Chapter 12: Konoha’s Higher-Ups Make Their Decision, The Third Round Begins!
Not long after.
Inside the Hokage Building of Konoha.
The village’s top brass had gathered for an emergency meeting.
Even Jiraiya, who had only recently returned and normally hated these kinds of gatherings, was present this time.
“Hokage-sama!
The situation is roughly as follows.”
The Anbu captain reported everything he had learned, word for word.
Compared to Sasuke’s account, he included a few extra details his team had uncovered during their investigation.
“Mmm~”
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe, then exhaled a perfect smoke ring.
He turned toward the village’s chief strategist.
“Shikaku, what do you think?”
Nara Shikaku remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
“Hokage-sama.
The information we have right now is far too limited.
Based on what we do know, we can draw a few conclusions.
First: this black-clad organization is extremely powerful.
Second: they seem to have targeted Sasuke specifically, otherwise they wouldn’t have interfered.
Third: this organization possesses knowledge of many secrets we ourselves are unaware of — Wood Release, for example.
Fourth: Orochimaru’s purpose in coming to Konoha is impure. He is likely planning to cause chaos during the Chūnin Exams.”
“Mmm~”
The Third nodded, clearly approving of Shikaku’s analysis.
“I’ll add one more point.
The final attack that red-haired girl unleashed… it was almost certainly a Tailed Beast Ball, a technique unique to jinchūriki.
I have fought the Nine-Tails before.
I have seen its Tailed Beast Ball with my own eyes.
Therefore, I can say with certainty…
The energy level of that blast was comparable to the Nine-Tails’ at full power.
Which means…
That girl is most likely a jinchūriki herself.”
“But Hokage-sama!”
One of the jōnin spoke up immediately.
“According to all known information, there are only nine tailed beasts in the world, each sealed within a different village.
And none of those nine is a bird-type tailed beast!”
“It seems the world is far more mysterious than we ever imagined~”
The Third sighed softly.
“There are many things even I don’t fully understand.
Perhaps this mysterious organization secretly developed it somehow~
For now, we will classify this group as an S-rank threat.
Spread the word: if any of our ninja encounter members of this organization, exercise extreme caution.
If a confrontation arises… you are authorized to abandon the mission.”
“Yes, sir!!”
Everyone jolted in shock.
For a ninja, the mission always came before life itself.
Yet right now, the Hokage was ordering them to abandon missions if they encountered these black-clad figures!
And shockingly… not a single one of Konoha’s highest officials raised an objection.
“Alright. Let’s set the black-clad organization aside for now.”
The Third continued.
“Let’s discuss the Chūnin Exams.
With such a major incident occurring during the second stage… should we pause or cancel the exams?”
“I don’t believe that’s necessary.”
Danzo spoke up immediately.
“The damage to Training Ground 44 is not extensive.
We can continue without issue.”
In truth, the destruction in the Forest of Death was limited to a roughly 200-degree fan-shaped area radiating outward from Orochimaru’s original position.
And since Sasuke’s team had only just entered the forest not long before, they had been facing outward the entire time.
Most of the forest remained intact.
The reason it turned out this way…
was largely because Orochimaru had been relatively close to Sasuke at the time.
In order to protect the mission target — Sasuke — Karin’s wood clone had gone all-out to shield the three of them.
……
Seeing that no one contradicted him, Danzo continued.
“If we pause or cancel the exams now,
it could damage the village’s reputation.
After all…
This year’s Chūnin Exams aren’t just for our own shinobi.
There will also be daimyo attending as spectators.
As for Orochimaru…
Don’t we have Jiraiya here?
There’s no need to worry.”
Jiraiya shot Danzo a long, meaningful glance but said nothing.
He, too, believed Orochimaru wouldn’t be able to cause any real trouble in Konoha.
After all, he — the great… ahem! Toad Sage! — was here.
And his teacher, the Third Hokage, was also a formidable shinobi.
Dealing with Orochimaru should be a simple matter.
……
After deliberation among Konoha’s highest council,
the Chūnin Exams would continue!
At the same time, all information regarding the black-clad organization was completely sealed.
Officially, the explosion was attributed to Konoha shinobi conducting an experimental ninjutsu test.
Fortunately, the blast had occurred in the relatively remote Training Ground 44, so it didn’t cause widespread panic.
Five days later, the second stage of the Chūnin Exams concluded smoothly.
Because of the “butterfly” known as Holy Master,
the number of successful examinees differed from the original timeline.
In the original story, twenty-one people passed this round.
Now… twenty-seven had made it through.
After the second round ended, the successful candidates were gathered in an arena.
First, the second-round examiner Mitarashi Anko gave a summary speech.
Then the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, spoke about the importance of the Chūnin Exams.
Finally, the third-round proctor, Gekkō Hayate, explained the rules for the upcoming stage.
“Perhaps because the first and second exams were too easy…
there are quite a few candidates remaining for the third round.”
Gekkō Hayate coughed a few times as he spoke.
“Therefore…
before the third round officially begins, we will hold a preliminary round.”
The moment Hayate finished speaking,
grumbles of dissatisfaction rose from the crowd below.
But their protests were meaningless.
“Since the preliminaries are about to begin,
if anyone feels their body is not in good condition,
you may choose to withdraw.
Also…
these will be individual matches.
So your withdrawal will not affect your teammates.”
The arena fell completely silent.
……
“Sasuke…”
Somewhere in the stands, Orochimaru watched the distant figure of Sasuke and smiled.
“Last time that strange girl interfered, I couldn’t see your true strength clearly.
But this time… it’s a perfect opportunity~
I will definitely obtain your body!
Once I have your body…
I won’t be so helpless when facing that bizarre Uzumaki girl again.
This world is far more complicated than I imagined.
So I must become even stronger!”
……
Moments later.
Out of the twenty-seven candidates, only Yakushi Kabuto chose to forfeit.
The remaining twenty-six were divided into thirteen pairs for individual battles!
The first match: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Orochimaru’s subordinate, Akadou Kairi.
This time, free from the influence of the cursed seal,
Sasuke displayed his full potential perfectly.
He defeated Akadou Kairi cleanly and decisively.
“Winner of the first match: Uchiha Sasuke!”
……
“Sasuke…”
Orochimaru watched the cool figure walking away with both hands in his pockets and unconsciously licked his lips.
……
The matches continued one after another.
The only exception was the bout between Sakura and Ino, which ended in a draw — both were eliminated.
All other matches produced a clear victor.
Before long…
it was time for the long-awaited battle between Hyūga Hinata and Hyūga Neji!
Wanna read ahead? Join my Patreon and support the story: patreon.com/ArealMaster
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.