Chapter 67: Kakashi Hatake, the Mind-Game Master

Chapter 67: Kakashi Hatake, the Mind-Game Master

The Hidden Mist invasion incident was declared over. Although Konoha didn't capture Kisame Hoshigaki, they did kill the Hidden Mist ANBU Captain. This battle record was, by all accounts, presentable.

The two who had contributed the most were, however, both Uchiha. Even though Danzo Shimura knew they were the moderate faction promoted by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he couldn't help but grimace.

Uchiha Shisui, at the age of eleven, surpassed Kakashi's record and became Konoha's youngest Jonin.

Year-end.

The joint Chunin Exams between Konoha and the Hidden Grass Village finally had to begin. The Hidden Stone Village, which had originally planned to join, gave up participating for unknown reasons.

Uchiha Itachi became the only Genin to participate in the Chunin Exams as an individual, which was a disadvantage considering Konoha's current examination format.

Because the individual combat portion implemented group battles, meaning a tournament-style fight, he would have to defeat three opponents to win.

And the head proctor for the Chunin Exams was very familiar.

Standing on the podium was a white-haired man, Kakashi Hatake.

What the heck! Why would the Third Hokage send him to preside over the Chunin Exams? With his mask on and a pair of dead fish eyes... he didn't look like a proper proctor at all!

Everyone had thought the first joint exam would be hosted by someone stable. Although it was impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others to preside, at the very least, judging by age, it should be someone more senior and respected!

"I am the head proctor for this Chunin Exam. Those who know me don't need an introduction. Those who don't know me don't need one either. Anyway, I'm not interested in getting to know any of you..."

Truly worthy of being Kakashi Hatake, full of personality. He didn't even look at the materials in his hand, mumbling, "...Hmm, anyway, this exam is just a formality."

"..."

After a moment of silence, the exam participants below immediately became boisterous, with familiar team members exchanging opinions.

"Is he that 'Cold-blooded Kakashi'? Passing the exam will be hard, won't it!"

"Konoha is just messing with us!"

"No matter what, we must pass this Chunin Exam! This is the mission the village gave us!"

This was the view of the Grass ninjas participating in the exam. It was their first time encountering something new like the Chunin Exams. Previously, the leader of the Hidden Grass Village would just directly announce someone's promotion, and that was that.

Most of Konoha's ninjas had rather complicated feelings. Whether they had failed the exam for years or were newly graduated ninjas, they would all turn to look at Uchiha Itachi from time to time.

The fact that Uchiha Itachi had killed Fuguki Suikazan during a mission was no secret in the village; it had been widely publicized by certain people.

The scapegoat king of a certain department stated he could not be held responsible for this; he was merely assisting. This was mainly the work of the Konoha Military Police Force!

Our captain's son is so amazing, can't we talk about it? Our Uchiha have produced two geniuses, can't we boast?

Therefore, Konoha's Jonin instructors had already informed their own squads that the village's genius Uchiha would be participating in the Chunin Exams, so they didn't recommend they participate, but still gave them the choice.

If you don't even dare to face a little boy, are you still a Konoha ninja?

"Quiet!"

Kakashi Hatake coldly watched as the people below sat up straight, then he picked up a pen and wrote the written exam question on the blackboard.

When faced with the difficult choice between completing a mission and rescuing a comrade, which would you choose? (Choose one of two)

This guy was truly not human. It was bad enough that he didn't preside properly, but he actually slipped his personal agenda into the exam!

This question looked like it couldn't be simpler... The problem was, for the ninjas present, it was a huge trap.

Almost everyone knew about Kakashi Hatake's personal matters. Because his father had committed suicide out of fear of rumors, quite a few people in Konoha knew about the life of the White Fang of Konoha.

And what about Kakashi Hatake's own stance?

He never showed mercy when carrying out missions. It was precisely because he had once insisted on carrying out a mission regardless of his comrades that he was called "Cold-blooded Kakashi."

Everyone seemed to understand this proctor's attitude, but they were bound to be judged as unqualified. Only a few who insisted on their own views might have a chance to continue.

This question was very simple for Uchiha Itachi. Firstly, he personally valued friendship very much. Secondly, when he used to train near the Memorial Stone, he had seen the white-haired man standing alone among the graves countless times.

Uchiha Itachi raised his pen and wrote the first word...

Kakashi Hatake glanced at Itachi sitting in the corner and suddenly spoke out of the blue, "Uchiha Itachi, you pass."

"..."

"This is too unfair!"

"It's simply a child's game!"

"Quiet!" Kakashi scanned the exam hall and, for a rare change, explained, "Because he is participating in the Chunin Exams alone, this question is simply not applicable to him."

The meaning of these words was that if you were also participating in the Chunin Exams alone, you could also pass directly.

Someone once again fell into Kakashi's trap.

"Then I can also participate in the exam alone!"

"Right, I'm also participating in the Chunin Exams alone!"

"Hey, we're teammates! What are you talking about!"

The exam hall became noisy again.

Kakashi Hatake quietly watched some ninja squads start to argue, his eyes obscure and hard to read. He wasn't here to preside over the Chunin Exams, but to mess with people's minds.

When it was about time, Kakashi Hatake tilted his head and asked, "Are you saying you will also participate in the subsequent combat assessment alone?"

"No... I..."

"But aren't the written test and the combat assessment held separately?"

Kakashi Hatake said displeased, "I'll repeat myself. Are you sure you want to abandon your teammates and participate in the combat assessment alone?"

The Genin were suddenly dumbfounded. Not all of them dared to face a squad's tag-team battle alone.

Even if some ninjas had this confidence and strength, the proctor wouldn't let them pass the written test now.

Of the hundreds who participated in this Chunin Exam, half were eliminated by Kakashi Hatake in the written test.

Uchiha Itachi was the first to come out. He was chatting with Kitahara, who was waiting outside, when he saw Kakashi Hatake step out of the exam hall with a cold face, "A bunch of trash, worse than nothing!"

"..."

Cursing as soon as he comes out, what manners...

However, it was truly rare to see Kakashi Hatake curse someone out of anger! This scene was not easy to witness even once... It seemed that not many of the answers inside had satisfied him.

Kakashi Hatake walked past Uchiha Itachi without turning his gaze. Just as he was about to reach the corner, he suddenly turned his head.

He pointed a finger at the crow and said to Uchiha Itachi, "For this exam's combat assessment, the use of summoned beasts or pets in any form is prohibited!"

"..."

Kitahara blinked innocently. Be angry all you want, but why take it out on me! Besides, it's neither a pet nor a summoned beast...

Has the white-haired guy lost his mind?

(End of this chapter)