Since Kazuku and the Third Kazekage drew numbers one and two, the main exam's first round started with them.
"Listen up."
Main examiner Sarutobi Hiruzen outlined the rules.
"Though the terrain differs, the rules mirror the preliminaries."
"Matches end only with death or surrender."
"But if the outcome is clear, I'll intervene to prevent unnecessary casualties. Understood?"
Kazuku and others nodded, confirming they understood.
"Mm." Sarutobi nodded, eager for Kazuku's performance, then announced to the stands.
The first round: Kazuku versus the Third Kazekage.
Except for them, other competitors went to the rest area to watch.
On the Kage stand…
First Kazekage Retto stressed to the other Kages, "This match is worth watching."
The Kazekage and Tsuchikage didn't attend solely for Hashirama's sake.
The exam was a chance to showcase Sunagakure's strength.
Ninja relied on client missions.
More missions meant more pay.
Economic strength fueled military power.
For Sunagakure, with eighty percent desert and scarce resources, missions were vital.
In short…
Retto wanted the Third Kazekage's strength to prove Sunagakure's might, attracting clients!
"He's our village's young genius, a bloodline limit user!"
Retto said proudly.
"No, 'genius' doesn't capture his terrifying talent—'monster' fits better!"
"At ten, he completed an S-rank mission."
"I planned to promote him to chunin, but he declined, feeling he needed more training."
"That humility is rare."
Retto wasn't boasting—he meant it, grooming him as a future Kazekage.
His rise as history's strongest Kazekage proved Retto's judgment.
"No exaggeration, he's likely this exam's strongest genin!"
Retto declared confidently.
His tone brimmed with assurance!
"Strongest genin? Kazekage-sama really believes in your ninja," First Tsuchikage Ishigawa quipped. "Pity such a talent didn't face our Iwagakure ninja."
"I'd love to see if fierce winds can shake stone!"
Ishigawa didn't back down.
Admitting Sunagakure had the strongest genin? He'd rather die.
His Stone Will was unyielding!
"Hahaha, both Kazekage-sama and Tsuchikage-sama have raised fine ninja."
To prevent a spat, Hashirama interjected, laughing and slapping his thigh, eyeing the Third Kazekage excitedly.
"Sunagakure's strongest genin? Kazuku's luck is great!"
Kazekage Retto: "???"
Did I mishear?
The Hokage said great luck?
Shouldn't it be bad luck?
The Third Kazekage is this exam's strongest genin!
Your Konohagakure genin is doomed!
Retto thought but didn't say.
"Kazuku's the kid below, right?" Ishigawa mused. "He looks familiar, like I've seen him."
But Kazuku's age made that unlikely.
"Now that you mention it, he does seem familiar… especially his face…" Retto's gaze locked onto Kazuku.
His face felt… punchable.
"Probably because he looks like me," Hashirama explained.
"What?"
Retto and Ishigawa gasped, realizing.
Kazuku did resemble Hashirama.
"Wait, Kazuku is…"
Suddenly, Retto seemed to grasp something.
"Truth be told, Kazuku is my grandson!"
"Though only seven, he's a bit stronger than his peers."
"Against him, Kazuku won't disappoint Kazekage-sama."
"Challenging Sunagakure's strongest genin will be a huge gain for Kazuku!"
To Hashirama and Tobirama…
Kazuku was Konohagakure's terrifyingly talented ninja.
They believed, within a decade, he'd be Hokage!
Thus, Hashirama hoped Kazuku would face strong opponents!
Retto and Ishigawa froze.
They never imagined the First Hokage's grandson was in this exam!
As judges, they had the competitor list.
But Kazuku's entry omitted the Senju name and was unremarkable, so they overlooked him.
Hashirama's grandson status was a halo over Kazuku.
What concerned the Kages most…
Did Kazuku inherit Hashirama's power?
Though Hashirama's oversight brought peace, Konohagakure's fertile lands were coveted.
Each First Kage was a titan, defeating clans to build villages.
None wanted a second Senju Hashirama.
With Hashirama's reveal…
Retto and Ishigawa reassessed Kazuku.
"First round, begin!"
Sarutobi shouted below.
The stands erupted.
But…
Kazuku and the Third Kazekage didn't move.
"Before we start, may I ask a question?" The Third Kazekage smirked at Kazuku.
"What?"
The Third Kazekage touched his forehead. At eleven, no longer a seven- or eight-year-old, he hesitated to fight a kid like Kazuku.
"Why not forfeit?" He spread his hands. "I saw your file, thought you were just small, not actually seven."
"Having goals is good, but you could wait a few years."
The Third Kazekage advised sincerely.
Not arrogance—he worried Kazuku, seeing his strength, would be traumatized by the gap.
Note: To clarify, Kishimoto didn't name the Third Kazekage—he's literally unnamed. Thus, this book calls him Third Kazekage, not implying he's the actual third…
(End of Chapter)