"Fourth Hokage! How do you explain this situation?"
Onoki was furious. Two of the ninja teams he had paid a hefty price to bribe had been eliminated in the first round. It was all the fault of the test designer for being out of his mind!
"This... just say whether the important parts of the test were covered!"
Minato Namikaze could only bluff at this point. Who would have thought that Senior Lin Yu would be so unreliable!
"Hehe, whether it's covered or not, Konoha's examination method is very unique, and it can better train a ninja's reaction speed. I think it's quite good," Mei Terumi chuckled.
"I think it's okay too," Ay said. After all, their Cloud Village had already passed, and any passing criteria were good!
Gara remained silent. Although their Sand Village had also passed, he didn't seem happy.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Onoki had no choice but to swallow his anger.
Minato Namikaze prayed silently, "Senior Lin Yu, please don't cause any more trouble in the next round!"
...
On the training grounds, the sixty teams that passed the first round of the exam gathered here, with many familiar faces among them.
"Suigetsu Hozuki, Kimimaro, didn't you two betray the Mist Village? Why are you still representing the Mist?"
Suigetsu Hozuki and Kimimaro's names were already on Sand Village's wanted list. Kankuro recognized them immediately.
"Betray the village, my ass! I'm on a tour, you idiot!" Suigetsu Hozuki wouldn't back down. He bragged from behind Kimimaro!
Even their Fifth Mizukage could betray the village, so why couldn't they, two mere pawns!
Meanwhile, Iwagakure and Kumogakure also greeted each other.
"Black Earth sister, long time no see."
"Karui, you're not even fifteen yet?"
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm old?"
Karui rolled up her sleeves, wanting to reason with Black Earth. But she was desperately held back by Omoi next to her. Who knew if starting a conflict here would lead to disqualification?
If they messed up the exam, the Raikage would definitely "special train" them!
Black Earth returned to her team with her long, slender legs. A circle of supporting ninjas surrounded her, all found by her grandfather Onoki to escort her.
"Wow, everyone looks so strong."
In Konoha, Team 7, Team 3, Team 10, and Team 8 had all advanced to the second exam.
Naruto observed the ninjas from other villages. Externally, he still thought the Cloud Village ninjas looked the strongest, all resembling gorillas.
"Huh? That guy with the big gourd looks so familiar."
Naruto found Gaara's appearance somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where he had seen him.
*Bang!*
White smoke suddenly appeared on the platform at the front, and Lin Yu, wearing an examiner's uniform, appeared before everyone.
"I believe many of you recognize me. I am the chief examiner for the second exam, Uzumaki Lin Yu. Please guide me!"
*Clamor!*
"Holy crap! The second round's boss is showing up already? This is going to be hell difficulty!" Although he was reluctant to believe it, Suigetsu Hozuki felt an ominous premonition for no reason.
Recalling what Shion had said in the base, he would be beaten severely... Suigetsu shivered.
Gaara, Kimimaro, and Toneri's blood boiled upon seeing Lin Yu appear. It seemed the second exam wouldn't be as boring as the first!
"Teacher Lin Yu is the chief examiner for the second round!"
"Naruto, you know the chief examiner for the second exam?" Kiba asked Naruto, holding Akamaru.
"Teacher Lin Yu has a great personality and is a very gentle person. This exam probably won't be too difficult."
Naruto found Lin Yu easy to get along with because he also liked Ichiraku Ramen, and specifically the Chashu Pork Rib Ramen!
"Tch!"
Sasuke snorted disdainfully, strongly disagreeing with Naruto's assessment!
Lin Yu was the nightmare of his childhood!
No, he was the creator of nightmares!
Before defeating his brother, the first person he wanted to defeat was Uzumaki Lin Yu!
"The rules for the second exam are a bit complicated, so let me first introduce a wealthy patron. Please welcome the Prince of the Moon Country, Yue Man!"
*Thump thump thump!*
A large, chubby man waddled onto the high platform, his face full of fat creased into a smile. "Hello everyone, I am Yue Man. Nice to meet you. First, I'll be giving out 100,000 Ryo as a greeting gift!"
With that, Yue Man clapped his fat hands, and people immediately brought out boxes of green banknotes and distributed them to the ninjas.
"This, this is... 100,000 Ryo per person?!"
Naruto's eyes widened as he saw the thick stack of banknotes in his hand. He thought it was only 100,000 Ryo in total, not 100,000 Ryo each. How much money would that cost!
Sasuke casually tossed the bank notes to Naruto. As the heir of the Uchiha clan, he was not short of money.
He disdained receiving money that was given like charity.
"Sasuke, are you letting me manage your money?"
Sasuke's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth, "It's not managing money, it's for you!"
"Sasuke, you're so generous! I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen another day!"
"No need!"
Getting 100,000 Ryo for free, some were ecstatic, some were disdainful, but free money was better than none. Even the stoic Kimimaro accepted it. Although 100,000 Ryo was a bit little, this rich tycoon in front of him was truly wealthy. Perhaps he could...
Just like Kimimaro, Toneri also had the same thought. His eyes were fixed on Yue Man with a spark. He knew that he had sold off almost all his assets on the moon, and he didn't want to live a life without money!
"It seems that Prince Yue Man is very popular. Now, I will explain the rules of the second exam."
"This exam is divided into two parts. First, escort Prince Yue Man back to the Moon Country; second, help Prince Yue Man recapture the occupied country."
"After completing these tasks, surviving teams will proceed to the third exam."
"Elimination rule: If three members of a team lose the ability to fight, they will be eliminated."
"Friendly reminder: Any means are allowed in this exam, and death may occur. So, if you wish to withdraw, you can do so now."
Naruto raised his hand and shouted, "If we surrender voluntarily, what happens if the other party still wants to kill us?"
"Don't worry, we have the latest developed micro-drones for real-time broadcasting of your every move. We will also equip you with miniature microphones later for real-time audio-visual synchronization."
"If the other party dares to kill a surrendering person in front of so many viewers, then that can only mean your team is too unlucky!"
"Speaking of which, let me introduce the commentator for this exam, Kabuto."
Kabuto, wearing glasses, walked onto the stage and adjusted them. "I am Kabuto. I will be in charge of the entire broadcast. Please rest assured."
Meanwhile, in the giant arena built for the third exam, several large screens were showing the scene of Kabuto taking the stage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting in the spectator stands, frowned and muttered, "This young man gives me a familiar feeling, as if..."
"As if I'm you, Teacher Hiruzen?"
A sinister voice sounded in his ear. Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened as he stared at the hooded man who had just taken a seat beside him.
"Orochimaru! You..."
"Don't get excited, Teacher Hiruzen. I'm just here to watch the match this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi loosened his clenched fist. There were many ordinary citizens watching, and it wouldn't be wise to make a move here.
"It's been a long time, Teacher. Don't you have anything to say?" Orochimaru's hood concealed the upper half of his face, making his expression unreadable.
"Hmph! What is there for me to say!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened his back, inwardly complaining: Danzo said he would watch the Chunin Exams with me, why isn't he here yet!
Did he go to buy popcorn?!
"Then, the second exam officially begins!"
"Youngsters, head towards the Moon Country!"
...
On a distant southern island, three ninjas with wigs were tied to the ground. In a corner, a trembling fat man, presumably a minister of the country, was cowering.
"The pests have been cleared. I wonder how long we have to wait."
"I hate waiting for others the most."
"I can't wait to taste fresh blood."
"A performance fee of one hundred million. This deal is worth it!"