After Shino Aburame's victory, the pairings for the third match quickly appeared.
Kenshin Misumi vs. Kankuro.
Like Yoroi Akado, Kenshin Misumi was one of Orochimaru's spies planted in Konoha, and one of Kabuto's two teammates.
However, this particular spy didn't seem very bright! During his fight against Kankuro, he shamelessly used his body modification technique, making his body stretch and bend like a snake.
Those unfamiliar with Orochimaru might not notice anything unusual.
But for those who knew him well, like his former disciple, Anko Mitarashi, or Hiruzen Sarutobi, they could clearly see Orochimaru's influence in Kenshin's techniques.
Even if Kenshin won, he would likely be handed over to the interrogation department afterward.
Unfortunately for him, Kenshin wasn't a match for Kankuro.
At first, his body modification technique caused Kankuro some trouble.
But once Kankuro understood his abilities, and with no new tricks up Kenshin's sleeve, Kankuro quickly defeated him using his puppet.
The fifth match was Shikamaru Nara vs. Taira Reichi.
Taira Reichi was the only remaining Sound ninja who hadn't forfeited.
However, before Shikamaru could step forward, the Sound ninja raised his hand and said, "I forfeit!"
This drew strange looks from many in the audience.
Some, more suspicious, eyed him with scrutiny.
It was odd. He hadn't forfeited earlier but was now choosing to withdraw—what was his game?
Unbothered by the stares from high-ranking officials, the Sound ninja forfeited and quickly left.
His and his teammates' mission was merely to cover for Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Now that Orochimaru's goal was achieved, there was no reason for them to stay.
After all, they were far weaker than Tos and his group.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, smoking his pipe, whispered to a nearby special jonin, "Investigate these Sound ninja and their jonin instructor."
"Yes, sir."
With the Sound ninja's withdrawal, the names on the screen began to flash once again.
At the same time, a figure quietly appeared on the second-floor balcony—it was Kakashi, having just finished sealing Sasuke's curse mark.
Instead of reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi about his encounter with Orochimaru in the sealed room, Kakashi informed Naruto and Sakura of Sasuke's condition before joining them to watch the upcoming matches.
As the sixth match was revealed, no one noticed the sudden change in Yagyu's expression as he leaned against the railing, his pupils contracting to the extreme.
How is this possible?!
The sixth match displayed:
Hinata Hyuga vs. Yumiko!
Yagyu was very familiar with Yumiko, as were Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji.
Before Hinata joined Yagyu's small circle, Yumiko had been Sakura's desk mate.
But that wasn't the issue.
The reason Yagyu was so shocked was, Why is Hinata's opponent Yumiko?
From Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado, it was clear that, just like in the original story, the match pairings weren't random but manipulated.
Sakura vs. Ino could be chalked up to coincidence.
But two matchups, without a doubt, had been deliberately arranged: Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado and Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga.
As the last major clan in Konoha, the Hyuga clan was one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's most prized and important assets.
If not for the fact that it was rare for a Hyuga to reach Kage-level power, and the fact that they had always remained loyal to the Hokage line, the Hyuga clan might have faced similar suppression as the Uchiha clan.
Since the creation of the Caged Bird seal, the clan's main branch had always produced the most talented and strongest members.
But this generation was different. The branch family had produced a prodigy—Neji Hyuga—who had been the top student in the 59th class of Konoha and its most outstanding genin.
In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged the match between Hinata and Neji to see whether the future of the Hyuga clan's strength lay with the main branch or the branch family.
But now, Hinata's opponent wasn't Neji.
Could it be that Hinata's match against Neji in the original story was just a coincidence?
Was the only deliberate manipulation Sasuke vs. Yoroi?
Though confused, Yagyu didn't let it show. He smiled and encouraged Hinata, "Hinata, good luck!"
"Yes," Hinata nodded, smiling as she made her way down to the arena.
As fate would have it, both she and Yumiko had been seated on the same side of the balcony.
As they descended together, Yumiko quietly said to Hinata, "Hinata, please go easy on me."
Hinata nodded seriously, "I will."
Hinata felt grateful toward Yumiko.
Had Yumiko not agreed to switch seats with her, Hinata wouldn't have grown as close to Ino and Sakura as she had.
Thanks to Yumiko's kindness, Hinata had formed the friendships she longed for and could be near the person she admired.
So, Hinata decided to go easy on Yumiko during their match.
When the fight began, Hinata didn't activate her Byakugan nor use her Gentle Fist techniques. Instead, she engaged Yumiko with only the basic taijutsu taught at the academy, treating the match like a friendly spar between novice genin.
Throughout the fight, Yumiko only managed to use the basic academy techniques like the Substitution Jutsu.
It wasn't that her jonin instructor hadn't taught her more, but that she hadn't yet mastered them.
After about 20 exchanges, Hinata used a quick Body Flicker to appear behind Yumiko, holding a kunai to her neck, ending the fight.
Watching Hinata's performance, Neji Hyuga, from Guy's team, furrowed his brow. His dislike for the Hyuga heiress deepened.
She could have ended the fight quickly, so why hold back?
As the heiress of the main branch, sparring like this with a civilian genin was a disgrace to the family name.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the other hand, nodded in approval.
Such kindness towards one's own was a rare and commendable trait among the ninja clans.
If Hinata were to inherit the Hyuga clan, she would pose no threat to the village's leadership for decades to come.
When Hinata returned to the balcony, the names on the screen started flashing again.
Before Yagyu could congratulate her, many eyes turned toward him—his sensei Kurenai Yuhi, Shino, and even Hinata.
On the screen, the match was displayed as:
Yagyu vs. Neji Hyuga!
Yagyu's face showed a brief flicker of surprise. Hiruzen Sarutobi, watching from above, smiled knowingly, his pipe puffing small clouds of smoke.
As Yagyu suspected, the match pairings were indeed rigged.
When Hiruzen saw the list of participants who had passed the second exam, he initially considered testing the two Hyuga heirs against each other.
But upon seeing Yagyu's name, Hiruzen changed his mind. Now, he wanted to witness a battle between this year's top student and last year's top student.
At the same time, Hiruzen wanted to use this opportunity to evaluate Yagyu's potential, this exceptional civilian-born ninja.
If Neji won, the Hyuga clan's inner-family conflict could play out in the final exam.
But if Yagyu won, it would prove that he was worth investing in, making him a valuable asset for the Hokage's faction.
This arrangement was a win-win for Hiruzen.
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