Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

The way everyone looked at Hayate Gekko changed.

Dude, you're really brave.

Hiruzen Sarutobi retreated, his face ashen.

Asuma Sarutobi frowned.

[Looks like yet another one who's not having it...]

He glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

[“Father is probably going to make a move... He seems to have a good relationship with Uzuki Yugao, and Uzuki Yugao and Kurenai are very close... Should we stop him?”]

Just as Sarutobi Asuma was pondering whether to win over people's hearts and indirectly capture Kurenai Yuhi's affections,

[Moonlight Gale was completely unaware of anything amiss.]

[After coughing lightly a few times while covering his mouth, he said, his face pale:]

"Hokage-sama, may we begin?"

【Since you've already said that, what more do I need to say?!】

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a forced smile, "Of course, then the selection tournament before the third exam will be yours."

[Upon hearing this.]

Hayate Gekko simply nodded slightly, then turned to look at the group of genin.

[Seeing the moonlight and the swift wind, he didn't even know how to say a polite word.]

[Hiruzen Sarutobi's temples are bulging.]

Fortunately, he had several secretaries who deeply respected him as the strongest Hokage.

Otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi would really lose his temper.

"Many VIPs will come to watch before the official competition of the third exam."

"There are too many people, and we don't have the time."

"Ahem... So, I hope everyone can understand about this selection process."

Kankuro opened his mouth, then glanced strangely at Hayate Gekko before looking at the Third Hokage of Konoha.

[The expression on that old face... I reckon this tuberculous referee is doomed.]

Therefore, Kankuro didn't criticize the tuberculosis-ridden referee whose life was already counting down.

Neji frowned slightly.

[Will a lot of people come to see this?]

【So...】

Neji instinctively covered his forehead with his hand.

A caged bird.

[The Hyuga clan's family scandal.]

Should the truth be revealed in front of many powerful figures from other villages, thus forcing Hyuga to confess?

The thought had just arisen.

Neji then looked at Naruto.

He was immediately stunned.

At that moment, Naruto was looking right at him.

That familiar smile still lingered on his face.

In the blink of an eye.

Neji abandoned the idea.

[I cursed myself silently.]

Was it that Naruto didn't explain things clearly, or that Hinata, the future clan leader, wasn't good enough?

Is Hinata not good enough yet?

Why did I even have such a thought?

Neji shook his head.

This scene made Neji's expression complex inside the arena.

If... if there were a Naruto with black-rimmed glasses in this world, would I be in a different situation now?

Even though the Hyuga clan's scandal was exposed in front of powerful figures from other villages... it seems nothing has changed.

He only made a fool of himself and was even mocked by the village ninjas...

Do not!

As Naruto with black frames said, the ninja world itself is sick, let alone Konoha under the brainwashing of the Will of Fire by old guys like the Third Hokage.

Then, Neji looked at Naruto, who was deep in thought.

"Perhaps... I can try trusting Naruto... Well, I really didn't have a choice. What else can I do but trust Naruto?"

I just hope that Naruto will change. I don't expect him to be a complete replica of the black-framed Naruto, but... even if he's only half the same, Neji will feel that the future Hyuga clan will definitely change because of Naruto.

However, when Neji looked at himself in the black-framed world, there was still a hint of envy deep in his eyes.

"The next selection round will be conducted in a one-on-one individual format."

"Advancement will no longer be in teams... so anyone feeling unwell can raise their hand."

Hayate Moonlight coughed twice, then his gaze swept over the group of genin.

Seeing that no one had withdrawn, Moonlight Hayate was about to announce the start of the lottery.

Suddenly, a hand slowly rose, the hand trembling slightly.

Immediately, everyone's attention was drawn to it.

"Sorry... I'll quit."

"I'm feeling a bit unwell after our trip to the Death Forest."

[Twenty-one players, one-on-one format. If no one withdraws, someone will be left without a pass.]

Even if I'm not feeling well, I would never quit at this critical juncture.

The moonlight pierced the wind, causing it to cough repeatedly.

After a moment, he looked at the white-haired Konoha genin with glasses and said:

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Kabuto Yakushi forced a smile.

【"good."】

"In that case...would you like to watch the game or have our proctor escort you out?"

[The moonlight and the swift wind asked.]

"Thank you for your trouble," Kabuto Yakushi said, seemingly resigned.

Everyone frowned slightly.

However, Kabuto's performance was still reasonable.

Of course, it's highly likely that it was intentional.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately narrowed his eyes.

He glanced at the 'secretary' beside him.

The secretary nodded and then slowly withdrew.

[Afterwards, Kabuto Yakushi was led away from the central tower by an examiner.]

On the second-floor spectator stands, a Jonin with an androgynous face and long, casually tied-up black hair, a slight smile played on his lips.

Those snake-like eyes moved.

Their gaze lingered on Sasuke Uchiha's back for a moment, then shifted to Naruto Uzumaki's.

Unconsciously, he stuck out his long tongue and licked his dry lips.

[“The Uzumaki clan’s revenge... Heh, interesting... Very interesting.”]

"It seems coming to Konoha was definitely the right decision."

Orochimaru then forcibly withdrew his gaze.

Her intuition told her that Naruto had very likely awakened the Uzumaki clan's bloodline secret technique, Kagura's Mind's Eye.

One more glance and... you'll be discovered.

Their gaze then fell upon Hiruzen Sarutobi.

That strange expression deepened.

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi being praised to the point of being ruined, Orochimaru's lips twitched slightly, and he almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

【certainly.】

There was another beautiful figure, but Orochimaru dared not look.

[Especially after the woman made brief eye contact with Naruto, her beautiful eyes flashed with a strange light, and then her gaze lingered on Naruto.]

Orochimaru naturally recognized Konan, the angel from Amegakure, who was also on the second-floor viewing platform.

After all, she had once been a member of the Akatsuki organization.

Furthermore, even after Orochimaru defected from Akatsuki, the Akatsuki's kill order against him has never ceased.

Although they didn't intentionally seek out Orochimaru, if members of the Akatsuki encountered him, they would certainly intervene.

Orochimaru chuckled inwardly, "Naruto Uzumaki...hahaha~"

The look in his eyes that had casually swept over Naruto suddenly became incredibly intense.

【"Cough cough..."】

At that moment, Moonlight Gale began coughing again.

Since returning from the mission to capture Orochimaru, his lung disease has worsened.

[After crossing out Kabuto's name.]

"Alright... then, let's begin the lottery... the lottery will be conducted using computer-generated random matching."

"Moonlight and Gale spoke weakly."

【Drip drip-】

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone's names appeared on the display screen above the dojo.

[Then the name boxes on the left and right started scrolling.]

[Click—]

[At the same time.]

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru simultaneously and discreetly pressed the buttons on their hands.