The Third Exam, Officially Begins!

The circular arena was like a boiling whirlpool, drawing in all the clamor and anticipation of Konoha, even the entire Land of Fire.

The blazing sun hung overhead, but the scorching light did nothing to dampen the volcanic passion of the tens of thousands of spectators in the stands.

The roar of the crowd came like a tsunami, wave after wave, rattling eardrums until they buzzed.

Colorful flags waved in every section of the stands, bearing the names of different ninja villages or popular candidates, weaving together into a restless sea.

There were also many young women wearing T-shirts printed with the faces of their favorite ninja, or holding carefully made signs and glow sticks, forming little cheering squads as they shouted themselves hoarse for the ones they supported.

"Sasuke! Sasuke! Sasuke!"

"Ahh~~ Sasuke is so handsome~~~"

The television station's broadcast equipment had been set up at the best camera positions, the lenses constantly sweeping across the seething stands and the solemn arena below, carrying this grand spectacle to countless households across the Land of Fire and even farther beyond.

At the edge of this sea of noise, near the top level by a relatively quiet railing, two figures leaned against the cold metal guardrail, maintaining a subtle distance from the frenzy below.

"Whoa..." Boruto's bright blue eyes went wide, his mouth slightly open as he looked down over the enormous venue that could hold tens of thousands, and the surging crowds within it.

Even in his own era, where technology was more advanced, ninja competitions of this scale and passion were extremely rare.

"Master, in your era... were the Chunin Exams already this insane? This is way livelier than the finals in our year!"

In his memory, the finals of his own Chunin Exams had also drawn a great