"L-Lord Orochimaru?"
Just regaining consciousness, Kin looked at Orochimaru who was close at hand, and couldn't help but widen her eyes, her entire body trembling with fear.
After all, her actions during this period were no different from betrayal.
If these things were known by Lord Orochimaru, she would definitely die.
And it wasn't even her intention to speak.
That kind of torture she simply couldn't resist, her whole person was in a daze, and she gave up the intel.
"Kin, are you perhaps afraid of me?"
Orochimaru squinted his eyes, speaking gently with a kind expression.
"N-No, I… I just…"
Kin was already so frightened she couldn't even speak properly.
"If you're worried about the fact that you betrayed me, then I already know."
A venomous snake suddenly appeared from behind Orochimaru, hissing its tongue toward Kin.
'Scary!'
Kin felt like her life was about to end right here.
Tears were already welling up in her eyes.
She was still so young, with so many things left to experience.
"However, I can give you a chance to make up for your mistakes."
Orochimaru suddenly turned it around.
Kin's dim eyes brightened again, "Lord Orochimaru, please command me whatever you need."
"I have a mission here…"
Cough! Cough!
Orochimaru was planning to grandly explain it, but Kabuto couldn't help interrupting.
He was still here.
If Orochimaru had forgotten him and gave the mission to this little girl, then suddenly realized someone knew his plan, and backhandedly silenced him or abducted him. Even shouting injustice wouldn't save him in time.
However, Orochimaru merely smiled at him and then continued explaining the mission to Kin.
Kabuto could only silently sigh.
But just as he wanted to listen carefully to Orochimaru's mission, his expression grew stranger.
Likewise, after hearing the mission, Kin's face turned completely red.
"L-Lord Orochimaru, this mission… is it really okay to give it to me?"
Kin bit her lip, her expression uneasy, "I… I don't have experience in this area…"
"Hehe, if that's the case, then you have no value left."
The venomous snake behind Orochimaru moved even closer to Kin.
Feeling her life threatened, Kin instantly gave in, "Lord Orochimaru, I will complete the mission perfectly!"
"Very well. I hope you don't let me down this time."
Orochimaru smiled silently. Whether Kin succeeded or not had no effect on him.
At most, she was just a discarded pawn.
He looked toward Kabuto again.
"Kabuto, if you change your mind, you can contact me anytime."
After speaking, not waiting for Kabuto's response, his figure immediately turned into a mass of twisting, ugly venomous snakes and dispersed.
As Orochimaru departed, both Kabuto and Kin breathed a sigh of relief.
The two looked at each other, and Kin's gaze showed a pleading expression.
Kabuto sighed slightly, "I must report this matter, but you were forced. I think the Hokage won't make things difficult for you."
After speaking, he also left.
Kin lay blankly on the hospital bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, feelings mixed in her heart.
She didn't know what her fate would be.
Suddenly, Aoba's face flashed in her mind.
'If the mission succeeds, maybe… it won't be so bad.'
———
[Central Tower of the Forest of Death]
"Hokage-sama, this is the match list for the third round of the exam."
Ibiki handed the tactics board in his hand to Tsunade.
"Mm, this will do."
Tsunade glanced at the board, nodded, and then scanned the crowd, saying, "Three days from now, the third round of the exam begins."
After saying that, she turned and left directly.
Only after walking some distance and making sure no one was around, she disappeared into a puff of smoke.
On such occasions, a shadow clone was sufficient.
With her taking the lead, the other members also began leaving one after another.
"Looks like your luck isn't that good."
Kakashi looked helplessly at his two students.
Sai had lost to Iwagakure's Kurotsuchi. Now Sasuke and Naruto were matched against each other.
Among the three students he brought, maybe only one could become a Chūnin this time.
"I think it's pretty good," Naruto said casually, "It's been a while since I properly sparred with Sasuke."
"I feel the same way," Sasuke wasn't about to lose either.
"...", Seeing the two of them like this, Kakashi could only shake his head in resignation.
He then looked toward Aoba, who was surrounded.
'Speaking of luck, his is the worst. That Gaara is probably the most dangerous contestant in the exam.'
But he felt something strange about those two's relationship.
"Three days from now, I won't hold back," Gaara looked at Aoba.
"Me neither. I hope you show me your true strength," Aoba replied with a smile.
Gaara nodded, then left with Temari following Baki.
Before leaving, Baki gave Aoba an extra glance.
To be able to talk and laugh with Gaara, he had to be thoroughly investigated.
If it really didn't work out, then he must be eliminated in advance.
"Aoba, I'm going to help them arrange some things," Uzuki Yugao, rarely, didn't choose to return with Aoba.
Aoba: "Alright."
Tenten and the other two also waved goodbye to Aoba.
The opponents they faced weren't simple.
Or rather, anyone who made it to the third round of the joint village exam wasn't simple, they were all elite from major ninja villages.
They all took it seriously.
Even if it was last-minute effort, a bit of progress was still progress.
Kurenai also looked at her three students, smiling as she said, "Let's head out too. I'll analyze intel on your opponents."
These team leader jōnin didn't just spectate, they analyzed information based on the abilities shown by examinees in battle.
Intel analysis ability was also one of the most fundamental standards for evaluating a ninja's overall competence.
"Okay~"
The three responded in unison and walked out.
But just after the three of them left the central tower, a familiar figure appeared in front of them.
"Aoba, come with me quickly," Shizune at this moment was in a great hurry, her hair slightly messy from rushing, her tone urgent, "Tsunade-sama needs you for something important."
Aoba was a little surprised. He didn't know what was so urgent.
"Aoba, since it's urgent from the Hokage, go quickly," Kurenai also urged.
After greeting Hinata, Yakumo, and Kurenai, Aoba followed Shizune and dashed off.
"Shizune-neesan, where is Sensei now?"
"Hokage building."
"Got it."
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