After the Third Hokage's brief yet meaningful speech, a pale ninja wearing a Konoha forehead protector stepped forward, coughing as though out of habit. He was the proctor for the preliminary round of the third exam-Gekko Hayate.
"Cough, cough... Everyone, I'm Gekko Hayate, the proctor for the preliminary round of the third exam." His voice was weak, but his tone brooked no argument. "Since too many candidates passed the second exam, we need to hold a preliminary round to select those who will advance to the main tournament. The rules are simple: one-on-one individual matches. The loser is eliminated, and the winner advances. The matchups... cough, cough... will be displayed at random on the Electronic Screen."
Gekko Hayate pointed toward the huge Electronic Screen on one side of the hall, where all the candidates' names began scrolling rapidly. Tension instantly spread through the hall.
Just then, a bespectacled ninja from Kusagakure who looked mild-mannered and refined raised his hand. "Um... Proctor, I'd like to withdraw." Kabuto Yakushi wore an apologetic smile. His voice was quiet, but it carried clearly throughout the hall.
"Oh?" Gekko Hayate gave him a slightly surprised look. "Are you sure? Cough, cough... Once you withdraw, you'll lose your chance to be promoted to chunin."
"Yes, I'm sure." Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, his smile unchanged. "The constant fighting has been a little too much for my body, and I don't want to cause my teammates any more trouble." As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Akado Yoroi and Misumi Tsurugi beside him.
His withdrawal caused a small stir. Many were surprised; anyone who had passed the Forest of Death's trial surely possessed considerable skill. Only a handful of people, including Toru Kujyo in the second-floor viewing area, showed a flicker of understanding in their eyes.
Toru