The reconstruction of the Forest of Death was proceeding steadily, day by day, while the ten candidates who had advanced to the third round of the Chunin Exams were all actively preparing for battle.
This Chunin Exams concerned not only each candidate's personal honor and disgrace, but also the shinobi villages—and even the major nations—behind them. Even Deidara, usually the most carefree of them all, had been urged by the Third Tsuchikage to begin preparing.
As a result, the training grounds of the ten candidates became prime targets for spies from all sides over the past few days.
The odds on the ten candidates in the gambling houses also kept fluctuating. However, the favorite remained Deidara of Iwagakure, followed by Kirin of Kirigakure, Darui of Kumogakure, and the others.
Inside a secret training ground.
Drenched in sweat, Sasuke panted heavily as he practiced Purple Electricity.
Of the seven-day special training regimen, six days had passed in the blink of an eye. Yet Sasuke still had not mastered Purple Electricity. He had no intention of giving up, however, and continued trying without pause.
On a large tree outside the training ground, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade stood side by side, watching Sasuke from afar.
Looking at Sasuke, covered in injuries yet still gritting his teeth and persevering, even Tsunade, who had never thought much of the Uchiha, could not help sighing. "This kid really is something!"
Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Yeah, he's got impressive perseverance!"
With Sasuke's family background and talent, the fact that he could work this hard showed that he was truly risking his life.
Tsunade frowned again. "It's just that the aura around him has become much colder and darker. I've never felt this from any other Uchiha!"
"That should be because the ocular power of his Sharingan is growing