Naruto: Let the glory of the giants spread throughout the ninja world!

The subsequent matches were entirely predictable.

Ino faced off against Sakura, and Sakura won, leading to their reconciliation.

Shino versus Tenten, Shino wins. Every shuriken is caught by the insects, every explosive tag is wrapped by the insects. The explosions are muffled in the insect swarm, but they can't hurt Shino at all. When Tenten realizes that her ninja tools have been eaten away by the insects, Shino's insects have already silently crawled to her feet.

Temari and Shikamaru drew, and Shikamaru chose to forfeit, giving Temari the victory. These two rivals actually met in the preliminaries. Unfortunately, the dueling arena was a closed place without sunlight, and when he finally restrained Temari, he had almost no chakra left.

Bai confronts Jin, but poor Jin is left paralyzed on one side by Bai because of Ryukura Akira's "premonition".

Zabuza, using the alias Momonosuke, encountered a cute Kusagakure Lucky Guy, who was terrified the moment he appeared.

Choji Akimichi faced Kankuro, and Kankuro won. The "Human Bomber" wrapped itself into a round ball of flesh and rolled towards Kankuro. The crow puppet spread its arms and held Choji and his flesh ball tightly. Choji struggled a few times, his chubby body bouncing like a ball in the puppet's embrace.

Toss defeated Sak, proving that this child with hidden voices was incredibly lucky.

In the end, the red-haired girl who was spared a bye and forced into the list in order to make up the twelve was Karin Uzumaki, whom Akira Ryukura had casually rescued while he was out for a stroll.

"Now we announce the candidates who will advance to the third exam."

The pale-faced Moonlight Gale coughed and began reading the list.

Konoha Village: Naruto Uzumaki, Haku, Momonosuke Kozuki, Akira Rukura, Sakura Haruno, Shino Aburame, Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga.

Sunagakure Village: Kankuro.

Kusakabe: Uzumaki Karin.

The reactions varied after the list was read out.

Karin Uzumaki continued to stare at the boy who had saved her but didn't need to bite her.

Naruto is still a bit bewildered that he was able to pass the test so easily.

"Hey, Naruto, didn't you hear? That girl's name is Karin Uzumaki, the same form as you."

Sakura leaned closer, poked his arm, lowered her voice, and wore an expression as if she had discovered a big secret.

Naruto was stunned for a moment.

swirl.

A red-haired girl stood in the corner, her glasses bandaged and her sleeves frayed. She was staring in a certain direction from the stands, and following her gaze—it was Ryukura Akira.

Same surname = family.

The two words popped into Naruto's mind, and he immediately started moving.

He wanted to ask her where she came from, and if she knew anything about the surname "Whirlpool," but he had barely opened his mouth—

A hand landed on Moonlight Gale's shoulder.

Moonlight Gale reacted quickly, taking half a step back and placing his hand on the short sword at his waist.

But the other hand was faster, the heel of its palm pressed against his chest, the force applied in a very short time, only a few inches away.

The sound of a bone cracking wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet examination room.

Moonlight Gale fell, blood already trickling from the corner of his mouth.

No one moved inside the arena.

Everyone felt the chilling aura emanating from that man at the same instant.

Orochimaru's shadow clone stood on the stage, glanced down at Tos, and showed no emotion in his eyes.

He raised his hand, and black runes spread from the ground. Accompanied by Tos's terrified scream, a coffin slowly rose and then opened to reveal a human figure.

Tobirama Senju opened his eyes.

Those eyes swept across the entire room, as cold as a river in winter.

"Second Hokage," Orochimaru's voice was soft, as if chatting with an old friend, "help me clean up."

Before Tobirama could respond, the wall exploded.

The sand tore through the brick wall like a living thing. Gaara stood in the center of the ruins, his whole body covered in dark red sand armor, and his eyes had turned into Shukaku's yellow vertical pupils.

"Ryukura Akira," he spoke, his voice low and hoarse, unlike any human's. "Where are you?"

The sand churned beneath his feet, propelling him forward.

Temari and Kankuro turned pale, and neither of them dared to stop them. Clearly, they had not received any notification that the plan had been brought forward.

The scene was in complete chaos.

Akira Ryukura's lips twitched. "Eh, plans can't keep up with changes. I originally wanted to unlock the new form first, but it turns out the conditions are like this."

Looking at the people in the arena who were on high alert, Ryukura Akira breathed a sigh of relief. 24 hours in hell, huh? No problem, I can handle it.

Hokage Building.

"Then, let's proceed as previously agreed."

The pipe of the third generation stopped in mid-air.

The person sitting in Fengying's seat stood up.

The movements were very slow, as slow as an elderly person stretching their muscles.

But the Third Hokage's eyes changed. In his twenty years as Hokage, he had witnessed far too many sudden acts of killing intent.

"The plan has been moved up."

The third generation's finger had already touched the alarm button under the table.

The bandages started to come off.

One circle, two circles. The skin beneath was revealed, pale and smooth, without the roughness and tan lines typical of ninjas from the Land of Wind.

The third generation of "you" held his hand above the alarm button, but did not press it.

The moment he saw that face clearly, all his thoughts were suppressed.

Golden vertical pupils. Purple eyeshadow, and the forked tongue of a snake slowly licking its lips.

Orochimaru.

The third generation stared at that face; twenty years ago, he had seen pride and ambition on that face.

Now, there was nothing on that face except a smile.

"Orochimaru." When the Third Hokage said this name, his voice was very calm, like a father calling his son's name.

But his other hand was already behind his back, forming a hand seal.

Orochimaru tilted his head.

"Teacher, you're still the same as ever," he said, his tone as if reminiscing. "Your first reaction upon seeing me isn't to call for help, but to want to do it yourself."

The third generation did not answer; his hands, behind his back, had already formed three hand seals.

Orochimaru smiled, raised his hand, and patted twice lightly.

Four dark figures leaped out from the shadows and landed at the four corners of the Hokage Building.

Chakra connected the four people in a line, and a purple light curtain rose from the ground, enveloping the entire building.

The third generation's fingers stopped.

He watched the purple flames dancing at the edge of the light screen, and watched the dark forces outside rush forward only to be repelled, then rush forward again only to be repelled again.

Someone tried to break through from underground, but the flames, like living things, burrowed into the soil and forced the person out.

Four Purple Flame Formation.

The third generation recognized this technique.

The Third Hokage slowly withdrew his hand seals, turned around, and faced Orochimaru.

"You want to make a move in Konoha."

Orochimaru did not answer.

He turned around, walked to the window, and looked in a certain direction outside.

The third generation followed his gaze and looked in the direction of the examination hall.

The commotion was coming from that direction, growing louder and closer.

"Teacher," Orochimaru said softly, his back to him, "tell me, how long does a person have to wait for something worthy of their attention?"

The third generation did not answer.

He stood within the light barrier of the Four Purple Flame Array, looking at the back of the student who had once been his proudest, and slowly took a breath.

He took a deep breath, like an old man holding his breath underwater for a very long time.