Chapter Thirteen: Hinata's Resolve! [Third Update-Please Bookmark and Send Flowers]

The Third Hokage nodded, fully agreeing with Shikaku's analysis.

"I'd like to add one thing.

That attack the red-haired girl unleashed at the end should have been a Tailed Beast Ball unique to tailed beasts.

I've fought the Nine-Tails before.

I've seen the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball.

So we can conclude with certainty.

The energy contained in that Tailed Beast Ball was comparable to the Nine-Tails'.

Therefore.

That girl might be a Jinchuriki."

"But, Lord Hokage!"

A jonin spoke up. "According to the information we currently have.

There are only nine tailed beasts in this world, each sealed within a different village.

And none of those nine tailed beasts is a bird!"

"Looks like this world is even more mysterious than we imagined~"

The Third Hokage sighed.

"There are many things I don't understand either.

Perhaps that Mysterious Organization secretly researched and created it~

For now, designate this organization as an S-class Terrorist Organization.

Give the order: if anyone encounters members of this organization, they must be extremely careful.

If a conflict breaks out, you may abandon the mission!"

"Yes!"

Everyone was startled at the same time.

To ninjas, missions were more important than their lives.

And yet.

The Hokage had actually ordered them to abandon their missions if they encountered the Black-Clad Organization!

What was more, not a single member of Konoha's leadership objected.

It had to be said: this was truly shocking.

"All right. Set aside the matter of the Black-Clad Organization for now."

The Third Hokage continued, "Let's talk about the Chunin Ninja Exams first~

Something this serious happened during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Should we suspend or cancel them?"

"I don't think that's necessary."

Danzo quickly spoke up. "The damaged area of Training Ground Forty-Four isn't that large.

We can continue without any problems."

This time, the damaged part of Training Ground Forty-Four was only a large fan-shaped area of roughly two hundred degrees, radiating outward from Orochimaru's original position.

At the time, Sasuke and the other two had only just entered the forest.

Moreover, they had kept their backs toward the forest's core and faced the outskirts.

Therefore, most of the forest remained intact.

The reason the damage had reached this extent

was mainly because Orochimaru had been relatively close to Sasuke.

To prevent the mission target—Sasuke—from being injured,

Karin's wood clone had desperately done everything it could to protect the three of them.

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent and no one objected to his proposal,

Danzo continued, "If we suspend or cancel the exams,

it may damage our village's reputation.

After all.

Those participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams aren't limited to people from our village.

The Daimyo will also be watching.

As for Orochimaru...

Isn't Jiraiya here?

We have nothing to worry about."

Jiraiya gave Danzo a meaningful look when he heard that, but said nothing.

He also believed Orochimaru couldn't stir up any trouble in Konoha.

After all, there was a great pervert... cough! A Toad Sage like him here!

Besides, his teacher, the Third Hokage, was also a powerful ninja.

Dealing with Orochimaru would be easy.

After the Konoha leadership finished discussing the matter,

the Chunin Ninja Exams continued!

At the same time, all information about the Black-Clad Organization was sealed.

The outside world was told only that the explosion had been caused by Konoha Ninjas experimenting with a ninjutsu.

Fortunately, the explosion had occurred in the relatively remote Training Ground Forty-Four.

As a result, it didn't cause too much panic.

Five days later, the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams ended smoothly.

Because Bai Luo was present as a "butterfly,"

the number of people who passed the exam differed somewhat from the original story.

In the original story, twenty-one people passed this round.

This time, twenty-seven people passed.

After the second round ended, they were gathered in an arena.

First, Anko, the chief examiner for the second round, gave a concluding speech.

Then Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke about the importance of the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Finally, Gekko Hayate, the judge for the third round, explained the content of the third exam.

"Perhaps because the first and second exams were too easy,

there are quite a few candidates remaining for the third round."

Gekko Hayate spoke while coughing.

"Therefore.

Before the third round begins, we need to hold a preliminary round."

After hearing Gekko Hayate's words,

the many candidates below immediately became unhappy.

However, their objections were useless.

"Since the preliminary round is about to begin,

anyone who feels physically unwell

may choose to withdraw.

Oh, right.

These will be individual battles.

Therefore, your withdrawal will not affect your teammates."

The arena immediately fell silent.

"Sasuke..."

Somewhere in the arena, Orochimaru looked at Sasuke in the distance, a smile spreading across his face.

"That strange girl interfered last time, so I couldn't clearly see your strength.

But this time is a perfect opportunity~

I must obtain your body!

If I had your body,

I wouldn't be so helpless when facing that strange Uzumaki girl.

This world is far more complicated than I imagined.

So I have to become stronger!"

A moment later,

of the twenty-seven people, only Kabuto Yakushi chose to withdraw from the competition.

The remaining twenty-six were divided into thirteen groups for individual battles!

The first battle was between Sasuke and Akado Yoroi, one of Orochimaru's subordinates.

This time, since Sasuke wasn't affected by the curse mark, he displayed his strength perfectly.

He defeated Akado Yoroi cleanly and decisively.

"Winner of the first match: Sasuke Uchiha!"

"Sasuke..."

Orochimaru watched Sasuke walk away coolly with his hands in his pockets. He couldn't help sticking out his tongue and licking his lips.

The matches continued.

Aside from Sakura and Ino fighting to a draw and both being eliminated,

each of the other matches produced a winner.

Soon,

it was time for the battle between Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga!

Chapter Thirteen: Hinata's Resolve! [Third Update—Please Bookmark and Send Flowers]

"Th-that..."

Hinata held a box of medicine and arrived at the arena's exit.

She spoke somewhat stammeringly to the Medical Ninja over there. "Um...

Th-this...

This is some medicine for injuries...