Five days after the start of the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, the exams came to an end.
All 36 members from the 12 teams that passed the exam gathered in the hall inside the tower.
What awaits them is the Preliminary Selection of the Third Exam.
Hinata looked around and saw that, in addition to the Konoha 12 from the Original Story, Kabuto Yakushi's team, Gaara's team, and the Sound Ninja team were all there.
In addition, three other Konoha teams passed the Second Exam thanks to the help of the helpful Hinata, who paid the price of treating everyone for a month.
As for the remaining two teams, they are two minor teams from Konoha and Sand Village.
The Third Hokage and a group of Jonin stood on the high platform, their gazes sweeping over the 36 people below, and they couldn't help but feel a little helpless.
He had already heard about Hinata's brilliant performance in the exam.
In the First Exam, due to Hinata's interference, Ibiki's psychological interrogation had no effect, and a total of 108 people from 36 teams passed the First Exam.
That would have been fine in the first place.
In the Second Exam, Hinata used her outstanding skills to snatch a large number of scrolls, helping three teams of Konoha Ninja pass the exam.
The direct result was that too many people took the Third Exam.
This Chunin Ninja Exams was not organized by Konoha alone, but by multiple ninja villages from different countries. The purpose was to show off their Chunin Ninja Exams prowess in front of Daimyo, nobles, officials, and the wealthy.
Only when a ninja village is strong can it receive more missions.
These audience members are all very busy and short on time, so it is necessary to compress the time of the Third Exam as much as possible.
The Third did the math and realized that there would only be two matches in the Preliminary Selection...
The Third Hokage announced in a loud voice, "First of all, I wish you all the best in passing the Second Exam!"
'Pat pat pat...'
A series of crisp claps rang out in the quiet hall.
Hinata, standing below the stage, was clapping enthusiastically and shouting, "Thank you Lord Hokage!"
The Third can still be in power for at least another month. The more this is the case, the less you can afford to offend Third. You have to flatter them thoroughly.
In an instant, countless eyes were focused on Hinata.
The people from Konoha were speechless. Gaara's eyes were so fierce that he seemed to want to kill Hinata, Kabuto Yakushi and the instructors from the Sound Ninja Village had rather amused looks in their eyes.
Seeing that the order below the stage was somewhat chaotic, Anko shouted loudly, "Now, please let the Lord Hokage explain the relevant matters of the Third Exam. You all need to listen carefully!"
Hinata's sharp gaze instantly fell on Anko.
This is a formidable opponent!
No, we absolutely cannot let Anko take all of the Lord Hokage's horses.
'Pat pat pat...'
Hinata clapped vigorously, her expression serious and earnest, as if she were waiting for a leader's inspection. It was the first time in twelve years that she had been so serious. She said solemnly, "Please give us Lord Hokage instructions, Lord Hokage. We will listen carefully to your teachings, work diligently and conscientiously, strictly follow your instructions, and strive for the Konoha Lord Hokage."
"Everything for Konoha!"
Anko's lips twitched slightly, as if she suddenly found it quite amusing. At this moment, she said with extreme seriousness, "Next, please welcome the strongest Hokage of all time, the Professor of Ninjutsu, the great Third Hokage of Konoha, to speak! Let's give him a round of applause!"
"Lord Hokage, please!"
After speaking, Anko respectfully stepped back behind the Third, stood up straight, and stood meticulously.
'Pat pat pat...'
Sparse applause came from the audience. Apart from Hinata's applause being the loudest, the applause from the others was very perfunctory, and some didn't even move.
Third: "..."
At this moment, the Third felt extremely embarrassed. What on earth were these people doing?
Orochimaru, disguised as the leader of the Sound Ninja team, glanced at the Third Hokage with amusement.
Orochimaru had previously thought that he was the only one whose intelligence had been insulted by Hinata, but he never expected that Hinata was like this all the time.
Seeing the Third standing awkwardly at the front of the platform, Orochimaru felt his mood improve considerably.
Kakashi looked up at the sky, realizing he was doomed. He knew the Third Hokage would be furious with him after the Preliminary Selection.
"Kindness!"
The Third nodded slightly. After being Hokage for so many years, he still had this much composure.
Clearing his throat, the Third Hokage began, "As for what I'm about to say..."
At that moment, Hinata only had eyes for Anko.
This person is amazing. No wonder she is Legendary Sannin's disciple, one of the Orochimaru. Although her flattery is a bit greasy, Anko is undoubtedly the most eye-catching among Jonin at this moment.
'Pat pat pat...'
Hinata, still unconvinced, continued clapping and saying, "Good! The Lord Hokage speaks well!"
"The Lord Hokage's single sentence encompasses a thousand years of history and culture in the Shinobi World, and seems to cover all the advanced knowledge of ninjutsu. Just hearing it once leaves one with endless aftertaste. The Lord Hokage has the world in his heart and sees the universe and the sun and moon in his eyes. In just one sentence, he has helped us establish the correct values in life and determine the direction of our future struggles."
"Truly worthy of being the Third Hokage whom we all admire the most!"
Everyone: "..."
Orochimaru considered himself a genius, and even the Third praised him, saying that he was a peerless genius who only appeared once every few decades in the Shinobi World.
Orochimaru couldn't fathom how Hinata could glean so much meaning from those mere seven words, "In my understanding of what's to come."
The Third Hokage's forehead veins throbbed; Hinata must be here to cause trouble!
You did this on purpose, didn't you?
Hinata shook her head: I did it on purpose, but I was deliberately flattering your horse! Only you are the Hokage, I wouldn't be happy with anyone else.
The Third looked at Hinata for a long time and saw that Hinata's little face was serious and earnest, and her eyes were full of righteousness. She didn't seem to be deliberately trying to cause trouble at all.
If Hinata weren't such a good actress...
That means Hinata came from the bottom of her heart...
An awkward silence followed for a long time. The Third Hokage cleared his throat and said loudly, "Regarding what follows..."
The Third Hokage glanced at Hinata still looked serious and focused.
The Third continued, "Before I explain the upcoming Third Exam, there's one thing I must clarify... no, two things!"
"The first thing..."
The Third looked at Hinata and said expressionlessly, "I hope everyone will remain quiet and refrain from clapping during my speech."
Hinata chuckled awkwardly, lowered her hands that were about to clap, and loudly replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The Third sighed slightly and continued, "As for the second matter, it is why this exam is being held."
Without realizing it, the Third glanced at Hinata again.
Seeing that Hinata indeed had no intention of speaking, the Third continued, "The allied nations must work together to hold this exam..."
"It's all for the purpose of deepening our friendly relationship..."