But before Sakura had considered all that, the Fourth Kazekage was slowly approaching from the other side of the stands.
He looked at the Third Hokage, gave a nod, then casually sat down.
"Lord Hokage, today is the final exam."
"I really am looking forward to it."
"After this exam, I hope the next one can be held in our Sunagakure."
After saying this, the Fourth Kazekage before him even smiled gently.
"You're absolutely right, Lord Kazekage."
"This is the final competition."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked the pipe in his hand as he looked down below.
"We would very much like to visit Sunagakure, too."
No one had noticed that beneath the old man's Hokage robes, he was wearing a neatly arranged combat uniform.
Even his thumb had already been given a tiny cut.
The Third was restraining his killing intent, merely looking over the Kazekage before him casually.
Last night, that child had said to lull them into complacency through Konoha's inaction.
Then now, he would play the old man who had noticed nothing.
His expression remained kindly.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi like this, the Fourth Kazekage beside him did indeed relax.
The old man looked like this-clearly, he hadn't discovered me.
Or...
Was he trying to hide something...?
He had even settled the location of the next Chunin Ninja Exams...
I wonder how bitterly Konoha and Sunagakure will fight to the death after today.
I can hardly wait...
Beneath his robes, the Kazekage slowly licked his lips.
"Then we can more or less begin, can't we, Lord Hokage?"
"I see today's first match features that Uzumaki clansman of yours who shone so brightly before."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi made no other movement, merely nodding toward Genma Shiranui below.
Smoke rose slowly from his pipe, hiding the sharpness in the old