Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

"Everyone, please be quiet."

"Next, please welcome the Third Hokage to explain the details of the third exam!"

[After a few moments of whispering among themselves, the proctors...]

Ibiki Morino stepped forward, looked at everyone, and said in a deep voice.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally stopped reviewing the documents.

It raised its head, its weariness clearly visible to the naked eye.

Naruto looked away.

However, I still felt several pairs of eyes lingering behind me.

【at the same time.】

[On the second-floor platform, Hydrangea was already recounting what had happened a few days prior when she entered the central tower's lounge.]

[A glint flashed in Xiao Nan's eyes.]

[Upon seeing the tree branch formed by the Wood Release technique, disbelief appeared in her beautiful eyes.]

Even the hydrangea involuntarily averted its gaze, instinctively looking towards the golden figure.

"Did he... say that?"

Finally, Xiao Nan spoke.

"Mmm~!"

"This disciple dares not conceal anything!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Nan gently raised her chin.

【"Has our knowledge of Amegakure been exposed?"】

"No...it seems he genuinely wants to understand Amegakure."

[Deciding on the future attitude towards Amegakure.]

If Konan hadn't used Wood Release, she probably wouldn't have taken it seriously.

However, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki at this moment has clearly exceeded all the information and expectations we have.

This forced Xiao Nan to take things seriously.

The little hands, hidden in the long sleeves, unconsciously clenched.

"So, Naruto Uzumaki...now that you know the real Amegakure, what do you want to do?"

【...】

[Below.]

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood hunched over, his hands clasped behind his back.

[He arrived before the group of genin.]

"Before I begin to explain the rules of the third exam."

"I have some things I need to clarify."

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened his posture.

Then began a long, utterly pointless discourse.

All the genin rolled their eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed oblivious to the fact that he hadn't noticed.

[Continue with your performance.]

However, the few ninjas behind it, who resembled secretaries, kept whispering among themselves.

[His words clearly indicated his approval of Hiruzen Sarutobi's lengthy discourse.]

Hiruzen Sarutobi, naturally, became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke.

Until the very end.

The genin started whispering among themselves.

He naturally paid no attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

In essence, to put it simply...

[That's right, the third exam is a battle against the daimyo and the leaders of ninja villages large and small.]

However, there are too many applicants, so another round of selection is needed.

It's that simple.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi talked until his throat was dry.

Kankuro picked at his ear.

[He let out a mocking laugh.]

This old man talks a good game, but he sings a better song.

"So, whether or not someone becomes a Chunin ultimately depends on a single decision from Konoha, doesn't it?"

"Then what's the point of this Chunin Exams?"

"Even if you win in the end, can Konoha just say you don't meet the requirements for Chunin and then cancel your results?"

"Stop rambling on and on, just start the selection process and go back to rest."

Kankuro expressed his dissatisfaction.

The sound wasn't loud, but all the ninjas present could hear it.

[Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained unchanged as he continued his sermon on the Will of Fire...]

Kankuro is absolutely right.

Ino Yamanaka: "To be so shameless...it's truly disgraceful."

Orochimaru: "Hehehe... even the match roster has inside information."

Ino Yamanaka: "What?!"

Sakura Haruno: "So, my match against Ino... was also pre-arranged?!"

Tian Tian: "That damn old geezer, he's a psychopath, isn't he?!"

Hinata Hyuga: "Then... that battle with Neji... was also arranged?"

Orochimaru: "Not bad, I know Sarutobi-sensei very well. He's still using the same old tricks. I was the one who orchestrated the fight between Sasuke and the Copper Armor."

Kankuro: "The fire of Konoha... the Third Hokage, he really keeps pushing the boundaries of people's understanding of him."

Temari: "To prevent any accidents, the final decision on whether someone can become a Chunin is still in their hands. How foolproof!"

Uchiha Izuna: So, no matter what the final outcome is, as long as one Konoha ninja passes this selection, Konoha will win.

Rasa: You underestimate Konoha's shamelessness.

Rasa: Even if not, you could say that during the second exam... he performed exceptionally well in the Forest of Death and was qualified to become a Chunin. That's all that matters.

As messages continued to emerge from the chat room.

On the Konoha side, everyone's hearts were numb.

Rotten village...

"Stop being so long-winded! Let's get to the selection matches before the third exam!" Sasuke said impatiently.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face stiffened.

"Hurry up!" Kankuro immediately joined the group.

"There's no need to say any more. If we keep going, let's just start the selection process tomorrow!" Ya was already in a bad mood, and she retorted.

[“Ahem…” Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly twice.]

[Finally, I couldn't pretend I didn't hear it anymore.]

There's a sense of regret, and a touch of reluctance to let go.

[Just as he was about to make a brief statement, he announced the start of the third exam.]

Just then.

Hayate Gekko, who had been sent out to find Orochimaru but hadn't been killed yet, suddenly stepped forward and blocked Hiruzen Sarutobi's path.

【"Cough cough..."】

[First, he coughed a few times.]

Then, before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, she said, her face pale:

"In that case... I will be the judge for the upcoming third qualifying round."

"I am the referee for this selection tournament, Moonlight Hayate."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

"It seems Hayate has grown quite a bit... It's only a matter of time before he finds Orochimaru and brings him back."

"Send him tomorrow, and then change the referee for the arena exam later."

Maoyue Xiyan: "..."

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Xi Yan asked helplessly.

Hongdou couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Kurenai Yuhi shook her head and chuckled softly.

"No wonder Hayate died... Even if it wasn't because of the eavesdropping... he would probably be assigned some death-defying missions afterward."

Maoyue Xiyan: "..."

She shook her head helplessly.

I've been looking at large screens with black borders for too long.

I almost forgot that she was in a world framed in gold.

I always tend to project my image into a black-framed world now...

Orochimaru: "Hahaha~"

Uchiha Izuna: Tsk tsk tsk, you've offended someone's lineage and you think you can get away with it?

Kankuro: "It's fine for us to complain, but it's problematic for this tuberculosis-ridden Konoha bastard to complain."

Hyuga Neji: "Hmph!"

Hyuga Neji: "Kankuro is from another village, Sasuke is the only Uchiha, and Kiba is the future head of the Inuzuka clan."

Hyuga Neji: "You genin may be ignorant, but aren't you the one who's ignorant?"

Hyuga Neji: "Before, because of what happened with Uzuki Yugao and Naruto with black frames, I was sent out to find Orochimaru..."

Neji's words were like sharp knives, stabbing into Hayate Gekko's heart one by one.

He was both upset and aggrieved... but there was no place for him in the chat room, and he was in a sanctuary...