The Third Round of the Chunin Exams
Iwagakure
The arena was packed with spectators and tourists. These wealthy and noble individuals, of high status, especially enjoyed keeping ninjas and watching ninja duels. The ninja tournaments of the Five Great Nations were one of their favorite events.
The Chunin Ninja Exams, a joint effort by the Iwagakure Village Hidden Sand Konoha, are a rare and spectacular event, attracting many tourists who travel long distances specifically to witness them.
Naraku was also sitting in the audience. In the Chunin Ninja Exams, Naraku's team did not search for scrolls or similar items, so they failed the second round and did not need to participate in the third round.
"This little girl is really lucky."
In the arena, ten young ninja boys and girls stood in the center, with a referee in front of them.
Kurotsuchi, whose soul had been sealed by Naraku, was also among them. It was unclear who had helped remove the Sealing Tag from the three of them.
The three who broke the seal not only survived but also passed the trials of the Lost Wasteland, thus arriving at this third duel.
Naraku slowly surveyed the ten people below: two contestants from Konoha, a member of the Hyuga Clan, and a commoner.
Three contestants from Iwagakure, three from Hidden Sand, and the remaining two are ninjas from the smaller country. From a distance, their Forehead Protector insignia appear to be from Kusagakure and Amegakure.
Naraku looked at the three Hidden Sand fighters and gave them a knowing look. Naraku recognized them; they were Gaara two siblings.
Gaara was short and exuded a cold and terrifying aura. He seemed to be a Genin who had graduated early, at only ten years old.
"The Chunin Exams officially begin!"
Suddenly, a deep, aged voice rang out from the high platform. Although the voice sounded somewhat old, it resonated throughout the entire venue.
Naraku the audience seats and saw two figures on the high platform: a short man floating on his seat and a man wearing a blue cloak sitting next to him.
Ding! Ding! Clang!
As the voice of Tsuchikage Ōnoki faded, the large bell in the arena rang out. After the contestants in the center of the arena made their appearance, they left the arena to rest briefly before preparing for battle.
The electronic screen in the arena flickered, displaying two names: Kurotsuchi VS Umbrella.
Soon, a girl who looked to be around ten years old and a tall, burly Kusagakure entered the arena. A cheer erupted from the audience as they entered.
The genius female ninja of Iwagakure, the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, the Ōnoki of Both Scales, is someone whose skills are so impressive that for many tourists, the trip is already worthwhile.
Naraku had no interest in watching these two weaklings fight, so he closed his eyes and activated Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
"Several thousand Chakra groups are scattered outside Iwagakure. This shouldn't be Iwagakure's defensive force. They were unaware that the Hidden Sand forces had reached the edge of the village..."
Orochimaru, truly a rare talent.
Naraku opened his eyes and glanced at the cloaked figure on the high platform, very close to the Tsuchikage's seat. He sensed that Chakra cluster he was sensing belonged to Orochimaru.
The true Kazekage Rasa, is nowhere to be found. The mobilization of these Sunagakure Ninja was probably orchestrated by Orochimaru himself.
Orochimaru is not only outstanding in Ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, but also excels in other aspects that surpass his Ninjutsu talent.
While Naraku was sensing and scouting the environment of Iwagakure, the battle between the Iwagakure Kurotsuchi and the Kusagakure on the field had already been decided. The Kusagakure was enveloped in a mass of lime-like substance, suffocated and fainted. The Medical Emergency Squad carried a stretcher onto the field and carried the Kusagakure ninja off.
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, and Naraku followed suit, clapping at the opportune moment as a spectator.
In the arena, the victorious Kurotsuchi did not show any joy on his face, but rather a solemn expression as he surveyed the audience.
"Where is that person? That person is definitely not Genin. Jonin in the village, or even my grandfather, have never made me feel so powerless."
That person is definitely not an unknown individual; what is his purpose...?
After scanning the audience, Kurotsuchi, with thousands of people in the stands, realized it was impossible to find them all with the naked eye. Kurotsuchi frowned, and amidst the cheers, turned and slowly walked away.
Arena platform
"Is it a lime concrete made of soil and water? What a powerful Kekkei Genkai, easily binding a ninja of considerable strength."
"The Tsuchikage is getting on in years; it seems there's a worthy successor now."
Orochimaru Kazekage, knew that the female ninja named Kurotsuchi was the granddaughter of Ōnoki. Both were Kage of their respective villages, Orochimaru offered a hypocritical, business-like compliment.
"Ah, Kurotsuchi's Ninjutsu is very rudimentary and not worth mentioning. Our Iwagakure has many talented people, and I've been troubled by how to choose the next Tsuchikage."
"This Ninjutsu is good, that intelligence is good, it's really hard to choose."
Ōnoki spoke with an air of sophistication, as if Iwagakure were teeming with talented people, and casually brushed aside the question of succession.
At over seventy years old, Ōnoki was indeed quite old. His continued role as Tsuchikage at this age naturally drew attention to the question of who would succeed him in Iwagakure, so Ōnoki didn't dismiss comments about the Kazekage's successor as sarcastic.
"That Gaara, is he your youngest son? Chakra; he's a real talent."
Ōnoki praised the Kazekage's offspring, and the second match began. Gaara, Rasa's youngest son, took to the stage against the Konoha Hyuga Clan ninja from Konoha.
"Konoha Ninja should not be underestimated, but ninjas skilled in Taijutsu will not be his match."
The Kazekage praised Konoha, implying that Konoha and that Iwagakure Hidden Sand have a serious talk with them, which aligns with the mindset of a Kage of a nation.
"Konoha is indeed teeming with talent..."
When Ōnoki heard Konoha, he nodded, indicating his agreement with the Kazekage's point of view, while a hint of doubt flashed through his mind.
"Is there discord within the Kazekage family? How can you address your own child as 'him'?"
In the arena
The Konoha Hyuga Clan Konoha launched a fierce attack, but their Taijutsu attacks could not break through Gaara's defenses. The sand, which automatically defended, blocked all the fist and palm attacks from the Taijutsu ninjas.
Gaara stood in the center of the field, not moving an inch, looking utterly unfathomable.
After attacking for a long time, the Konoha Hyuga Clan Konoha leaped back and stared at Gaara, not launching another attack, seemingly pondering a countermeasure.
Gaara, who had been crossing his arms from beginning to end, finally began his action, raising his hands and forming the Unseen Mudra.
"Ninja Art: Desert Wave."
The lid of the gourd on Gaara's back fell off, and sand poured out, swirling around Gaara and enveloping Gaara, turning him into a round sand ball.
"I thought he was some kind of expert!"
"Is all you can do defense?"
"Will it work or not?"
In the audience, many spectators were grumbling and cursing. Gaara looked mysterious and profound, but the Ninjutsu he used turned out to be a defensive Ninjutsu.
Only Naraku knew what Gaara was planning to do: he was preparing to gather Chakra and release the One-Tail Shukaku.