Kazuku and Sarutobi arrived at Arena 1.
Sakumo was Kazuku's teammate, destined to shake the ninja world, slay Scorpion's parents, and father Kakashi, the Sixth Hokage!
Given this, Sakumo was the only genin Kazuku cared about in this exam.
As expected, Sakumo was still battling when Kazuku reached Arena 1.
"That guy…"
Kazuku's gaze locked onto Sakumo's opponent.
Taller than Sakumo, blue hair, yellow eyes, M-shaped bangs, a ponytail, in a blue ninja outfit.
"He's… he's…"
Kazuku racked his brain but couldn't recall the name.
"Wait, did the original story name him?"
Kazuku was certain this was a Sunagakure ninja.
And in the future…
He became Sunagakure's Third Kazekage!
"Didn't expect him to be in this chunin exam."
"And facing Sakumo in the final round."
Kazuku sighed.
Though Sakumo was a rare genius, titled Konohagakure's White Fang, his opponent was the man dubbed "the strongest Kazekage in history"!
"At eight, fresh from the academy, Sakumo lacks combat thinking and experience."
"Crucially, the Third Kazekage has a bloodline limit."
Kazuku recalled the Third Kazekage's unique ability to convert chakra into magnetic force, shaping iron sand for attack and defense.
Far stronger than Chikusho's Magnet Release!
But…
The Third Kazekage was arguably the most pathetic Kazekage!
He lacked a name in Naruto.
And was killed by Scorpion, turned into a human puppet.
Before crossing over, Kazuku debated on Zhihu how Scorpion silently killed him.
Answers varied, none convincing.
Kazuku still couldn't fathom how Scorpion did it.
Even more absurd…
Orochimaru somehow got the Third Kazekage's cells and revived him with Impure World Reincarnation.
Orochimaru's technique was immature then.
The Third Kazekage retained consciousness.
His first foe as Orochimaru's pawn?
Scorpion, his killer!
Seeing himself as a puppet, he nearly exploded!
"If I were him, I'd find tofu to smash myself into…"
But…
Though he died pathetically, he was the strongest Kazekage with Magnet Release.
Beating Sakumo shouldn't be hard.
"Sakumo's done," Kazuku shook his head, regretful.
Passing the first phase meant a main exam shot at chunin, win or lose.
But the first phase was a hard elimination.
Lose, and wait a year.
"Sakumo's luck is rough."
To Kazuku, the final round's genin were all strong.
No matter Sakumo's opponent, his odds were slim.
Tobirama likely let the draw be random.
And Sakumo got the unluckiest pull—the future Third Kazekage!
"Sakumo will lose?" Sarutobi frowned. The fight was heating up, a stalemate.
It'd take time to decide.
But as Sarutobi spoke…
Sakumo feinted with a shuriken, then used Body Flicker to appear behind the Third Kazekage.
(Naruto didn't name the Third Kazekage, and making one up feels off, so I'll call him Third Kazekage.)
Next, Sakumo drew his chakra short blade, pressing it to the Third Kazekage's neck.
The blade gleamed, reflecting his profile.
Per ninja code…
Exposing your back meant defeat!
"Brilliant."
Sarutobi swallowed, awed.
He marveled inwardly.
What's with Konohagakure's kids being monsters?
Kazuku aside…
Sakumo, fresh from the academy with little experience…
Moved like flowing water!
Hard to believe an eight-year-old genin pulled that off.
Sarutobi felt Arena 1's examiner could call it.
But…
Even in this dire state, the Third Kazekage remained calm.
He spoke, praising Sakumo.
"As expected of Konohagakure. Even seven- or eight-year-olds are this skilled."
"Anyone else would've lost."
"But sadly, your luck's bad—you met me."
Sakumo's brows furrowed. "Surrender. I don't want to kill you."
Unsure of the Third Kazekage's confidence, Sakumo wasn't intimidated.
He confirmed his chakra was fine.
This wasn't genjutsu—his blade was truly at the Third Kazekage's neck.
"Try it, if you can," the Third Kazekage said casually.
He didn't take Sakumo's threat seriously.
Then…
Sakumo's face paled.
He tried closing the blade to the Third Kazekage's neck.
But it froze midair, immovable!
Even…
Sakumo couldn't retract it.
The Third Kazekage's lips curled. He turned, facing the shocked Sakumo.
He stepped back, creating distance.
"Honestly, I planned to save this trump card for the main exam."
"Konohagakure genin, you're strong."
"But sadly, you met someone stronger."
The Third Kazekage stood still.
Sakumo's chakra short blade, as if sentient, turned in midair.
Despite Sakumo's full strength, it wouldn't budge.
Next, the blade, still in Sakumo's grip, pressed against his neck!
"Examiner, can you call it? Otherwise, I might really kill him."
The Third Kazekage turned to Arena 1's examiner, his voice resolute.
(End of Chapter)