Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-5273810-20150520114458/@comment-26518343-20150629154533

It'd have to be Konohamaru. Who was friends with Sasuke after his departure that wasn't already a Chunin or Jonin?

Then again I don't recall Sai being a Chunin before joining Root/ANBU. Would being a member exempt him from the exams? I don't know. So I'd bet either Konohamaru or Sai. Seeing that Konohamaru had a team and friends already in the village, I'd conclude the latter.