"Quick, the third round of the Chunin Exams is about to start. If we don't hurry, we won't even get standing room!"
"I heard the rookies this year are much stronger than previous ones. Some Genin are even said to be able to contend with Special Jonin."
"Old man, your intel is too outdated. Go check the odds at the underground casinos. The Genin this year, even Special Jonin would run away if they met them!"
"That exaggerated? By the way, who's running the book?"
"They say... Lady Tsunade."
*Whoosh!*
The crowd that was rushing towards the dueling grounds instantly changed direction. The Konoha fat sheep would rather be fleeced by their own than by outsiders!
...
At this moment, in the center of the massive dueling grounds, all the team members who advanced to the third round of the exam were gathered.
From left to right were Darui and Omoi from the Hidden Cloud Village, Kurotsuchi and a few supporting members from the Hidden Stone Village, Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari from the Hidden Sand Village, Kimimaro and Haku from the Hidden Mist Village.
Then there were ten of the Konoha Twelve, including Team 7's Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno; Team 3's Neji Hyuga and Tenten; Team 8's Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame; and Team 10's Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka.
There were also several lucky supporting teams, including one from the Hidden Sound Village.
Rock Lee and Choji had to forfeit the third round of the exam due to unhealed injuries, as did Atsui from the Hidden Cloud Village and Suigetsu Hozuki from the Hidden Mist Village.
Notably, three people from the "Chicken Ninja Village" voluntarily forfeited the third round of the exam. In their words:
"The chicken met its idol, *cock-a-doodle-doo*!"
"The chicken is going to sing and dance, *cock-a-doodle-doo*!"
"The chicken is going to a concert, *cock-a-doodle-doo*!"
Afterward, the three "Chicken Ninjas" left with a sunglasses-wearing ninja who rapped and danced, and their encouraging words to their juniors could still be heard.
"Idiot, follow me in song and dance, and you too will have a chance for a solo concert, oh yeah!"
...
"Go, Shikamaru!"
"Neji, carry my youthful will and charge forward bravely!"
In the spectator stands, Rock Lee and Choji, their bodies covered in bandages, shouted towards the center of the dueling grounds. Though they couldn't participate, their hearts were still here.
On the other hand, Suigetsu Hozuki, with a cast on his leg and one arm hanging limply in front of him, listlessly gazed at the sky.
Suigetsu Hozuki's heart was filled with pain. He was usually just a bit sharp-tongued and argumentative, but thanks to his water transformation jutsu, he rarely suffered serious injuries. However, that masked person had beaten him to a pulp for some reason.
If he hadn't recuperated for three months, his brother, Mangetsu Hozuki, wouldn't have recognized him.
Shion's prophecy was so accurate! Women really are the most terrifying creatures; I need to stay far away!
Kakashi, after taking roll call, adjusted his forehead protector and said, "I am the chief examiner for this round, Kakashi Hatake. I look forward to working with you."
"Next, I will explain the rules for the third round of the exam. Please listen carefully. Violators will be disqualified."
"Firstly, this exam will use a 1v1 combat format. Any weapons or ninjutsu can be used. The winning condition is until one party surrenders or is incapacitated."
"Intentionally harming another's life during the match is prohibited. Violators will be disqualified!"
"If you have any questions, you may ask now."
Kimimaro asked expressionlessly, "If I kill the opponent with a powerful ninjutsu during the battle, does that also count as a violation?"
Kakashi replied, "I will judge based on the situation whether your opponent can withstand the ninjutsu. If they cannot, I will intervene and rule it as a loss for you."
"I understand."
Kimimaro silently retreated, thinking that if the chief examiner couldn't withstand it, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone? Would that result in disqualification?
However, no one raised such questions. The reputation of the Hatake clan was known to all the ninjas present; their strength was not to be underestimated.
"If there are no further questions, I officially declare the start of the third round of the All-Nations Combined Chunin Exams!"
As Kakashi finished speaking, the names of the participating contestants scrolled across the large screen in the center of the dueling grounds.
*Rustle.*
The scrolling stopped.
Kakashi saw this and announced, "First match: Sakura Haruno versus Ino Yamanaka. Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka, please remain. Everyone else, return to the waiting room."
This is bad! I have to fight in the first match. But at least my opponent is Ino Pig; I have a chance!
Sakura was feeling anxious and uneasy. She knew her strength was at the bottom among these participants. She had originally intended to forfeit.
However, as a civilian ninja, Sakura knew this was her only stage to prove herself. If she wanted to become a disciple of *that person*, she had to prove herself.
The person Sakura wanted to become a disciple of was none other than Tsunade. Who among the female ninjas in Konoha wouldn't want to be like Tsunade?
"Yo! Forehead, I advise you to forfeit. You can't beat me."
Ino was initially trembling with nervousness. She had already heard from Shikamaru how many freaks there were this year. But upon hearing that her opponent was Sakura Haruno, she immediately straightened her back!
What good luck!
Sakura clenched her fists, veins bulging on her forehead. "Ino Pig, you're the one who should forfeit, or I'll beat you into a pig's head."
"What did you say!"
"What are you going to do!"
Kakashi called out "Begin" helplessly and stepped aside, thinking to himself that women are indeed troublesome creatures at any age.
The fight between the two female ninjas had little appeal. Even the barrier squad stationed in the four corners had given up the idea of erecting barriers.
"Hey, Shikamaru, who do you think will win, Sakura or Ino?"
In the waiting room, Naruto leaned over to Shikamaru and asked. Shikamaru looked annoyed, "No matter who wins, it's a troublesome matter. We should stay out of women's affairs."
Seeing this, Naruto turned to Toneri nearby and asked, "Toneri, what do you think?"
Toneri glanced at the battle in the arena and, after a moment of thought, said, "I'm not interested in women. Naruto, why don't we warm up?"
"Uh, well... how about Shikamaru stand in for me to spar with you?"
Shikamaru was surprised, "Me? Naruto, did you eat something bad?" Normally, Naruto would be the first to jump at such an opportunity. Why is he acting so strangely today?
Naruto scratched his head and chuckled, "I ate too much this morning; it's not good to exercise too much."
Naruto wouldn't tell Shikamaru that this was a mission assigned by Kurama. If he completed it, Kurama would give him more chakra and even return some of his dad's private savings.
Such a good deal falling into his lap, how could Naruto refuse? Chakra was a small matter; private savings were a big deal!
Heaven knows how many of Minato Namikaze's private savings he had lost to Kurama over the years. He had almost been crippled by his father, Minato Namikaze.
Besides, it was just about making Shikamaru and the others good friends with Toneri. What was the big deal?
Although Toneri was a bit strange, he was still good to Naruto, his attitude was very friendly, and his strength was formidable. He was also rumored to be very wealthy.
Introducing such a handsome, strong, and well-off young man to Shikamaru and the others, what was wrong with that!