Meeting (Part One)

Because of the Raikage and Tsuchikage's demands, the originally scheduled battles, which still had one day remaining, were brought forward, and Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams officially ended today.

Just as everyone had initially guessed, Gaara of Sunagakure became the undisputed strongest newcomer and claimed first place in this Chunin Ninja Exams.

Although Suigetsu had caused Gaara quite a bit of trouble with the "Water Transformation Jutsu," he ultimately lost to Gaara because he lacked sufficient chakra, taking second place.

Third place went to Konoha's Shino Aburame, a man with an exceptionally weak presence.

Qi Shuang had never expected Yuri to lose to this guy.

Aside from him, even Konoha's side was extremely surprised by the result.

Shino Aburame had quietly taken third place, leaving everyone utterly dumbfounded.

Of course, the newcomers' rankings were merely meant to win some face for each village. They could not determine whether the newcomers would truly be promoted to Chunin.

The only thing that could determine promotion was their performance in battle.

After discussions among the Five Kage, only fifty-three of the more than one hundred participants who had entered the third exam were qualified for promotion to Chunin.

Candidates like Sakura Haruno from Kakashi's team, who had hitched a ride into the third exam, failed to get promoted without the slightest surprise.

In the end, Konoha was overflowing with talent and had the most promoted candidates, with fifteen in total; Kumogakure came second, with twelve promoted; Iwagakure ranked third, with ten promoted; and Sunagakure came last, with only seven promoted.

Kirigakure ranked fourth in total promotions, with nine in all.

Apart from the Samehada successor eliminated in the second exam, all six of the new generation's Ninja Sword Wielders were promoted to Chunin.

As for the other Kirigakure candidates, only three successfully advanced.

Judging