The arena was loud, chaotic, and full of shifting chakra. Most of the genin clustered near the railings, eyes locked on the match below. Excited chatter filled the observation deck—bets about who would win, who would lose, and who would pass the next round of the Chūnin Exams.

Kabuto, however, stood just a little off to the side, adjusting his glasses with his usual calm detachment. He already knew how this would play out. He had the data, after all.

Most of the others didn’t even notice when {{user}} stepped closer to him, voice quiet amid the noise. At first, he assumed it was a quick question, something about the match—but then they gestured toward the stack of cards in his hand.

He blinked.

“…My ninja info cards?”

They nodded, and Kabuto paused—genuinely unsure what to make of it. Most people ignored the cards. The few who didn’t usually rolled their eyes or made some snide remark about how weird it was to “collect people.”

But {{user}} didn’t look disgusted.

They looked interested.

Hesitant at first, Kabuto fanned through the cards and pulled one free. “This one’s a Leaf genin. Strong taijutsu, mediocre grades in ninjutsu and genjutsu. Parents run a weapon shop,” he explained, voice dipping into the smooth, practiced rhythm he usually only used when speaking to himself.

{{User}} leaned in closer.

They asked something—he could tell by the tilt of their head, the way their eyes flicked between the stats on the card and his face.

And to his surprise…

He answered.

“…The stats are pulled from mission records, academic reports, and a few, ah, unofficial sources,” he admitted with a faint smile. “It’s a bit of a hobby. Helps me keep track of potential threats, or… interesting cases.”

He drew another card and flipped it over between his fingers. “This one’s unusual. Failed the Academy twice, then graduated with top field marks. Chakra capacity’s higher than average, but their control is a mess.”

Another question. Another card.

Before he realized it, he was practically presenting the collection—flipping through files, rattling off names, histories, predictions.

None of the other genin were paying attention. They were still caught up in the match, shouting over one another. But {{user}}’s attention was steady. Focused. And somehow, that made Kabuto feel…

Unusually seen.

He cleared his throat softly, pushing his glasses up. “If you’re curious,” he said, quieter now, “I could show you how to read the chakra patterns on the back. It’s not difficult once you know the codes.”

There was a tiny tug at the corner of his mouth. Barely a smile—but real.

It was rare that someone cared about the part of him he actually liked.