Orochimaru's appearance was merely a brief interruption to the Chunin Ninja Exams. The third exam proceeded on schedule.
This exam consisted of one-on-one matches, allowing everyone to demonstrate their true strength.
Ultimately, strength was what mattered most among ninja.
At that moment, all the examinees had gathered inside the arena.
The first round of elimination matches in the third exam was about to begin here.
"Gaara, I made these treats for you. They used to be your favorite."
Temari approached Gaara with a box of treats, with Kankuro and Shira following behind her.
Gaara and his two companions stood in the second-floor corridor of the arena, observing the contestants below.
The noisy Naruto was particularly conspicuous among them.
Karin and Ryūshū had already withdrawn from the exams. They had only accompanied Gaara and his two companions to the arena as spectators.
On the corridor opposite them stood Kurotsuchi and the others from Iwagakure.
"That was thoughtful of you, Sis."
Gaara accepted the treats, took one out, and put it in his mouth.
Under Temari's nervous gaze, Gaara smiled. "It's delicious."
At his words, Temari immediately broke into a delighted smile.
Kankuro looked at everyone below preparing for their matches. "Gaara, I hope we don't get matched against each other."
"If you do, you can surrender right away. Your Sunagakure Puppet Technique is terrible."
Toneri spoke up.
"Hmph, kid, don't underestimate me."
Kankuro looked at Toneri in irritation.
Over the past few days, Temari and Kankuro had come to see Gaara almost every day.
As a result, they had soon become familiar with Toneri and Suigetsu as well.
To Toneri, compared with the agile puppets on the moon, Sunagakure's method of condensing chakra into threads to control puppets was far too primitive.
"Karin!"
Fū emerged from the second-floor entrance, then spotted