Because of this incident, the third exam was temporarily postponed. Representatives from Iwagakure Ninja Village and Kirigakure Ninja Village gathered in a room inside the High Tower. Hanzō, who served as both Amegakure Ninja Village's representative and its team's teacher, came as well. Both the Iwagakure and Kirigakure representatives suspected something fishy about Amegakure candidates qualifying for the third exam, so Hanzō had no choice but to attend.
To be honest, Hanzō was somewhat surprised that his students had passed. They were reasonably skilled, but they fell short compared to the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Had he not known that he had made no deals with Konoha Ninja Village, he might have suspected something himself as an outsider.
But Hanzō's students had indeed reached the High Tower. Since his conscience was clear, he had to defend their reputation. He could not let Iwagakure Ninja Village and Kirigakure Ninja Village bully Amegakure Ninja Village simply because they were stronger!
Hanzō's cold gaze swept over the two villages' representatives. A chill ran up their spines, and both looked at him warily.
Iwagakure Ninja Village and Kirigakure Ninja Village were both among the current Five Great Shinobi Villages. The Land of Earth, to which Iwagakure belonged, had even emerged victorious from the Shinobi World War. Both had ample reason to feel superior to the Land of Rain, yet their representatives now sensed something dangerous about Hanzō. It was truly astonishing.
This man was no ordinary shinobi.
The thought flashed through both representatives' minds. They had never expected Amegakure Ninja Village to produce someone like him. Although they did not know exactly how strong he was, the pressure he exuded alone marked him as an expert, even by Iwagakure or Kirigakure standards.
Just as the atmosphere between them grew tense, the door opened. All