42 Naruto: Stealing Attributes

The crunch of footsteps in the snow echoed, and Kurenai looked up, her slightly chubby cheeks breaking into a cheerful smile. She exhaled a warm breath into the cold air and waved with her right hand.

"Mirai! Over here!"

"Did I keep you waiting, Kurenai?"

"No, I just got here too."

As Mirai approached, Kurenai suddenly became a bit shy, fidgeting with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Got hemorrhoids or something?" Mirai asked, puzzled.

"Hey! No, I don't! Who'd say something like that!" Kurenai huffed, clearly annoyed.

Mirai just tilted his head, still confused. "Then what's with the awkward fidgeting?"

Glaring at him in exasperation, Kurenai thrust a red scarf into his hands.

"A scarf?"

Mirai looked at her questioningly, and Kurenai tilted her chin up, letting out a small, defiant "hmph."

"I noticed you were underdressed, and I didn't want you catching a cold right before the Chunin Exams. Don't get any ideas."

Her exaggerated attitude made Mirai struggle to hold back a laugh. Wrapping the scarf around his neck, he feigned amazement.

"Wow, it's so warm!"

Kurenai's lips curled into a smile, but before she could say anything, Mirai spoke up again.

"Kurenai, where did you buy this? I think I'll get, like, ten more."

"Mirai, you big dummy!"

"Just kidding." Mirai chuckled, giving her a warm, genuine look. "Thank you, Kurenai. I really do like it."

"Oh, whatever… No need to tell me that." Kurenai blushed, looking away.

"Hey, it's about time we head to the exam hall."

A voice from the side made Mirai look over in surprise. "Asuma? When did you get here?"

Asuma clenched his fist, muttering with annoyance. "What's with a guy wearing a scarf anyway, especially a red one? Not manly at all…"

Mirai walked past Asuma without a word, then turned to Kurenai.

"Weird… why do I smell so much jealousy in the air this morning?"

Argh!!

As the two walked off, Asuma stomped his foot in frustration, fists clenched. He was itching to knock some sense into Mirai.

They continued through the academy corridors, where they encountered Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.

"Mirai, morning!"

"Huh? How'd you know this scarf was hand-knitted by Kurenai?"

All three blinked, staring blankly at him.

Who even asked about your scarf, Mirai?

After Mirai left, Obito glanced hopefully at Rin.

"Um, Rin…"

"No way!"

…

Inside, at the corner of a staircase, a group of shinobi seemed to be arguing about something.

"Why won't you let us in?"

"Yeah, we're here to take the exam! Get out of the way!"

"It's almost time—move it!"

Looking forward, Mirai and his group noticed two individuals standing guard at the door to room 501, blocking everyone who tried to enter.

"These guys are overdoing it a bit," Asuma growled. "Blocking the exam hall like that…"

"Should we go over and check it out?" Kurenai asked Mirai.

"No need." Mirai shook his head. "Anyone lingering here is bound to be eliminated anyway."

Asuma grunted in annoyance. "So, what, you're saying you agree with those two jerks blocking the door?"

"You think you can knock out your competition like this?"

"This isn't a mission, so if you're making a bad call, don't expect me to stand back and let it happen."

Mirai shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Then he turned to Kurenai. "Let's head up."

"Huh?" Kurenai looked surprised. "Mirai, isn't the exam hall here?"

Mirai gave her a look. "Kurenai, take a closer look—does this really look like our exam hall?"

Kurenai paused, noticing something odd. With her natural talent for genjutsu, she quickly sensed the illusion, thanks to Mirai's hint.

"Release!"

As she dispelled the genjutsu, the room number on the door flickered, changing from 501 to 401.

"Mirai, you already noticed?"

Kurenai gazed at him, impressed. Although the illusion wasn't hard to break, sensing it immediately was no easy feat.

"Kurenai, remember: the Chunin Exams test more than just skills. Exams don't always happen inside the hall."

"If you let rigid thinking limit your perspective, you'll easily fall into someone else's trap."

"Got it, Mirai."

As they continued up the stairs, Asuma's expression darkened, realizing how foolish he'd sounded earlier. He felt like a clown.

Why? Why did Mirai always have to one-up him, no matter how hard he tried?

Standing there for a moment, Asuma clenched his jaw and followed Mirai up the stairs. If he didn't push forward, he'd never escape the shadow of being the "Hokage's son."

…

Finally reaching the real exam hall, Mirai, Kurenai, and Asuma opened the door and stepped in. The room was packed, like a sea of people.

"How are we supposed to take an exam like this?"

"Isn't this overkill?"

Kurenai looked around in shock, while Asuma frowned. It was complete chaos. How could they conduct a test with so many people in one place?

Asuma almost moved to confront a proctor, but noticing Mirai's calm expression, he stopped, sensing something was off. Maybe he'd wait and see what Mirai thought.

A sense of shame rose in him, but the memory of past embarrassments kept him still.

"Look, there he is—Mirai Uchiha."

"That Uchiha prodigy? Hmph, he doesn't look like much."

"Hard to believe this little kid took down two Jonin… I'd never believe it if the Hokage hadn't confirmed it himself."

"Seriously? Letting this monster take the Chunin Exam? Isn't this just unfair?"

Amidst the murmurs, Mirai made his way to a seat by the window. "You guys move—it's mine now."