(Two days later…)
After the remaining two days had passed everyone who had managed to make it through the Forest of Death gathered in the center of the tower. As Naruto looked around he spotted those who had managed to pass the second stage. Aside from his team, the other rookie teams eight and ten had managed to pass, along with team nine. Kabuto's team had also made it. The Suna team had passed, as well as the Kumo team and, to Naruto's surprise; the Oto team had managed to pass.
Behind and on either side of Sarutobi stood Anko and Ibiki along with all of the Jonin-senseis whose teams had made it, along with several other Chunin and Jonin who were here to witness the event.
I can't believe so many people made it, Anko frowned as she scanned the crowd. Twenty-four people managed to pass the second test. I would have at least thought it would be in the double digits. As she continued watching she spotted Naruto who gave her a grin causing her to grin back. At least the gaki made it, now maybe I can get some entertainment. She frowned again. Though he did face Orochimaru, but I was told by Hokage-sama not to worry and that his cursed seal had disappeared. I'll have to ask him about that later.
"Looks like your team made it Kakashi. They didn't do too bad, or perhaps they got lucky. But from here on out it's all about skill, and with my team here yours is out of luck," Gai said to his eternal rival.
"Hm, you say something Gai?" Kakashi turned towards the green clad Jonin with a bored look.
"Oooh! Rival Kakashi that attitude of yours is so hip and it gets on my nerves!" Gai formed a fist in front of his face as fire seemingly ignited in his eyes. Kakashi sweatdropped before turning his attention back to the stadium floor.
So that's Naruto-kun's sensei and Gai-sensei's eternal rival, Tenten eyed the silver-haired man. Well if we're going by the looks department he's got Gai-sensei beat.
It looks like quite a few made it,Yugito thought as she looked around at the others. She paused when she spotted the blond, It seems he was more than just empty bravado after all.
For this many teams to make it and most of them rookies, it's no wonder these three nominated their teams,Sarutobi looked over to Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma.
"To everyone who has made it this far, I would like to congratulate you on passing the second stage of the Chunin Exams," Anko started, breaking everyone from their thoughts. "Now I suggest all of you listen carefully to Hokage-sama who will be explaining the third test!"
Everyone stood a tad straighter as the Hokage stepped forward, "Before I explain the third test, there is something I would like all of you to know. And that is the true reason for this exam."
Many of the genin perked up at this, wondering what he was talking about.
"Why do we have all of the Shinobi villages taking these exams together? Many people believe it is to promote friendship among other countries. Others believe it is to raise the skill level of our shinobi. It is here today that I will tell you the truth, because I do not want you to be confused about this," Sarutobi took a slight pause as he watched the genin look at him in curiosity.
"The truth of the matter is that this is a replacement for the war among allied countries," Sarutobi stated, surprising even the most knowledgeable genin.
"I see many of you are confused, so I will explain. A village's strength is determined by the strength of its shinobi, not just having the numbers over another village, but proving that our shinobi our stronger than those of other villages. By holding the Chunin Selection Exams we can prove to the Daimyos and other villages the strength we have to offer, though I will admit this is not entirely reliable, to simplify this explanation. Your strength represents the power of your village and that in turn makes other villages wary of attacking and in entices more clients to choose your village for missions over theirs."
Sarutobi watched as several of the genin there began to understand, he then looked over at Naruto who was picking at his ear and looked bored. The old Hokage sweatdropped, I doubt he's even listening to what I have to say…
He was just about to start talking again when a sickly looking Jonin appeared in front of him, "*Cough* actually Hokage-sama *Cough* would you please let me explain this *Cough* to this genin?"
Sarutobi nodded and took a step back. The Jonin stood up and turned around and Naruto had to raise an eyebrow at the man's appearance. He was dressed in the standard Jonin uniform and had a bandana style headband. But what caught Naruto's attention were the deep set bags under his eyes, as well as his general sickly look.
I wonder if he's actually sick, or if he's just faking it so people underestimate him,Naruto wondered, having read about psyching your enemies out so that you could surprise them.
"Welcome, my name is *Cough* Hayate Gekkou and I'm the proctor for the *Cough Cough* third stage of the Chunin exams," Hayate spoke, coughing so much that many of the genin wondered if he was fit for duty. "Unfortunately it seems that the first and second stages of the Chunin Exams were too easy and we now have too many candidates. Because of this, we will be holding preliminary matches."
"Why do we have to have preliminary matches?" asked a confused Sakura. "Why can't we just all continue?"
Hayate coughed as he looked over at her, "Because honestly the first two exams seem to have been too easy this year, we just have too many people. There will be many Daimyos and other important people coming to this exam, so we need to make sure that only the best of the best are in it."
"So basically the cream of the crop," Naruto said, "Well I was looking for something to do anyway, I suppose it will be fun to play along with this."
"Er…right?" Hayate sweatdropped at seeing the Anko-ish grin on the blond Genin. "Before we begin I will explain the rules. As the referee I expect you to follow everything I say. If I command you to stop I expect you do it, failure to do so will result in your immediate extermination from the exams. Fights will be done one on one and the winner of the fight will progress to the next round. Your opponents will be chosen at random and the match will end when an opponent dies, loses consciousness or gives up. If I see that a match is unable to continue I will also end the match. Any questions?"
When none were forth coming Hayate continued, "Anyways, if any of you want to quit, now's your chance."
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