Chapter 47. Where is Lord Danzo?
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"What? I lost?"
Obito looked at the mask in front of him with dissatisfaction, but the golden hair and familiar voice made him realize at once… this was Minato-sensei.
But…
"Where did I lose?"
I'll tell you!
Even if you are Minato-sensei, you can't just talk nonsense!
I'm going to use this explosive kunai to blow up even the Nine-Tailed Fox!
I don't believe a mere girl can withstand it!
Uchiha Obito raised his head proudly. "Minato-sensei, I can win!"
"…"
Is this a matter of whether you can win or not?
Explosive tag plus kunai, and she's a girl… Obito~, what will other girls think of you then?
Didn't you see how pale Rin's face was down there?
Minato smiled awkwardly and was about to say something…
"Bah! Shameless bastard! You said you won, so you won!" Nii Yugito, seemingly realizing something, turned pale. She took a deep breath, patted her chest with exaggerated indignation, and glared at Obito with gritted teeth. "You bastard! How dare you do this to me… to me… to me! Bastard! Konoha ninja are vile and shameless!"
"…"
The three Jonin who came up to support them smiled awkwardly.
Little girl, why are you unjustly slandering others?
The ninja with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle and a toothpick in his mouth sighed helplessly. "Little girl, stop talking nonsense. You have to remember that if we hadn't stepped in…"
He paused, choosing not to continue but instead changed the subject.
"And there's nothing wrong with a ninja using any advantage to win."
It's just that… doing this in the Forest of Death was one thing. But here? This is the third round of the Chunin Exams. It's shameful to treat a girl this way in public.
If it were other despicable methods—like throwing [Beep-] or spitting—that might be forgivable. Questionable… still forgivable. But explosive tags plus kunai?
This Uchiha brat is too cruel!
"I…" Nii Yugito stammered, her face flushing. She glanced at Obito, who wore a smug expression, and glared angrily. "Shameless! Despicable! Dirty! Bastard! Pervert!"
"Hey, hey! Let's continue!"
"Pervert! Bastard! Degenerate! Dirty! Shameless!"
"That's all you can say?"
"I…" Nii Yugito bit her tongue angrily. "Asshole! I don't need your pity! Degenerate!" She threw her hands down in frustration and declared, "I lost!"
Then, with one last glare at Obito, she jumped down from the stage. "Next time, I'll definitely kill you, you dirty guy! Uchiha pervert!"
"Who are you calling a pervert?"
"I'm talking about you! Pervert!"
As the two argued, the match officially ended. Minato and the other two Jonin exchanged helpless glances, their bitter smiles showing both exasperation and relief.
At least… the situation was controlled in time.
...
Meanwhile, the audience in the stands—most of whom hadn't understood what happened—watched the scene with confused expressions.
They only remembered this much:
The Uchiha genius had formed hand seals, sneaking behind the Kumo ninja and preventing her from reacting. He seemed to be about to do something with a kunai in his hand when three Konoha Jonin rushed in to stop him.
Then, the Konoha ninja announced that the Kumo ninja had won.
After that, the Uchiha genius started arguing with the Kumo ninja.
In the end, it seemed like… the Uchiha genius had still won?
What was going on? Was it a fake fight?
Why was the girl who voluntarily admitted defeat so furious?
And why were the ninjas from Kumogakure and Kirigakure, who had been lying back and watching the match, suddenly so angry—as if they wanted to swallow the boy whole?
It was impossible to understand!
They turned their attention to the Uchiha genius, who had already stepped down. As expected of a genius, he walked with his head held high, looking utterly arrogant. But at the same time… he looked like someone begging for a beating.
While Obito seemed quite pleased with himself, his companions… didn't look happy at all.
The looks in their eyes were complicated.
Was he being excluded?
Konoha, the cradle of genius… actually began to exclude geniuses?
Could it be that, just as they'd heard from other ninja villages... Konoha has begun to fall?
The following matches were nowhere near as intense or exciting as the one between Obito and the Kumo ninja girl. They were, in fact, rather dull. After several rounds, the Chunin Exams came to a successful conclusion.
"Welcome to the Chunin Joint Exams, sponsored by the leading brand Yuto Milk Tea! Drink milk tea, watch the game and cheer for the ninjas!!"
"This Chunin Joint Exams has officially come to a successful end. Let's give our ninjas a big round of applause!"
"Yuto Milk Tea! It tastes even better with taro balls~"
Following the host ninja's enthusiastic announcement, the audience began leaving one after another. Of course, there was another wave of advertisements at the end. Over the past few days, the names Yuto Milk Tea and Yuto BBQ had been everywhere, sparking curiosity. Many people planned to try them out before heading home.
Meanwhile, Minato… finally felt a wave of relief.
The final match had gone unexpectedly smoothly, and nothing irreparable had happened. As a result, everyone happily gathered for a celebratory barbecue.
...
On the way to the barbecue.
Obito walked with his head held high, swinging his arms like he was a champion—or perhaps, someone who deserved a beating. After walking a bit, he spotted Rin behind him and ran up to her with excitement.
"Rin, I—"
He didn't get to finish.
"Sorry." Rin bowed apologetically, then stepped back behind Kakashi. Her eyes, filled with complicated emotions, flickered as she spoke. "Please… let me calm down."
Right now, I don't know what to think of you.
Without another word, she disappeared behind Kakashi.
Suddenly, Obito froze in place. Stretching out his hand, he looked at Rin. His heart ached, and his eyes… hurt again.
...
At the same time.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage of Konoha, stood proudly in his ceremonial robes. With a warm smile, he addressed the leaders of the visiting ninja villages.
"Thank you to all the ninja villages for participating in this Chunin Joint Exams! Your young talents have truly shown great promise—our future is full of hope!"
However.
Despite his kind demeanor, the Kumo and Kiri Leaders did not return the sentiment. With cold snorts, they turned their backs.
"Konoha! You have no ninja virtue! You deserve this!"
With mocking tones, they flicked their sleeves and led their respective ninja away.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood still, stunned for a moment. His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flickering within. Taking another puff from his pipe, he sighed deeply.
"Is this… inevitable?"
"Lord Hokage, don't let it bother you," said the Leader of the Iwa Ninja Team, a cheerful, portly man. "It's understandable. Kumogakure and Kirigakure suffered heavy blows this time."
"I know," Hiruzen replied, nodding with a trace of regret. He sighed again. "I didn't expect that kid to come up with such a technique. Honestly, he used to be such a kind-hearted boy."
"..."
I don't believe you!
If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd never have imagined that explosive tags and kunai could be used that way!
Using something like that on a girl at such a young age… Does that seem like the actions of a kind-hearted boy?!
Despite these thoughts, the Iwa Leader kept his pleasant smile. "He truly is a remarkable child. By the way, Lord Hokage, may I ask something?"
"Oh? What is it?"
"Why wasn't Lord Danzo present this time?"
"Oh, Danzo?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly, taking another drag from his pipe. He pondered briefly before replying, "He's occupied with other matters and is very busy. That's why he didn't attend. Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing, really," The Iwa Leader replied with a grin. "I've simply heard a lot about him. The famed Ninja of Darkness! I'd hoped to meet him in person. Unfortunately, it seems I'll have to wait for another opportunity."
After letting out a disappointed sigh, the Leader's chubby face quickly regained its cheerful demeanor. "Well then, thank you for Konoha's hospitality. We'll take our leave now."
"Safe travels." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved kindly, watching them leave. Once they were out of sight, his expression hardened.
Frowning deeply, he muttered to himself, "Admiration? Hmph. You still think you can deceive me with that?"
He sighed heavily and shook his head.
Don't you know that Danzo is my… brother?
How dare you covet my brother?!
Bah!
Despicable!