Crisis Descends! (4/4)

"I'm pink." Sakura Haruno also held up her bamboo slip. This time, Shino Aburame was the one fighting a girl.

"What about me, Kakashi-sensei?" Choji Akimichi asked quietly from the side. His strength was decent, but his speed lagged behind the others, so he had failed to grab a bamboo slip.

"Choji, you don't need to compete. I hereby declare you a Chunin," Kakashi Hatake said flatly.

"What?" Choji Akimichi's mouth fell open, and even his potato chips spilled out.

Not just him—everyone else wore stunned expressions!

The third round had not even begun, and he was already a Chunin?

"We hadn't expected so many people to pass the second round, and someone withdrew right before the preliminary matches, so someone was supposed to get a bye anyway."

"We did make too few bamboo slips for the third round. The rule was that whoever failed to grab one would get a bye and become a Chunin." Kakashi Hatake explained in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone.

Choji Akimichi was completely dumbfounded. He had done nothing, yet he was the biggest winner?

"Asuma-sensei, congratulations on training a Chunin!" Might Guy gave a thumbs-up directly from the stands.

"Should I say thank you?" Asuma Sarutobi said without ceremony. "Still, it's better than Team 3 having an internal battle."

"It's fine. Isn't Team 7 having an internal battle too?" Might Guy was as optimistic as ever.

"Then the last black slips have yet to be announced?" Kakashi Hatake spoke up.

Everyone's gazes drifted over involuntarily. The answer was already obvious.

They were none other than the two most anticipated names!

Qingchuan Tianming vs. Gaara!

Tianming could only say that he was satisfied with this opponent! The others were all fellow Konoha shinobi. He could neither hold back nor lose, so fighting them would not feel satisfying.

Gaara was different. At this point, Gaara was still part of Konoha's enemy camp!

And the One-Tail jinchuriki could take a beating!

If anyone learned what Tianming was thinking, they would definitely call him insane! After all, Gaara had a record of killing jonin and a fearsome reputation.

Gaara could take a beating! What a damn wild idea!

"The two holding number one, stay. Everyone else, step back." Kakashi Hatake took the lead in leaving.

In an instant, only Shino Aburame and Sakura Haruno remained in the arena.

"Shino! Don't be like Shikamaru and refuse to hit girls," Sakura Haruno said with a light laugh.

"I won't," Shino Aburame replied blandly. The Aburame Clan had always cared only about bugs!

"The third round of the Chunin Exams begins!" Kakashi Hatake declared.

Sakura Haruno charged straight at him. Social Sakura was going all in with brute force!

The others, having retreated to the edge of the arena, watched the battle between the two with great interest.

Tianming, however, seemed distracted. At times, he looked toward the Sand Village trio standing in the distance; at others, he raised his head toward the very top.

The high-ranking officials guarded at close range by ANBU shinobi.

Orochimaru's plan should have begun by now.

At the same time, a large force of Sound Ninja joined with Sand Ninja in the Forest of Death and the dense woods outside Konoha Village.

A black crow landed on the arm of a Sound Ninja. After casually glancing at the note removed from its leg, the leader of the Sound Ninja made a hand signal in another direction!

"The operation begins!"

At the command, several Sound Ninja stepped out from the group, bit their thumbs in unison, and drew summoning jutsu formations on the ground! In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen summoned giant snakes came roaring forth.

In another direction, a Sand Village jonin stood atop a tree! He suddenly formed hand seals, and as chakra surged forth, countless fine grains of sand slowly drifted down.

"Ninjutsu! Sandfall Current!"

Boom! Boom!

Yellow-brown sand crashed down like a falling river, slamming into the ground before sweeping across the Forest of Death.

At the same time, the same scene was unfolding in several places throughout Konoha.

Back at the Central Tower, Sakura Haruno and Shino Aburame's battle had already been decided!

After Sakura Haruno punched Shino Aburame flying and prepared to follow up, her calf had already been wrapped in densely packed Destruction Bugs.

At a single command from Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno's calf would be completely devoured in an instant!

"I lose!" Sakura Haruno raised her hand.

Thus, Shino Aburame became the second person to pass the Chunin Exams.

And immediately after, the second match was the much-anticipated internal battle!

Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga walked to the center of the arena.

"Go, Rock Lee! Go, Brother!" Hinata Hyuga shouted from the stands.

Though Neji Hyuga did not respond, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Rock Lee, let's fight to our hearts' content! No regrets!"

"Let's fight to our hearts' content!" Rock Lee's fighting spirit instantly blazed up. He slid forward, closed the distance with Neji Hyuga in an instant, and whipped out a sweeping kick!

"Eight Trigrams Eleven Palms!" Neji Hyuga abandoned the Gentle Fist and used his signature technique right from the start.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Their first clash was accompanied by a series of sonic booms!

Just as the two were locked in an intense battle, Tianming appeared in the stands and plopped down beside Hinata Hyuga.

"Tianming, you're here!" Hinata Hyuga said in surprise.

"Yeah." Tianming patted his pants, took an exquisite sachet from his bag, and said, "I bought this sachet for you. It has quite a few medicinal herbs inside that can calm the mind and soothe the nerves. It's for you. Congratulations on being discharged."

"I'm pink." Sakura Haruno also held up her bamboo slip. This time, Shino Aburame was the one fighting a girl.

"What about me, Kakashi-sensei?" Choji Akimichi asked quietly from the side. His strength was decent, but his speed lagged behind the others, so he had failed to grab a bamboo slip.

"Choji, you don't need to compete. I hereby declare you a Chunin," Kakashi Hatake said flatly.

"What?" Choji Akimichi's mouth fell open, and even his potato chips spilled out.

Not just him—everyone else wore stunned expressions!

The third round had not even begun, and he was already a Chunin?

"We hadn't expected so many people to pass the second round, and someone withdrew right before the preliminary matches, so someone was supposed to get a bye anyway."

"We did make too few bamboo slips for the third round. The rule was that whoever failed to grab one would get a bye and become a Chunin." Kakashi Hatake explained in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone.

Choji Akimichi was completely dumbfounded. He had done nothing, yet he was the biggest winner?

"Asuma-sensei, congratulations on training a Chunin!" Might Guy gave a thumbs-up directly from the stands.

"Should I say thank you?" Asuma Sarutobi said without ceremony. "Still, it's better than Team 3 having an internal battle."

"It's fine. Isn't Team 7 having an internal battle too?" Might Guy was as optimistic as ever.

"Then the last black slips have yet to be announced?" Kakashi Hatake spoke up.

Everyone's gazes drifted over involuntarily. The answer was already obvious.

They were none other than the two most anticipated names!

Qingchuan Tianming vs. Gaara!

Tianming could only say that he was satisfied with this opponent! The others were all fellow Konoha shinobi. He could neither hold back nor lose, so fighting them would not feel satisfying.

Gaara was different. At this point, Gaara was still part of Konoha's enemy camp!

And the One-Tail jinchuriki could take a beating!

If anyone learned what Tianming was thinking, they would definitely call him insane! After all, Gaara had a record of killing jonin and a fearsome reputation.

Gaara could take a beating! What a damn wild idea!

"The two holding number one, stay. Everyone else, step back." Kakashi Hatake took the lead in leaving.

In an instant, only Shino Aburame and Sakura Haruno remained in the arena.

"Shino! Don't be like Shikamaru and refuse to hit girls," Sakura Haruno said with a light laugh.

"I won't," Shino Aburame replied blandly. The Aburame Clan had always cared only about bugs!

"The third round of the Chunin Exams begins!" Kakashi Hatake declared.

Sakura Haruno charged straight at him. Social Sakura was going all in with brute force!

The others, having retreated to the edge of the arena, watched the battle between the two with great interest.

Tianming, however, seemed distracted. At times, he looked toward the Sand Village trio standing in the distance; at others, he raised his head toward the very top.

The high-ranking officials guarded at close range by ANBU shinobi.

Orochimaru's plan should have begun by now.

At the same time, a large force of Sound Ninja joined with Sand Ninja in the Forest of Death and the dense woods outside Konoha Village.

A black crow landed on the arm of a Sound Ninja. After casually glancing at the note removed from its leg, the leader of the Sound Ninja made a hand signal in another direction!

"The operation begins!"

At the command, several Sound Ninja stepped out from the group, bit their thumbs in unison, and drew summoning jutsu formations on the ground! In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen summoned giant snakes came roaring forth.

In another direction, a Sand Village jonin stood atop a tree! He suddenly formed hand seals, and as chakra surged forth, countless fine grains of sand slowly drifted down.

"Ninjutsu! Sandfall Current!"

Boom! Boom!

Yellow-brown sand crashed down like a falling river, slamming into the ground before sweeping across the Forest of Death.

At the same time, the same scene was unfolding in several places throughout Konoha.

Back at the Central Tower, Sakura Haruno and Shino Aburame's battle had already been decided!

After Sakura Haruno punched Shino Aburame flying and prepared to follow up, her calf had already been wrapped in densely packed Destruction Bugs.

At a single command from Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno's calf would be completely devoured in an instant!

"I lose!" Sakura Haruno raised her hand.

Thus, Shino Aburame became the second person to pass the Chunin Exams.

And immediately after, the second match was the much-anticipated internal battle!

Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga walked to the center of the arena.

"Go, Rock Lee! Go, Brother!" Hinata Hyuga shouted from the stands.

Though Neji Hyuga did not respond, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Rock Lee, let's fight to our hearts' content! No regrets!"

"Let's fight to our hearts' content!" Rock Lee's fighting spirit instantly blazed up. He slid forward, closed the distance with Neji Hyuga in an instant, and whipped out a sweeping kick!

"Eight Trigrams Eleven Palms!" Neji Hyuga abandoned the Gentle Fist and used his signature technique right from the start.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Their first clash was accompanied by a series of sonic booms!

Just as the two were locked in an intense battle, Tianming appeared in the stands and plopped down beside Hinata Hyuga.

"Tianming, you're here!" Hinata Hyuga said in surprise.

"Yeah." Tianming patted his pants, took an exquisite sachet from his bag, and said, "I bought this sachet for you. It has quite a few medicinal herbs inside that can calm the mind and soothe the nerves. It's for you. Congratulations on being discharged."

"I'm pink." Sakura Haruno also held up her bamboo slip. This time, Shino Aburame was the one fighting a girl.

"What about me, Kakashi-sensei?" Choji Akimichi asked quietly from the side. His strength was decent, but his speed lagged behind the others, so he had failed to grab a bamboo slip.

"Choji, you don't need to compete. I hereby declare you a Chunin," Kakashi Hatake said flatly.

"What?" Choji Akimichi's mouth fell open, and even his potato chips spilled out.

Not just him—everyone else wore stunned expressions!

The third round had not even begun, and he was already a Chunin?

"We hadn't expected so many people to pass the second round, and someone withdrew right before the preliminary matches, so someone was supposed to get a bye anyway."

"We did make too few bamboo slips for the third round. The rule was that whoever failed to grab one would get a bye and become a Chunin." Kakashi Hatake explained in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone.

Choji Akimichi was completely dumbfounded. He had done nothing, yet he was the biggest winner?

"Asuma-sensei, congratulations on training a Chunin!" Might Guy gave a thumbs-up directly from the stands.

"Should I say thank you?" Asuma Sarutobi said without ceremony. "Still, it's better than Team 3 having an internal battle."

"It's fine. Isn't Team 7 having an internal battle too?" Might Guy was as optimistic as ever.

"Then the last black slips have yet to be announced?" Kakashi Hatake spoke up.

Everyone's gazes drifted over involuntarily. The answer was already obvious.

They were none other than the two most anticipated names!

Qingchuan Tianming vs. Gaara!

Tianming could only say that he was satisfied with this opponent! The others were all fellow Konoha shinobi. He could neither hold back nor lose, so fighting them would not feel satisfying.

Gaara was different. At this point, Gaara was still part of Konoha's enemy camp!

And the One-Tail jinchuriki could take a beating!

If anyone learned what Tianming was thinking, they would definitely call him insane! After all, Gaara had a record of killing jonin and a fearsome reputation.

Gaara could take a beating! What a damn wild idea!

"The two holding number one, stay. Everyone else, step back." Kakashi Hatake took the lead in leaving.

In an instant, only Shino Aburame and Sakura Haruno remained in the arena.

"Shino! Don't be like Shikamaru and refuse to hit girls," Sakura Haruno said with a light laugh.

"I won't," Shino Aburame replied blandly. The Aburame Clan had always cared only about bugs!

"The third round of the Chunin Exams begins!" Kakashi Hatake declared.

Sakura Haruno charged straight at him. Social Sakura was going all in with brute force!

The others, having retreated to the edge of the arena, watched the battle between the two with great interest.

Tianming, however, seemed distracted. At times, he looked toward the Sand Village trio standing in the distance; at others, he raised his head toward the very top.

The high-ranking officials guarded at close range by ANBU shinobi.

Orochimaru's plan should have begun by now.

At the same time, a large force of Sound Ninja joined with Sand Ninja in the Forest of Death and the dense woods outside Konoha Village.

A black crow landed on the arm of a Sound Ninja. After casually glancing at the note removed from its leg, the leader of the Sound Ninja made a hand signal in another direction!

"Begin the operation!"

At the command, several Sound Ninja stepped out from the ranks, bit their thumbs in perfect unison, and drew summoning techniques on the ground! In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen summoned giant snakes burst forth with howls.

In another direction, a Sand Village jonin stood atop a tree! He suddenly formed hand seals, and as chakra surged forth, countless fine grains of sand slowly fell.

"Ninjutsu! Sandfall Current!"

Boom! Boom!

The earthy-yellow sand crashed down like a falling river, then swept across the Forest of Death.

At the same time, the same scene was unfolding in several places throughout Konoha.

Back at the Central Tower, the battle between Sakura Haruno and Shino Aburame had already been decided!

Just as Sakura Haruno punched Shino Aburame away and prepared to follow up with a second attack, her calf had already been wrapped in densely packed Destruction Bugs.

At a single command from Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno's calf would be gnawed clean in an instant!

"I lose!" Sakura Haruno raised her hand.

Thus, Shino Aburame became the second person to pass the Chunin Exams.

The second match that followed was the ever-popular internal clash!

Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga stepped into the center of the arena.

"Go, Rock Lee! Go, Brother!" Hinata Hyuga shouted from the stands.

Though Neji Hyuga did not respond, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Rock Lee, let's fight to our hearts' content! No regrets!"

"Fight to our hearts' content!" Rock Lee's fighting spirit ignited instantly. He slid forward, closed in on Neji Hyuga in a flash, and swung out a whip-like kick!

"Eight Trigrams Eleven Palms!" Neji Hyuga abandoned the Gentle Fist and immediately used his signature technique.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Their first clash produced a succession of sonic booms!

While the two fought fiercely, Tianming appeared in the stands and plopped down beside Hinata Hyuga.

"Tianming, you're here!" Hinata Hyuga said in surprise.

"Mm." Tianming patted his pants, took an exquisite sachet from his bag, and said, "I bought this sachet for you. There are quite a few herbs inside that help calm the mind and soothe the spirit. It's for you. Congratulations on being discharged."

"I got pink." Sakura Haruno also displayed her bamboo slip. This time, Shino Aburame was the one matched against a girl.

"Kakashi-sensei, what about me?" Choji Akimichi asked quietly from the side. His strength was not lacking, but his speed was inferior to the others', so he had failed to grab a bamboo slip.

"Choji, you don't need to compete. I hereby announce that you are now a chunin," Kakashi Hatake said blandly.

"What?" Choji Akimichi's mouth fell open, and even his potato chips spilled out.

Not just him—everyone else wore stunned expressions!

The third round had not even started, and he was already a chunin?

"When the second round was arranged, we didn't expect so many people to pass. Then someone withdrew right before the preliminary matches, so someone was supposed to receive a bye anyway."

"We really did make too few bamboo slips for the third round. The rule was that whoever failed to grab one would receive a bye and become a chunin." Kakashi Hatake explained in a perfectly serious manner.

Choji Akimichi was completely dumbfounded. He had done nothing, yet he was the biggest winner?

"Asuma-sensei, congratulations on teaching a chunin!" Might Guy gave a thumbs-up from the stands.

"Should I say thank you?" Asuma Sarutobi replied without any politeness. "Still, it's better than your Team 3 having an internal battle."

"It's fine. Isn't Team 7 having an internal battle too?" Might Guy was as optimistic as ever.

"Then shall we announce the final black slip?" Kakashi Hatake spoke up.

Everyone's gazes turned over involuntarily. The answer was already obvious.

They were, astonishingly, the two most anticipated names!

Qingchuan Tianming vs. Gaara!

Tianming could only say that he was satisfied with this opponent! The others were all fellow Konoha ninja. He could neither hold back nor lose, so fighting them would not feel satisfying.

But Gaara was different. At this point, Gaara still belonged to Konoha's hostile camp!

And as the One-Tail jinchuriki, he could really take a beating!

If anyone knew Tianming's thoughts, they would definitely call him crazy! After all, Gaara had a record of killing jonin and a formidable reputation.

Gaara could take a beating! What an absurdly bold thought!

"The two holding number one, stay behind. Everyone else, step back." Kakashi Hatake took the lead in moving away.

In an instant, only Shino Aburame and Sakura Haruno remained in the arena.

"Shino! Don't be like Shikamaru and refuse to hit girls—no, no, I mean, don't refuse to attack girls." Sakura Haruno laughed lightly.

"I won't," Shino Aburame replied calmly. The Aburame Clan had always cared only about bugs!

"The third round of the Chunin Exams begins!" Kakashi Hatake announced.

Sakura Haruno charged straight at him at once. Tough-girl Sakura was going in headfirst!

The people who had retreated to the edge of the arena watched the battle between the two with great interest.

Tianming, however, seemed somewhat distracted. At times, he looked toward the Sand Village trio standing in the distance; at others, he raised his head toward the highest point!

Where the higher-ups, protected closely by ANBU ninja, stood.

Orochimaru's plan should have begun by now.

At the same time, large numbers of Sound Ninja, together with Sand Ninja, appeared in the Forest of Death and the dense woods outside Konoha Village.

A black crow landed on the arm of a Sound Ninja. After removing the note from the crow's leg and casually glancing at it, the leading Sound Ninja made a hand signal in another direction!

"Begin the operation!"

At the command, several Sound Ninja stepped out from the ranks, bit their thumbs in perfect unison, and drew summoning techniques on the ground! In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen summoned giant snakes burst forth with howls.

In another direction, a Sand Village jonin stood atop a tree! He suddenly formed hand seals, and as chakra surged forth, countless fine grains of sand slowly fell.

"Ninjutsu! Sandfall Current!"

Boom! Boom!

The earthy-yellow sand crashed down like a falling river, then swept across the Forest of Death.

At the same time, the same scene was unfolding in several places throughout Konoha.

Back at the Central Tower, the battle between Sakura Haruno and Shino Aburame had already been decided!

Just as Sakura Haruno punched Shino Aburame away and prepared to follow up with a second attack, her calf had already been wrapped in densely packed Destruction Bugs.

At a single command from Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno's calf would be gnawed clean in an instant!

"I lose!" Sakura Haruno raised her hand.

Thus, Shino Aburame became the second person to pass the Chunin Exams.

The second match that followed was the ever-popular internal clash!

Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga stepped into the center of the arena.

"Go, Rock Lee! Go, Brother!" Hinata Hyuga shouted from the stands.

Though Neji Hyuga did not respond, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Rock Lee, let's fight to our hearts' content! No regrets!"

"Fight to our hearts' content!" Rock Lee's fighting spirit ignited instantly. He slid forward, closed in on Neji Hyuga in a flash, and swung out a whip-like kick!

"Eight Trigrams Eleven Palms!" Neji Hyuga abandoned the Gentle Fist and immediately used his signature technique.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Their first clash produced a succession of sonic booms!

While the two fought fiercely, Tianming appeared in the stands and plopped down beside Hinata Hyuga.

"Tianming, you're here!" Hinata Hyuga said in surprise.

"Mm." Tianming patted his pants, took an exquisite sachet from his bag, and said, "I bought this sachet for you. There are quite a few herbs inside that help calm the mind and soothe the spirit. It's for you. Congratulations on being discharged."