Whoosh-
In a vast simulated arena on the outskirts of Konoha, the sixteen participants in the third round stood on a stone platform at the side, waiting for Shikaku Nara to explain.
On the elevated stands surrounding the arena, representatives from various ninja villages and countries watched intently below, waiting for the exam to begin.
"Ahem-"
Shikaku cleared his throat twice, drawing everyone's attention.
"One, two... sixteen. Good, everyone's here."
Shikaku nodded. "This is a knockout tournament. The sixteen candidates will be randomly paired off until a final winner emerges. That's the basic format. Does everyone understand?"
"Yes," the sixteen answered in unison.
"Hey, Xue Ge, you don't look so good. Are you all right?" Muzi quietly leaned closer to Xue Ge and asked softly.
"..." Xue Ge shook his head.
When he woke up that morning, he had been lying in some kind of green liquid, probably a nutrient solution or something of the sort. Orochimaru had indeed kept his promise. Xue Ge was in unexpectedly good shape today.
His body felt a little cold, but aside from that, he genuinely felt quite at ease.
It was probably because Orochimaru had extracted too much tissue from his body that he felt cold all over.
"All right, then. Don't push yourself," Muzi reminded him.
"Next, I'll explain some of the specific rules for the third round."
Looking at the document in his hand, Shikaku Nara said matter-of-factly, "During this stage, those who perform exceptionally in combat will be permitted to become Chunin. Also, there will be no restrictions on your fighting this time. You may use lethal force."
"Konoha's medical team will remain stationed outside the examination grounds, ready to provide emergency treatment at any time."
"A fight will only end when one side concedes or becomes completely unable to