The first half of the second round of the Chūnin exams finally ended, with a total of seven ninja teams entering the Tower of Trials.
Uzumaki Naruto and his teammates arrived at the tower at the last minute, carrying both scrolls, narrowly avoiding elimination. However, their disheveled appearance clearly showed how difficult their journey through the Forest of Death had been.
Shihouin Naraku, standing on the upper level, immediately spotted the Curse Mark on Uchiha Sasuke's neck. It seemed that Orochimaru had already found his target.
Naruto and his team entered the tower and before they had time to rest, they were summoned to gather with the other passing teams.
"This is rather unexpected. I thought only a few would make it through the Forest of Death."
Mitarashi Anko looked at the twenty-one candidates standing before her. The number of Genin who passed this round was larger than anticipated, which meant more would need to be eliminated.
Behind Anko stood numerous ninjas, led by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen. The instructors of the teams that passed the exam and all the examiners stood quietly in position.
The Genin who passed the exam stood together, occasionally glancing at each other, sizing up potential opponents.
"Next, the Third Hokage will address you and introduce the third exam..."
Mitarashi Anko stepped back as Sarutobi Hiruzen moved forward. After clearing his throat, he began, "Before introducing the third exam, let me explain the purpose behind the Chūnin exams..."
While Sarutobi Hiruzen delivered his lengthy speech, the Jōnin and examiners behind him began to lose focus. They were already very familiar with these explanations.
Shihouin Naraku stood to the side and casually glanced at Orochimaru, who was nearby. Orochimaru had disguised himself as the instructor of the Sound Village team using the Erasing Face Technique and Transformation Jutsu.
"You're really brave."
"Hm?"
Shihouin Naraku's voice was low, and Might Guy, standing beside him, couldn't hear clearly.
"Guy, your three students performed well. They all passed the exam."
"Ha!"
Might Guy gave a proud thumbs-up. Aware that Sarutobi Hiruzen was still speaking, he simply grinned widely.
Shihouin Naraku's gaze swept across all the Genin, and every Konoha Genin who met his eyes instinctively lowered their heads, including the rebellious Uchiha Sasuke and the energetic Uzumaki Naruto.
However, those two recovered quickly. Though they didn't dare to glare back, they puffed out their cheeks in a comical display of defiance.
This almost made Shihouin Naraku laugh.
After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished explaining the origins of the Chūnin exam and the relationships between various countries, he directly announced the start of the preliminary rounds.
"Preliminary rounds?"
"Why are there preliminaries?"
"Why do we need preliminary rounds? Haven't we already passed the exam?"
The Genin below erupted in confusion, not understanding why preliminary matches were suddenly being added.
They had just survived the Forest of Death's challenges, and some hadn't even had time to rest before being told they must compete again.
"Silence!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's stern voice quieted the Genin immediately.
"Genma, I'll leave this to you."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Shiranui Genma, a Special Jōnin wearing a blue bandana and holding a senbon in his mouth, stepped forward. After saluting Sarutobi Hiruzen, he faced the Genin:
"It seems this Chūnin exam was too easy, as too few were eliminated in the first two rounds. Before the third round, we need to reduce the number of participants further."
"The third round will be observed by daimyo and nobles from various countries. Since time is limited, we must restrict the number of participants!"
"So, is there anyone feeling unwell who wishes to withdraw now?"
"If not, I'll announce the start of the preliminaries..."
After hearing Genma's explanation, the Genin looked at each other in disbelief. The first two exams were easy?
How could that be?
Didn't their current exhausted state prove just how difficult the first two rounds had been?
Though everyone was silently protesting, they looked around and no one volunteered to quit. After all, they had persisted this far—perhaps one more fight might earn them promotion to Chūnin.
Shiranui Genma surveyed the room and announced: "Since no one has withdrawn, I declare the preliminaries will now begin!"
Everyone had noticed the incident that occurred off to the side.
Haruno Sakura from Team 7 had begun to raise her hand but was stopped by her teammate Uchiha Sasuke.
Uzumaki Naruto also whispered something urgently, and ultimately the three seemed to reach an agreement, with none of them withdrawing.
Mitarashi Anko observed this and whispered to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Lord Hokage, Uchiha Sasuke is not fit to continue fighting. The Curse Mark on his body could activate at any moment..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and replied, "It doesn't matter. Since he has made his decision, let it be. If the Curse Mark goes out of control, you can suppress it."
"But... I understand!"
Mitarashi Anko touched the Curse Mark on her own neck. Though she felt sympathy for Uchiha Sasuke, she had no choice but to follow the Hokage's orders.
Hatake Kakashi glanced at Uchiha Sasuke and whispered, "It seems we need to prepare in advance. Naraku, can you keep watch for a while?"
"Go ahead."
No one noticed Hatake Kakashi quietly slipping away. At that moment, Orochimaru, disguised as the Sound Village instructor, moved as if to follow Kakashi. Shihouin Naraku subtly stepped forward, blocking Orochimaru's path.
The two entered a silent standoff!
Shihouin Naraku tilted his head, a smile forming on his lips. The disguised Orochimaru's expression froze, his snake-like eyes assessing Naraku.
In an instant, murderous intent radiated from both of them!
"Kakashi, the first match will be Uchiha Sasuke's fight. Huh? Where's Kakashi?"
By now, the first preliminary match had been announced: Uchiha Sasuke versus Akado Yoroi, both Genin from Konoha Village.
On the surface, Akado Yoroi was a Konoha student, but in reality, he was a spy planted by Orochimaru from Otogakure.
"Naraku, where's Kakashi? He was here just now. Let's go to the stands, the battle is about to begin."
As Might Guy approached, both Shihouin Naraku and Orochimaru simultaneously looked away.
"Let's go. As for Kakashi, he's gone to make preparations."
"Preparations? For what?"
As the two walked away, Orochimaru couldn't help but flick out his long tongue to lick his lips. Shihouin Naraku's growth rate far exceeded his expectations. His earlier assessment had been correct.
It was a pity that a better vessel was now available; otherwise, Orochimaru would have been tempted to target Shihouin Naraku instead.
"Hey, you two, follow me up."
Shihouin Naraku pointed at Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, then paused beside Uchiha Sasuke with a warning:
"Uchiha Sasuke! If you don't want me to interrupt your match, don't use the Sharingan!"
"What?"
Uchiha Sasuke looked up suddenly and covered the Curse Mark on his neck, but he only saw Shihouin Naraku leading Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura to the viewing area.
He didn't doubt Shihouin Naraku's words at all. Ever since his last experience with Conqueror's Haki, Uchiha Sasuke had developed a deep wariness toward Shihouin Naraku.
Though he didn't know much about him, Sasuke knew enough to recognize Shihouin Naraku's authority.
So Uchiha Sasuke dared not disobey Shihouin Naraku's instructions.
"Hmph! I can still win without the Sharingan!"
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion