Chapter 65: Sasuke Uchiha's Opponent

Chapter 65: Sasuke Uchiha’s Opponent

July 7th, Year 60 of the Hidden Leaf Village, 3:00 PM sharp.

Teams that arrived early at the Central Tower were assigned to dormitories to await the end of the second exam. As soon as the notification came, the candidates gathered in the first-floor auditorium. Team 8 was among them.

Standing in the hall were twenty-four genin and their supervising jōnin. Just as Anko Mitarashi had predicted, the second exam had halved the number of participants from the first round.

Out of the original seventy-two candidates across twenty-four teams, only twenty-four genin from eight teams remained. Most were from the Hidden Leaf Village. The exceptions were Gaara’s Sand siblings and the Sound trio led by Tōsu Ame. The Leaf representatives included Team 7, Team 8, Team 10, Might Guy’s Team 9, Kabuto Yakushi’s team, and the sixth squad.

“You did well arriving at the Central Tower so early,” Kurenai Yūhi praised as she approached Team 8. Her voice carried the warmth of a mentor.

As the village’s scout team, Team 8 had no reason to feel proud about merely being mid-ranked. Izayoi and Hinata Hyuga simply smiled politely in response.

Suddenly, Izayoi glanced toward Team 7, locking eyes with Hatake Kakashi. The silver-haired jōnin gave a slight nod, confirming Izayoi’s suspicion—Kakashi now knew who had unleashed the Fire Tornado.

The candidates barely exchanged words with their jōnin before Hiruzen Sarutobi and the second-exam proctors appeared on the second-floor balcony. The jōnin joined them to hear the Third Hokage’s speech.

After emphasizing how the Chūnin Exams mirrored wartime alliances and the need to further screen participants for the public’s entertainment, Hayate Gekkō stepped forward as the chief proctor.

“Cough… I am Hayate Gekkō, chief proctor for the third exam,” he rasped, scanning the list on his clipboard. “This is a preliminary round—lose, and you’re eliminated. Names will now be randomly matched on the screen. Any withdrawals before we begin?”

Kabuto Yakushi raised his hand. “I withdraw.”

Hayate struck his name off the list. “One withdrawal. Twenty-three remaining, with one bye. Final chance to step down?”

Silence.

“Then the third exam preliminaries begin now!”

The screen flickered, names flashing before settling into pairs.

Tōsu Ame vs. Akimichi Chōji

“Chōji, good luck!” Ino cheered.

“Don’t lose to some backwater ninja! Win, and I’ll treat you to barbecue!” Asuma Sarutobi added.

Chōji’s eyes lit up. “Got it!”

As the match began, Izayoi leaned on the railing, watching not the fight but the Sound jōnin beside Sakon Uchiha and Kin Tsuchi. Though others saw only a masked figure, Izayoi recognized the serpentine smirk beneath—Orochimaru.

He’s here despite failing to mark Sasuke? Izayoi wondered. Why skip Sasuke’s match? Is he just spectating… or plotting?

Orochimaru’s gaze met Izayoi’s, his grin widening. Izayoi nodded politely, feigning ignorance.

Below, Chōji’s Human Bullet Tank technique had backfired. Though he’d dodged Tōsu Ame’s sonic attacks by curling into a ball, the Sound ninja lured him into a wall, then struck with a Sound Wave Fist through the moisture in Chōji’s body, ending the match instantly.

“Chōji’s out. Winner: Tōsu Ame,” Hayate announced.

Shikamaru groaned while Asuma flickered down to retrieve Chōji, muttering, “He’s fine. Just faced a counter-type.”

The screen flashed again.

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Sakon Uchiha

“Show me your worth, Sakon,” Orochimaru hissed.

Sakon stiffened. “I won’t disappoint you, Lord Orochimaru!”

Across the hall, Sakura warned Sasuke, “Watch for their sound-based jutsu!”

Naruto smirked, arms behind his head. “Don’t lose before facing me, bastard!”

Sasuke paused, glancing back. “I’ve been waiting to fight you too, Naruto.”

For once, he didn’t call Naruto “Dead-Last.”

Naruto blinked, his eyes widening as a surge of emotion prickled his skin.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end