was struck by lightning, he turned into a girl, and even his genes had completely changed into female ones!
This truly is intriguing!
I really want to capture her for research!
"No, I must restrain myself. The primary targets this time are Uchiha Sasuke and..." Orochimaru quickly suppressed the impulse in his heart.
With Kakashi's level of strength, there would be plenty of opportunities to catch her later.
No rush for now!