Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

"Besides, in the third round, many famous figures and foreign dignitaries came back to watch the competition. If they were all eliminated, what would I show them?"

but...

Danzo's words did make some sense; forcibly ordering Gengetsu to stop his ninjutsu would only make him resentful.

Children this age are at a rebellious stage, so we can't leave a bad impression on Xuan Yue.

"How about this."

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "As compensation, let Gengetsu advance to the next round first, while the others will continue the exam. What do you think of this arrangement?"

"I agree."

The two elders nodded. Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement suited their tastes perfectly, and the other Jonin had no objections either, feeling it was very fair.

but...

"I disagree."

Danzo suddenly lost his temper and said angrily, "What's the point of letting Xuan Yue advance in rank alone? People who don't know him will think I got in through connections."

"Why should Xuan Yue's reputation be affected by this bunch of good-for-nothings?"

"I still stand by my point of view: either announce Xuan Yue as a Chunin immediately, or... wait until the ten minutes are up and eliminate them according to the original rules!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly narrowed his eyes.

There is a problem, there is definitely a problem here.

He knows Danzo too well.

Danzo appeared to be the same as always, assertive as ever, but his purpose was all too obvious...

It was repeatedly emphasized that everyone else should be eliminated.

It seems like he's protecting his grandson's 1.8L car, but that's not actually the case.

With Shimura Gengetsu's strength, none of these examinees could pose a threat to him. As long as he was careful, he would definitely be able to advance with an excellent performance.

So... that's a form of backlash.

Danzo wanted everyone to advance?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind raced, and he quickly grasped Danzo Shimura's true intentions.

so...

"Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared sternly at Danzo, "It was clearly Gengetsu who disrupted the examination order, yet you're still here making trouble!"

"In that case, let all candidates advance and prove themselves in the second round!"

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzo angrily declared before slamming the door and leaving.

Just as Danzo slammed the door, no one noticed a triumphant smile appear on his old face.

No one noticed that at the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi also showed a similar smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan was to pretend he had fallen for Danzo's scheme. Whatever Danzo's purpose was, he only needed to indulge him.

Once everything settles down, he can not only stabilize the situation and increase his prestige, but also take the opportunity to suppress Danzo.

Most importantly... this time it's related to that little guy Xuan Yue.

He was just worried about not having an excuse to poach people, but Danzo actually delivered himself to his doorstep.

This is truly a win-win situation.

"Kakashi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the ceiling, and a white-haired youth wearing a mask jumped out and knelt on one knee in front of him.

"Take my orders and notify all candidates."

"You may now withdraw your supernatural powers. The first exam is now over. All those remaining in the exam hall will advance without further selection."

"Yes."

Kakashi lowered his head slightly, then vanished in an instant.

....

Chapter 63 Kakashi: This kid's a brat, the Forest of Death (Please subscribe! Please give data!)

The distance between the Hokage Building and the Ninja Academy was not far, and Kakashi arrived at the examination hall in just two minutes.

He pushed open the door and entered; in an instant, the light in his eyes vanished, and he could see nothing at all.

"What a bizarre technique, no wonder it's the Second Hokage's masterpiece."

(Actually, this was originally Hashirama Senju's technique in the manga, but the anime changed it to Tobirama Senju, and I also think Tobirama Senju is more suitable.)

Kakashi, thinking to himself, didn't forget the important matter and called out in a deep voice:

"Shimura Gengetsu, the Hokage has ordered the dispelling of the Dark Travel Jutsu. You have passed the first test!"

Kakashi's voice faded, and after a moment, the room remained pitch black.

The ninjutsu wasn't dispelled; instead, it caused an uproar among the other genin.

"Who is Shimura Gengetsu? Is he the one who caused this situation?"

"Disrupting the examination and not only not being eliminated, but being allowed to advance directly—it's a conspiracy, absolutely a conspiracy!"

"Konoha is really too much of a loser."

Faced with the public's criticism, Xuan Yue simply closed her eyes slightly, completely unconcerned.

Kakashi, feeling helpless, repeated the Third Hokage's decision.

"The first round of the exam was designed to test your intelligence gathering abilities. Three Chunin examiners were arranged in the examination room to provide the correct answers. However, because you were unable to crack Shimura Gengetsu's ninjutsu, the Third Hokage made an exception and allowed all of you to advance to the next round."

"If you still don't know how to be grateful, then get out of Konoha and go back to your own villages to take the exam. Maybe they'll tolerate you there."

The genin were delighted.

You don't have to write these incomprehensible exam papers and you just have to pass one round? Is this some kind of good thing?

In an instant, most of their resentment towards Shimura Gengetsu dissipated.

At this moment, the darkness dissipated like the receding tide, and light once again filled the entire classroom. After experiencing absolute darkness, many people blinked repeatedly because they were not used to the bright light.

Yamashiro Aoba asked in a low voice, "Kakashi, are you sure the Third Hokage made sure everyone passed the exam?"

"Ah, yes."

Kakashi nodded listlessly. "You even had a big argument with Elder Danzo over this. Your job is done."

As he spoke, he also glanced at Uchiha Itachi... and Shimura Gengetsu standing next to him.

"That's great... cough cough, I mean, it's finally resolved smoothly." It took a lot of willpower for Yamashiro Aoba to stop herself from laughing out loud. She patted the table to attract the attention of all the examinees.

"Now that you've all passed the exam, don't waste your time here."

"Next, everyone head to Konoha's Training Ground 44. The second round of matches will begin in one hour!"

The genin inside the room started moving with smiles on their faces, and one after another they came out of the classroom.

Gengetsu Shimura slowly wrote his name on his untouched paper before getting up and leaving his seat.

As he passed the podium, he stopped and stood in front of Kakashi, looking at him curiously.

"You're Kakashi Hatake?"

“It’s me.” Kakashi was also scrutinizing Shimura Gengetsu.

Having served the Third Hokage for a long time, he naturally knew how much Hiruzen Sarutobi valued Gengetsu Shimura.

They also learned that Shimura Gengetsu had recently killed two Iwagakure Jonin.

This strength

Even at the same age, he wouldn't be a match for Shimura Gengetsu.

When he became a Jonin at the age of twelve, he was blinded in his left eye by a Jonin named Oishi from Iwagakure on his first battlefield. He was only able to escape danger thanks to his teammates who had activated their two tomoe.

As if sensing something, Shimura Gengetsu shifted his gaze to the left eye that was covered by the headband.

"Is this your teammate's Sharingan?"

Kakashi was taken aback, but simply nodded without saying a word.

“Take it,” Shimura Gengetsu suddenly said, and Kakashi’s single eye was filled with astonishment.

"You don't have the Uchiha bloodline, this eye is just a burden to you. It's been a long time since you've felt the feeling of your body being filled with chakra, hasn't it?"

"If this continues, you'll become weak."

Kakashi: "..."

Kakashi felt a little unreal that an eight-year-old child was discussing with him whether the future would be illusory, but he still shook his head and refused:

"This is the last thing my dearest friend left behind. I will see the world through his eyes, so you don't need to worry about it."

"OK then."