Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

Besides these, there are only the Jonin leading each team and the referees in charge of the matches.

There was a circle of empty audience seats around the perimeter.

Tsunade stood on the high platform wearing the Hokage's divine robes.

Behind her stood Kakashi Hatake, Asuma Sarutobi, Yamato, Kurenai Yuhi, Yugao Uzuki, and other Jonin leading the team, as well as the examiners.

The Jonin lined up, staring solemnly at the qualified candidates below the stage.

Because it was a formal occasion, Tsunade didn't have her usual lazy demeanor; instead, she exuded a decisive and efficient aura.

She stepped forward and solemnly said, "Next is the third preliminary round. Only the winner can participate in the third exam and have the opportunity to become a Chunin."

The third exam was also an individual competition, but it was more of an exhibition match.

This exam will attract a large audience, including not only commoners but also daimyo and nobles.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, will also be watching.

As for who will ultimately become a Chunin, it's not about who is the strongest.

Instead, the judges will assess whether a ninja is qualified to become a Chunin by observing their combat performance.

After all, ninja teams that can get through the Forest of Death are basically all Chunin level.

Tsunade has never liked formalism, so her speeches are very concise.

After saying a few words, he handed over the floor to the referee, Moonlight Gale.

"Ahem... Hello everyone... Ahem... I am Gekko Hayate... Ahem... I will now explain the preliminary rounds."

Moonlight Gale can cough three times in a single sentence.

He spoke calmly and slowly, but the many ninjas listening below were getting impatient.

The main concern is that the opponent might die on the field.

"As a referee... cough cough..."

Moonlight Gale continued, "First, never act impulsively; second, never overlook any wrongdoing; third, ensure absolute fairness and impartiality in judging..."

"..."

After briefly explaining the rules...

The moonlight and the swift wind paused for a moment, scanning all the candidates present.

"Finally... cough cough... anyone who wants to quit, please raise your hand."

A moment of silence.

"No?"

He glanced at the crowd again.

After waiting for a while longer, still no one chose to quit.

"In that case, the preliminary rounds shall officially begin."

As soon as he finished speaking, the large screen behind him lit up, displaying names scrolling rapidly before finally freezing...

The genin on the field also left one by one, led by the jonin in charge, and walked to the surrounding audience seats to watch the battle between the genin.

It is worth mentioning that there were no internal conflicts among any members of Konoha in this preliminary round.

Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Yakumo, Hinata, and Karin all passed the preliminary rounds smoothly.

These guys can now defeat genin from other ninja villages as easily as eating and drinking.

Soon, the name on the screen changed again.

A weak voice rang out from the moonlight and the wind.

"Next match, Shirakumo Aoba will face Kankuro!"

"Is it my turn?"

Bai Yunqingye was somewhat surprised, not expecting it to be his turn so soon.

"Aoba, do your best!"

Every day, the girls cheered Baiyun Qingye on.

The girls who hadn't yet participated in the preliminaries breathed a sigh of relief, at least they wouldn't have to face off against Aoba.

Baiyun Qingye quickly walked to the center of the field.

the other side.

"Why is it me?!"

When Kankuro saw the competition list, his face fell.

Last time, I was punched to pieces, and a few days ago I saw the other party instantly kill nine Cloud Ninjas.

He felt like he was being targeted.

Temari shook her head and patted Kankuro's shoulder with a helpless expression.

"Good luck to you."

Gaara gave him the same cold look.

Kankuro felt as cold as a kunai.

The joys and sorrows of people are not connected.

While others are enjoying their company, a whole host of people are offering encouragement and blessings.

But when it came to him...

"Baiyun Qingye, although you are very strong, I am definitely not weak either. It's not certain who will win this match!"

Standing in the center of the field, Kankuro looked at Shirokumo Aoba and said resolutely.

Baiyun Qingye simply smiled.

"Don't worry, it won't waste too much time."

Chapter 257 I'm going to buy a bougainvillea

"Baiyun Qingye, don't look down on me!"

Kankuro placed the humanoid puppet, which was bound with bandages, beside him.

Before he could even remove the bandages, Baiyun Qingye vanished from the spot.

Before Kankuro could even process what was happening, his body had already been sent flying backward.

After a loud bang.

Kankuro slammed directly into the wall.

Smoke and dust immediately filled the air.

His body was completely embedded in the wall.

"Ok?"

Baiyun Qingye frowned.

The feeling of that hit just now was a little off.

He looked at the shards on his fist and vaguely understood something.

Then he looked at the bandaged puppet standing next to him.

The next moment, the bandage was quickly untied without any interference.

The real Kankuro revealed his true form from beneath the bandages.

He was still holding a kunai in his hand, seemingly planning to hide it inside and launch a sneak attack.

However, it was discovered by Shirokumo Aoba beforehand.

Kankuro looked somewhat bewildered. He first glanced at Shirokumo Aoba, then looked at the puppets in the ruins.

Suddenly, she cried out in anguish, "My crow!"

Puppet masters are a specialty of Sunagakure, a type of ninja unique to the village.

But by now, it has long since declined.

Among the younger generation, only Kankuro is still tinkering with puppets.

This crow was something Kankuro had gone through a great deal of effort to obtain.

He cherished it immensely, carrying it with him even when eating, sleeping, and bathing.

Just like his own wife.

He couldn't bear to see the other party suffer any damage.

He immediately ran towards the crow's location.

However, Baiyun Qingye stood in front of the other party.

Kankuro's expression changed slightly, and then he slid to his knees at lightning speed.

I surrender!

This scene left many people dumbfounded. He gave up without even a scratch?

However, Kankuro didn't care about any of that.

His wife was almost broken apart by this naturally evil white-haired brat!

He was anxious to see what was going on.

Maki, sitting in the audience, frowned, even though he could tell at a glance that the difference in their abilities was like an insurmountable chasm.

But surrendering so readily is really a disgrace to Sunagakure.

He glanced at Gaara's expression again, originally thinking that the other party might not be able to suppress his killing intent.

But they noticed that the other person's expression remained unchanged.