I'm in Konoha, and I started with Ashura Chakra.

Chapter 52 Hinata and Yagyu's Rivals, The Top Student's Showdown

After Shino Aburame's victory, the list of contestants for the third round was quickly announced.

Kenmizumi VS Kankuro.

Like Akabane Armor, Tsurugi Misumi was also an undercover agent planted by Orochimaru in Konoha, and one of Kabuto Yakushi's two teammates.

This undercover agent just doesn't seem very bright!

When fighting Kankuro, he used his soft modification without restraint, and his body could stretch and contract freely like a snake.

Those who don't know Orochimaru might not notice anything amiss.

However, those who know Orochimaru well see his shadow in Misumi Tsurugi.

For example, Orochimaru's disciple, Mitarashi Anko.

And... Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Even if Kenmi wins, he will likely be met by the torture department.

Unfortunately, he was no match for Kankuro.

The initial software modifications caused Kankuro some trouble.

But as his abilities became clear and he no longer had any novel moves, Kankuro quickly defeated him with his puppets.

The fifth match: Nara Shikamaru vs. Taeda Riki.

Tadashi was the only Sound Ninja who did not abstain.

However, before Nara Shikamaru could leave, the Sound Ninja raised his hand and said, "I forfeit!"

Upon hearing this, many people cast strange glances at him.

Some suspicious people even have a scrutinizing look in their eyes.

There's no way around it, this person is too suspicious.

He didn't abstain just now, but he's abstaining now. What is he doing?

Ignoring the gazes of these important figures, the Sound Ninja raised his hand to forfeit and quickly left.

His and his companions' task was simply to provide cover for Orochimaru and Kabuto.

Now that Lord Orochimaru has achieved his goal, there's naturally no need for him to stay here.

After all, their strength is far inferior to that of Lord Tos and his men!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in hand, whispered to a special jonin beside him, "Go investigate these sound ninja and their supervising jonin."

"Yes."

With the Sound Ninja forfeiting, the names on the screen flashed again.

At the same time, a figure quietly appeared on the second-floor stands; it was none other than Kakashi Hatake, who had already sealed Sasuke Uchiha's cursed seal.

Instead of reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had just encountered Orochimaru in the secret room, he told Naruto and Sakura about Sasuke Uchiha's situation and then watched the upcoming battle with the two students.

When the list of the sixth round of competition was finalized, no one noticed that Liu Sheng, who was leaning on the armrest, suddenly had his pupils, hidden behind his colored contact lenses, contract to their limit.

How is this possible?!

The list of contestants for the sixth round was as follows:

Hinata Hyuga VS Yumiko!

Yumiko is no stranger to Yagyu, nor are Hinata, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi.

Before Hinata joined Yagyu's clique, Yumiko was Sakura's deskmate.

That's not the point!

The main reason why Yagyu's pupils constricted was because Hinata's opponent was Yumiko.

It's clear from the Uchiha Sasuke vs. Red Copper Armor match that, whether in the original story or now, the random matchmaking on screen is all rigged.

The original story's Sakura vs. Ino pairing could perhaps be considered a coincidence.

However, two of the matches were definitely arranged intentionally.

These two matches are Uchiha Sasuke vs. Akabane Armor, and... Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji.

As the only remaining powerful clan in Konoha, the Hyuga clan has become the ninja clan that Hiruzen Sarutobi values ​​most.

If it weren't for the fact that this clan rarely produces Kage-level figures, and that they are aware of being the weakest of the powerful clans in Konoha, and have been staunch supporters of the Hokage lineage since the founding of Konoha, the Hyuga clan would definitely have faced suppression from the Konoha leadership, and their treatment wouldn't have been much better than that of the Uchiha clan.

Since the birth of the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan has always had the most outstanding successors to the main family, and they will be the strongest members of the Hyuga clan in the future.

However, in this generation, a genius emerged from the branch family. He was the top student of the 59th class of Konoha and also the best genin of the 59th class.

In the original work, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for Hinata to face off against Neji Hyuga in order to observe whether the main family or the branch family was the most outstanding in this generation of the Hyuga clan.

But now, Hinata's opponent is not Hyuga Neji.

Is it just a coincidence that Hinata was paired with Neji Hyuga in the original story?

The only real behind-the-scenes manipulation was between Uchiha Sasuke and Akabane Armor?

Although he was incredibly confused, Yagyu still smiled encouragingly at Hinata and said, "Hinata, do your best!"

"Um."

Hinata smiled and nodded, then walked down.

As luck would have it, she and Yumiko were in the same stand.

As the two women went downstairs together, Yumiko whispered to Hinata, "Hinata, give me some face."

Hinata nodded seriously: "Yes, I will."

Hinata was very grateful to Yumiko.

If she hadn't been willing to switch seats with her, her relationship with Ino and Sakura would never have reached this level.

I am able to get the friendship I longed for and be in such close contact with the person I admire, all thanks to Yumiko.

Therefore, Hinata decided to go easy on Yumiko.

When the battle began, Hinata did not activate her Byakugan, nor did she use Gentle Fist against Yumiko. Instead, she used the basics taught at the Ninja Academy to engage in a duel with Yumiko as a trainee genin.

During this time, Yumiko did not use any ninjutsu other than the Three Bodies technique.

It's not that the Jonin hasn't taught him yet; it's more likely that he hasn't learned it himself.

After about twenty rounds of fighting, Hinata instantly appeared behind Yumiko and held a kunai to her neck, ending the battle.

Seeing Hinata's behavior, Neji Hyuga of Might Guy's Squad frowned, his dislike for the young lady growing even stronger.

Why hold back like this when you could have ended the battle quickly?

As the eldest daughter of the main family, how could she fight like this with a commoner genin? Doesn't she know she's disgracing the family?

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

This kindness towards their own people is truly precious for the ninja clan!

If Hinata Hyuga inherits the Hyuga clan in the future, she will pose no threat to the Konoha leadership for at least the next few decades.

After Hinata returned to the stands, her name on the screen started flashing again.

Before Yagyu could congratulate Hinata, a lot of eyes were focused on him, including Kurenai Yuhi and Shino Aburame beside him, as well as Hinata who had returned.

On the large screen, it was clearly displayed that—

Yagyu VS Hyuga Neji!

Seeing the surprised look on Yagyu's face, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was puffing out smoke from his pipe, couldn't help but smile.

Just as Yagyu had suspected, this random matching was indeed a rigged operation.

Upon seeing the list of those who passed the second exam, Hiruzen Sarutobi did indeed have the idea of ​​observing the heirs of the Hyuga clan's main and branch families.

But upon seeing Liu Sheng's name, he suddenly changed his mind and wanted to see this year's top student compete against last year's top student.

At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi also wanted to take this opportunity to see the potential of Yagyu, this commoner genius.

If Hyuga Neji wins, then the duel between the main family and the branch family will be arranged as the official match of the third exam.

If Yagyu wins, it means he is worth nurturing and investing heavily in, adding another pillar to the Hokage lineage for the future.

This arrangement is simply killing two birds with one stone!

(End of this chapter)