The Preliminaries End

Sakura and Ino's match was a far cry from the others. The two fought the simplest kind of hand-to-hand battle. Determined not to lose to Sakura, Ino cut off her long hair and threw it on the ground, then used Chakra through the hair to catch Sakura and successfully cast the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique, Mind Body Switch Technique. But Naruto roused Sakura's fighting spirit, and Sakura, who had two minds, drove Ino out of her body. In the end, both girls collapsed from exhaustion, having depleted their stamina and Chakra, and both failed to advance.

Issui sighed, looked at the electronic board, and continued, "Next match, Shino Aburame versus Dosu. Both of you, please come down."

This match was just as dull. In the end, Shino's insects blocked every sound-producing hole Dosu had. Although Shino was attacked once, he suffered only a minor injury. The insect-using Aburame Clan was extremely difficult to deal with.

"The next match is... oh, Shikamaru Nara versus Kin Tsuchi," Issui said.

This match was even simpler. Although Kin Tsuchi's bells were made to vibrate by Chakra Threads, Shikamaru seized the opportunity to imitate the shadows formed by the threads and successfully caught her with the Nara Clan's Secret Technique, Shadow Imitation Technique. Then, taking advantage of their different distances from the wall, Shikamaru launched a ninja tool attack. Both of them leaned their heads back to dodge it, and Kin Tsuchi, who was closer to the wall, struck her head against it and fell unconscious.

Issui stepped forward of his own accord to check on Kin Tsuchi. While no one was paying attention to him, his wicked hands gave her chest a grope. Though small, it was very firm. What a pity. Her fate was to be used by Orochimaru as a vessel for summoning someone with Impure World Reincarnation. The girl was actually quite pretty, too. Come to think of it, there were quite a few beauties among Orochimaru's subordinates. Could the bastard be planning to open a brothel to entertain Jiraiya? That approach would only work on a guy like Jiraiya.

Although no one noticed Issui's little move, Hinata, whose eyes had remained fixed on the man she loved, saw what he did. Her face instantly turned bright red. If you like touching girls' bodies, couldn't you do it at home? What are you doing in front of everyone? And you're even touching someone else's. Come to think of it, Hinata realized she really had never let Issui touch anywhere except her hands. But, Hinata thought, perhaps Issui-kun had touched Kin Tsuchi's chest by accident. But was it really an accident? I wonder if Sister Haku has been touched by him. Maybe I should let him touch mine next time. Although... although... it's so embarrassing, aren't we already engaged? Besides, I can't let him go out and touch someone else's chest because he can't touch one at home, can I? Ah, what am I thinking? This is so embarrassing! I can't think about it anymore...

Kurenai looked at her student. What is Hinata so embarrassed about? Honestly, even though she's grown stronger, she's still the same little Hinata who gets embarrassed easily and likes being shy.

"Hmm, the last match, Rock Lee versus Gaara of the Sand Waterfall. Both of you, please come down," Issui said.

"Yeah! Just as I thought, the main character always makes his entrance last." Lee's blood began to boil.

"All right, you two, begin the preliminary match," Issui said after watching them take their positions.

Lee and Gaara's fight was far more intense than the previous matches. At first, Lee couldn't break through Gaara's sand defenses. When he removed his astonishing, frightening weights, everyone present was dumbfounded. He had already been fast before taking them off, but afterward, he was moving too fast for the naked eye to see. Gaara was completely on the defensive.

Lee's speed caught Gaara off guard, but all Lee had broken was Gaara's Armor of Sand. Gaara himself was completely unharmed. Gaara formed another Armor of Sand, growing more and more excited and bloodthirsty.

"Is that all you've got?" Gaara asked impassively.

Lee looked at the uninjured Gaara, a little surprised. He would have to use an even fiercer attack, one that even the Armor of Sand couldn't defend against.

Next, Lee used Konoha's ultimate Taijutsu, Front Lotus. But as he kicked Gaara into the air with a series of upward kicks, his body paused for a moment from the pain. In that brief interval, Gaara used a Sand Clone to take his place. So Rock Lee's move could be said to have succeeded, but also to have failed.

Using the forbidden Front Lotus had placed an enormous burden on Lee's body. Now he was in pain all over and had no way to block Gaara's sand attacks. What would happen to him?

But Lee's pride would not allow him to admit defeat, so he prepared to break through his own limits and open the Eight Gates Released Formation. In the end, Lee opened a total of five gates: the Gate of Opening, the Gate of Healing, the Gate of Life, the Gate of Pain, and the Gate of Limit. The explosive currents of Chakra shattered the stone tiles around him, and the skin all over his body turned red. The immense Chakra energy was a visual shock to everyone. His speed surpassed human limits, making him impossible to see. This time, Gaara couldn't dodge Lee's attacks at all, and even his shield of sand couldn't keep up with Lee's speed. Konoha's ultimate Taijutsu, Reverse Lotus, blossomed once more. Lee was truly a genius at Taijutsu.

Unfortunately, when Gaara was struck down to the ground, the gourd on his back turned to sand and protected him. Issui wanted to step in and stop the fight at this point, but Lee had not yet admitted defeat. In the end, Gaara's sand still crushed and crippled Lee's left hand and left foot. Finally, Guy appeared in front of Lee, blocked Gaara's attack, and conceded defeat.

After Gaara stopped attacking, Lee stood up again, though his consciousness was gone, driven by his ninja way. Issui was moved as well. What a strong-willed child.

At that point, Issui had no choice but to step forward and say, "The winner-Gaara."

After examining Lee, the medical staff concluded that he could no longer live as a ninja. He had comminuted fractures throughout his body and torn muscles. Most severe of all were his left hand and left foot, which Gaara's sand had crippled. It looked like they would have to wait for Tsunade to treat him.

Ah, it was finally over. Issui stepped forward and said, "The third-round preliminaries of the Chunin Exams are officially over. Congratulations to all the contestants who advanced to the third exam. A total of nine contestants have advanced, and one more is absent."

The Third looked at the ninja who had passed the preliminaries. There were six Konoha Ninja in all: Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, and Shino Aburame, as well as three Sunagakure ninja. It seemed there were quite a few elite ninja in Konoha's next generation. He needed to announce the details of the third exam. "In the main matches, your battles will be presented to an audience. I hope that, as representatives of your respective countries, you will display your abilities without regret. Therefore, the main matches will be held one month from now."

Naruto asked in confusion, "Aren't they being held now?"

The Third said, "This month is for preparation."

"What do you mean?" Kankuro asked.

"It means that during this period, the feudal lords and ninja leaders of each country must be notified that the preliminaries have ended and the main matches are about to begin. It gives them time to prepare. Also, this month gives you time to learn about your opponents' strengths and characteristics through your own intelligence channels and improve your abilities, so you can perform to your full potential in the main matches. Unlike the preliminaries, where you went straight into battle without knowing your opponents' characteristics, both sides in the main matches will know something about their opponents. That way, you can fully demonstrate your abilities to the audience," Issui interjected.

The Third nodded. "That's right. Although I'd very much like to dismiss everyone now, there is one more necessary activity before the main matches."

Naruto was already growing impatient. "What else is there? I'm in a hurry to go train!"

Ignoring Naruto's remark, the Third said, "Don't rush. Each of you will draw one slip from Anko's box."

Anko stepped forward and said, "I'll come to each of you. Draw in order, and only take one each."

When everyone had finished drawing, Ibiki said, "Now, in order, tell me the numbers on your cards."

Gaara: "Three."

Shikamaru: "Nine."

Temari: "Eight."

Neji: "Two."

Naruto: "One."

Hinata: "Seven."

Kankuro: "Five."

Shino: "Six."

Ibiki said, "Hmm, then he's number four."

The Third nodded. "Now we'll announce the matchups for the main matches."

"Huh?" Everyone voiced their surprise. So that was what the drawing was for.

The Third continued, "Ibiki, show them the pairings."

The final result was much the same as in the original story. The first three matches remained unchanged: Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga, Sasuke Uchiha versus Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, and Kankuro versus Shino Aburame. Only the last match had changed: Hinata Hyuga versus the winner of Temari versus Shikamaru Nara.

"Only one person can win the elimination matches. Does that mean only one person can become a Chunin?" Shikamaru asked.

"No, that's not the case. Lord Kazekage and I, along with the feudal lords of the various countries and the ninja leaders of each village, will watch your matches as examiners. As long as we examiners acknowledge your abilities, you can be selected as a Chunin even if you are eliminated in your first fight."

"Then everyone has a chance to become a Chunin," Temari said.

The Third nodded. "That's right. But it's also possible that no one will become a Chunin. Winning matches increases your chances of becoming one."

"All right, that's it. Everyone, go home and get some rest. Train hard for the next main match. Dismissed," Issui said, stepping forward.

After the exam ended, Issui returned home with Hinata. Haku had also returned from a mission.

Gekko Hayate will die tonight at Kikyo Castle on Konoha's border, won't he? Should I save that utterly unfortunate, unlucky kid? He went down as soon as he appeared, KO'd by Baki. He probably hasn't even had a taste of his own girlfriend yet. Gekko Hayate actually came from a very distinguished background. The sword technique Konoha Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon was created by the Second, and reliable sources say he had already mastered it at twenty-three. Some sources also say his father was Night Dancer, who could be mentioned in the same breath as the Eight Colors of Konoha, and whose swordsmanship was about on par with White Fang's. Hayate must have been pretty frustrated when he died.

Forget it. I'd better stay out of it. If I went to Kikyo Castle, I'd probably save Hayate, and Baki doesn't have the strength to stand against me. Once they knew their plan had been ruined, they wouldn't go through with any Konoha Crush Plan and would make a new plan instead. Then the course of history I know from transmigrating here would start to change. I want to make a name for myself in the battle of the Konoha Crush Plan. If I miss this chance, it'll be hard to come across another opportunity like it. So, Hayate, you bastard, go die...