---
The anticipation in the air was palpable as the crowd gathered in the open training ground-turned-arena for the third phase of the Chūnin Exams.
The sun hovered high in the sky, casting its golden rays on the circular battlefields where the genin were set to face off.
The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat on a raised dais overlooking the proceedings, his sharp eyes observing every detail.
Around him, senior jōnin, clan heads, and civilians sat in attentive silence, their focus fixed on the young shinobi ready to showcase their abilities.
Team Hiruzen stood near the edge of the arena, each of them studying the matchups displayed on a large board.
Sakumo's name was prominently listed for the first battle of the day.
"Looks like I'm up first," Sakumo said, his voice calm but resolute. He glanced at his opponent's name: Nara Kosuke. "A Nara, huh? This could be tricky."
Tsunade smirked, punching his arm lightly. "You'll do fine. Just don't get caught in his shadow manipulation."
Jiraiya, leaning against a wooden post, gave him a thumbs-up. "Take it slow, Sakumo. Naras aren't known for their aggressive tactics."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest. "Remember, they're strategists. His strength lies in making you act first."
Sakumo nodded, taking their advice to heart. As his name was called, he stepped into the arena with a confident stride.
---
Sakumo Hatake vs. Nara Kosuke
The two young shinobi stood opposite each other in the circular arena.
Nara Kosuke had the characteristic laid-back demeanor of his clan, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he assessed Sakumo with sharp eyes.
"Don't think I'll make this easy for you, Hatake," Kosuke said, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Sakumo unsheathed his short sword, its polished blade glinting in the sunlight. "I wouldn't expect you to."
The proctor raised his hand, signaling the start of the match.
Kosuke immediately extended his shadow, its dark tendrils snaking toward Sakumo.
Sakumo leapt backward, using his sword to cut at the shadows in an attempt to break their advance.
The Nara smirked, clearly in control of the situation, and manipulated the shadow to corner Sakumo against the arena wall.
But Sakumo's sharp instincts kicked in. As the shadow closed in, he threw a kunai laced with an explosive tag toward Kosuke's feet.
The Nara jumped back, momentarily breaking his concentration. In that split second, Sakumo dashed forward, using the gap to close the distance.
Kosuke tried to retaliate, summoning his shadow again, but Sakumo's blade was already at his throat.
The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Sakumo Hatake!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and Sakumo gave a respectful nod to Kosuke before leaving the field.
His teammates greeted him with proud smiles as he returned.
---
Jiraiya vs. Rento Sakamoto
Jiraiya's turn came next. His opponent, Rento Sakamoto, was a civilian ninja, yet he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had worked hard to earn his place.
Rento grinned as they faced off. "Don't underestimate me just because I'm a civilian."
Jiraiya returned the grin. "I am also a civilian, I wouldn't dream of it."
The match began, and Rento launched a flurry of shuriken at Jiraiya.
The toad-loving ninja dodged effortlessly, weaving through the projectiles with practiced ease.
Using a basic Fire Release: Ember Burst, Jiraiya created a small wall of fire to force Rento into a defensive position.
Rento countered with a Wind Release: Gale Palm, extinguishing the flames and sending a shockwave toward Jiraiya.
The clash of elements created a brief stalemate, but Jiraiya capitalized on the moment.
With a quick series of hand seals, he used Earth Release: Rock Grip to create a hand from the ground that ensnared Rento's legs.
"Gotcha," Jiraiya said, dashing forward to pin his opponent. The proctor declared him the winner as the crowd cheered.
---
Tsunade and Orochimaru's Matches
Tsunade's fight was a textbook display of precision and strength.
Her opponent, a Genin from the Geeko clan, relied heavily on evasive maneuvers, but Tsunade's mastery of taijutsu and her exceptional strength left little room for her opponent to counterattack.
With a decisive punch that cracked the ground beneath them, she ended the match swiftly.
Orochimaru's fight was more cerebral.
Facing a member of the Uzuki clan, he used calculated movements and minimal effort, relying on a combination of feints and basic jutsu to outsmart his opponent.
By the time his opponent realized he was cornered, Orochimaru had already secured victory.
---
The Rise of Naito Uchiha
The arena fell silent as Naito Uchiha's name was called.
His opponent was a member of the Haruno clan, a skilled genin who relied on precise chakra control and defensive tactics.
From the start, Naito dominated the fight. His Sharingan gleamed as he effortlessly countered every attack.
His taijutsu was fluid, his movements almost poetic as he evaded and struck with precision.
He ended the fight with a Fire Release: Phoenix Flame, overwhelming his opponent and earning a resounding cheer from the crowd.
In the stands, Jiraiya watched with a scowl. "Showoff."
---
Evening Announcement!!
As the last matches concluded, the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the village in hues of orange and gold.
The ANBU proctor with the flame mask stepped forward, his voice resonating through the arena.
"This concludes today's matches. The third phase of the Chūnin Exams will continue tomorrow. The matchups for the top 32 will be announced tomorrow morning."
Excited whispers filled the air as the genin began dispersing.
Among the qualifiers were notable names from major clans like the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Nara.
However, what drew attention were the ten civilian ninja who had also made it through.
Though their presence raised eyebrows, none of the major clans expressed open disapproval, as their own representatives had also secured their places.
Team Hiruzen regrouped near the tower, exhaustion and satisfaction etched on their faces. "We made it," Sakumo said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Barely," Tsunade muttered, though her tone was light. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be even tougher."
As they made their way back, the atmosphere in the village buzzed with excitement.
The Chūnin Exams had only just begun, and the best battles were yet to come.
---