The next day.
Konoha arena.
The third round.
The Third Hokage was already seated in the seat of honor, surrounded by over ten thousand spectators, many of them ninja from other villages. The daimyo and senior ministers of various nations sat in a separate stand, with Sandayu among them.
In the arena stood Sakura, Sasuke, Neji, Shino, Shikamaru, Temari, Yuhan, Hinata, Kiba, and the jonin Genma Shiranui, in that order, waiting for the Third Hokage to address them.
Kotetsu Hagane said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Gekko Hayate is still in a deep coma. Mr. Inoichi Yamanaka has requested permission to use mental ninjutsu on him. We should soon find out what happened."
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Yes. Right now, he's the only one who knows Orochimaru's plot. And with the daimyo and senior ministers of various nations all gathered here today, we can't afford any mistakes. Pass down the order: all Konoha jonin are to go on alert. Since Orochimaru won't let us stop the Chunin Ninja Exams, something is bound to happen."
"Yes!" Kotetsu Hagane answered, vanishing in a blur.
Unlike in the original story, the Anbu had also dispatched a large number of ninja to hide around the arena for this Chunin competition, and Danzo himself was seated in the audience.
Hongshi was sitting with Naruto and the others in the stands on the other side, eagerly anticipating the matches to come.
Naruto said, "Go, Sakura! Make sure you beat that guy Sasuke!"
Rock Lee said, "Neji! It's time to show the results of your training!"
Tenten said, "Big Sister Yuhan, you can do it!"
Ino said, "Seriously, why does something feel a little strange here?"
Hongshi said, "...Z zzz Z."
Just then, the Fourth Kazekage, wearing his Kazekage hat, slowly approached the Third.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Oh! Welcome, Lord Kazekage! Thank you for making such a long journey!"
On the surface, the Kazekage's visit to Konoha to watch the Chunin Ninja Exams served two purposes: to convey the friendship between Konoha and Sunagakure, and for Konoha to declare that its strength surpassed Sunagakure's, thereby intimidating the surrounding smaller ninja villages.
The Kazekage sat down beside him and said coldly, "It's better to hold it here. Though you're still young, a long journey would be too much for you. It would be better to choose the Fifth Hokage sooner."
Had anyone else said that, it would have been deeply disrespectful, but coming from the Kazekage, his equal, it counted as concern. Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed. "Haha. Don't keep treating me like an old man. I still want to work for another five years!"
The Kazekage said, "Konoha certainly produces plenty of talent. Of the nine contestants, eight are Konoha ninja. You truly deserve your reputation as the foremost ninja village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Hahaha, it's simply that our youngsters have done us proud."
The Kazekage pointed at Yuhan in the arena. "That woman must be the leader of the six-person team that saved the Land of Snow."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "That's right. He was originally from the Land of Waves. Kakashi discovered his talent as a ninja and brought him back. He's only been a ninja for a few months, but he's already as strong as a chunin. He has an exceptional talent for Water Release."
The Kazekage praised him. "Hehehe, it seems being a jonin in Konoha also requires a discerning eye!"
"Hahaha." Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily. "Indeed!"
In fact, both Danzo and Hongshi had heard their conversation. Danzo kept staring at Yuhan, who had been smiling the whole time in the arena, his thoughts unknown.
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to remember something. "Hmm? Lord Kazekage, Yuhan only returned to the village yesterday. How did you learn about what happened in the Land of Snow?"
The Kazekage pointed across at the seats occupied by the daimyo and senior ministers. "Look, that man is Asama Sandayu, foreign minister of what was once the Land of Snow and is now the Land of Spring. He's begun establishing diplomatic relations with the other nations, and he also spoke about Yuhan. Moreover... their country intends to start selling Chakra Armor."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had naturally heard of Chakra Armor and had even tried to purchase it at one point, without success. "I see. It seems the ruler of this Land of Spring is a shrewd and capable person as well."
Just then, the Kazekage spotted Hongshi sleeping soundly in the crowd. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and he fell silent.
Seeing that they had nothing more to discuss, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood. "Honored guests! Thank you all for gathering here to watch the Chunin Exams hosted by Konoha. Next, the nine contestants who passed the preliminaries will compete in the official selection matches! Please enjoy!"
"All right!"
"It's finally time! Show us what you can do!"
The audience erupted. Even the daimyo and senior ministers stopped their conversations and turned toward the arena.
The Kazekage said, "Nine contestants? Doesn't it seem like one is missing?"
The Hokage smiled. "Otogakure's outstanding genin was killed at Kikyo Castle. As for who the killer was... we don't know yet."
Genma Shiranui said slowly, "I assume you all know who your opponents are. First match: Sakura Haruno versus Sasuke Uchiha. All other contestants, please leave."
The Kazekage said, "Oh! A member of the Uchiha Clan in the very first match. How exciting will this be?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "I'm looking forward to it too."
In the arena.
Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno stood facing each other.
After a month of Hongshi's hellish training (which, of course, included brainwashing), Sakura had matured considerably, and her infatuation with Sasuke had greatly diminished. She gave him a slight smile. "Sasuke-kun, I've gotten a lot stronger this month!"
Sasuke had also undergone a month of special training with Kakashi and was very confident in his strength. Moreover, the fusion of the Cursed Seal with his Uchiha bloodline had made him much colder and more sinister. "Sakura, even against you, I won't hold back."
Sakura was a little speechless. "Sasuke-kun, you really make me mad when you act like that!"
Genma Shiranui said, "Begin!"
The instant he finished speaking, Sasuke launched his attack, throwing several shuriken while forming hand seals. "Rat-Tiger-Dog-Ox-Hare-Tiger, Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!"
Shuriken concealed within the fireballs hurtled toward Sakura from every direction at tremendous speed.
Sakura said, "You really aren't holding back! Fine! Ram-Horse-Dragon-Tiger, Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Rumble!
A two-meter-high earthen wall rose in front of Sakura.
Boom, boom, boom! The fireballs struck the earthen wall and exploded, the force nearly shattering it.
Seeing his ninjutsu just barely blocked in full, Sasuke felt a little irritated. "Tch. Lucky?"
Kakashi, however, had something else on his mind as he watched. She accurately gauged the power of Sasuke's ninjutsu and used an Earth Style Wall just strong enough to block it? Sakura, what kind of training did you go through this month?
Yet just as Kakashi thought Sakura had neutralized the attack at minimal cost to conserve chakra, she took the initiative to attack.
"My turn! Ram-Dragon, Ram-Dragon, Water Release: Twin Water Bullet Technique!"
"Pew, pew!"
Sakura created water directly from chakra, formed it into two head-sized balls, and spat them toward Sasuke.
Unwilling to waste chakra trading ninjutsu, Sasuke leaped lightly into the air and threw more shuriken, looking for an opening to attack.
In the stands, the Kazekage was somewhat surprised. "This girl can actually use two types of elemental release. Konoha truly is full of hidden talents."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "I didn't expect it either."
The Lord God said, "Didn't expect it? Go ask Danzo."
Watching the battle in the arena gradually heat up, Kakashi fell into thought. Hmm? Sakura's fighting style has improved this much? Even if she trained hard on her own, it wouldn't necessarily be this... I see. Was it Hongshi...?
His gaze fixed on Hongshi, who was sitting upright in his seat. I'll have to ask you all about this after the exams.
Danzo looked at the large scroll on Sakura's back, his gaze growing colder. That's actually the First's scroll. Just what is going on?!