Confronting the Third Hokage! Kakashi Steps In

Four days was neither a long time nor a short one.

Under Sahiro Uchiha's careful care, Sasuke's injuries healed quickly. The Cursed Seal on his neck still ached faintly, but Kakashi's Evil Sealing Method kept it in check.

The four members of Team 7 stood with the other squads that had made it through the Forest of Death in the hall for the second stage's preliminary round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.

The hall stood on Konoha's Training Ground. Its ceiling soared high overhead, and the stands on either side were packed with Jōnin and ANBU who had come to watch.

Only seven squads, twenty-two people in all, had made it through the Forest of Death.

Many candidates still bore unhealed wounds on their faces, but their eyes were nothing like they had been five days ago.

A moment later, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped onto the Arena floor with two ANBU at his side. Pipe in his mouth, he looked around with a kindly expression. His gaze lingered on Team 7 for an instant.

"First, congratulations on passing the trial in the Forest of Death," the Third Hokage said. His aged voice echoed through the vast hall. "Surviving such a brutal environment has already proven your strength and resolve. But there is more to the Chunin Ninja Exams than that."

He paused, then continued. "Next comes the preliminary round. You will fight one-on-one. The winner advances; the loser is eliminated."

"There is only one rule: apart from surrender, there are no restrictions. Anything is permitted as long as you do not kill your opponent."

Several candidates caught their breath.

No restrictions, no protection, no referee intervention. This was the true brutality of Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams.

"If anyone objects, speak now." The Third Hokage slowly swept his gaze over the crowd. "If not, the preliminary round begins immediately."

Silence filled the hall.

Countless gazes crossed. Some candidates were eager to begin; others looked grim.

Then Sahiro moved.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, he slowly took a step forward.

It was a steady, deliberate step, yet it seemed to freeze the air throughout the hall.

"I object."

He did not speak loudly, but his voice reached every corner.

The Third Hokage's brow furrowed slightly, and the smoke rising from his pipe wavered.

"Sahiro Uchiha, what is your objection?"

Sahiro raised his head. His crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan gleamed coldly beneath the hanging lights.

He looked straight at the Third Hokage and spoke one word at a time, his voice tight with deeply suppressed anger.

"Lord Third, I want to ask you something."

Every eye turned to the boy. Even Gaara tilted his head slightly.

"During the Chunin Ninja Exams, someone infiltrated the village and brought Orochimaru into the second stage," Sahiro said slowly. "And while we were fighting for our lives in the Forest of Death, others slipped in and tried to take my younger brother Sasuke away amid the chaos. Did you know about this?"

The hall erupted.

"What?! Someone tried to take Sasuke?"

"They infiltrated the exam grounds? During the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Even a number of ANBU began murmuring among themselves.

"Was it Root? Weren't those ANBU there to help?"

Amid the clamor, the Third Hokage's face darkened.

He was silent for a long time before speaking slowly. "Zuo Hao, if you mean those ANBU, I can explain. It was a temporary decision made after the village leadership discussed how to ensure the candidates' safety."

"The village leadership discussed it?" Zuo Hao repeated, his gaze sharpening like a blade. "Then tell me: was Danzo part of that leadership?"

The air went still.

Every Jōnin seemed to stop breathing for an instant.

Danzo's name was taboo in Konoha. No one dared mention him in public.

Yet Sahiro had done just that. In front of every candidate and the Third Hokage himself, he had asked the question outright.

That took guts!

Was he out of his mind?

The Third Hokage's expression finally changed. He stared at Sahiro, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through his aged eyes.

Zuo Hao acted as though he had not noticed the Third Hokage's expression. His voice grew colder.

"Third Hokage, my brother was injured and poisoned fighting Orochimaru, and a Cursed Seal was planted in his body. Shouldn't the Medical Team have treated him? Why did ANBU come instead?"

"Why did those ANBU try to take him by force the moment they arrived? Why wouldn't they let me, his own brother, go with him?"

"Were they there to save him or abduct him?"

He took another step forward, his eyes locked on the Third Hokage.

"Third Hokage, you say it was to ensure the candidates' safety. But if I hadn't arrived in time that night, those people would have taken Sasuke underground. I might never have found him again."

"I just want an answer."

Zuo Hao's voice rose sharply, like thunder cracking across a winter sky.

"Why did Danzo want to seize my brother?"

Everyone present froze.

Even Naruto stared blankly at Sahiro's back. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Dead silence.

No one had expected Sahiro to challenge the Third Hokage so suddenly, at this moment of all times.

Neji Hyuga's pupils contracted, and a shock ran through him.

That was the Third Hokage, the man with the most power in Konoha.

How could he dare question him like that? Wouldn't there be consequences?

Yet another thought quietly rose in Neji's mind, like light breaking through a crack in the darkness:

If... if Sahiro had that kind of courage, did that mean I might one day break free of the Caged Bird Seal and shatter the chains of fate?

Neji's outlook underwent a subtle shift because of Zuo Hao's actions.

Just then, Kakashi appeared beside Sahiro without warning and discreetly clapped a hand over his mouth. He moved like lightning.

"Sorry, Lord Third." Kakashi wore a helpless smile, his tone apologetic. "The boy went hungry in the Forest of Death, and he hasn't been thinking clearly these past few days. He keeps talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave two dry coughs. His gaze rested on Sahiro's face for a moment before he waved a hand. "Go on. If you haven't eaten enough, get some more food. Charge it to the Hokage's Office."

Because of the incident, the preliminary round was postponed until the next day.

An hour later, inside Yakiniku Q.

The meat sizzled over the charcoal fire, filling the air with its aroma.

Kakashi picked up a slice of beef tongue and turned it over. Then he looked up at Sahiro across the table and lowered his voice. "Sahiro, you've got some nerve, talking like that in front of the Third Hokage. Do you have a death wish?"

Zuo Hao chewed his grilled meat at an unhurried pace. The corner of his mouth lifted, and a playful glint flashed in his eyes. "Oh? A death wish? Does the Third Hokage... actually dare kill me?"