In the original storyline, during the second test, Orochimaru marked Sasuke with the Cursed Seal of Heaven in the Forest of Death, causing immense strain on his body.
The freshly applied cursed seal was extremely sensitive to chakra. Using even a little would risk the seal going berserk, which could endanger the host's life.
To prevent the seal's eruption, Sasuke was unable to activate his Sharingan during the third test's preliminary matches, nor could he use most techniques.
This handicap left him at a disadvantage against Yoroi Akadō initially. Even when relying on taijutsu, the cursed seal nearly spiraled out of control.
Ultimately, it was Sasuke's indomitable willpower that subdued the curse and secured his victory.
However, this time, thanks to Shigeo Aburame's intervention, Orochimaru was repelled in the Forest of Death before he could apply the seal.
Without the curse's limitations, Sasuke could unleash his full strength. Against someone like Yoroi, he made short work of the match.
With the Sharingan's assistance, Sasuke restrained Yoroi using wire-bound shuriken and followed up with a fire technique.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Flames raced along the wires toward Yoroi. Just as the fire was about to engulf him, Hayate Gekkō intervened.
*Shing!*
Hayate swiftly unsheathed his sword and severed the wires, pulling Yoroi away.
In the Chūnin Exams, interference from others is strictly prohibited, with the aided participant immediately disqualified.
However, given the situation, Hayate's action was justified—if the referee hadn't stepped in, Yoroi would have died.
After rescuing Yoroi, Hayate promptly declared, "The winner of the first match—Sasuke!"
Hearing this, Sasuke's lips curled into a smile. He looked up toward the stands, searching for Shigeo Aburame's gaze.
To his disappointment, Shigeo wasn't paying attention to him. Instead, his eyes were locked on one of the jōnin leading the Sound Village team.
Seeing this, Sasuke clenched his fists tightly.
"Is this still not enough to earn your recognition? No matter. When the official matches begin, I'll make sure you acknowledge me!"
With this resolve, he turned and left the arena, his cool demeanor drawing cheers from Sakura, Ino, and his other admirers.
"Sasuke is so cool!"
Hearing the commotion, Shigeo shifted his gaze from the Sound Village jōnin back to the arena.
He had been observing the Sound jōnin closely, suspecting they might be Orochimaru in disguise.
However, after careful scrutiny, he found no flaws.
The jōnin showed no undue interest in Sasuke, displayed no snake-like pupils, and avoided Orochimaru's signature tongue-flicking gestures.
"Doesn't seem to be Orochimaru!"
With that conclusion, Shigeo redirected his attention to the scoreboard above the arena.
The names for the next match stopped scrolling, revealing the combatants: Zaku Abumi vs. Shino Aburame.
The crowd's gaze shifted between Shigeo and Shino, now familiar with the Aburame name thanks to Shigeo's role as an examiner.
Both shared the same surname, wore dark sunglasses, and stood with hands casually tucked into their pockets.
The only difference was their status.
Shigeo Aburame was a celebrated figure, known as the "Black Demon," with his name reverberating throughout the shinobi world. He currently served as the commander of the Konoha Police Force.
Shino, on the other hand, had only graduated a year ago, still striving to make a name for himself as a chūnin.
Despite this, many couldn't help but draw comparisons between the two.
Unbothered by the attention, Shigeo adjusted his sunglasses with his index finger.
"I remember Zaku Abumi specializes in air slicing waves. Shino eventually clogs his hand vents with parasitic insects, leading to a self-detonation. Just a minor character."
As a transmigrator, Shigeo had foreknowledge of many events, allowing him to handle situations with ease.
But this foresight also robbed him of much excitement.
Just as expected, the match played out exactly as he remembered.
Though Zaku wasn't brutalized by a cursed Sasuke as in the original storyline, his fate remained unchanged.
Overconfident, Zaku failed to notice Shino's insects infiltrating the vents in his hands.
The result: a backfire.
*Boom!*
With a muffled explosion, Zaku's arms burst apart, leaving his bones and tendons shattered beyond repair.
Even so, he attempted to resist, only to be knocked down by a clean hook from Shino.
Seeing this, Hayate immediately declared, "The winner—Shino Aburame!"
Shigeo lost interest after this predictable outcome. He turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi and bowed.
"Lord Hokage, I must excuse myself. There are pressing matters at the Police Force."
"Go ahead," Hiruzen replied with a kind smile. "Thank you for your hard work, Shigeo!"
"Just doing my duty. Farewell!"
With that, Shigeo vanished in a blur.
Sasuke, who had been observing, clenched his fists again.
"As expected, battles of this level no longer intrigue him. If I want his acknowledgment, I must grow stronger—or join the Police Force as a chūnin!"
Determined, he scanned the remaining candidates, his eyes blazing with resolve.
"Every one of them could be my opponent. I'll analyze them with my Sharingan and defeat them. I will not lose—never!"
...
Unaware of the fire he had lit in Sasuke, Shigeo returned to the Konoha Police Force headquarters.
As Shigeo entered, Arashi approached him.
"Sir, you've returned. Any orders for me?"
"Yes," Shigeo replied solemnly. "Keep an eye on Hayate Gekkō. If he dies suddenly, immediately recall the Police Force stationed outside the village and prepare for full battle readiness."
"Understood!" Arashi replied without hesitation. "Should we notify the Hokage about recalling the force in advance?"
"No need," Shigeo said with a faint smirk.
"He'll know once we act. However, inform Danzo simultaneously with the recall."
"Understood!"