Orochimaru's Test

After a brief silence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe, drew on it, glanced at the Jonin from Kumogakure and Suikazan Fuguki, the Jonin from Kirigakure, then exhaled a cloud of smoke and said:

"Regardless, the Chunin Exams end here."

Shinku Yuhi stood beside him. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he glanced sideways at Suikazan Fuguki and said, "Yes. Only one person remains, so there will be no third round."

The Hidden Mist Village ninja had likely intended to eliminate every other team in the second round and end the Chunin Exams before the third, using that to display the terror of the Bloody Mist Village. Their goal had been achieved, yet their own people had been completely wiped out.

This was probably something no one had anticipated.

Shinku Yuhi looked at Feng Ye on the screen, who had gathered up all the scrolls and was heading toward the central watchtower, and smiled faintly.

No matter what...

Well done, White Fang's son. Konoha's ninja!

Outside the central watchtower.

Feng Ye ran all the way to the entrance, entered with two scrolls, and found Shinku Yuhi, the chief examiner of the second round, waiting for him at the door.

"Congratulations on passing the second round of the Chunin Exams..."

"It should also be the final round, right?"

Feng Ye looked at Shinku Yuhi and said, "The Hidden Mist and Hidden Cloud Village ninja seem to have taken out all the other teams. I have all the scrolls here."

Shinku Yuhi had already learned of this and was not surprised, but when he watched Feng Ye toss out all the other scrolls in a clatter, a hint of regret still flashed through his eyes.

Only one person had passed the second round of the Chunin Exams.

This was the first time since the exam system had been established!

He had never expected Feng Ye, who had always remained beneath Kakashi's brilliance, to possess such genius-level talent. Whether in strength, mentality, or patience, he was even more outstanding than Kakashi.

"Yes, your judgment is correct. There will be no third round."

After sighing inwardly, Shinku Yuhi nodded at Feng Ye and said, "Come with me. Lord Hokage is waiting for you."

So Hiruzen Sarutobi had already arrived.

Feng Ye was not surprised. He nodded and followed Shinku Yuhi, soon arriving at the central hall on the second floor of the watchtower, where Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in the middle of the hall.

What made Feng Ye's gaze flicker with surprise was that Orochimaru was standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Orochimaru is the chief examiner for the later rounds? No, probably not..."

The thought flashed through Feng Ye's mind. Having Jonin oversee these Chunin Exams was already a high enough rank; it was impossible for Orochimaru to serve as chief examiner.

After dismissing that thought, Feng Ye did not dwell on it further. Instead, he bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Lord Hokage."

As Feng Ye bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He also sensed two hostile gazes directed at him.

Those enemy-filled, icy stares came from Suikazan Fuguki, the Jonin from Kirigakure, and an unnamed Jonin from Kumogakure.

"..."

After raising his head, Feng Ye's gaze met theirs briefly before returning to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He showed no fear toward the two Jonin from enemy villages.

At present, it would indeed be difficult for him to defeat a Jonin, especially someone like Suikazan Fuguki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and an existence whose strength neared Kage level.

But this was Konoha.

Not only were several Konoha Jonin present, but Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi were here as well. Suikazan Fuguki and the others could do no more than glare coldly at him; they did not even dare release killing intent or any similar aura.

As for the future...

If they truly met on the battlefield, then with his rate of growth, he might not be weaker than those two. By then, perhaps he would have already surpassed Jonin and reached true Kage level.

"Congratulations on passing the Chunin Exams."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Feng Ye and smiled kindly. "You performed very well. From today onward, you are a Chunin of Konoha. Remember a ninja's duty!"

"Yes."

Feng Ye lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Orochimaru stood to one side, looking at Feng Ye. A faint curve rose at the corner of his mouth as he said, "While your father was alive, I received some favors from him... Do you know who I am, Hatake Feng Ye?"

Orochimaru seemed somewhat interested in him, and thoughts rapidly flashed through Feng Ye's mind. He bowed to Orochimaru and said, "You should be one of the legendary Sannin, Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru chuckled darkly and spread his hands. "Then that makes things easier. With your ability, it would be difficult even for an ordinary Jonin to serve as your instructor... How about becoming my disciple?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also somewhat surprised by Orochimaru's words. He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then suddenly made a decision.

"In that case, Feng Ye, study under Orochimaru."

Feng Ye: ???

What the hell?!

I haven't even said anything yet!

The corner of his mouth twitched as he grumbled helplessly inwardly.

Becoming Orochimaru's disciple was undoubtedly dangerous. One only had to look at how nearly every one of Orochimaru's disciples had been branded with a cursed seal.

But then again, in this period, it did not seem entirely impossible. On one hand, becoming Orochimaru's disciple would free him from the trouble on Danzo's side. On the other, he might obtain many ninjutsu from Orochimaru that he wanted to know.

Seeking a tiger's skin... No, seeking a snake's skin...

Thinking of this, Feng Ye sighed.

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had made the decision, there was nothing left to consider. He could also vaguely guess why Hiruzen Sarutobi had made such a decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had not yet completely settled on a candidate for Fourth Hokage. Although Orochimaru's personality was somewhat dangerous, Minato Namikaze was still too young, and his accomplishments and seniority could not compare to Orochimaru's.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned more toward Minato in his heart, he could not make his stance clear at this time.

If he refused to place Feng Ye under Orochimaru and designated Kakashi as Minato Namikaze's disciple, not only would it provoke criticism from some people within the village, but Orochimaru would certainly be deeply dissatisfied as well.

The ninja world was currently in a period of tension.

The village had to maintain sufficient internal stability.

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words brought a faint smile to Orochimaru's face. At this time, he still had ambitions for the position of Hokage. On one hand, he had proposed taking Feng Ye as a disciple because he truly valued Feng Ye's talent. On the other, he was also testing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude.

To become Hokage, one had to possess a force that could carry on after them. One person alone could not handle the countless affairs or maintain the village's stability; successors were needed to serve as aides.

Hiruzen Sarutobi entrusting the genius ninja Kakashi to Minato Namikaze's training carried the deeper implication that Minato Namikaze had been included among the candidates to succeed as Fourth Hokage.

And after learning that Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude had shifted, Orochimaru had happened upon this opportunity today to conduct a test.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had stopped him from taking Feng Ye as a disciple, it would have meant that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already ruled him out as successor to the Fourth Hokage. But now, it meant Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was still unclear.

"I wonder who you will choose in the end... Teacher Sarutobi..."

Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and murmured inwardly.