The Third Exam (1)

"Admittedly, one cannot deny that this exam serves the mission of selecting ninjas capable of becoming Chunin. But on the other hand, it is also a place where ninjas, bearing the prestige of their nations, fight while risking their lives."

"The prestige of the nation?"

"The third exam will be attended by many feudal lords and prominent figures from various countries who entrust us with missions. These lords and ninja leaders will watch your battles. If there is a significant disparity in strength, the powerful nations will receive more commissions; conversely, commissions for weaker nations will decrease."

"At the same time, it is also a declaration to neighboring countries of the combat power we possess. In other words, it exerts pressure on diplomacy."

"Then why do we have to fight to the death!" Kiba asked the Third Hokage.

"A nation's strength is the strength of its ninja village, and the strength of a ninja village is the strength of its ninjas. Furthermore, a ninja's true strength is only revealed when fighting for their life. This exam is a stage to let others see, or to demonstrate, the strength of one's own nation's ninjas. It is precisely because it is a battle where lives are at stake that it has meaning," the Third Hokage said.

"In the past, there was no such exam to become a Chunin; it was all earned through fighting on the battlefield," Yin Xiang said, and everyone turned to look at him.

"To become a Chunin, one had to survive the battlefield and possess strength equivalent to a Chunin. By comparison, the current Chunin Exams are like small-scale wars between nations. Compared to going to the battlefield, this is much safer. This is not an era of peace; if you want to survive, you must fight with everything you have," Yin Xiang told everyone.

"That is exactly right," the Third Hokage nodded.

"Then why claim it's about friendship?" Tenten asked.

"I said it from the very beginning, didn't I? Do not misunderstand and think that maintaining balance through slaughter is what is meant by friendship. This is a battle where you risk your lives for your dreams and for prestige," the Third Hokage said to Tenten.

"Heh, I get it," Naruto said, crossing his arms with a grin.

"Whatever, forget that. Tell us the content of this life-or-death exam already," Gaara said, also crossing his arms. Do all Jinchuriki like crossing their arms?

"Then I shall introduce the content of the third exam," the Third Hokage nodded and said, "Actually..."

Swish.

A figure landed in front of the Third Hokage.

"Apologies, Your Majesty, please allow me, Hayate Gekko, the proctor for the third exam, to explain from here on," Hayate Gekko said, kneeling before the Third Hokage.

"I leave it to you," the Third Hokage nodded.

"Greetings, everyone," Hayate said, his back to the Genin, before turning around. "Before the third exam begins... cough... cough... there is something you must complete." Hayate Gekko coughed incessantly, his eyes looking sickly.

He probably has pneumonia, Yin Xiang thought to himself.

"Cough, cough... It concerns whether or not you can participate in the preliminaries for the third exam."

"Preliminaries?"

"What's this about preliminaries?" Shikamaru shouted at Hayate. Where did this come from?

"Teacher, I don't quite understand what you mean by preliminaries. Why can't the candidates who remain here just participate in the third exam directly?" Sakura also asked.

"Well, perhaps the first and second exams this term were too simple, and the number of remaining people is a bit high. Therefore, we need to hold preliminaries according to the Chunin Exam rules to reduce the number of participants for the third exam," Hayate said, looking at the group.

"How could this be..."

"As the Third Hokage just said, many guests will be coming to watch the third exam, so the matches cannot drag on. There will be time limits as well. Therefore, those who are not in good health, cough... cough..."

I mean... is he okay? Ino thought to herself.

The teacher is the one who looks unwell... Hinata thought to herself.

"Apologies, after hearing the explanation just now, does anyone wish to withdraw? Please speak up now, as the preliminaries will begin immediately."

"Begin immediately?" Kiba shouted upon hearing this.

"We just barely made it through the second exam..." Ino felt a sense of despair.

"What a drag..." Shikamaru said behind Ino. "Eh? What about lunch?" Choji, that guy, was still thinking about food.

"Right, I forgot to mention, these are individual matches. You may judge for yourselves whether or not to raise your hand and withdraw from the competition."

Who would withdraw? Sasuke thought with dissatisfaction. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his neck, and his whole body began to tremble slightly. Yin Xiang glanced at Sasuke.

Damn it, the intervals between the pain are getting shorter. His Cursed Seal was acting up again. Because Yin Xiang had sealed his own Cursed Seal, he felt no pain.

Afterward, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke began to talk. It seemed Sakura was trying to persuade Sasuke to give up on the exam because of the Cursed Seal. Recalling Sasuke's previous state, Sakura was on the verge of tears, but in the end, Sasuke naturally refused to give up.

The Third Hokage also noticed Sasuke's condition and wanted to persuade him to withdraw, but Kakashi said Sasuke wouldn't agree. Later, Anko and Kakashi started arguing, though it was mostly Anko shouting on her own.

"That Cursed Seal—a normal person would have died long ago, let alone a child..." Anko had a Cursed Seal herself and understood the agony.

Come to think of it, Yin Xiang seems to have been marked with this Cursed Seal as well, yet he is completely fine. Kakashi looked at Yin Xiang, who smiled back at him.

Before they could reach a conclusion, someone raised their hand. Kabuto raised his hand. "Um... I withdraw," Kabuto said.

"Um..." Hayate flipped through the roster in his hand. "You are Kabuto Yakushi from Konoha, right? Very well, you may withdraw," Hayate said after checking the list.

"Yes," Kabuto replied, then turned and walked away.

"Big Brother Kabuto! You're withdrawing? Why!" Because Kabuto had helped Naruto during the exam, Naruto had a good impression of him, and seeing him withdraw, he called out to him.

Kabuto looked back at Naruto. "Sorry, Naruto, but my body is already covered in wounds. I have to fight for my life from here on, and I've already..." Kabuto didn't finish his sentence, but Naruto understood.