The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood at the balcony overlooking the candidates, his eyes crinkling in a smile. "They're a promising batch," he said, his tone warm. "So many newcomers made it this far. No wonder the recommendations poured in."
He scanned the group, his gaze pausing momentarily on Mitarashi Anko. Noticing the faint tension in her expression, he asked, "Anko, is something troubling you?"
Anko turned toward the Hokage, her voice tinged with concern. "Hokage-sama," she began hesitantly, "I was just thinking... which one of them could Orochimaru be targeting?"
Her voice grew quieter as she continued, "Anyone who becomes his target rarely survives. It's cruel for these kids."
Hiruzen's expression darkened, and he sighed deeply. "It's likely Sasuke," he said finally. "Orochimaru has shown an interest in him for some time now."
The weight of past decisions settled heavily on the aging Hokage. Perhaps I should have stopped him back then, he thought grimly. His return now feels ominous, like the calm before a storm.
Anko nodded, her gaze falling on the candidates. "Sasuke Uchiha is a strong candidate. But…" She hesitated. "Orochimaru's words suggested more than one target. Could there be someone else?"
The Question of Orochimaru's Target
Nearby, Kakashi, who had overheard the conversation, joined in. "Could it be Naruto? He does have the Nine-Tails sealed inside him."
Hiruzen shook his head. "Unlikely. That's not Orochimaru's style. His interests are more specific and strategic."
Anko scanned the crowd, her eyes narrowing as she evaluated the possibilities. "It wouldn't be Neji," she muttered to herself. "Orochimaru wouldn't see value in someone he'd consider a defective bloodline."
Her gaze eventually fell on the team from Sweet Ninja Village, specifically Hozuki and Shiro. She leaned toward Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, I have a theory."
"Oh?" Hiruzen asked, turning his attention to her.
"There are two individuals who broke the record for reaching the central tower," Anko explained. "It took them only 97 minutes. Hozuki and Shiro from Sweet Ninja Village. They're incredibly strong and arrived unscathed."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "I assumed the Sand team had arrived first."
"They were the first group to clear the exam," Anko clarified. "But these two arrived at the tower much earlier. Their third teammate, however, was delayed."
She paused, her eyes drifting to Satoru in the group. "It's surprising. I would've suspected him initially, given his earlier confidence against Orochimaru. But he was the slowest to arrive, so I ruled him out."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "Sweet Ninja Village… a new village with a peculiar reputation. If Orochimaru sees potential there, he may indeed be targeting them."
Kakashi glanced at Satoru, his expression skeptical. That boy… is he hiding something? The white-haired teen seemed too calm, too unaffected by the tension.
The Examiner's Call
Hayate, the proctor for the next phase, coughed into his hand, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we proceed to the third exam, we will conduct preliminary matches," he announced. "Those who wish to withdraw, speak now."
The room erupted in murmurs. Candidates exchanged nervous glances and whispered debates.
"Give up?" Naruto shouted incredulously, his voice carrying over the chatter. "No way! I'm going to win this!"
His enthusiasm turned heads, earning a mix of smirks and scoffs.
Sasuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Idiot," he muttered. "But he's right. Who's going to quit now?"
Suddenly, a calm voice cut through the noise. "I'm withdrawing." Kabuto raised his hand, his tone measured and composed.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward him. Moonlight Guy flipped through his list. "Yakushi Kabuto of Konoha, correct? You may leave."
Without hesitation, Kabuto walked toward the exit. A nearby ninja intercepted him. "What are you doing?" the man hissed. "Orochimaru-sama gave specific orders."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his voice calm but laced with mockery. "You're eager for action, aren't you? Consider this your chance to shine."
The other ninja glared at him but said nothing as Kabuto exited the arena.
Orochimaru's Pawn
As Kabuto walked away, he reflected on his mission. I've gathered enough data, he thought. Sasuke is exactly as Orochimaru-sama expects—hungry for power, skilled, and malleable.
But his thoughts drifted to Satoru. That white-haired boy… is he a threat? Or is he simply hiding his abilities? He smirked. We'll meet again. The game isn't over.
The Candidates Prepare
Back in the arena, Satoru stretched lazily, observing the nervous energy in the room. "Tsk," he muttered, "what a hassle."
Naruto, meanwhile, was his usual energetic self. "Bring it on!" he shouted, drawing another round of stares.
Sasuke shook his head, muttering, "What a moron."
As the preliminaries began, Satoru's pale blue eyes glinted with interest. He scanned the crowd, catching the sharp, murderous gaze of Gaara.
"You," Gaara said coldly, his voice low but filled with menace. "I'll kill you."
Satoru tilted his head, unimpressed. "You can try," he replied nonchalantly.
Temari and Kankuro exchanged uneasy glances. "Gaara, calm down," Temari whispered. "You're drawing too much attention."
But Gaara's bloodlust was palpable, the sand around him swirling ominously.
The Hokage's Worry
From the balcony, the Third Hokage watched the interactions below, his heart heavy. "This isn't just an exam anymore," he murmured. "There's something darker at play."
Anko nodded in agreement, her gaze lingering on Satoru and his team. "We'll need to be ready for whatever Orochimaru has planned."
In the shadows, Orochimaru observed the proceedings with a sinister smile. Let's see how you perform, Satoru, he thought. The time for hiding is over.
>>>>>
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