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Sosuke and Might Dai walked along the road, naturally attracting attention.
Villagers greeted them everywhere, showing friendly smiles.
After all, due to their previous assistance in village missions, they had already become celebrities in Konoha.
Thus, under the friendly gazes of the villagers, the two of them arrived at the Ninja Academy.
On the spacious playground of the academy, many young ninjas had already gathered.
Although it was a time shortly after the war and a period of peace, the Chunin Exams wouldn't include ninjas from other major ninja villages.
Those who came to Konoha for the Chunin Exams were either Konoha's own ninjas or ninjas from small affiliated villages under the Land of Fire.
For example, the Grass Village and the Mist Village.
When Sosuke and Might Dai stepped onto the playground, they found that many Konoha and non-Konoha genin were already waiting there.
Some were familiar to Sosuke, while others were strangers.
There were children around the same age as Sosuke and Might Dai, around ten years old, as well as young adults approaching their twenties.
In short, everyone who came here was confident in their own abilities and believed they could become competent Chunin.
Might Dai excitedly surveyed the people present and said to Sosuke with enthusiasm, "Sosuke, it seems that the Chunin Exams this time are particularly grand! We must work hard too!"
Sosuke smiled as he looked at the people present but didn't respond to Might Dai's words.
In terms of pure strength, I'm afraid you, Might Dai, could easily defeat everyone here. Yet, you're still so lacking in confidence. Truly a stubborn guy.
While observing the ninjas on the field, Sosuke's attention was caught by a white-haired teenager.
The teenager carried a long sword and stood tall with a straight posture, standing out among the crowd, alone.
Based on some details, Sosuke could tell that this young man had decent physical abilities.
A playful smile flashed in Sosuke's eyes behind his thick glasses.
Encountering another interesting person, huh? I never knew there was someone like him in the village before.
At that moment, Might Dai, who was beside him, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"That guy is here too!"
Following Might Dai's gaze, Sosuke looked in the same direction, and his eyes focused on the white-haired teenager.
He asked Might Dai curiously, "Dai, do you know that guy?"
Upon hearing Sosuke's question, Might Dai seemed to have just realized it.
"Um... Um! That guy is really strong. I've fought him before. His name is Hatake Sakumo ..."
As if recalling the scene, Might Dai spoke with some melancholy.
"That guy's sword is really fast... When he draws his sword seriously, I can only admit defeat... But now, I have full confidence in myself!"
Thinking of the teachings from Sosuke, Might Dai brushed away his melancholy and regained his confidence.
On the other hand, Sosuke smiled and looked at the white-haired youth, showing a hint of interest in his eyes.
Just then!
Sakumo seemed to have noticed something and looked sharply in the direction where Sosuke was standing. Sosuke greeted him with a gentle smile.
He looked at Sakumo and politely nodded his head, having also heard of Sakumo 's reputation.
In the distance, Sosuke turned with a smile on his face, looking elsewhere.
So, it's Hatake Sakumo ... an interesting guy...
After a while, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and their group also arrived.
However, there was another team beside them, the Team Tsubaki.
As they entered the training field, they couldn't help but feel excited by the scene of hundreds of people. Among them, Sosuke's figure was well-known to them.
When Tsunade saw Sosuke, a bright smile appeared on her face, and she happily waved and greeted him.
Compared to a year ago, Tsunade's figure had become slightly taller and slightly plumper from being a slender young girl. Of course, the size of her chest was already quite impressive for her age.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who were standing beside her, had also changed a lot. If they were still children who couldn't grow up before, now they were ninjas who had shed their innocence and had seen blood. That pure foolishness had long been abandoned by them.
Jiraiya held the back of his head, pouted his lips, and felt annoyed by Tsunade's concern for Sosuke. He found it somewhat odd and uncomfortable.
"Sosuke, why is your strength improving so quickly? Tsunade always uses you to lecture me. As a friend, you should take responsibility for that!"
Upon hearing this, a frown appeared on Tsunade's forehead as she became angry.
"Jiraiya! Are you accusing me of meddling in your affairs? If it weren't for your weak strength, how could Orochimaru have been injured in the last mission! Seriously! How dare you blame Sosuke!"
Jiraiya looked at the furious Tsunade, frightened and backing away.
"No, Tsunade, that's not what I meant! Listen to me, you need to calm down, don't come over here... Don't come over... Ah! Ah!"
Sosuke, with a smile on his face, watched Jiraiya being mercilessly reprimanded by Tsunade, standing by and softly trying to dissuade her, but taking no action.
Everyone on the training field witnessed the brutal scene and Jiraiya's agonizing screams!
At this moment, a slightly hoarse voice spoke.
"These two guys perform this kind of act every day and never get bored of it."
With a light laugh, Sosukeglanced at Orochimaru.
"Humans... spend their long lives in such boring trivialities."
Upon hearing these words, Orochimaru's thoughtful gaze became slightly gloomy.
As if understanding something.
He slowly turned his head and stared at Sosuke, speaking in a deep voice.
"Sosuke, human life is not long. On the contrary, it is too short, and we miss out on so many things..."
Suddenly leaving these words behind, Orochimaru walked away alone, and his murmurs seemed to linger in the air.
"Immortality... It won't let us miss out on those beautiful things..."
Looking at his profound figure, Sosuke's eyes flickered slightly. He vaguely felt that Orochimaru seemed to have figured something out, but he didn't know exactly what had happened.
But no matter what, Orochimaru was his dear friend. If he ever needed Sosuke's help in the future, Sosuke would definitely not hesitate.
Just then!
A discordant voice rang out on the field.
"Hey! Are you guys treating the Chunin Exams as a joke, Konoha shinobi!!"
The gloomy voice caught the attention of Sosuke, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and others, who looked at the scar-faced young man nearby with displeasure.
As everyone's gaze fell upon him, he continued with an arrogant expression.
"I'm talking about you brats! Don't think you can be so unruly just because you're from a big village. You should know that the village won't protect you forever. Making all this noise, I actually have to compete with you brats!?"