Konoha’s Black Plague

The Second Assessment Begins

"Don't worry. I'll definitely pass."

Bai Ye spoke confidently to Yuyan, who was anxiously waiting for the results to be announced.

"How can you say that, you idiot? You didn't even study until the night before the test! Where is this blind confidence coming from?"

Yuyan was especially frustrated. She and Yue—both top of their class—had spent an entire month tutoring Bai Ye, but the stubborn fool hadn't absorbed any of it. Worse still, he had become even better at evading study sessions.

"Bai Ye will be fine."

Yue murmured softly. She had been nervous when she slipped her answer sheet to Bai Ye during the written portion, worried they'd be caught and disqualified. But since their plan had gone off without a hitch, she still had confidence in her abilities.

"See? That's the trust true comrades should have!"

Bai Ye shamelessly took her comment and ran with it. After all, he had copied her answers—if he didn't pass, something would be seriously wrong.

Yuyan, still unaware of their little ploy, eyed them both suspiciously. With her sharp instincts, she had a feeling something was off between those two.

---

"Bai Ye, you actually passed."

Standing nearby, Guy's eyes widened as the posted results confirmed Bai Ye's success. Since Bai Ye had been training and studying at his home recently, Guy was fully aware of his true academic level—and was certain he'd fail the written test.

"Told you. Just don't hold us back in the next round," Bai Ye said smugly, clapping Yuyan on the shoulder like a superior.

"Lilu-luli…"

Yuyan scrunched her face in irritation. She should've been happy everyone passed, but for some reason, she felt anything but. Pulling Yue along, she left Bai Ye standing there with a pout.

---

"Bai Ye, are you teasing our little princess again?"

Zhiyi strolled over and nudged Bai Ye in the arm, amusement in his eyes.

"You'd better pray we don't face off in the next round."

Zhiyi laughed dryly. When they first graduated, he still had the confidence to spar evenly with Bai Ye. But in the past few months, Bai Ye's growth had skyrocketed—what used to be balanced matches had turned into one-sided defeats. Determined not to be left behind, Zhiyi had doubled his training efforts.

"Since everyone passed, let's have lunch together to celebrate. My treat."

"You scared off your own teammate, so go find her yourself. We're heading off first."

"Yeah, yeah. You guys really know how to enjoy yourselves," Bai Ye grumbled good-naturedly.

The mood was light. Everyone had passed the first stage, and with the second round coming up tomorrow, they took this rare opportunity to gather and relax. Lately, their days had been dominated by Chūnin Exam training.

In the original timeline, the likes of Guy and Obito weren't even close before this exam. But with Bai Ye constantly organizing team gatherings over the past few months, their relationships had deepened much faster.

---

"Are you considering selecting a disciple from this batch of Genin?"

The Third Hokage exhaled a stream of pipe smoke, gazing into his crystal ball where the second stage of the Chūnin Exams was playing out.

"I believe it's time I took on a student," Orochimaru replied, eyes fixed on the Genin below. "Even that fool Jiraiya has produced a prodigy like Minato, and Tsunade's also begun mentoring someone."

In the past three months, Orochimaru had been conducting detailed investigations—his sights set on Bai Ye. He wasn't just looking to collect a new experiment; he intended to personally cultivate him. A detailed training plan had already been crafted.

Of course, Orochimaru was wary. Hiruzen had been his teacher for years and likely suspected some of his more... unsanctioned activities with Danzō. Although no hard evidence existed yet, they both knew the truth.

In the end, it had been Danzō who exposed Orochimaru's dealings—likely a calculated move to eliminate competition for the Hokage position after Minato's death. Just as Danzō had previously destroyed the reputation of the White Fang, he'd tried to oust Orochimaru from the village.

Ironically, when Minato died, the Third Hokage resumed office anyway.

After some private discussion, Hiruzen didn't reject Orochimaru's request. Regardless of the true motive, if Orochimaru was willing to train the next generation, it could only benefit Konoha.

---

"Kakashi, don't be so grim. Obito being late isn't exactly a rare event. I'm sure you'll make Chūnin next year."

Right before the start of the second test, Obito—true to form—was late again. Bai Ye couldn't help but poke fun at Kakashi.

Obito had now been late twice in a row for the same reason—helping an old lady. Statistically improbable, yet here they were.

Bai Ye began joking that Obito might have some kind of "granny-magnet" chakra. Important moments always seemed to attract unexpected elderly interruptions.

Kakashi, meanwhile, had entered full "sage mode"—stoic, unmoved, and entirely unbothered by Bai Ye's commentary.

Seeing his expressionless face, Bai Ye sighed and turned to head into the arena with Yuyan and the others.

---

"The second stage of the exam is divided into two parts," the proctor explained once everyone had assembled.

"Teams will be randomly paired to battle. The winning teams will enter the winner's bracket and proceed toward the third stage. Losing teams will still have a chance—they'll fight tomorrow for a second shot at advancing. Fail again, and you're out."

Unlike Naruto's cohort, this generation's second stage was more structured. Gone was the brutal survival round in the Forest of Death, where Genin were thrown in with little oversight and lives were lost. Here, the exam was dangerous—but controlled.

---

"I wonder who we'll face first. I really want a rematch with Kakashi," Yuyan said, her tone determined.

Her loss to him still stung. She had been chasing that fight ever since, but Kakashi kept brushing her off. This exam was her chance—if their brackets converged, they'd finally get to settle the score.

She was confident in her team's strength and in Kakashi's. Neither side would be eliminated early.

The third and final stage—the individual battles—was what made her truly nervous. That round would determine who was truly worthy of promotion.

Yue, on the other hand, seemed less driven. She pushed herself only to avoid bringing shame to her clan. Though not weak, her heart wasn't in the fight.

As for Bai Ye, promotion didn't interest him. From what he understood of the Third Hokage, even if he became a Chūnin, he'd still be stuck on missions close to the village—unless he chose to leave on his own.

To him, there wasn't much difference between Genin and Chūnin. Not yet.