Orochimaru, the Chief Examiner

As expected of the first Chunin Ninja Exams jointly organized by all the major ninja villages, each village sent its Genin talented genin to compete for the title of strongest among the younger generation.

It took Shikaku half an hour Shikaku to introduce the ninjas from the five major villages, as well as some decent guys from the smaller ninja villages. This shows that all the Genin who came this time were geniuses.

Looking at the one or two hundred people in the venue, although they were all very young, Yemo knew that as long as they survived, they would at least become Special Jōnin in the future, not to mention that many of them would become famous Shinobi World powerhouses in the future.

For example, Hozuki Mangetsu, Yugito Nii Mei Terumi, Samui, and Toroi, as well as Sasori of the Red Sands, Baki, Pakura, Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi...

This doesn't mean they are the strongest among them; there are many others who are not much weaker. But what Yemo finds regrettable is that most of them are unknown to the future, meaning that most of those present will die in the upcoming Third Shinobi World War.

Ring ring...

A sound came from the loudspeaker above the venue, and the venue immediately fell silent. Yemo opened his eyes, turned his back to the wall, and looked at the stage at the front of the venue.

"It's finally starting. I've been waiting for ages. I wonder who's in charge of this Chunin Ninja Exams? Do you know Shikaku?" Yemo asked. This guy knows so many things, he should know this too.

To everyone's surprise, Shikaku shook his head, as if he didn't know, and said, "I asked my dad, and he said it's confidential and he didn't tell me."

"Confidential, "Yemo grew increasingly curious. Who exactly was the chief examiner for this Chunin Ninja Exams? To be able to serve as an examiner for the first Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, one's status in Konoha must be quite high. There were only a handful of people in Konoha who were qualified and likely to be in this position, but it was unclear which one it was.

The silence didn't last long. Then, a soft footstep came from the small door beside the platform. Hundreds of eyes focused on the doorway, and under everyone's watchful gaze, the chief examiner finally stepped out.

Upon seeing who it was, many people in the crowd gasped, and Yemo was especially surprised; this examiner was actually...

Teacher Orochimaru!!

Orochimaru walked out with a wicked grin on his face, wearing an armband that read "Examiner," followed by two Jonin with red armbands that read "Assistant Examiner."

"That's Orochimaru, one of Konoha's most famous Sannin."

"I never expected Lord Orochimaru to personally serve as the examiner; that's truly unexpected."

"Sannin, Orochimaru? It seems Konoha is taking this exam exceptionally seriously."

The silence in the hall was immediately broken as Orochimaru walked toward the stage. Everyone was talking about it. The name of the Sannin was known to everyone in the Shinobi World.

Orochimaru stepped onto the platform, his long, golden pupils scanning the entire area. When he saw Yemo, a wicked smile appeared on his lips before he looked away.

How could Yemo not notice Teacher Orochimaru's smile? He smiled back at him.

Ye Mo was quite surprised that Teacher Orochimaru was chosen as the examiner. One of the Sannin certainly had the qualifications to be an examiner. However, Yemo believed that the Third Hokage would Jiraiya instead of Teacher Orochimaru. The reason was quite simple: although Jiraiya was a bit of a rascal, he knew what was important at such a crucial moment.

But if it were Teacher Orochimaru, it would be a different story. Yemo could imagine that with Teacher Orochimaru as the examiner, the first two rounds of the Chunin Ninja Exams would be completely different from the past.

Teacher Orochimaru began to speak from the high platform, interrupting Yemo's thoughts, and Yemo listened carefully.

"Distinguished ninjas from all the great ninja villages, first of all, on behalf of Konoha, I welcome you all to have traveled so far to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams. I am Orochimaru, the chief examiner of this Chunin Ninja Exams, and beside me are the vice examiners, Sarutobi Shinnosuke Mite Seiun."

At first, it was all bland and formulaic, even Orochimaru couldn't escape it, he said a lot of nonsense, Yemo wanted to fall asleep listening to it.

However, the three examiners shocked many ninjas. First, there Orochimaru Sannin, one of the Elite Jonin Konoha Sarutobi Shinnosuke was well-known in various villages; the son of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi; and finally Mite Seiun.

Perhaps the Genin from other villages hadn't heard of him, but the higher-ups in those villages definitely knew him: Mite Seiun, the leader of the Anbu, Elite Jonin of Konoha, powerful, and in control of the Konoha Anbu.

The fact that three such heavyweight Konoha shinobi served as examiners for the Chunin Ninja Exams demonstrates the extraordinary importance that the higher-ups attach to this Chunin Ninja Exams.

After much rambling, Orochimaru finally got to the point. "This Chunin Ninja Exams will be divided into three parts, with Mite Seiun and Sarutobi Nosuke serving as the two vice examiners for the first exam."

Mite Seiun and Sarutobi Shinnosuke stepped forward simultaneously and nodded slightly to the many ninjas below.

Orochimaru then said, "I will be in charge of the second exam. Those who pass the first and second exams will become Chunin, and then it will be the third part."

Upon hearing this, the quiet crowd suddenly erupted into noise, because the examination process was completely different from what they had known.

Shikaku frowned slightly, puzzled, and asked, "What's going on? Isn't it only after completing all three exams that you pass the Chunin Ninja Exams and become a Chunin? If passing two exams is enough, then what about the third one?"

It wasn't just Shikaku who was puzzled; everyone was. If passing two exams was enough to become Chunin, then there was absolutely no need for a third one.

At this moment, Yemo, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "It's very simple. The third exam should be a battle between us. In essence, this Chunin Ninja Exams is just to determine who is stronger among the younger generation of each village. The first two exams are the Chunin Ninja Exams, but the third one is the key."

"Yemo is right!"

Shikaku was already intelligent, and after Yemo's explanation, she immediately understood the situation perfectly.

Just as Yemo said, Orochimaru slowly stated on the stage, "As for the third exam, only those who have passed the second exam will participate. Of course, the third exam is not mandatory; you can choose to participate or not. The third exam will be a one-on-one duel, and the final winner will be recognized as the number one genius!"

It has to be said that the words "Orochimaru the number one genius" instantly stirred up everyone's passion. Every participating ninja was excited, and even Yemo, who didn't care much about empty titles, was extremely tempted. The number one genius, which young man in the entire Shinobi World wouldn't want to have it, even if it was a hot potato.

"The number one genius! No matter what, I must get that title!"

"I didn't expect the higher-ups to go this far; they're determined to participate in the third round no matter what."

"This is more interesting! I'm taking the number one genius!"

The eyes of each Genin gleamed with excitement, as if the title was right before them, within reach.

Although Yemo was excited, he remained calm. The title of number one genius was tempting, but it was not easy to obtain. To get this title meant that you had to trample all the geniuses in the villages under your feet, which was not a simple matter. Even Yemo was not very confident.

A look of anticipation flashed across Yemo's face. To be able to fight alongside those famous and powerful figures from Hokage when they were young and determine who was superior was a great honor.