The Tenseigan started from the Hyuga main family.

Gekko Hayate withdrew his hand, slightly raised his head, and shook his head discreetly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Tenseigan chakra can be perfectly integrated with the Hyuga clan, making it difficult for both sensory ninjas and ocular ninjas to detect, let alone Hayate Gekko, a special jonin skilled in swordsmanship, who naturally felt nothing at all.

"I hereby declare that the winner is Hinata Hyuga."

As Hayate Gekko announced the winner, Hinata, with a hint of disappointment, slowly returned to the second floor.

"Hinata, don't overthink it. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Seeing Hinata's rather somber face, Hyuga Zechen offered words of comfort.

“I understand, but… this is so unfair to Neji-nii…”

Hinata lowered her head, her index fingers tapping together incessantly, clearly feeling very uneasy.

"There has never been any fairness in this world. Whoever is stronger can control everything."

-----------------

"Your actions have seriously violated the rules of the Chunin Exams!"

Inside the control room on the fourth floor of the tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Hyuga Sawatatsu in front of him, his eyes sharp and piercing.

"So, you're going to disqualify me from the competition?"

Despite the chakra pressure released by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hyuga Zetsu remained nonchalant.

A hint of annoyance flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

As the Third Hokage who held the position for the longest period, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not been so openly contradicted by a Konoha ninja in a long time.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to admit that Sawamura Hyuga did have reason to be arrogant.

As the organizer of the Chunin Exams, the ultimate winners must be Konoha ninjas. Otherwise, all of Konoha's preparations will become a boon to other ninja villages.

"I will inform Hiashi to have Hinata withdraw from the Chunin Exams on the grounds of physical discomfort."

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe and spoke.

"Since it is the Hokage's will, the Hyuga clan will naturally carry it out."

That's fine, since Hinata's personality isn't suited for fighting.

Especially when the Konoha Crush plan is launched, it will inevitably be accompanied by danger, so it's better to keep Hinata away.

Chapter 42 The Beginning of the Grand Funeral

it is finally over!

With one hand covering his mouth, forcibly suppressing the urge to cough, Moonlight Gale stepped over the deep crater left in the ground from the recent battle and walked step by step to the center of the arena.

"So, the preliminary rounds of the third exam are now complete."

As the sound of moonlight and wind echoed through the hall, all the candidates breathed a sigh of relief, regardless of whether they had advanced successfully.

Standing behind Hayate Gekko, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a flame flickering in his pipe, and a faint look of satisfaction in his eyes.

The final results of the preliminary rounds were 6 from Konoha, 2 from Sunagakure, and 1 from Sound Village, which met the goals set before the competition.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite satisfied with the result.

After all, in terms of numbers, Konoha has an absolute advantage.

"Then, let me explain the details of the competition..."

Adjusting his Hokage hat, Hiruzen Sarutobi began his rambling introduction once again.

-----------------

At the top of the central tower, thick fog permeated the surroundings, which even the bright sunlight could not completely dispel.

Behind a wooden pillar, Orochimaru hid most of his body in the shadows, gazing at the sparrows playing leisurely on the wooden fence, and couldn't help but sigh.

"It's so quiet, no, this country has really become very peaceful, while other countries are busy expanding their military..."

Orochimaru's tone was extremely complex, with a hint of anger at his son's lack of ambition.

Teacher, under your guidance, has Konoha, which was once able to defeat the combined attack of various ninja villages on its own, fallen to such a state?

The overall strength of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning has surpassed that of the Land of Fire, and the number of ninja in Iwagakure in the Land of Earth has expanded to an unprecedented level. If the forces of the various ninja villages were to engage in another prolonged and intense clash, what would Konoha have to offer in response?

"It seems that Lord Orochimaru is still hesitating about whether to take the Third Hokage's head?"

In front of Orochimaru, Kabuto knelt on the ground, looking up at Orochimaru. The sunlight made it impossible to see the thoughts deep in his eyes through his glasses.

"The old man's head was just something I did incidentally. My target is Sasuke."

Kabuto smiled faintly, then straightened up, seemingly not believing Orochimaru's answer.

"In that case, I'll go to the hospital first and pay my respects to Sasuke."

After saying that, Kabuto didn't wait for Orochimaru to speak before using the Body Flicker Technique and disappearing into the sunlight.

What was he thinking with that expression?

Orochimaru stared intently in the direction Kabuto had left, and for the first time, he felt that he could not control this person.

-----------------

"Oh, so we have to wait another month for the third exam to start?"

Naruto Uzumaki stood there, scratching his hair vigorously, feeling inexplicably anxious.

"There's one thing everyone needs to do before the official competition..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi beckoned, and Anko Mitarashi, carrying a box, walked up to the candidates who were advancing in the exam.

Hinata Zechen casually pulled a card from the box, opened it, and found that the number 4 was written inside.

Looks like my luck isn't great; I drew a really unlucky number...

The thought had just crossed Hinata Zechen's mind when he immediately heard Gaara, who was two people away, draw number 3.

Is he the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast?

Being able to fight Shukaku might bring unexpected surprises.

Hinata Zechen's eyes flickered slightly, and he squeezed the white paper with numbers written on it into powder with a little force in his palm.

-----------------

"Brother Zechen, the other candidates who advanced are either diligently cultivating or gathering information on their opponents. You just lie here fishing all day, are you...?"

Inside the Hyuga clan's territory, Hinata looked at Hyuga Sawatatsu, who was sitting motionless by the pond, his eyes fixed on the fishing rod. Remembering Hyuga Hiashi's instructions, she couldn't help but speak up to persuade him.

"Hinata, I actually train hard every day, you just can't see it."

Hinata Sawatatsu swung his fishing rod hard, and an orange-yellow carp struggled on the hook.

"Besides, I'm doing this to mislead the enemy..."

Hinata Zechen slightly raised his head, glancing intentionally or unintentionally at the sand-eyed creature hidden in the tree canopy, a slight smile playing on his lips.

What's wrong with this guy?

Behind a giant tree outside the Leaf Village's warning barrier, Gaara pressed two fingers together against his eye sockets.

During the selection exam, Kankuro was defeated too quickly, so Gaara didn't have much information about his opponent. Therefore, for several days in a row, Gaara would turn one eye into sand and fly into the Hyuga clan's territory in an attempt to obtain information about Hyuga Sawatatsu.

However, for three days, all that could be observed was that Hyuga Zechen slept until late morning, and apart from eating, he was either fishing or shopping with Hinata, and never did any training.

Could it be that he discovered the secret technique, the Third Eye, and deliberately put on this act to make me gather the wrong information?

Hinata Sawatatsu's actions plunged Gaara into deep self-doubt.

-----------------

In the windswept canyon, Orochimaru slowly pulled the Kusanagi sword from the body of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, causing the unsupported Rasa to fall to the ground, his face filled with disbelief.

Although Rasa had long suspected Orochimaru's ill intentions, he only anticipated that Orochimaru would turn against him after the Konoha Collapse Plan was completed. He never expected that Orochimaru would choose to ambush him on his way to Konoha.

"The Kazekage of Sunagakure is no match for us..."

Kabuto, standing to the side, watched as Kazekage's blood gushed out, staining the yellow sand crimson, and couldn't help but speak with a smile.

"Of course, Kimimaro, it's all thanks to you. And Kabuto, if you hadn't gotten the accurate route and time from Sasori, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Orochimaru turned around, praised Kabuto and Kimimaro respectively, and then looked towards Konoha.

Teacher, your grand funeral is all prepared by your students!

-----------------

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

"Distinguished guests, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your presence in Konoha to witness the Chunin Selection Exams..."

Inside the massive, bustling arena, the Third Hokage's voice rang out, eliciting cheers from the audience.

In the center of the arena, Genma Shiranui, chewing on a senbon needle, surveyed the seven figures before him.

Even now, Sasuke Uchiha, who went out for special training with Kakashi, has still not appeared, leading some to suspect that he has fallen into Orochimaru's hands.

"Before the match, I'd like to say a few more words. Because the Sound Village withdrew at the last minute, the group assignments have changed slightly..."

Genma Shiranui took out a new battle chart from his pocket and displayed it to everyone.

That Sound Ninja still died at Gaara's hands?

Sensing Hyuga Zetsu's gaze, Gaara revealed a murderous smile.

"So, the opponents for the first round are Temari from Sunagakure and Shikamaru from Konoha. You two stay here, the rest of you return to the rest room."

After Genma Shiranui announced the rules of the match, everyone except Shikamaru and Temari went to the rest room.

"The thought of my sand being stained with your blood already excites me..."

Gaara's right hand hung down, his fingers constantly making grasping motions, and an intense killing intent emanated from his body without any attempt to conceal it.

"Really? I'm really looking forward to it too! I hope the competition starts soon!"

Hyuga Zechen ignored Gaara and instead raised his head slightly to look at the two figures sitting at the very top of the arena.

Orochimaru, don't disappoint me.