Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

Page 407

"Hibiscus, is something wrong? I have a feeling that someone is watching us."

Feeling a vague unease, Bai asked aloud.

"...Everything is normal, nothing special, but there are indeed quite a few proctors around here." Karin also noticed the faint gaze, but the girl didn't take it to heart, because she had sensed many overt and covert gazes since the start of the exam.

The obvious source of the credit is the invigilator.

What's hidden in the shadows is probably a safety pin that Konoha has concealed?

Therefore,

She thought Bai was referring to those observers hidden in the shadows.

Is that so?

Bai narrowed his eyes, suppressing his unease for the time being.

Jugo had already rushed back with the flag he had just obtained. Now was not the time to be distracted. He should take the flag and leave the training ground as soon as possible. Passing this first test was what they should do immediately. Anyway... he had no clue what to do about the unease in his heart.

If nothing is found,

It will most likely just be asking for trouble.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hokage Building.

Zongxian sat in his office, savoring the taste of a strawberry daifuku while keeping his eyes glued to the changing images on the crystal ball, appreciating the intense, albeit not particularly sophisticated, battle taking place in the training arena.

The splattering blood and severed limbs did nothing to affect Zongxian's appetite.

Such scenery,

This is something that is very common for ninjas.

Eating on the battlefield is an essential skill. No matter how bloody and cruel the scene is, you get used to it after seeing it many times. Such a scene is child's play for Zongxian. Rather, this is just a pastime for him to enjoy with his tea.

"Ok?"

Zongxian suddenly stopped chewing, tilted his head slightly forward, and stared intently at the image on the crystal ball.

"This is... an incredibly exquisite water escape technique."

Seeing the boy from Kusagakure use a Water Whip technique to block an attack for his companion, Sogen couldn't help but cheer, "Such control... is already at the level of a Jonin, and the boy who used this Water Release technique is not even a Kirigakure."

interesting!

That's really interesting!

The fact that Kusagakure has managed to cultivate such a talent suggests that a new "Hanzo of the Salamander" is about to rise from the ranks of Kusagakure. Or perhaps... there's more to this than meets the eye?

To be honest, Sogen didn't really believe that Kusagakure could produce a Hanzo of the Salamander.

Amegakure is located at the intersection of the Fire, Wind, and Earth kingdoms, and its geographical environment is extremely harsh. However, the ninjas of Amegakure are much tougher than the grass ninjas. After being tormented by the meat grinder time and time again, the fierce Hanzo of the Salamander was born, who dominated an era and almost turned the Five Great Ninja Villages into the Six Great Ninja Villages.

In contrast,

The grass ninja that always bends with the wind,

Honestly, it's unimaginable that an environment like Kusagakure could produce such an extraordinary genius.

"Kabuto, go and get me the information on the genin from Kusagakure who are participating in the Chunin Exams this time."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Kabuto didn't understand what Sogen was trying to do. What was so special about the genin from Kusagakure? Filled with confusion and bewilderment, Kabuto quickly delivered the information Sogen had requested—a few thin sheets of paper. But this was quite normal; Kusagakure had sent fifteen genin in five teams to participate in the Chunin Selection Exams.

Furthermore, there are no geniuses who require extra attention.

It is normal for the data to be scarce and limited.

"Let me see..." Zong Xian quickly flipped through the few thin sheets of paper, then suddenly his pupils contracted, and he stopped turning the pages. He had found what he was looking for: "Rush, rye, hibiscus..."

The name came out of Zongxian's mouth.

however,

After seeing this document,

Zongxian couldn't help but deepen the upward curve of his lips.

"Mediocre, is that it?"

Staring at the intelligence department's comments in the data, Zongxian tapped the table with his fingers. If a master who could use such exquisite and meticulous water release techniques was considered 'mediocre,' then there were probably no more than twenty people in the ninja world who could be considered geniuses.

"So, is it that our Konoha intelligence forces are blind to the truth? Or... is someone trying to cover it up?"

Two possibilities were presented to Zongxian.

As for which one to favor?

Of course—

"interesting."

Zongxian narrowed his eyes. Compared to the dullness and tedium of the first possibility, he hoped that the latter was more likely. If someone really intended to sneak into this Chunin Selection Exam, what would their purpose be? And who would their true identity be?

Leaving aside the purpose for now,

Because once the true identity of the imposter or imposter is revealed, their true purpose is essentially exposed.

Was it Obito Uchiha? Black Zetsu? White Zetsu?

Still white?

Or perhaps it's the Red Sand Scorpion?

"This is interesting! I thought I'd see something more interesting and exciting in the later exams, but I didn't expect the first round of exams to give me such a big surprise, haha!" Zongxian couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hokage-sama? Is there something wrong with the Grass Ninja? Should we send someone to investigate the Grass Ninja's leader?" Kabuto offered a small suggestion at this moment.

"Need not."

Zongxian resolutely refused.

"Let's take a look, let's take a look! The Chunin Exams... have their own rules. I want to see if I've made a mistake. If my judgment is correct, then... I want to see what they're doing during these Chunin Selection Exams?"

Upon hearing this, Dou had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Although the Hokage's actions could be considered playing with fire,

However... the Hokage's prestige is at its peak, and once he makes up his mind, even the advisors, elders, and the council of elders cannot change his autocratic decision. Before the Sixth Hokage, there is only one way: to obey.

but--

With the Hokage's strength, even if he were to play with fire,

There's no flame that could burn the Hokage, is there?

Exercise Field No. 15.

Time passed second by second, and an hour was almost over. However, only thirty-one teams had passed the first round of testing outside the training ground, which was only three-fifths of the maximum of fifty teams. Morino Ibiki looked at the watch on his wrist.

10:29.

There was only one minute left until 10:30, when the first round of exams would end.

Judging from this... there should be about 31 teams participating in the second round of exams, totaling 93 people. This number is a bit less than expected, considering that nearly 200 teams, totaling over 600 people, participated in the first round of exams.

He envisioned that around forty teams would pass this first round of testing.

did not expect,

I'm overthinking it.

The number of people who passed the first round of the exam didn't even reach 100. However, this was partly due to the efforts of monsters like Kurama Yakumo and Gaara. Many genin with decent strength unfortunately encountered these monster-level contestants and were eliminated in the first round of the exam.

This resulted in fewer winners than expected.

"Ten seconds left."

Ibiki Morino glanced down at his watch again, and when he looked up at the training ground and started counting down in his mind, suddenly... his eyes widened.

Someone is running frantically towards the outside.

and,

They were still ninjas from Konoha.

"Choji, Ino, hurry up, hurry up, it's almost done."

Shikamaru, carrying a colorful flag, ran at full speed. Behind him, Ino and Choji gritted their teeth and desperately squeezed out the last bit of strength in their bodies to keep up with Shikamaru. They finally managed to intercept the flag at the last moment.

If the project fails because the time limit is exceeded...

I guess I'll regret it for three days after I get home and won't be able to sleep.

Fortunately,

Just a little bit more,

They were so close! The barbed wire came into view, and behind the open gate were the proctors and the assembled victors. Once they crossed that gate, they too would join the ranks of the winners.

"Time's up!"

Ibiki Morino timed it perfectly, announcing the end of the first round of the Chunin Selection Exams over the walkie-talkie: "Exams over, exams over, exams over! Immediately cease all fighting in the training grounds. Medical units, proceed to treat the wounded..."

The orders were relayed out in an orderly manner.

So far,

The first round of the Chunin Selection Exams has ended.

A total of thirty-two genin teams passed the first round of testing; the rest all failed!

[419. Request for leave]

As the title suggests, I am currently organizing the subsequent plot.

"Saving the Uchiha Starts with Becoming the Clan Chief" - Taking a break