The preliminary exams are in full swing.
However, as the competition progressed, apart from Hiruzen Sarutobi,...
The other figures couldn't help but frown.
The remaining Genin were mostly from Konoha, with the number from other villages being roughly the same.
Most importantly, some of the Genin they thought had the potential to be promoted were utterly defeated when they encountered Konoha.
Has Konoha become this strong?
The Fourth Raikage A, couldn't help but glance at Hiruzen Sarutobi. If the second trial might be due to luck...
However, the current preliminary rounds rely almost entirely on raw talent.
Most importantly, a few ninjas from small ninja villages actually managed to rise to high positions.
Clang--
Hagoromo looked up and was immediately taken aback.
Only one name remains on the screen at this moment: Gaara.
Bye?
Looking around, I realized that everyone had indeed already taken their turn on the field.
"Sunagakure Gaara a bye in this match and advances directly."
As Hagoromo finished speaking, some of the examinees on the second floor turned to look at Gaara.
This guy is incredibly lucky?
Immediately, everyone started discussing it.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the shadows, Rasa narrowed his eyes slightly, then a slight smile appeared on his lips.
That's good, Gaara doesn't need to reveal his strength anymore.
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed oblivious, continuing to watch the arena.
Hagoromo gestured for all the examinees present to come down, and only spoke after everyone had gathered.
"The preliminary rounds have concluded, and twenty-one individuals have advanced to the third round of testing."
He then pointed to the lottery box in front of him. "The third assessment is the same as the Preliminary Exam; the winner advances and the loser is eliminated."
"Now, those whose names are called, please come forward."
Following the order of the previous battles, Hagoromo began calling out names one by one.
Those who came forward to draw lots all wore happy expressions, simply because their numbers were all quite far down the list.
Hozuki Suigetsu looked at the fortune slip in his hand, then glanced at Sasuke and Naruto not far away, his teeth clenched.
I absolutely must face them in the third match to avenge the humiliation of the second assessment!
"Seventh?"
Naruto looked at the fortune slip in his hand and scratched his head.
After grinning at Hagoromo, he quickly returned to Sasuke's side and asked.
"Sasuke, what's your number?"
"Number 1."
Sasuke's expression remained unchanged, which meant he needed to be the first to go on stage.
"Huh?! That's great!"
Naruto couldn't help but feel envious upon hearing this number.
Being the first to appear will definitely make you the center of attention.
Hinata, what about you?
However, since it was an exam anyway, Naruto didn't dwell on it for too long. Just as he saw Hinata come down, he asked her about it.
"Naruto-kun, I am number twelve." Hinata looked at the number slip in her hand.
"They've all been spaced out."
The team didn't draw a match as expected, given the large number of participants in this assessment.
Shikamaru pondered for a moment, and just as he was called, he stepped forward.
With Genin in the arena having received their numbers, Hagoromo spoke again.
"The contestants who drew numbers one through twenty will be arranged in a 'number one vs. number two' format."
The player who drew number 21 will receive a bye.
"Ah?! I don't want to!"
Looking at the number 21 lottery ticket in his hand, Rock Lee couldn't help but break down and scream.
If anyone else could advance without taking any damage, they'd be overjoyed right now.
But Rock Lee wasn't willing! He had a goal he wanted to achieve.
Hagoromo was helpless; anyone else would have been fine, but why did it have to be Rock Lee?
Seeing this Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said directly, "Then let's change the rules. The player with draw number twenty-one can choose one of the winners before draw number ten as their opponent."
"Thank you Lord Hokage!"
Upon hearing this, Rock Lee bowed deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Sasuke, Naruto, Neji —these three people I most want to challenge are all in the top ten!
When the time comes, if one of them wins, he will choose that one as his opponent.
Neji, standing to the side, smirked. Rock Lee made no attempt to hide his desire to challenge him.
Naruto and Sasuke, who were standing not far away, also quickly turned their heads.
As Neji's teammates, they all knew that the green-skinned number two was definitely a weirdo, and they were determined not to fight him!
Once Hagoromo Yi had confirmed that everything was alright, she spoke again.
"Then, the third exam will be held in a month."
"During this period, you may conduct your own training, and we will also arrange corresponding training grounds for other ninjas from various countries."
Each Kage will first head to the capital of the Land of Fire, but the Genin who are serving as trainees will have to stay behind.
One reason was that there wasn't enough time for them to train, and the other was the fear that someone might use underhanded means to take their place before the third assessment.
This kind of secret technique does exist.
"You actually want a month?" Naruto scoffed. He was hoping to pass the exams and become Chunin as soon as possible.
It's still another month before it starts.
"The daimyo and nobles from various countries will be coming, so to avoid any uncertainty about the timing, we've decided to hold it a month from now."
Hagoromo directly addressed the doubts that many candidates had in their hearts.
This assessment wasn't just limited to a few companies; people from some remote, small countries also came.
After all, the daimyo of the Five Great Nations would be coming, and these smaller countries would do everything they could to seize this opportunity.
Even the slightest bit of information is enough for them to take some action.
Ignoring the thoughtful expressions on the candidates' faces.
Hagoromo immediately let them leave, giving them this much-needed time to watch the match, which was invaluable for the later Kage.
"Then, gentlemen, let's meet again in a month."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and addressed the Kage beside him.
The reason each Kage wants to travel to the capital of the Land of Fire is to explain the situation to their respective Daimyo.
Meanwhile, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already contacted them after the second round of assessments.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire readily agreed to this decision.
After all, Konoha was the main force, and Konoha and the Land of Fire would benefit the most. As the daimyo, he could reap the benefits simply by sitting there.
What's there to disagree with?
"Then I'll take my leave, Hokage."
Mei Terumi nodded. The first Genin to leave his village was Jonin a jonin leading the group, so there was no need to worry.
Moreover, it's not just one Kirigakure Genin and remained in Konoha.
She doesn't need to worry too much. Unless Konoha wants to take on all four countries alone, it won't do something so irrational.
The other figures nodded and then left.
"I hope the daimyo of each country won't consider breaking away." Hiruzen Sarutobi on his pipe.
"No, even if they wanted to, they would want to consider the opinions of their own ninja villages."
Hagoromo, on the other hand, was not worried at all. With all the villages now determined to take Akatsuki, how could they possibly let the daimyo veto this operation?