In the center of the tower.
On the spacious training ground,
The Jonin each village's team, the examiners, and the Third Hokage Sarutobi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the head.
The third exam will be held in January.
"At that time, there would be representatives from various villages, as well as local magistrates who would come to watch the event."
The referee was pale and had very dark circles under his eyes.
Gekko Hayate explained while coughing as if he were ill:
"Because there were too many people who passed the second exam, a preliminary round will be held before the official competition."
Upon hearing this, the audience Genin amongst themselves.
Naruto was the first to jump out, complaining loudly, "Seriously? We finally made it through that forest, and now we have to take a test?!"
Shikamaru shook his head. "This is really troublesome. We finally made it through, and now there's the preliminary round."
Choji rubbed his stomach. "Can't we eat now? I've already finished all my snacks."
Akamaru, nestled in Kiba Inuzuka's arms, trembled uncontrollably and whimpered softly.
"Kiba, what's wrong with Akamaru?"
Hinata, asked her teammate softly.
Kiba Inuzuka looked at the Sunagakure and Kirigakure teams with a serious expression and explained in a low voice:
" Akamaru said there are terrifying enemies in those two directions."
"Is that so..."
Hinata followed Kiba's gaze and carefully observed the two groups.
Another team member Shino, also used sunglasses as cover to aim in two directions.
Haruma, who returned in time, stood in the center of the Kirigakure team, hands behind his head, looking relaxed.
They noticed someone staring at them.
Haruma turned her head to look at Hinata, and gave her a gentle smile.
Hinata froze for a moment, then blushed and lowered her head.
As for Sunagakure's trio from Gaara, they had been observing the Kirigakure team ever since they entered.
To be precise, it's about observing Haruma.
That monster that could incapacitate them with a single glance!
On the second-floor stands of the training ground, the Jonin leading each village team silently watched the scene unfold.
Zabuza and Karin, whose Grass Ninja Forehead Protector had been removed, stood in front of the railing looking at the group, each with their own thoughts.
Zabuza was thinking about his boss and the ulterior motives behind taking the exam.
Karin stared at Sasuke, thinking to herself how handsome he was!
" Kakashi, that Uchiha Clan kid, is he the one you mentioned in the previous report?"
Sarutobi glanced discreetly at Haruma and asked Kakashi in a low voice.
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Not only the members of their team, but even the Jonin the Kirigakure team act under this person's orders."
Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully, then waved his hand to summon an Anbu.
After whispering a few words in the Anbu's ear, Sarutobi quietly waited for the preliminaries to begin.
Upon receiving the special order, the Anbu showed a hint of surprise in their eyes, and then hurriedly went backstage.
"Preliminary round rules: one-on-one direct battle!"
"The match will not stop until a winner is determined, unless the player loses the ability to move or voluntarily concedes defeat."
"Once the opponent concedes, they cannot continue. Anyone who violates the rules will be stopped by me, as the referee."
As Gekko Hayate spoke, he pointed to a huge electronic screen behind the wall of the training ground.
"The list of players' matches will be displayed there."
" Genin whose name is called can concede defeat early if they feel the skill gap is too large."
"If there are no further questions, then the competition shall begin!"
After that, the list on the electronic version began to float!
Once the roster was finalized, Gekko Hayate announced loudly, "First match!"
" Zaku Raku of the Otogakure versus Uchiha Haruma of the Kirigakure!"
"The rest of the Genin whose names were not called, please proceed to the second-floor platform to wait."
A standard spiky hairstyle, and an earthy yellow outer shirt with two large, bright red "death" characters printed on it!
"Oh dear, oh dear."
Looking at the yawning Haruma, Zaku arrogantly said, "So it's that brat from the Uchiha Clan."
"I advise you to admit defeat now, or you might wet your pants in fear of me!"
" Kimimaro, go back."
Haruma spoke calmly, showing no sign of anger.
Kimimaro, who was just standing on the stairs, had somehow appeared in front of Zaku!
The tip of the Kunai in his hand was already infinitely close to Zaku's neck, and his eyes were flashing with a crazy killing intent!
"What?!!"
His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and it Kunai until Kimimaro withdrew his kunai that Zaku noticed his presence.
"Gulp,"
He unconsciously swallowed.
Zaku couldn't help but shudder as he recalled the terrifying look in the white-haired boy's eyes.
Wow, so fast!
As the referee, Kimimaro's Gekko Hayate figure, a hint of horror flashing in his eyes!
I didn't even have a chance to stop it; I almost watched a candidate die here.
That guy is really brave!
"He's hopeless, he's doomed!"
Suigetsu looked at Zaku below the stage with admiration and whispered to Bai beside her.
Bai did not respond, but simply nodded slightly.
He thought so too.
Kimimaro's move Genin not only the lower-ranking ninja in the stands.
Even the Jonin the teams looked much more serious.
"Wow, that's fast!"
He wore a green ninja outfit, had a black watermelon-shaped haircut, and incredibly thick eyebrows.
Matt Kay's expression turned serious for a moment.
That wasn't Body Flicker Technique; that was pure Taijutsu!
That guy's speed is even faster than Rock Lee's!
Orochimaru, who had disguised himself Jonin leading a team from the Otogakure, glanced indifferently at Zaku from the second-floor stands, feeling a little regretful.
Even if they were just cannon fodder, they were scrapped without even serving a single purpose...
Haruma looked at Zaku expressionlessly, quietly waiting for the referee to announce the start.
The words on these clothes are really fitting for the occasion.
Startled by Kimimaro, Zaku lost his initial arrogance.
Looking at the Forehead Protector, it was the same as the one worn by the white-haired boy.
Before the match even started, Zaku had already been silently gathering Chakra in the wind cave in his palm.
Haruma had already noticed, but she didn't say anything to stop it.
After all, who would care about an ant's well-prepared attack?
"Three!"
As the referee, Gekko Hayate was also on high alert.
"Two!"
They counted down while preparing for a rescue at any moment.
What just happened was undoubtedly a slap in the face for him!
The Lord Hokage is still watching from the high platform!
"One!"
"Slash through the air..."
Zaku, who had just raised his hands, suddenly felt his vision begin to blur...
Shouldn't I be on the stage, staring at that Uchiha Clan brat?
Why are those Genin in the stands looking at me so strangely?
Was that white-haired boy just now looking at me with a cold smile?
Well...
How could I...
It looks like I'm seeing my own body?
A glaring crimson red gushed from Zaku's neck like a fountain!
what happened?!!
The Gekko only had time to bend down, but hadn't even had time to take a step.
Looking down at the headless body of the Sound Ninja examinee, his gaze was utterly blank.
With a calm gaze, Haruma looked at the Gekko. "Referee, aren't you going to announce the result?"
The Gekko Hayate brought him back to his senses, and his body trembled violently.
He stared blankly at the Haruma, remaining silent for a long time.
This guy...
Just Genin?!