Sasuke: Naruto, This is My Most Devoted Confession!

"You brat, are you so scared you're talking nonsense because you can't handle my anger?"

The Hokage was stunned by Kazeka's words, then shook his head and chuckled, a knowing look in his eyes:

"Perhaps your thought process is just different from ordinary people.

If you're like this with me, you must be the same with Orochimaru.

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You're still just a child. Facing Orochimaru, others might be afraid, but your way of facing fear is to escape it through experimentation.

This might be your unique way of venting your emotions.

Indeed, Orochimaru isn't easy to deal with, and you went through so much torment under him before..."

"Old man Hokage, what nonsense are you spouting?"

He was the one asking for an explanation, yet the Hokage was spewing all sorts of random things. Kazeka frowned:

"Didn't you hear what I said? Orochimaru infiltrated Konoha, do you know you made a mistake?"

Hokage: "???"

"I... I made a mistake?"

Hearing Kazeka repeat himself, the Hokage was genuinely taken aback.

Then, the anger he had just suppressed out of sympathy for Kazeka flared up again:

"We're discussing how you, when you had the ability, didn't complete the mission and report the intel to me promptly after seeing Orochimaru. How did it turn into my fault?

Brat, how dare you!"

"What do I not dare to do..."

Kazeka completely ignored the Hokage's anger, looking at him with equal displeasure:

"I told you long ago to let me be in charge of the village's barrier seals, but your higher-ups kept pushing back.

They said my mental state wasn't right, or that I was too young to handle such a large barrier, but they just wouldn't agree.

You know, before you spouted that nonsense, I was the best at using barrier techniques in the entire village!

And now look, you didn't let me take charge, and you're still using the old system.

You still have those incompetent barrier ninjas in charge, and now there's a problem!

Letting Orochimaru sneak into our Konoha silently, what a massive dereliction of duty!

If I had been in charge from the start, we would have been alerted the moment Orochimaru entered Konoha and could have locked onto him immediately!

Now, we wouldn't be in such a passive position!"

"Don't try to play dumb with me!"

Hearing Kazeka's words, the Third Hokage's eyes widened sharply:

"Are you saying you didn't have some ulterior motives behind using the barrier issue?"

"And don't you feel ashamed that you let Orochimaru waltz right in?"

Kazeka didn't back down at all:

"Does this kind of thing not matter?"

"You..."

The Third Hokage glared again, as if he was about to reprimand Kazeka.

However, the scolding words ultimately didn't come out. He just sighed:

"Kazeka, the village has its own considerations regarding this matter.

I also know your abilities, but something like this can't be explained in just a few words..."

"Why can't it be explained?"

Kazeka sneered, showing no respect for the Hokage:

"It's nothing more than certain higher-ups leaving quite a few loopholes in the village's barriers.

This allows them to conduct certain unsavory activities without anyone noticing!

My moral standards aren't high, I can overlook some of the village's actions, and I could even accept it if you asked me to leave a backdoor.

But this kind of backdoor, you, as Hokage, should have been fully aware of it!

This is your responsibility as Hokage. You indulged certain individuals out of personal connection, and now, it's time for the backlash!"

Kazeka's barrage of words left the Hokage speechless. Just as Kazeka said, with such a major incident happening, he was indeed the one responsible!

"Regarding this matter, it is indeed my fault..."

The Hokage said softly, essentially giving Kazeka an explanation:

"I will discuss the renewal and repair of the village's barriers with them, and I will give you a satisfactory amount for your hard work."

"Forget it..."

Kazeka didn't appreciate the offer; he knew the Third Hokage's personality well.

As he got older, his temperament had become softer, losing the "Shinobi Hero" aura he had in his youth:

"The result of any discussion would merely be further deliberation.

Some individuals would even use this opportunity to slander me, accusing me of having ulterior motives.

If I hadn't wanted to understand barrier techniques on a deeper level from the start, I wouldn't have bothered bringing this up.

If it's done well, no one will say a word, but if something goes wrong, I'll have to take responsibility.

To expend effort for no reward by helping the village repair a barrier, what kind of fool would agree to that?

Now that I have other experimental subjects, I'm not in a hurry about the barrier..."

"No, Orochimaru's silent appearance has too great an impact; I still need to discuss this properly..."

Despite saying this, the sharp-eyed Kazeka noticed that the Third Hokage's expression had visibly relaxed.

Seeing this, Kazeka couldn't help but sneer. When the Third Hokage gets locked in a transparent box and beaten senseless by Orochimaru, he'll know pain!

"Never mind..."

The Third Hokage stopped looking at Kazeka and turned his gaze to the battle below:

"Stubborn ways will eventually be phased out. With the rise of the new generation, these matters will gradually be resolved.

You're still young; things must be done step by step. For now, let's focus our attention on the battle at hand!"

"Leaving the difficulties for the next generation... what a competent Hokage!"

Even at this point, Kazeka hadn't forgotten to jab at the Hokage a couple of times.

However, he was the Hokage, after all. Facing Kazeka's mockery, he remained unfazed, as if he hadn't heard a word!

Yet, this composure, like a mountain collapsing before him without flinching, didn't last long.

Soon, he was so shocked by the battle unfolding that his mouth hung open!

After the draw, the first match was between Sasuke and a guy named Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi was tall, wearing sunglasses and black bandages that completely concealed his face.

The only thing that indicated his identity was a Konoha headband.

However, Kazeka knew this guy was also a Sound Ninja spy sent by Orochimaru.

As a spy, one needed not only a sharp mind but also excellent skills.

He possessed a special ability: by touching his opponent with his hands, he could absorb their Chakra and weaken them, making him a very troublesome opponent.

Not to mention, his opponent was Sasuke, who had just received Orochimaru's Cursed Seal and was in a state of extreme weakness and pain.

However, with Kazeka's help, Sasuke's condition had significantly improved.

Although he suffered a disadvantage early in the fight due to Kabuto Yakushi's ability, Sasuke quickly adjusted.

As the battle continued, Sasuke's condition improved, and in the end, he sent Kabuto Yakushi flying back several steps with a single punch.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke looked up at Naruto in the stands and declared with deep emotion:

"I will defeat my opponent before me and earn my Chunin qualification step by step. This is my most sincere confession to you!"

Naruto: "Σ(°△°|||)︴"