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

Hongdou explained, "From low to high, the person who draws an adjacent number is the opponent, and the last person will have a bye."

After saying that, she walked straight up to Bai Yunqingye and winked at him.

You can only take one at a time.

"..."

Baiyun Qingye didn't ask any questions and simply reached out and took out a card.

Then Red Bean walked toward the next one.

"The draw is over. Now stand in the order I called out your numbers."

Ibihi glanced at the crowd and spoke loudly.

"Number One and Number Two!"

Baiyun Qingye was the first to walk over and stand at the front.

He drew number one.

Immediately afterwards, Gaara walked to his side.

The two exchanged a glance, and Shirokumo Aoba greeted him with a smile, while Gaara looked away.

"You are the first group of opponents."

Ibihi nodded, then began to write and draw on the tactics board in his hand.

"Number three and number four!"

Sasuke and Naruto walked over at the same time, and after a brief eye contact, they both paused in surprise.

"Sasuke, I never expected my opponent would be you!"

Naruto flashed his teeth, "But in the end, I will definitely be the one to win!"

Sasuke twitched the corner of his mouth.

He didn't expect his first opponent to be Naruto.

If he doesn't show some real skill, he might actually lose.

However, he still said calmly, "I will be the only one to win."

"I will defeat you this time and become a Chunin!"

The bickering between the two did not affect Ibihi, who continued calling out numbers.

"..."

"Number nine and number ten!"

As the voice faded, Temari confidently stepped forward.

She had been praying in her heart that she would never run into Gaara and Shirakumo Aoba.

Her prayers did indeed work.

She's confident against Shirokumo Aoba and Gaara, even without facing those two massive opponents.

The next moment, the girl with her hair in a bun walked to her side.

Temari paused for a moment.

Tian Tian's expression was solemn.

She had witnessed the opponent's previous battle; the opponent was skilled in Wind Release, especially the attacks released using that fan, which were very effective against her.

Temari snapped out of her daze and couldn't help but glance in the direction of Shirokumo Aoba.

If she hurts this little girl, I wonder if the girl will hate her?

Baiyun Qingye was also somewhat surprised, not expecting that the two of them, who hadn't met in the preliminaries, would meet in the third exam.

"Number seven and number eight."

"Sakura?"

"Ino?"

Ino and Sakura, who were walking over with the note, both widened their eyes at the same time.

This battle between best friends was ultimately unavoidable.

"Sakura".

Yamanaka Ino took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but I have a reason why I must win."

"I see."

Sakura nodded, her expression firm, and said, "Me too."

The two have been best friends since childhood and have never even argued. I never expected that they would become rivals now.

However, winning or losing won't affect their relationship.

No civil war occurred in the subsequent groups.

……

at the same time.

Konoha Hospital.

In a hospital room, Qin, who had been captured by Baiyun Qingye, was placed here to rest.

(Regarding the "Jin" mentioned earlier, I feel this translation sounds better.)

Because the other party readily provided information about Orochimaru and cooperated very actively, their treatment was slightly improved.

However, the other party was not actually injured; it seems that they had some minor mental issues.

He is currently under observation in the hospital.

Two people were standing in front of her hospital bed.

Orochimaru's golden eyes were filled with longing. "Kabuto, what have you thought about my previous suggestion?"

"Lord Orochimaru, what would you do if I chose to refuse?"

Kabuto lowered his head, his eyes behind his round-framed glasses dark and unfathomable.

His words were, in effect, a rejection.

Orochimaru wasn't angry at Kabuto's refusal; he just said with a hint of regret, "Kabuto, your weakness is too obvious. You care too much about those orphans."

The pharmacist adjusted his glasses. "Director Nono and the children are my bottom line."

Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin. "If I threaten you with those children, will you agree to come with me?"

Yakushi Kabuto remained silent.

Orochimaru shook his head and said frankly, "Don't worry, I made a big deal with someone and I won't take action against the people of Konoha."

Although he was never sincere about such verbal deals, if the material for immortality were lost, he wouldn't even have a chance to regret it.

Moreover, he now needs something from Bai Yunqingye.

"what do you mean……"

"I won't threaten you, but I also hope you won't waste your talent."

After saying that, Orochimaru looked at Koto on the hospital bed and raised his hand to dispel her genjutsu.

"Qin, I have a task for you..."

Chapter 259: The Preliminary Rounds End

"Lord... Orochimaru-sama?!"

Having just regained consciousness, Koto stared wide-eyed at Orochimaru, who was standing right in front of her, and began to tremble with fear.

After all, her behavior during this period was no different from betrayal.

If Orochimaru-sama finds out about these things, she will surely die.

And it wasn't what she wanted to say herself.

She was completely unable to resist such torture, and in her dazed state, she betrayed the information.

"Qin, you seem very afraid of me?"

Orochimaru squinted and spoke with a friendly expression.

"No...no, I...I just..."

Qin was so frightened that she couldn't even speak.

“If you’re worried about me betraying you, then I already know that.”

Suddenly, a venomous snake emerged from behind Orochimaru, flicking its tongue at Koto.

Spicy!

Qin felt that her life was about to come to an end.

Tears were already welling up in her eyes.

She's still so young, and there are so many things she hasn't experienced yet.

"However, I can give you a chance to make amends."

Orochimaru suddenly pulled another turn.

Koto's eyes, which had previously dimmed, brightened again. "Lord Orochimaru, please give me your orders."

"I have a task for you..."

"Cough cough!"

Orochimaru intended to say it directly and openly, but Kabuto Yakushi couldn't help but speak up to signal him.

He's still here.

What if Orochimaru forgot about him after telling the little girl the mission?