The battle that had erupted in the plaza came to an end as one side tumbled into the dust.
There was no time to rest. The next round began seamlessly.
"Hey, Sarutobi, be careful."
Leaning against the wall, Aburame Taiichi pushed up his sunglasses and quietly revealed intelligence learned from his sworn enemies, the Kamizuru Clan. "That guy has already become the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki."
"Got it!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen abruptly halted, allowing the light streaming in from the passageway to fall over him. He turned back and gave his Konoha peers a reassuring smile.
As everyone's attention rested on Hiruzen, Mao's sparkling eyes flickered. She lightly tapped the boy beside her.
The amusement in her eyes made her teasing intent unmistakable.
This is aimed at your Sharingan.
Their gazes met in midair. Rikusei looked at the girl's faintly swaying, slightly mischievous clear eyes, then suddenly lifted his wrist and caught the slender finger poking at his waist.
"Mm!"
The unfamiliar warmth at her fingertip and the peculiar sensation of her knuckle being restrained made Mao let out a nearly inaudible soft cry through her lips.
With familiar companions all around her and Naori resting with her eyes closed in the dimness nearby, the girl's twitching fingers stirred an unusual feeling in her heart.
The sudden cries of amazement from the plaza, along with her fingertip being released from his palm, dispelled the romantic thoughts Mao had concealed in her heart.
She stroked Futsu-no-Mitama at her waist. The cool sensation in her palm and the chill wind blowing through the passageway wiped away the lingering flush on her cheeks. Her gaze joined everyone else's, fixed upon the plaza that had drawn so many exclamations.
"This year's Chunin Exams are really stacked!"
"Exactly. The battle between the Hyuga Clan and the Hozuki Clan