The official matches of the Chunin Exams had begun.
Unlike the preliminaries, they weren't held in a single combat room.
The venue for the official matches was an arena on the outskirts of Konoha.
In the distant stands sat the Third Hokage, the Fourth Kazekage, and the Fourth Raikage.
Their respective guards stood behind them.
Meanwhile, the contestants taking part in the Chunin Exams began gathering below.
"Third Hokage, are all the ninja in Konoha this strong?"
Orochimaru, disguised as Fourth Kazekage Rasa, spoke with a teasing edge.
"Almost everyone taking part in the Third Stage of the Chunin Exams is from Konoha, isn't that right?"
At Rasa's words,
the Fourth Raikage's expression visibly darkened.
He turned his gaze toward Yemu Hyuga in the distance.
A surge of nameless anger boiled up inside him again.
The deal Danzo had offered them was to put Yemu in his place.
Now, never mind putting him in his place-
they had instead completely disgraced their own village.
The Third Hokage smiled on the outside while cursing inwardly.
Having lived so long, he was far too shrewd not to realize that the Fourth Kazekage was trying to sow discord.
Granted, relations between their village and the Land of Lightning had never been good.
But at least they hadn't openly fallen out yet.
"The first match is Qingxue Uchiha against Temari."
Sakura Haruno looked at the match list, her expression wavering slightly. "The second match is Yemu against Naruto."
"Naruto, if you can't handle it, you can trade opponents with me."
Sasuke Uchiha folded his arms. Seeing that his opponent was some Kumogakure ninja whose name he didn't know, he spoke coldly.
"Bastard! Sasuke, you bastard! I'm not trading with you!"
Naruto Uzumaki planted his hands on his hips and shook his head indignantly.
Standing