The next day.
The atmosphere at the Chunin Ninja Exams arena remained electric, but compared to the day before, it had grown somewhat more solemn.
Kimimaro's battle with Shukaku had been so astounding that everyone had realized-the standard of these Chunin Ninja Exams had already far surpassed that of ordinary ninja.
In the stands, Tsunade looked rather grim.
Just that morning, the ANBU had reported that more than half the graves of Konoha ninja had been dug up, including those of her grandfathers, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, and her boyfriend, Dan Katō!
"Damn it! Don't let me catch you, Masked Man!"
Tsunade slammed her fist into the armrest.
Clearly, the only person who could do something like this in Konoha without being discovered was that mysterious Masked Man with his space-time ocular jutsu.
Beside Tsunade, Jiraiya looked just as grim. Minato Namikaze's grave had been dug up too!
At nine in the morning, the list of qualifying contestants was announced on schedule.
A total of twenty-four contestants had made it through the third round of combat selections to enter the finals:
Dragon Release Village: Kimimaro, Haku, Karin, Jūgo.
Konohagakure: Neji Hyuga, Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Shino Aburame, Rock Lee.
Sunagakure: Temari, Kankuro.
Iwagakure: Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi.
Kumogakure: Omoi, Karui.
Kirigakure: Chōjūrō, Hozuki Suigetsu.
And six contestants from smaller ninja villages such as Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure.
Although Neji Hyuga had lost to Sasuke in the third round, he had won two more matches afterward and qualified on total points.
Gaara had originally qualified as well, but after overnight discussions, Sunagakure's leadership had decided to withdraw him to prevent Shukaku from going on another rampage with uncontrollable consequences. The contestant in twenty-fifth place would take his spot.
The finals had simple rules: one-on-one elimination matches, with the winners