One was an enthusiastic musclehead, the other an outgoing little fox.
Having briefly teamed up in an earlier encounter, Akaiwa and Yagura soon struck up a casual conversation.
"Speaking of which, why are you guys all covered in injuries?"
Despite passing the exam just as quickly as Yagura's team, unlike his own group who remained unscathed, Akaiwa and his teammates bore visible wounds.
"We got ambushed by a bunch of bastards!"
Akaiwa's frustration was palpable.
"Were they here for the Chūnin Exams, or just to settle personal grudges?!"
"I see."
Yagura glanced at Mukumo, who gave a confirming nod.
So they were the unlucky Iwagakure team that had been ganged up on by three squads.
Honestly, Iwagakure sure had a way of making enemies. Maybe keeping a low profile would be a smarter move for them.
That said, the fact that Akaiwa managed to take down three squads—nine enemy shinobi—single-handedly spoke volumes about his strength.
As for his teammates, Yagura had fought them himself and knew their skill level. There was no way they could handle such a fight alone.
Two Iwa-nin versus one opponent each.
Akaiwa? He took on seven.
Yagura suddenly realized the pun in his own thoughts and shuddered.
...
As time passed, more teams gradually arrived at the tower.
Among them were familiar faces: Sunagakure's Sasori Squad (which now consisted of only Sasori himself), Konohagakure's Sarutobi Asuma, Might Guy, and Shiranui Genma.
The first stage of the exam lasted three days.
The watchtower provided resting quarters and food for those who passed, giving them time to recover.
By noon on the third day, the first exam officially ended!
...
Inside the monitoring room—
Nara Shikaku reported, "At the conclusion of the exam, a total of 75 teams, or 225 participants, had entered the first stage."
"Only 31 made it through. During the exam, 94 participants were confirmed dead, 77 safely retreated to the entrance, and 23 are still unaccounted for within the forest."
"Heh... Quite a lot managed to pass this time."
Before the large monitoring screen, a group of proctors and officials had gathered.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, took a slow drag from his pipe and nodded.
"Not bad, not bad."
Of the 31 remaining participants, 3 were from Kirigakure, 7 from Sunagakure, 9 from Iwagakure, and 9 from Konohagakure.
The smaller shinobi villages fared far worse—only Takigakure had a single team of three that passed, while the rest were completely eliminated.
Konoha had performed well, tying with Iwagakure for the highest number of successful candidates. Among them was the Hokage's own son, Sarutobi Asuma.
Since Konoha was hosting the exams this time, maintaining their reputation was a priority.
With a chuckle, Sarutobi Hiruzen praised them, "Hahaha, the emergence of so many outstanding shinobi is truly Konoha's blessing."
The surrounding proctors smiled along with him. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Shikaku hesitated before adding, "Hokage-sama, 31 is a bit too many."
One major difference between a joint Chūnin Exam and an internal village exam was its public nature.
These exams weren't just for the shinobi—they were a spectacle.
Daimyō, wealthy merchants, and nobles would all be watching. The battles were akin to gladiatorial fights in the Roman Colosseum, designed to captivate audiences and draw in potential sponsors.
To maintain this standard, the organizers needed to ensure that only the best of the best participated in the public battles. Moreover, the matches had to be concise—preferably finishing within a single day.
"Hmm, that is an issue."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shared Shikaku's concern.
Fortunately, there was already a plan in place for situations like this.
...
All candidates who passed the first exam were summoned.
Five minutes later, everyone had gathered in the open area on the first floor of the watchtower.
Yagura had spent the past three days holed up in his room, bickering with Isobu and refining his control over his Bijū chakra. He hadn't left much.
His meals had all been brought to him by Mukumo.
Today, he finally stepped outside.
Standing at the very front of the Kirigakure squad, Yagura would never admit that their formation order was based on height.
Kirigakure's three-man team stood in the fourth row from the left.
To their left stood Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Konohagakure. To their right, Takigakure.
At the front of the Iwagakure and Konohagakure squads were Akaiwa and Sarutobi Asuma, respectively. Both nodded in greeting when they saw Yagura looking their way.
"Hey."
Yagura responded with a casual wave before shifting his attention past the Sunagakure squad.
There—he spotted the person he was looking for.
Sasori had already repaired his puppet, Hiruko. As usual, he was hidden within its shell, projecting the old man's image.
Whether Sasori sensed Yagura's gaze or simply noticed someone he didn't want to see, he deliberately turned his head away, feigning interest in the Konoha and Iwagakure teams.
Heh. That Sasori bastard.
If it weren't for the crowd and the occasion, Yagura would've gladly walked over and sliced Hiruko's head off again.
"Ahem."
Nara Shikaku had arrived.
The assembled candidates immediately quieted, their gazes shifting toward him.
Most of the proctors following Shikaku weren't noteworthy.
However, the man walking ahead of Shikaku was.
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage of Konohagakure.
The renowned "Professor" of the shinobi world, said to have mastered more ninjutsu than anyone else alive.
In terms of both status and strength, this man stood at the pinnacle of what every shinobi aspired to become.
Unlike his future self, Sarutobi was still in his prime—his last few years of peak condition.
"Now, the Hokage will explain the rules for the next exam. Listen carefully!"
Shikaku's voice rang through the microphone before he turned and bowed respectfully.
"Hokage-sama, if you please."
"Very well."
Hiruzen gave Shikaku an approving smile before stepping forward. He swept his gentle gaze across the crowd, pipe in mouth, yet speaking with perfect clarity.
"To all the outstanding shinobi present, congratulations on passing the first stage."
"Emerging from over two hundred competitors proves that you are already among the elite of your rank."
"To become a true Chūnin, however, one must possess—"
Here we go. Another long-winded leadership speech.
Yagura's initial curiosity quickly faded into boredom.
Even in another world, it seemed that leaders loved to give speeches.
Yagura swore he'd never become one of those adults.
"Before the second exam begins, there is something I must explain. The true purpose of these joint Chūnin Exams is to strengthen alliances between nations and improve the skills of all our shinobi."
"During the second stage, many of the dignitaries who commission our missions will be watching. This is both a selection for Chūnin and a display of national power."
"Stronger villages receive more commissions. Weaker villages receive fewer. This is an opportunity to demonstrate our strength."
"However, before we proceed, a preliminary elimination round will take place."
Hiruzen paused.
"You will now engage in one-on-one battles. Only those who emerge victorious may advance to the second stage."
"These battles may result in death. If anyone wishes to withdraw, you may leave now."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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