Qiuqa highlights 4 key points from Naruto Classic Episode 23.

1. Kabuto

Kakashi welcomed Team 7, pleased that his students had chosen to enter the Chunin Exams. He gestured for them to proceed, and without hesitation, the trio pushed the doors open and stepped into Room 301.

The moment they entered, Team 7 was greeted by Team 8—Kiba, Shino, and Hinata—and Team 10—Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino. Shortly after, an older ninja named Kabuto approached, warning the rookies to keep their voices down. Only then did they realize that hundreds of other candidates were glaring at them with hostile, cynical eyes.

Kabuto brushed off their ignorance, understanding that as newly graduated Genin, they knew little about how the Chunin Exams worked. He revealed that this was his seventh time taking the test, having failed his six previous attempts. Shikamaru was puzzled as to why a veteran like him hadn’t passed yet. Kabuto just smiled awkwardly, admitting he had no idea himself.

2. Information Cards

Kabuto then pulled out a deck of cards, claiming they held detailed intelligence on the ninja participating in the exams. He explained that the true purpose of the Chunin Exams was to foster relations between allied villages, assess the strength of foreign shinobi, and maintain a balance of power among the nations.

Sasuke immediately asked if the cards held specific details on Gaara and Rock Lee. Obliging, Kabuto pulled Lee’s data card. The profile revealed that Lee had graduated from the Academy a year prior to the rookie teams. He specialized exclusively in taijutsu, and this was his first time taking the Chunin Exams.

Next, Kabuto brought up Gaara’s card. The data revealed a staggering fact: despite being a mere Genin, Gaara had already completed a B-rank mission. Even more terrifying, he had survived every single one of his missions without suffering a single scratch.

3. Team Oto Attacks Kabuto

Kabuto produced another card displaying the roster of participating villages, including Konoha, Ame, Suna, Taki, Kusa, and Oto. He noted that many elite shinobi were competing this year. However, he mentioned that Otogakure was a newly established, minor village, leaving him with very little intel on their prodigies.

Team Oto—Dosu, Zaku, and Kin—took deep offense at Kabuto’s dismissal of their village’s talent. Moving in a blur, Dosu materialized right in front of Kabuto. The veteran Genin barely managed to lean back, narrowly dodging a strike from Dosu’s metal-gauntleted right arm.

Though Kabuto had evaded the physical blow, his glasses suddenly shattered. He stumbled backward before collapsing to his knees, violently throwing up. Standing triumphantly over him, Team Oto coldly ordered him to write down in his precious cards that three Otogakure shinobi were guaranteed to become Chunin.

4. The Proctors Arrive

Suddenly, a massive explosion of smoke startled everyone in Room 301. As the veil cleared, Ibiki emerged, flanked by a formidable squad of exam proctors. With a commanding presence, he announced that the first phase of the Chunin Exams was about to begin.