Hot Spring Street

Unaware that some in the audience were filled with envy and jealousy towards his status as a winner in life, Gekko Hayate coughed for a while before continuing to announce the rules of the third exam.

In short, it's a two-on-one elimination tournament.

After the fierce battle in the Forest of Death, especially the sweep by the Karin Squad, only seven squads remain to advance to the third round.

Otogakure, Dōmeki Shun, Haku, Kaguya Kimimaro; Karin Uzumaki, Jūgo, Hozuki Suigetsu;

Konoha, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Tenten; Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno; Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi; Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame.

Sunagakure, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro.

The purpose of the selection battle mentioned by Konoha before the third exam was to screen the ninjas who would participate in the official competition and reduce the number of participants.

After all, in order to showcase the strength of the great ninja village, they would invite daimyo, nobles, and merchants from various countries to watch the battle, hoping to secure more commissions. Showcasing a more exciting and thrilling competition would be of paramount importance.

Thus began a sincere, fair, and just selection process.

The Gekko Hayate shook the notebook in my hand, and I saw the electronic screen immediately start scrolling rapidly.

"The first match: Kaguya Kimimaro versus Dōmeki Shun!"

As soon as Gekko Hayate's voice faded, almost everyone's gaze fell upon the two youths. Both of their strength had left a deep impression on the ninjas present, with some even secretly delighted, thinking, "Mutual slaughter, how wonderful!"

"Tch, cheating is indeed a tradition in the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

Dōmeki glanced at the white-haired old man and snorted coldly, while Kimimaro stood up and announced his withdrawal. To be honest, he didn't care much about this childish game, and none of the other members of the Sound Ninja were surprised.

Even more surprisingly, with Kimimaro's withdrawal, Haku, Karin, and the others also announced their forfeit, causing the eliminated ninjas who had their scrolls stolen to grit their teeth, "As expected, the Sound Ninja are a bunch of despicable bastards!"

A Jonin the Otogakure standing in the crowd wore a meaningful smile.

Faced with this unprecedented situation, even Gekko Hayate couldn't help but frown. What was this? Was it an expression of dissatisfaction with Konoha? The weak man couldn't help but ask for the reason.

Hozuki Suigetsu stepped forward with a chuckle, "Because I've heard people say that Genin are the strongest in the Shinobi World!"

"What a ridiculous reason!!!"

Everyone was roaring inwardly, and the Jonin watching the battle were complaining that the younger generation of ninjas were becoming increasingly difficult to understand!

Gekko Hayate turned to look at the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was still calmly smoking. Seeing that he didn't react, he coughed twice and continued to preside over the proceedings.

No longer caring about the outcome, Dōmeki turned and left with his friends, thinking to himself that a month was enough time for him to cause trouble. Meanwhile, Kakashi, with a serious expression, saw the boy and chased after him.

"Etc!"

Kakashi called out loudly to Dōmeki and his group. After learning about his student's ordeal from Sakura, he was completely distraught.

Unlike the new generation of ninjas who knew nothing about Orochimaru, Kakashi and his generation, who had fought in the Fourth Shinobi World War and even served as his subordinates, were all too aware of Orochimaru's danger.

When Kakashi saw his disciple, Sasuke, the last descendant of the Uchiha Clan, being targeted by that man, Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat.

Why, why target a child?

Oh, the rest of the Uchiha are gone, and my once silent and mature subordinate has also betrayed Konoha and his whereabouts are a mystery.

Thinking of his friend's family falling into such a state, Kakashi felt a sense of sadness and guilt, which was probably why he favored Sasuke even more!

Dōmeki stopped in his tracks, looking at Kakashi whose expression kept changing, with a puzzled expression.

"Kakashi-senpai, instead of appreciating your student's talent and hard work in battle, you've come to find me, an outsider. How strange!"

Kakashi bowed deeply to Dōmeki in apology, "I've come to thank you on behalf of my disciple!"

Dōmeki -ki gasped.

"Hiss! It's really not like Kakashi-senpai is serious!"

Kakashi's eyes gleamed with a dead fish-like light. "Heh, I'm really sorry I'm not a serious guy!"

Then, he became serious and asked the boy for details about Sasuke and his friends' encounter with Orochimaru.

"So, the evil Cursed Seal Orochimaru left for Sasuke was actually a seed that tempted him to pursue power and leave Konoha?"

Listening to Dōmeki's casual narration, Kakashi immediately grasped the key points.

As Sasuke's teacher, Kakashi knew his student very well. Sasuke's deep-seated hatred had created a morbid craving for power, and the temptation of Orochimaru, who could help Sasuke quickly increase his power, was hard to resist.

Kakashi immediately frowned, worried that his disciple might succumb to temptation and go astray, while also knowing that the village would definitely not give up on the Uchiha bloodline, especially since that sinister man was definitely watching Team 7's every move. It was truly a headache.

Dōmeki could understand Kakashi and Sasuke's feelings quite well, especially that kid who had experienced a truly tragic life. He admired Sasuke's normal values, especially in the Uchiha where mental illness was rampant. Sasuke would turn into that annoying person he would become in the future.

However, as the future junior apprentice, he has time to be properly trained.

The red-haired boy revealed a sinister smile.

"Call!"

Kakashi exhaled, clearing his mind of his jumbled thoughts; there were more important things to do now.

"I've heard Sasuke say that your Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu are very advanced. Could you help that child further control that Cursed Seal? I know that the current seal is very crude and perfunctory."

Kakashi himself does know a few Sealing Jutsu, but they are far less Dōmeki than the simple Sealing Jutsu used by Hyakume, which also shows traces of the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu.

I hadn't thought much about it at first, but the red-haired boy's abundant Chakra and impressive Sealing Jutsu all pointed to that answer.

The fact that a child named "Karin Uzumaki" was among his companions this time further confirmed his suspicions.

"Does Konoha really trust me to target the last remaining member of the Uchiha?"

Dōmeki grinned. "Also, I'm curious, what kind of reward will Kakashi-senpai offer?"

"You want payment too?" Kakashi glanced at him. "I'm your friend, aren't I?"

"Friends are friends, but we're ninjas after all!"

Kakashi Hatake rubbed his forehead and said softly, "Konoha's hot spring town is quite a nice place!"

"Hot Spring Street? You mean that place with lots of shops run by scantily clad older women?"

Dōmeki's eyes lit up. As a village in a semi-feudal era, Konoha also had some remnants of the times—a red-light district. However, listening to music in a red-light district when you have nothing to do is the dream of every time traveler!

"Ahem, Kakashi-senpai, I misjudged you!"

Seeing the looks he was getting from his friends, Dōmeki immediately became serious. "I'm a respectable person!"

Kakashi glanced at the group, then quietly leaned close to Dōmeki's ear and whispered something.

"I'll pay for the whole night!"

"Make a deal!"