"Tsunade-sama, do you really not need any other guards?", Shizune was helping Tsunade tidy up the Hokage's ceremonial robe, and couldn't help but ask.
Looking at the worry on Shizune's face, Tsunade also shook her head, "No need. With Kakashi and Guy, it's enough."
"Your duty is to ensure the safety of the villagers and students."
"I understand," Shizune nodded.
After finishing up, Tsunade also pushed open the door to the lounge and spoke to Kakashi and Might Guy who were at the entrance.
"Let's go!"
The three of them headed together toward the exclusive Kage seating area, which was the highest seating in the entire venue.
"Hokage, I've heard much about you," Rasa greeted with a bland tone.
"I've heard much, please sit," Tsunade also responded simply.
"Really didn't expect the Mizukage to also come for this Chuunin Exam," Rasa then looked toward Terumi Mei who was seated on Tsunade's other side.
"Heh! If the Kazekage can come, why can't the Mizukage?", Terumi Mei responded with no courtesy at all.
She had no good feelings toward this guy. In fact, all negative ones.
'Young people really are hot-blooded,' Hearing Terumi Mei's blunt tone, Rasa's mouth couldn't help but twitch. After silently complaining in his heart, he didn't speak any further and quietly waited for the third exam to begin.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Kakashi behind Tsunade suddenly spoke, "The time has come. You can begin the address."
"Mm," Tsunade didn't waste words, nodded, and walked to the edge of the high platform to look down.
The audience seats were already packed.
"On behalf of Konoha, I welcome all of you to this grand event hosted by Konoha."
Tsunade spoke briefly and clearly, "Before we begin, I have one important announcement to make."
"From today onward, Kirigakure will officially form an alliance with Konoha. From now on, both Sunagakure and Kirigakure will be Konoha's strongest allies."
With this declaration, if Sunagakure were to betray Konoha afterward, any of Konoha's follow-up actions would stand firmly on moral high ground.
"Wonderful!!"
And upon hearing the good news that Konoha had allied with another major ninja village, many Konoha villagers let out thunderous cheers like waves.
Alliances with two major ninja villages, this would undoubtedly make Konoha safer and stronger.
Tsunade pressed down with both hands, and the scene quieted once more.
"Now, the third round of the Chuunin Exam officially begins!"
With that, she sat back down in her seat.
'This is truly unexpected,' A trace of gloom flashed across Rasa's eyes.
His cold gaze turned toward Terumi Mei, who was seated to Tsunade's left.
"Never thought the Bloody Mist Village would actually form alliances with other ninja villages, huh?"
He didn't know how strong Terumi Mei was, but her sudden alliance with Konoha was undoubtedly a huge variable for Sunagakure's operation.
"We've always been a peace-loving village," Terumi Mei casually responded to Rasa.
Rasa: "..."
Terumi Mei didn't care at all how Rasa viewed her. She lazily let out a yawn.
As the exam was about to begin, Aoba and the other participants also left the audience seats. They returned to the candidates' waiting room.
"Temari, I feel like you and Gaara are acting weird today," Aoba asked Temari with some confusion.
"No, it's just that the exam is about to start, so I'm a bit nervous," Temari forced a smile, trying her best to maintain a calm expression.
"No need to worry about that. The third exam evaluates personal performance, not win or loss," Aoba smiled to reassure her, "With your ability, even if you lose, becoming a Chuunin shouldn't be a problem."
'Such a gentle boy, why do we have to be enemies?'
Temari bit her lip, "Aoba, for the match later, I hope you will forfeit!"
"?", Not only Aoba, but Naruto, Sasuke, and others who knew his strength all showed puzzled expressions.
Before they could ask, Temari continued to explain, "Gaara might lose control during the match, and when that happens, your life could be in danger."
"Lose control?", The others didn't quite understand.
Gaara didn't explain either, but he nodded.
At this moment, the door to the waiting room opened, and two figures walked in.
One of them, a male ninja with a senbon in his mouth, asked, "Is everyone here?"
"Everyone's here."
Beside him, Gekko Hayate, constantly coughing like a sickly ghost, answered.
Seeing Gekko Hayate still moving, Aoba was also a bit surprised, 'Seems the butterfly effect has allowed him to survive.'
"Good, then," Genma Shiranui took out a stack of waivers of liability.
And handed them out to all the present candidates, "Before the exam begins, sign this first."
"Although Hayate and I will try our best to protect you, accidents are inevitable in real combat. This is standard procedure. Anyone afraid can withdraw."
Just like the Forest of Death test in the second round. Everyone didn't hesitate and directly signed their names.
As the bell signaling the start of the third exam rang out, the two contestants in the first match, namely Aoba and Gaara, left the waiting room, and stepped onto the arena.
Cheers erupted instantly in the stands. This exam had just started and already reached a climax.
The first match was between the Hokage's disciple and the Kazekage's son.
Being able to witness this battle today, worth the ticket even if they died.
"Didn't expect the first match to be this explosive."
On the high platform, even Rasa was a bit surprised by the current situation.
At this, Tsunade just chuckled softly, "My disciple versus your son, who do you think will win this battle?"
"As a father, I naturally believe in Gaara's ability."
"Is that so? Then let's wait and see."
———
[In the Arena]
Aoba stood on the battlefield, raised his head and looked at the sky. Clear without a cloud, the bright sunlight felt rather scorching.
"Good weather for a fight."
On the other side, Gaara also walked down from the stands, his expression gloomy.
At this moment, Genma Shiranui was still announcing precautionary points, but the bloodthirsty audience around was already fired up.
"Aoba… you are my first friend."
Gaara looked at Aoba, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?", Aoba asked curiously.
"...", Gaara didn't answer.
"…Alright, both parties perform the seal of confrontation," Genma Shiranui's lengthy announcements finally ended.
"Begin!"
With that said, he vanished from the field with a Body Flicker.
The sand from the gourd on Gaara's back instantly gushed out and surrounded his body.
In just an instant, the airspace above the arena was already covered with sand.
The next moment, he raised both hands, and the sand surged, sweeping toward Aoba.
A massive hand formed from sand reached out to grab Aoba.
In the blink of an eye, it wrapped around him.
BOOM!
Aoba's fist had already swung out.
With just one punch, he scattered the sand that had wrapped around him.
The terrifying power stirred up wave after wave of air shock.
A huge space instantly cleared around Aoba.
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