After the final schedule had been officially announced, Gekko Hayate added, "The third Exam will use one-on-one matches to select five contestants, who will then fight in a five-way battle to determine the final winner."
"However, during the exam, the examiners will also select candidates whose performance merits promotion to Chunin. Winning is not the only path."
After adding that explanation, Gekko Hayate felt a little uncertain. He wondered whether he was imagining it, but it seemed as though no one below cared about the rules for the final round.
"Gaara, we're going to visit Kankuro next. Would you like to come...?"
As everyone went their separate ways, Temari called out to Gaara, who had already started ahead.
Gaara's behavior during this Exam had been far too unusual, leaving both Baki and Temari uneasy. They were genuinely worried about his condition.
Sunagakure had sent Temari and the others precisely because, as his family, they were among the few people Gaara actually cared about, however slightly.
Kankuro was the same, really. Though he seemed sharp-tongued, deep down he cared quite a bit about his younger brother, Gaara.
He simply had no time to worry about Gaara now. After all, Kankuro was the one still receiving emergency treatment, not Gaara.
"...Let's go."
To her surprise, Gaara gave a slight nod.
His personality is a little different from what you described, Kurama.
Naruto watched Gaara until his back disappeared at the end of the corridor before finally looking away and thinking to himself.
That murderous intent of his was there the whole time, too, but it wasn't directed at anyone, and he didn't cause any trouble.
"It certainly is strange."
Even the Nine-Tails had to admit that Gaara's behavior was unusual, though it was hardly a big deal.
After all, that idiot Shukaku