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The elder Genji of the Mist Village had grown old, and it was not unreasonable for this elderly man to express pessimistic views.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and shook his head, voluntarily taking the responsibility upon himself: "Genji-dono is still in robust health! In contrast, my old bones are nearly useless now…"
The elder Genji of the Mist Village simply shook his head slowly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze turned to Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, and he initiated a conversation: "I have always wanted to meet with Lord Rasa, and today I finally have the opportunity."
"I've long wanted to visit Konoha..."
The Fourth Kazekage from the Sand Village, Rasa, responded warmly, even opening his palms in a very polite manner: "I hope my visit will not bring any trouble to Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, still smiling, retorted: "Having you two visit Konoha is an honor for an old man like me in his twilight years; how could it possibly cause any trouble?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked ahead, extending his hand to invite them: "Let us go inside first, and later, we can enjoy watching the performance of these youngsters..."
The rulers of the three major ninja villages sequentially entered and took their seats on the highest platform of the arena for the third stage of the Chunin Exams, overlooking the densely packed crowd.
This year's Chunin Exams were clearly the largest event in Konoha in recent years, with many villagers attending, sitting in the stands, and watching the arena below.
The host of the third stage was still Genma Shiranui, who was evaluating the incoming contestants, contemplating whether there might be any troublesome issues.
Honestly, it was quite possible.
Since Gaara was the jinchūriki from the Sand Village, if he were to unleash Shukaku, it could disrupt the arena or even harm innocent spectators.
Clearly.
This issue was also quickly brought to the attention of Akihara Kagura.
"Lord Kagura."
Raido Namiashi took a look at Akihara Kagura, who was leading, and suggested, "We could prepare four Jonin to set up the Four Violet Flames Formation, just in case that child from the Sand truly releases Shukaku, preventing any unforeseen troubles..."
"Don't worry."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, suddenly raising his finger, as chakra surged within him: "Wood Release: Multi-Wood Clone Technique!"
Four wood clones emerged from behind Akihara Kagura, leaping down from the platform and positioning themselves at the four corners of the arena.
Akihara Kagura glanced at the personnel within the arena and softly said, "Before the exam starts, my wood clones will set up a barrier to prevent any accidents."
"Is the chakra of the wood clones sufficient?"
Raido Namiashi thoughtfully watched the wood clones in the corners of the arena, then suddenly asked, "Wait, what if an accident occurs during the exam? If one contestant defeats another, and the other side continues to attack..."
"I can enter the barrier using the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Akihara Kagura seemed to have calculated everything in advance.
Raido Namiashi's forehead twitched, feeling that Akihara Kagura's method was correct, but the outcome might differ; he felt that Akihara Kagura only wanted to see bloodshed.
"At the crucial moment, I will intervene."
Akihara Kagura emphasized again.
As they were chatting here, Genma Shiranui, following the established lottery order, ordered the contestant of the first match to stay in the arena, while the others returned to the resting room.
The opponents of the first match.
Uzumaki Naruto, Hyūga Neji.
While these two contestants were still exchanging words in the arena, Akihara Kagura's prearranged wood clones suddenly clapped their hands together, releasing a crimson barrier.
"Ninja Art: Four Red Yang Formation!"
Four crimson barriers suddenly appeared in the arena!
All the Jonin present were shocked by the appearance of this crimson barrier; they had heard of the terrifying power of the Four Red Yang Formation, and knew of the defensive strength of the barrier!
But...
This was their first time seeing it!
"Four Red Yang Formation..."
Raido Namiashi watched the red barrier that appeared in the arena, unable to hide his astonishment: "The legendary Four Red Yang Formation's defensive power far exceeds that of the Four Violet Flames Formation, requiring four Kage-level ninja with chakra to set it up..."
Of course.
What shocked people even more was not just the Four Red Yang Formation itself.
It was solely through the use of four wooden clones that he was able to set up the Four Red Yang Formation.
Many Jonin ninjas present were stunned by Akihara Kagura's move, compelled to marvel at the terrifying extent of his abundant chakra—a level many could only dream of achieving!
"He really is a spirited young man…"
Sitting at the highest spot, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, observed Kagura's manipulation and smiled slightly, a hint of greed flickering in his eyes.
"There's no need for such a grand display…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a pipe in his mouth, chuckled lightly, pleased with the deterrent Kagura brought to Konoha but slightly self-conscious, "With such a barrier, it's hindering our view of the younger ones' dedicated performances…"
"Hmph…"
An elder from the Mist, Genji, grunted softly and commented, "Seeing the Four Red Yang Formation is spectacular enough for this Chunin Exam… The performances of those youngsters below should live up to this barrier capable of defending against any force."
Currently speaking.
The defensive limit of the Four Red Yang Formation is unknown.
Because the Four Red Yang Formation has rarely appeared throughout the history of the ninja world, every recorded occurrence has had significant utility, and everyone believes the barrier is capable of defending against any attack.
The shock gradually subsided, and he looked towards Kagura with a twitch of his mouth, the scale of the spectacle being perhaps too vast…
"Is there anything else?"
Kagura turned to Raido Namiashi.
"Uh, indeed there is…"
Raido Namiashi continued, looking at Kagura, "Uchiha Sasuke and Dosu from the Sound Village have not yet arrived at the exam site, Genma hopes I…"
"Disqualify them."
Kagura waved his hand dismissively.
Although Kagura knew what Uchiha Sasuke was up to, and knew that Hatake Kakashi, who had not shown up, was also occupied, today's time was too precious to be wasted here.
"But…"
Yamashiro Aoba stood next to Raido Namiashi, carefully reporting, "Everyone is looking forward to their performance today…"
"The first match, the winner, Uzumaki Naruto!"
As they were still reporting, the winner of the first match had quickly emerged—Uzumaki Naruto surprisingly defeated the prodigy Hyuga Neji!
"That was quick."
Kagura took a special glance at the situation in the arena.
With the end of this match, the wooden clones deactivated the Four Red Yang Formation, and the second match's contestants took the stage, with Chojuro from the Mist Village facing Aburame Shukaku from Konoha.
This match was much more spectacular.
Even though Chojuro was skilled and his water techniques were exquisite, he still lost to Aburame Shukaku.
"The third match."
Genma Shiranui, holding the list, loudly continued, "From the Sand Village, Temari, versus, from Konoha, Nara Shikamaru."
"This is troublesome…"
Nara Shikamaru walked onto the stage without much enthusiasm.
Despite his lackadaisical demeanor, he performed even more spectacularly than in the previous match, using his shadow mimicry technique to resolve the bout with Temari in an instant, but suddenly raised his hand to signal his surrender.
"Playing one match is enough, right?"
After raising his hand to surrender, Shikamaru, indifferent to the outcome of the match, said: "After all, the third round of the Chunin Exam selects based on the performances of the genin in the arena, not on winning or losing. I think my performance in this match is already good enough for me to be promoted to Chunin…"
After saying this, Shikamaru glanced at Temari and casually added, "And I've also left you a chance, hoping you can perform well enough in your next match to be promoted to Chunin…"
"…"
Temari stared blankly at Shikamaru, having never seen such a non-competitive boy before, her forehead throbbing.
This match…
She won, yet she also lost.
Since everyone in the arena was discussing Nara Shikamaru's loss, all the Jonin believed his performance was quite excellent, having utilized all factors to secure a victory. He is definitely the most promising candidate for promotion to Chunin at this time.
"Winner, Temari."
After announcing the winner, Genma Shiranui glanced at Akihara Kagura in the audience and continued, "Since Uchiha Sasuke did not arrive in time, Uchiha Sasuke is automatically disqualified, and Gaara advances…"
"Similarly…"
Genma Shiranui loudly continued, "Since Dosu did not arrive in time, Dosu is automatically disqualified, and Karin advances…"
"The second round of the competition begins."
Genma Shiranui solemnly announced the second round of the competition, saying, "The first match of the second round will be Gaara versus Karin."
Since neither Gaara nor Karin had participated in any matches yet and were both assigned to the same bracket, it was decided to have them start the round with a match against each other.
Karin and Gaara exchanged glances; the red-haired girl and the red-haired boy simultaneously jumped down from the rest area onto the stage of the competition!
"Last time, you were lucky…"
Gaara clenched his fists, undeterred by his previous loss in the Forest of Death: "This time, there won't be such good luck!"
Last time, Shukaku, that fool, was restrained by Karin!
This time, Gaara was confident he wouldn't lose no matter what, as he would not let Shukaku come out, only using Shukaku's chakra to fight!
"My luck has always been poor."
Karin adjusted his glasses and whispered, "In my life, I've only had good luck once, and that luck still protects me to this moment, continuously accompanying me, you cannot possibly be my opponent…"
"What a joke!"
Gaara furiously swung his palm!
A stream of sand flew out from the gourd on his back towards Karin, intending to envelop her body!
Karin directly punched through the sand, charging at Gaara. Gaara hastily released a wall of sand in front of him, which Karin shattered with a powerful punch, sending sand flying everywhere!
As Karin's fist was about to strike Gaara, the sand instantly formed a thick ball around him, encasing him!
"Such a troublesome woman…"
Gaara, shielded within the sand ball, gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath, feeling the sand ball shake under Karin's punches.
"Kid, let me handle this!"
Shukaku inside Gaara kept clamoring.
"You lost last time!"
Gaara firmly opposed Shukaku's emergence, questioning coldly, "Last time, didn't you say this woman's golden chains greatly restrained you?"
"I wasn't prepared…"
Shukaku hoped to regain his ground, "This time I'll seal her first and see what she can do!"
"I can kill her myself!"
Gaara smirked coldly, quickly raising his palm and extending a giant sand claw from the sand ball, ferociously clawing at Karin!
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Karin's back sprouted golden chains that directly tied up the sand claw, while another sand claw suddenly emerged and grabbed towards Karin's body!
"It's too late…"
Karin, seeing the other giant sand claw approaching, immediately realized it was a trap set by Gaara!
Gaara used one sand claw to distract Karin, using the Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind the claw so she couldn't move freely, then mercilessly used the other sand claw to grab at Karin!
In the audience stand.
Akihara Kagura watched the fierce battle in the arena.
Hatake Kakashi, with Uchiha Sasuke arriving belatedly, only to find out that Sasuke had already been disqualified.
"Can't Sasuke be given another chance?"
Hatake Kakashi looked towards Akihara Kagura, hoping this old friend could lend a hand, though he also believed it was unlikely.
"It's too late."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, his gaze still fixed tightly on the arena, and casually asked, "Who do you think will win this battle?"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi helplessly shook his head, looking towards the fight in the arena: "If Karin doesn't have any other tricks up her sleeve, then her chances of winning are slim. The young one from the Sand Village have already far surpassed many Chunin, even exceeding a Jonin in skill. His sand techniques are quite mysterious..."
"Let's just watch..."
Akihara Kagura leaned on the railing, interestedly continuing to watch the battle. Was it Gaara's mother's sand defense that was stronger, or his own curse mark?
The next moment!
The situation in the arena suddenly turned around!
Karin raised her arm, and a black curse mark emerged like flowing water on her arm. Her fist smashed the incoming sand claw!
"Wait..."
Hatake Kakashi suddenly noticed the curse mark on Karin's arm, and turned to Akihara Kagura: "The curse mark on Karin's arm, how is it different from the one on Sasuke's?"
"It's different."
Akihara Kagura interrupted Hatake Kakashi, glanced at Uchiha Sasuke, and continued: "Perhaps the curse mark on Sasuke's body is also natural energy. I can sense that energy, but it hasn't been tamed. The curse mark I left on Karin is because I can use the Sage Mode; those are tamed natural energies..."
"Can you help remove the curse mark from Sasuke?"
Hatake Kakashi looked at Akihara Kagura, hoping his friend could help.
"Are you sure?"
Akihara Kagura posed an interesting analogy: "The curse mark might have its drawbacks, but it can provide him the power for revenge; just like how your Sharingan consumes your chakra, yet offers you very useful assistance..."
"But how can it give me the power for revenge?"
Uchiha Sasuke interrupted Hatake Kakashi, speaking in a deep voice: "If I can harness the power of the curse mark, can I take revenge against Uchiha Itachi?"
"There's a good chance."
Akihara Kagura neither confirmed nor denied, only turning his attention back to the situation in the arena: "Perhaps you should first see the power of the curse mark before making a decision..."
The battle in the arena intensified again!
The fight between Karin and Gaara became even more fierce!
Sand whirled through the arena, occasionally a sand claw would emerge from the sand, and even the entire arena was transformed into sand by Gaara!
The ground was no longer safe!
Karin once again raised her arm, and the curse mark flowed again like water, converging on her body and unfurling a pair of jet-black yet translucent butterfly wings behind her. This was the second form of her curse mark!
"Interesting power..."
Sitting in the stands, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa couldn't help but praise the power, recognizing that the curse mark used by the opponent was excellent.
At least...
It was easily comparable to the Cursed Seal of Heaven!
"Lord Rasa's son is also very talented..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also smiled and praised Gaara.
Among the leaders of the three major ninja villages in the stands, perhaps only Genji felt a bit awkward, as only the ninjas from the Sand and Konoha Villages remained in the exam arena.
However, the elder of the Mist Village, Genji, seemed indifferent to his village's ninja performance, quietly tapping his fingers on the back of his hand, as if waiting for some signal.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought the elder from the Mist was unhappy with the performance of his village and hesitated to continue boasting, planning to give the Mist a consolation prize: "Genji-dono, actually, your village's Chojuro performed quite well, his Water Release skills are sufficient for him to advance to Chunin..."
"Is his Water Release very excellent?"
Genji slightly lifted his eyes, seemingly oblivious to everything, his gaze slowly turning back to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "How does his Water Release compare to our teacher?"