Naruto: Drinking Makes You Stronger

Hokage's Office

"The Chūnin Exams are about to begin."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, addressed the assembled Konoha jōnin in his office. His voice carried a calm authority as he exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room.

Konoha, Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy buzzed with energy, its halls alive with anticipation as it became the venue for the first test of the Chūnin Exams. Inside one of the examination rooms, aspiring candidates from various ninja villages gathered, their eyes keen and their postures tense as they waited for the challenge to commence.

The air was thick with tension as participants quietly observed their rivals, each carefully assessing the competition.

"Konoha's Ninja Academy... it has such a warm and inviting atmosphere," Kisame Hoshigaki remarked, a sly grin revealing his sharp, shark-like teeth as he surveyed the room.

This setting was a stark contrast to the blood-soaked culture of Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist. In Kirigakure, survival was a relentless struggle, where betrayal was commonplace, and even a trusted ally might plunge a kunai into your back without hesitation.

"Stay sharp, Kisame. Over there—that's a ninja from Konoha's Hyūga clan. Be careful," warned Haneda Kaito, one of Kisame's teammates and a keen observer.

"Byakugan... one of Konoha's famed dōjutsu techniques," muttered Oiwa Ryo, a burly swordsman with a calculating gaze.

Kisame's team had been meticulously chosen to ensure a balanced dynamic for the exams. Haneda Kaito, the team's information specialist, possessed in-depth knowledge of Konoha's ninja clans. Meanwhile, Oiwa Ryo, a skilled taijutsu practitioner, perfectly complemented Kisame's mastery of water-style techniques, making them a formidable trio.

"The Inuzuka clan, the Aburame clan, the Yamanaka clan, the Akimichi clan, the Nara clan... Konoha has certainly brought out its best," remarked a candidate from another village.

"Even the Sarutobi clan is represented. Konoha is taking this seriously," another added.

"But... where are the Uchiha?"

At the mention of the Uchiha clan, a murmur rippled through the room.

With the decline of the Senju clan, the Uchiha had risen to become Konoha's most powerful and prominent family. Their Sharingan was legendary, considered one of the greatest bloodline abilities in the ninja world. Every candidate had been warned to approach the Uchiha with caution.

Yet, their absence was impossible to ignore. Uchiha members were easily recognized by the clan emblem emblazoned on their clothing, but not a single one had been seen.

"Click—"

The silence in the examination room was broken as the door creaked open.

"Finally, is it the Uchiha?" a voice whispered eagerly.

"It has to be. They always make such a grand entrance, full of pride," another candidate sneered, eyes glinting with anticipation.

"I can't wait to see if the Sharingan lives up to the legend," a confident voice muttered, clearly intrigued.

The entire room shifted their attention to the door, curiosity sparking in every eye. Even shinobi from Kirigakure and Kumogakure couldn't help but watch, drawn by the legendary reputation of the Uchiha clan.

A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone waited for the arrival of the much-anticipated Uchiha.

"Ton-ton-ton—hiccup!"

With a loud burp, Leo swung the door open, casually sipping from a sake bottle. His disheveled appearance and the strong scent of alcohol made the room fall into an even deeper silence.

"Huh? Why's it so quiet? Did I stumble into the wrong room?" Leo mumbled, his eyes slightly glazed from the alcohol.

He paused, surveying the room full of ninja, then raised an eyebrow. "Aren't these supposed to be my competitors? Why's no one making any noise? Don't tell me you bastards were trying to mess with me and make me think this is the wrong room!"

Leo's voice grew louder, irritation creeping into his tone as he waved the sake bottle accusingly at the crowd.

"If this throws off my rhythm and I miss out on my promised reward—a house full of fine wine—I'll make sure to cut every one of you!" he declared boldly.

The room fell into stunned silence, the air thick with disbelief at his audacity.

"Who... who is this guy?" someone finally stammered, eyes wide with confusion.

"Not an Uchiha, that's for sure," another muttered under his breath.

"What arrogance! Calling us bastards and threatening to cut us down? Who does he think he is?" one candidate hissed, clearly offended by Leo's brashness.

The tension in the room grew, as murmurs of disbelief rippled through the group.

The tension in the room shifted, a mix of disbelief and annoyance directed squarely at the drunken newcomer. Eyes narrowed, whispers spread like wildfire, and even those who had been quietly observing couldn't help but react to Leo's outrageous entrance. He seemed completely unaware of the storm he had just stirred, swaying slightly as he took another sip from his sake bottle.

Hokage's Office

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rang out, his usual calm giving way to a rare moment of irritation.

"Are you out of your mind, showing up like that, drunk, and causing a scene?" one of the jōnin demanded, glaring at the man who had disrupted the proceedings.

The examination room had descended into chaos. Candidates from all around the villages stood in shock, whispering in disbelief.

They had been expecting the Uchiha clan to make a grand entrance, perhaps with the usual pride and formality that came with their name. Instead, this unkempt man, holding a sake bottle as if it were nothing, had staggered into the room, blatantly insulting everyone and threatening violence.

"What is this? A joke? Is Konoha really sending this kind of shinobi to represent them?" a disgruntled candidate muttered, his hand resting on his kunai as if ready to draw it.

"Unbelievable," another candidate added, eyes narrowed in disbelief. "And to think we were all worried about facing the Uchiha."

The tension in the room was palpable now, as murmurs of confusion and annoyance spread. The candidates, eager to prove their worth in the exams, couldn't understand how the Hokage could have let such a person even step foot in the room.

"If it weren't for the strict rule prohibiting fighting during the first stage of the exam, many would have already lunged at him to teach him a lesson."

"Is this... Leo? He's nothing like I imagined," muttered Shijima Aburame, adjusting his sunglasses with his usual calm tone.

"You're telling me this guy is supposed to be the core of Konoha's candidates this year? What a joke!" barked Akari Inuzuka, clearly unimpressed.

"Hatake Leo... the super genius who defeated Hatake Kakashi," Haruki Hyūga from the Hyūga clan spoke quietly, his voice tinged with intrigue.

"Interesting," Haruki thought to himself. "Is he really as formidable as the rumors say, or is it just exaggerated hype?"

Hokage's Office

"This brat is completely unreliable!" Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, muttered, watching the scene unfold through his crystal ball alongside a group of Konoha's jōnin. The sight of Leo, clearly inebriated, caused his brow to twitch in frustration.

"So, this is the famous Leo? The so-called super genius who defeated Kakashi?" Orochimaru's voice carried a hint of fascination as his sharp eyes remained fixed on the screen.

"I know that kid!" Jiraiya exclaimed, pointing at the crystal ball. "I've run into him at the bar plenty of times. He's got a nasty mouth, I'll tell you that!"

"Enough! Watch quietly!" Sarutobi snapped, casting a cold glare at Jiraiya. "So you're the one encouraging his drinking habits!"

Jiraiya immediately fell silent, sensing the Hokage's growing frustration.

Back in the examination room, the tension reached its boiling point.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion of smoke filled the room, instantly silencing the chaos.

"Shut up, you brats! Get back to your seats!"

As the smoke cleared, Konoha's examiner team stood at the front, their imposing presence demanding immediate attention.

"I am Yuhi Shinku, a jōnin from Konoha, and the chief examiner for the first stage of the Chūnin Exams!"

Yuhi Shinku's commanding voice reverberated through the room, his presence instantly commanding respect.

"Now, return to your seats immediately!"

The candidates exchanged uneasy glances but, without hesitation, complied, quickly finding their assigned seats.

Even Leo, still clutching his bottle, was escorted to his seat by one of the examiners.

Yuhi Shinku's eyes narrowed slightly as he gave Leo a longer, more scrutinizing glance.

"So, this is Leo... the one my daughter talks about constantly?"

Yuhi Shinku's expression darkened as the realization struck him. The mysterious disappearance of wine from his home suddenly made sense. His daughter, Kurenai, must have stolen it to give to this reckless brat! For a moment, his gaze lingered on Leo with a mix of frustration and suspicion, but Yuhi Shinku quickly refocused on his duties. As a shinobi of Konoha, he had a job to do.

"The rules of the first exam are as follows..." Yuhi Shinku announced, his voice cutting through the lingering tension in the room.

As was tradition, the first stage was designed to test the candidates' ability to gather information. Cheating was permitted, but each candidate had only four chances before they would be disqualified. The stakes were high, and every move would count.

The more observant candidates quickly grasped the true nature of the exam and began formulating their strategies. Some exchanged subtle glances, while others began positioning themselves near their targets. Before long, participants from various villages discreetly started attempting to gather information by any means necessary, knowing that the clock was ticking and their chances were limited.

Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen observed the scene with a calm yet confident gaze. "The Hyūga's Byakugan, the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs, the Yamanaka clan's mind-transfer techniques, the Aburame clan's insects... With all these abilities at their disposal, this exam will pose no challenge for Konoha's candidates," he remarked, his voice laced with pride as he watched the skilled participants in action.

The jōnin nodded in agreement, their pride palpable. Konoha's candidates were well-prepared, each utilizing their clan's unique abilities to gain an advantage, making them a formidable force in the exam. Their confidence was evident as they watched their students strategize and execute their plans with precision

One of the jōnin watched the crystal ball displaying the Chūnin Exam proceedings, a proud smile on his face. "As expected, Konoha's candidates are performing brilliantly," he said, his voice full of pride.

But Jiraiya, ever the skeptic, tilted his head and asked, "Hey, old man, why didn't you send anyone from the Uchiha clan this time?"

Though Jiraiya wasn't particularly fond of the Uchiha, he couldn't ignore their strength. It struck him as odd that they weren't represented.

At the mention of the Uchiha, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eye twitched violently, and his gaze darkened with a murderous intent as he fixed his glare on Jiraiya.

"Uh..."

Jiraiya froze, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a rare moment of nervousness. He couldn't figure out what he'd said to provoke such a reaction, but he wisely decided to stay silent. Lately, the Hokage had been particularly irritable around him, and Jiraiya had no desire to find out why.

Sarutobi sighed inwardly, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing on him. Could I really trust the Uchiha to follow such an unconventional order?

The second stage of the Chūnin Exams required all participants to wear a special item, intended not only to prevent confusion but also to keep Leo from mistaking his own allies for enemies—and possibly cutting them to pieces.

The thought of persuading the notoriously proud Uchiha clan to comply with such a directive made Sarutobi feel a headache coming on.

Ultimately, he decided it would be less trouble to leave them out entirely.

Besides, with Leo participating, Konoha's victory was practically guaranteed.

Just as Sarutobi was lost in his thoughts, one of the jōnin interrupted him.

"By the way, where's Leo? Shouldn't we see him answering the questions by now?"

The inquiry snapped everyone's attention back to the crystal ball.

"Hmm, that's right. Where is he?" Sarutobi muttered, a sinking feeling forming in his gut.

Adjusting the view, the Hokage focused on Leo's seat.

"Hoo-lu—"

A distinct snore echoed through the room.

Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Leo is asleep?!"

"Ah, well..." one of the jōnin said nervously, trying to salvage the situation. "The super genius must have already finished the test. Right? It's confidence! That's why he's sleeping!"

But as the room fell silent, everyone's gaze zeroed in on Leo's exam paper.

It was... completely blank.

"Leo, you bastard!" Sarutobi roared, slamming his hand on the desk.

Meanwhile, Leo was utterly oblivious to the Hokage's fury.

In the Exam Room,

Leo's nap had been particularly satisfying.

To mark the occasion of the Chūnin Exams, he'd treated himself to an exquisite bottle of wine gifted by Kurenai.

The wine wasn't just delicious; it had a special quality that enhanced his swordsmanship comprehension, physique, and chakra by ten points each.

And, as an added bonus, it made for the perfect sleep aid.

"Hoo-lu... hoo-lu..."

The rhythmic snores persisted until a sudden, persistent coughing broke through his slumber.

"Cough-cough—cough!"

"Who's making all that noise?!" Leo grumbled, reluctantly opening his eyes.

A red-faced Yuhi Shinku, still coughing from the strain, glared at him.

"You brat, you're finally awake."

Shinku let out another hacking cough, his throat burning from the effort.

As chief examiner, Shinku had a direct communication line with the Hokage. Moments earlier, Sarutobi had issued a stern order to wake Leo up immediately.

But Shinku was in a bind. Strict rules prohibited examiners from giving candidates any direct assistance or reminders.

After much internal debate (and several desperate coughs), Shinku's patience had finally run out.

Seeing the examiner's intense glare, Leo stretched lazily and let out a yawn.

"What's the big deal? Can't a guy catch a nap?"

"You're taking an exam, you idiot!" Shinku snapped, still coughing.

Leo raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed.

"So what? I'll finish in five minutes. No need to rush."

Shinku's face turned a deep shade of red, his frustration palpable.

"Five minutes?! You haven't even started!"

Without a care in the world, Leo picked up his pen and leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"Relax, old man. I've got this."

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