Kanpō excitedly stepped forward, wanting to argue with Neji. He had long disliked this stuck - up jerk who always held his head high.
He acted like a pompous elite, showing off for no one knows who.
And those two brats, one with yellow hair and the other with black hair, were the ones who were late for the first exam. They should have been disqualified. What face do they have to argue with him here?
Neji formed a Hand Seal with one hand. The oppressive aura of his Byakugan swept over Kanpō and the Sunagakure Ninjas, showing his domineering presence clearly.
"Do you really think I dare not fight?"
Seeing this embarrassing situation, even the Hokage couldn't help but complain inwardly. Why did Neji have to come and stir things up? Didn't he see that the situation was already chaotic enough? He was just adding to the trouble!
Neji was confident that as a Genin, even if a fight started, the Jonin from Sunagakure wouldn't step in, which meant he'd be up against Kanpō and Temari.
The abilities of these two people had been mostly exposed in the previous fight. He was quite confident in a one - on - two fight. Moreover, his Byakugan was specifically effective against Kanpō's Puppet Technique.
During the tense standoff between the two sides, the atmosphere was tense, on the verge of an explosion. Sasuke watched this farce, and he realized that the outcome was really different from before.
He jumped down from the stands, suddenly appearing and startling everyone.
"Hey! Sunagakure Ninjas, have you had enough of this? Are you showing off in other people's turf because you think your lives are too long?"
Hearing this, Kakashi almost cried. He had forgotten that this was the most sarcastic and venomous guy. He had been silent on the stand just now, but as soon as he came down, he launched a full - scale attack. Kakashi knew he was going to get scolded later!
"Uchiha brat, don't be too arrogant!"
As soon as the Sunagakure Ninja finished speaking, Itachi stepped forward to protect his younger brother. The intimidating look in his eyes was irresistible!
Did they think the Uchiha clan had no one? How dare they speak so recklessly here.
Even the dull - witted Sunagakure Ninjas understood that the situation was unfavorable to them. They immediately turned their eyes to the Hokage and asked.
"Now that things have come to this, we don't want to have too many disputes with Konoha. Let the Hokage decide the outcome!"
They didn't believe that as the highest authority in the country, if the Hokage showed any partiality, Konoha would lose its credibility among the five great nations.
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed, drawing everyone's attention back to him. None of his subordinates were worry - free. He, an old man, had to come out to mediate. Sigh...
"After all, from the previous result, it was indeed Gaara of Sunagakure who won. Let's put an end to this argument!"
The Sunagakure Ninjas were sensible enough not to cause more trouble. They helped Gaara up and walked towards the stands.
...
With the victory of the Sound Ninja Toss in the match between Chōji Akimichi and Toss in the third round, a total of ten people won in this preliminary round and would proceed to the third exam.
"Then, the preliminary round of the Chunin Exams is over. The remaining people can go back after the lottery. All the Jonin of Konoha, please stay behind when you leave!"
All the Jonin present from Konoha burst into tears. They felt that the Hokage-sama would scold them for a long time about this situation.
As the big screen scrolled, the battle list for the third exam was displayed.
Match 1: Neji Hyūga vs. Naruto Uzumaki.
Match 2: Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara.
Match 3: Sakura Haruno vs. Kanpō.
Match 4: Shino Aburame vs. Toss.
Match 5: Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari.
"That's the battle list for all the participants. Additionally, the examiner for the third match will be Shisui Uchiha. This concludes all the content of this preliminary round!"
The result came as a big surprise to many people.
Putting the candidates aside, the examiner for the third match turned out to be from the Uchiha clan once again, and it was the feared Shisui Uchiha.
The ninjas from Sunagakure frowned deeply. That was Shisui the Body Flicker, famous throughout the world. With him around, it would be even more difficult for them to carry out their plans.
...............
Ino nervously looked at the battle list for the third exam and whispered to Shikamaru.
"Are you really okay? You seem to be the weakest one on this list!"
"What a hassle. If it comes to it, I'll just admit defeat!"
Shikamaru shrugged, looking nonchalant. He understood what Ino was saying, but what could he do? He just wasn't a powerhouse!
(frowning unhappily)
Ino grabbed Shikamaru by the collar and shook him desperately.
"Shikamaru, pull yourself together! You're the only one from our class who advanced. I won't allow you to say such discouraging words! There's still a month until the preliminary round. I and Chōji will train you hard during this time. You'd better get ready!"
Shikamaru pleaded desperately for Ino to stop shaking him. He felt like his brain was being shaken apart, and his head was dizzy. He could hardly see...
................
Itachi looked at Sasuke's departing back and immediately called out to him.
"What's up, brother? I have to go to the hospital for a check-up right now."
Although Itachi looked worried, seeing Sasuke's nonchalant expression, he didn't know how to start the conversation. Just then, Kakashi called him to listen to the Third Hokage's teachings.
Itachi looked at Sasuke's disappearing figure helplessly.
According to Anko Mitarashi, Orochimaru might have targeted Sasuke and placed a Cursed Seal on him. Those with a Cursed Seal have a survival rate of only 1/10, and in the days immediately after the seal is placed, the pain is excruciating.
But looking at Sasuke's calm face, as if nothing had happened, he didn't know how to bring up the topic.
He turned his head and stared at Kakashi with all his pent-up anger.
(looking pitifully)
Yo, dude, why are you staring at me? I didn't do anything. The way you're looking at me makes me feel like I'm some heartless guy who abandons his wife and children. Please stop looking at me like that. I'm scared...
..................
"Thanks, Neji.
Footnote: The Cursed Seal is a powerful and dangerous mark left by Orochimaru on selected individuals, which often brings great pain and changes to the recipient.
Rock Lee hung his head on one side, silently shedding touched tears. He was grateful that Neji still defended him in that situation.
"What are you thanking me for? Aren't we teammates in the same group?"
"Neji..."
"Yuck, you're so gross! Don't get so close. You'll get your snot on my clothes! Yuck... Gonna puke..."
Seeing Rock Lee with snot all over his face, Neji pushed him away in disgust and desperately tried to hold back the urge to retch... He was a very clean-loving person... But Rock Lee seemed not to notice and still clung tightly to Neji's clothes and tried to get closer.
"Neji, I'll definitely repay you! I'll definitely repay you!"
"Damn it, stay away! We still have to go see Tenten! Don't come near me--------"
Rock Lee seemed oblivious to Neji's disgust and rubbed himself all over Neji, covering him with snot and tears, making Neji vomit uncontrollably because of a physiological reaction....
...............
"Sakura, congratulations! We've all passed the exam together!"
"Yeah! Thanks, Naruto. When we meet again, we'll be rivals!"
"Okay!"
...............
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