Hiruzen Sarutobi sat upright in the seat of honor, his pipe between his lips as he watched the performance onstage.
But every so often, his gaze drifted toward Genya in the VIP section.
That boy... was teasing the Daimyo again.
He sighed, looked away, and turned to the man beside him.
"Lord Kazekage, what do you think of the performance?"
The "Kazekage"-
Or rather, Orochimaru disguised as the "Kazekage"-gave a slight nod, his voice low.
"Wonderful. Konoha certainly has no shortage of talented young people."
Hiruzen smiled without replying.
But a trace of wariness lurked deep in his eyes.
Something about this "Kazekage" always felt wrong.
He just... couldn't put his finger on it.
In the VIP section.
Genya's gaze also settled on the "Kazekage."
Their eyes met across the crowd.
The corners of Genya's mouth rose in a meaningful smile.
There was provocation in that smile, amusement, and even a hint of... pity?
Orochimaru's heart tightened.
Had this boy... noticed something?
Impossible.
His disguise was flawless. Even the Third Hokage hadn't noticed.
But that smile clearly said, "I know who you are."
Orochimaru looked away, sneering inwardly.
Heh... Genya Uchiha, the new generation's Asura of the Shinobi World.
This time, I'll see just how much substance there is behind your reputation, Uchiha.
He licked his lips, a bloodthirsty gleam flashing in his eyes.
Uchiha blood... must taste delicious, right?
Unfortunately, he had never experienced being instantly defeated by Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu.
And the one before him was a monster even more terrifying than Itachi.
Onstage, Blue Bird was drawing to a close.
Chinatsu's voice rang high and clear, piercing the heavens.
"Blue, Blue Sky..."
That deep, deep blue sky...
The crowd erupted, thunderous applause filling the arena.
The opening ceremony ended, and the main matches of the Chunin Ninja