The First Round

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"Unspoken rules are everywhere!"

Having just received a hint from Shikaku Nara, Uchiha Yue sighed inwardly and then reached into the box containing the lottery results.

Sure enough, as Uchiha Yue reached into the lottery box, he discovered a hidden compartment inside. This meant that the match between Uchiha Yue, Hatake Kakashi, and Sarutobi Danzō had actually been predetermined by Konoha through behind-the-scenes manipulation. Moreover, Uchiha Yue felt that the opponents he and Hatake Kakashi would face in the first round were definitely not formidable enemies like Sasori of the Red Sands Mei Terumi.

Otherwise, wouldn't Konoha's behind-the-scenes manipulation be completely pointless?

Then, Uchiha Yue randomly picked a lot from the hidden box and immediately saw that it was number 1. After Uchiha Yue finished drawing his lot, Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Danzō, and others stepped forward to draw lots in turn, drawing numbers 1 and 8 respectively. In this way, Uchiha Yue and the other Konoha ninjas would not meet in the Chunin Ninja Exams finals unless they advanced to the semifinals.

"Moon Lord, we can finally avoid fighting you!"

Looking at the number he had drawn, Sarutobi Danzō smiled and approached Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi, saying, "Furthermore, Tsuki-kun, if you and Kakashi- kun want to fight, it will probably have to wait until the finals! I really look forward to seeing Tsuki-kun and Kakashi- kun clash in the finals. I really want to see who is stronger!"

"The winner will definitely be Yue, not me."

To Uchiha Yue's slight surprise, when Sarutobi Danzō, Hatake Kakashi readily admitted that he was the one who would lose. However, Uchiha Yue quickly came to terms with it, realizing that Hatake Kakashi had realized his own inadequacy in the Doomsday Forest. Therefore, in front of Sarutobi Danzō, Hatake Kakashi made no attempt to hide his true strength, directly acknowledging that he was no match for Uchiha Yue.

However, just as Hatake Kakashi finished speaking, Uchiha Yue smiled and said, "Kakashi, don't underestimate yourself! After a whole month of hard training, haven't you made any progress at all? The Kakashi I know doesn't give up so easily! So, I look forward to facing you in the finals. Don't forget, we haven't decided a winner yet!"

"Um!"

Encouraged by Uchiha Yue, a fierce fighting spirit reignited in Hatake Kakashi's eyes.

Immediately afterwards...

While Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi were talking, the draw was over, and the matches for the Chunin Ninja Exams finals were also determined.

"First match: Uchiha Yue vs. Iwagakure ninja, Mishima Hideyoshi."

"The second match: Mei Terumi vs. Kirigakure, Takeshita Yoshihiro."

"The third match: Sasori of the Red Sands vs. Kaga Sōgen Iwagakure."

"Match 4: Sarutobi Danzō vs. Iwagakure, Okita Ichiro."

"Fifth match, Kisame Hoshigaki vs. Sunagakure, Hijikata Sakuhei."

"Sixth match, Hatake Kakashi vs. Katsura Kurō the Sunagakure."

"..."

Looking at the assigned match schedule, Uchiha Yue narrowed his eyes slightly, realizing that advancing to the finals would be a bit difficult. Of course, he didn't take the first-round opponent, Iwagakure ninja Mishima Hideyoshi Uchiha Yue, seriously at all. What he needed to be wary of were his opponents in the second round, Uchiha Yue Mei Terumi, and in the third round, Sasori of the Red Sands!

It's important to understand that Mei Terumi and Sasori of the Red Sands are quite strong, and even Uchiha Yue would find it somewhat difficult to deal with them. Although Uchiha Yue has already secured a spot for promotion to Chunin Uchiha Yue, he still hopes to win the championship. Therefore, defeating both Mei Terumi and Sasori of the Red Sands in succession is a goal that Uchiha Yue must achieve. Immediately, when Uchiha Yue's gaze shifted to Mei Terumi and Sasori of the Red Sands, his eyes were filled with intense wariness.

After assigning the matches, Shikaku Nara announced that the competition was about to begin. He then led Uchiha Yue, along with Mishima Hideyoshi from Iwagakure, to the Chunin Ninja Exams finals venue. However, as Uchiha Yue was contemplating how to deal with Mei Terumi and Sasori of the Red Sands, Shikaku Nara Uchiha Yue approached him and whispered, "Tsuki, what are you worried about?"

"Yes, that's right."

Hearing Shikaku Nara's words, Uchiha Yue nodded seriously and said, "Originally, I was going to conserve my strength, but my next opponents are Mei Terumi from Kirigakure and Sasori of the Red Sands from Sunagakure. So, the obstacles to advancing to the finals are a bit greater, and I need to consider how to defeat Mei Terumi and Sasori of the Red Sands!"

"Hehe, Yue, don't overthink it."

As soon as Uchiha Yue finished speaking, Shikaku Nara smiled slightly and said, "Yue, with your strength, advancing to the finals is no problem at all. As for defeating Mei Terumi Kirigakure and Sasori of the Red Sands of Sunagakure, don't worry about that too much. Now, your opponent is Mishima Hideyoshi of Iwagakure. I know you can easily defeat him, but don't do that, understand?"

"Why?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yue raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Mr. Shikaku, I can't expend too much chakra and stamina!"

"Moon, listen to me slowly."

At this moment, the smile on Shikaku Nara's lips deepened. He Shikaku Nara slowly said, "The Chunin Ninja Exams finals are basically an exhibition match. Regardless of whether you make it to the finals, your promotion to Chunin is already decided. Therefore, you need to showcase our village's strength during the matches and make them more exciting! Especially when facing weaker opponents, you must put on a spectacular show so that high-ranking officials from various countries can understand, understand?"

"Okay, I understand."

After Shikaku Nara explained, Uchiha Yue's Kakuzu twitched violently a few times, and when his gaze shifted to Iwagakure of Mishima Hideyoshi, a hint of pity flashed in his eyes.

But, just like Shikaku Nara, do those high-ranking officials from various countries really understand whose power is stronger?

If Uchiha Yue had defeated Mishima Hideyoshi Uchiha Yue a single round, those high-ranking officials probably wouldn't have understood his fighting style. Therefore, to make those officials remember him, Uchiha Yue needed to demonstrate a spectacular battle. Afterward, Uchiha Yue naturally understood Shikaku Nara's meaning and immediately prepared to showcase his Falling Moon Style Secret Technique in the first round of the match.

Immediately afterwards...

Uchiha Yue and Mishima Hideyoshi Iwagakure accompanied Shikaku Nara to the venue for the Chunin Ninja Exams finals.

Then, Shikaku Nara announced that the first round of the competition had officially begun!