Sasuke's twin sister, But Neji's first love

Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins!

I flipped open the test booklet.

Ten questions. Each one more obscure and brutal than the last. These weren't questions a genin could answer with knowledge alone. No, this wasn't about smarts.

This was a trap.

From the row behind me, I could feel Naruto's panic like a wave of chakra thrumming in the air. Sakura, of course, had already started writing. If anyone could pass this the honest way, it was her.

I scanned the first question, but didn't bother pretending I knew the answer.

This isn't about knowing. It's about surviving.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Neji sitting calmly beside me. His pencil hadn't even touched the paper. Eyes open—but not focused on the test.

Byakugan.

Already activated, already working.

His irises glowed faintly with that pale-white hue, veins bulging around his temples. He was scanning the room. Tracking movements. Seeing everything.

Smart.

I tilted my head slightly, just enough so he could hear me whisper.

"So that's your plan."

He didn't look my way, but his voice, low and even, reached my ears.

"It's a shinobi exam. If they're testing us like ninja... then I'll respond like one."

I smirked. "Just don't get caught."

His lips barely moved, but I caught the faintest ghost of a smile.
"I never do."

Then I exhaled and let my chakra surge, focusing behind my eyes until the familiar tingle rose through my temples. In a blink, the world sharpened—edges glowing with faint chakra outlines. My Sharingan flared to life.

I could see everything.

Micro-expressions. Subtle hand movements. The tiniest reflections on polished hitai-ate plates. I zeroed in on a genin across the room who was calmly answering question five. His pencil scratched with the confidence of someone who actually knew the material.

Got you.

I memorized every movement of his hand and began copying.

Slowly.

One answer at a time.

Neji's pencil finally moved beside me—deliberate and confident strokes. He was feeding answers across the room to his teammates through timed movements. Subtle taps. Shifts in posture. It was almost elegant.

I didn't interfere. Just kept watching.

Around us, the tension thickened. Two genin were already dragged out for obvious cheating—one had tried to use a reflective kunai strapped to his ankle. Sloppy.

Ibiki didn't even blink. He just watched us all like a hawk circling a field of mice.

From behind me, Naruto still hadn't moved. Not even a whisper of pencil on paper. The idiot was frozen. Not because he was scared—but because he was too stubborn to cheat.

Even when the rules were unwinnable.

Then came the twist.

Ibiki stepped forward.

"One final question," he announced, his voice sharp and heavy.
"But there's a catch."

All movement in the room stopped.

"If you choose to answer and get it wrong..." he said slowly, letting the words sink in, "...you and your entire team will be disqualified. Permanently. You'll never be allowed to take the Chunin Exams again."

Gasps echoed. Panic rose. Whispers broke out across the room.

"But," Ibiki continued, "if you choose not to answer, you may leave. No penalties. You can try again next year."

A few hands started rising. Genin began leaving, too scared to risk everything for one mystery question.

Neji didn't move. His Byakugan faded, but his focus never wavered.

I stayed still, Sharingan humming in my eyes. Watching. Waiting.

Sasuke remained motionless a few rows ahead. Naruto was practically trembling—but still hadn't raised his hand.

I could feel it building. That moment. The break.

And then Naruto stood.

Loud. Brave. Stupid.

"I'm not leaving!" he shouted, fists clenched. "I don't care what kind of question it is! I'll take it! Even if I fail—I'll find another way! Because I'm gonna be Hokage someday, no matter what!"

Silence.

Then Ibiki smiled.

Just slightly.

"That... was the question."

Everyone blinked.

"There is no final question," he explained. "The real test was about pressure. Fear. Resolve. We wanted to see who would break... who would give up. Those of you who stayed... passed."

A collective breath released across the room. Sakura nearly collapsed from relief. I leaned back in my chair and let out a quiet sigh, my Sharingan slowly fading.

Beside me, Neji turned slightly.

"You didn't hesitate," he murmured.

I looked over. "Neither did you."

He studied me for a moment. I could tell he wasn't used to being impressed.

"You've got nerve," he said at last.

I gave him a faint smirk.
"You've got a habit of watching me."

He looked away, but I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
"Maybe you're just worth watching."

The proctors began collecting test papers, but I hardly noticed.

Because in that moment, something between us shifted—small, but real.

The first test was over. But something else had already begun.