Unlike the kids from the Leaf Village who were just messing around, these three looked strong.
Gaara kept his eyes on Kimimaro without saying a word. Kakashi saw they weren't very interested, so he just casually explained the words hanging on the wall and how the next exam would work.
The third and final exam would be held in three days.
That one wouldn't be like the team rounds anymore—it would be a real test of their strength.
"Alright then, take the next few days to rest and get ready for the exam."
After giving out instructions, Kakashi turned to Hatake Satoru.
"Yep, like he said. You all got that?"
Hatake Satoru stood in the back with the three Mist Village ninjas, eating sweets. Their faces all looked exactly the same.
Ever since Kakashi started explaining, Satoru had just told the three of them to listen—he didn't explain anything himself.
"At least try to hide the fact you're slacking off. You're just taking credit for my work," Kakashi said, giving him a side-eye.
"Talking's free, don't be so stingy," Satoru said, sticking out his tongue and making a face at Kakashi.
What's up with these two teachers? Not only do they look alike, but their relationship seems strangely close too.
Temari couldn't help but glance at them weirdly, thinking to herself.
Are they brothers or something? But why do they both cover their faces like that? Can they even see properly?
Maybe their family has a thing for eyes?
Kankuro looked back and forth between Satoru and Kakashi, hesitating but clearly thinking the same thing.
You couldn't blame Temari and Kankuro. Anyone seeing the two of them together would be curious.
"Hey, what's your name?" Gaara asked, looking at Kimimaro who was still eating.
This guy had looked sharp and serious before walking in, but now something about his energy had completely changed.
Like it had something to do with that teacher.
Gaara shifted his gaze to Satoru, who stood nearby.
He remembered this man clearly—the one who had crushed his sand with bare hands, and the one who ran the written test in the first round.
"Why're you only asking Kimimaro and not me? I wanna fight you too!" Suigetsu said with a mouthful of dango as he tried to butt in.
Kimimaro grabbed Suigetsu by the collar and yanked him back.
That red-haired guy had tried to attack Satoru earlier. He might've underestimated him, but his power seemed pretty real.
And those eyes of his… they looked wild and dangerous. He didn't seem like a normal genin at all.
Better to stay on guard.
Temari and Kankuro were both stunned. This guy was charging straight at Gaara like he didn't care about anything.
"Let me go… what are you doing…" Suigetsu mumbled as he tried to pry Kimimaro's hand off him.
He was already annoyed by the height difference between him, Kimimaro, and Haku. The last thing he wanted was to be picked up like a kid again.
Hatake Satoru didn't really care. That guy looked over 190cm tall. If he weren't so skinny, he'd totally look like a strong guy too.
"Let's go. Since there's nothing else, let's not waste the teacher's time."
Kimimaro grabbed Hozuki Suigetsu by the collar and dragged him off in the other direction.
Hatake Satoru raised an eyebrow and looked at Gaara through his blindfold. Interesting.
"Kimimaro, huh…?"
Gaara stared at the backs of the three as they walked away, his eyes slightly gloomy.
Three days later.
All the students who passed the exam gathered at a spot chosen by the Hokage. There were people from Konoha, the Sand Village, and the Mist Village—it was mostly familiar faces.
The students stood in neat rows below. On the stage, a few people stood around here and there.
"Ahh, I'm so sleepy. I didn't know this many people passed the test."
But the top two teams were from other villages. Wonder what the teachers from Konoha think about that?
As for the other teachers, Hatake Satoru didn't really know them.
But Kakashi was the type who truly didn't care. As long as his three rookie students passed, he was fine.
Hatake Satoru yawned as he walked down the stairs. Kakashi, walking beside him, wanted to stop him but couldn't. He looked a bit awkward.
The Hokage was still waiting down below. And not only were the two of them late, they also looked half asleep.
Kakashi let out a helpless sigh. Hatake Satoru had always acted however he wanted.
It really was a problem.
Some students glanced at Hatake Satoru too, but none of them dared to greet him out loud—not with Sarutobi Hiruzen watching from below.
Even though Hatake Satoru wasn't a ninja, he left a strong impression on a lot of people during the first written test.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held his pipe in hand, silently watching Kakashi and Hatake Satoru come down the stairs.
But it seemed like they weren't the ones he was waiting for, so he didn't say anything.
"Huh? Everyone's already here, so why isn't the old man saying anything?"
Naruto squinted and looked at the teachers curiously. Even Hatake Satoru and Kakashi—two people who were never early—were here.
Didn't look like anyone was missing on stage either.
"I heard the Fifth Mizukage is supposed to come this time too."
"They're probably waiting for him. I'm kinda curious—what kind of person is he?"
Sakura glanced toward the entrance, but it was still just bright white light. No one seemed to be arriving.
"Fifth Mizukage?"
Naruto scratched his chin, frowned, and tilted his head, trying to remember.
To him, the Third Hokage was already an old man, so he figured the Mizukage would just be another hunchbacked old guy wearing a different hat.
"Anyone who can become a Kage is probably an old guy anyway. What's there to be curious about?"
"And how come they already have a Fifth Mizukage, but we're still on the Third Hokage...?"
Naruto muttered with a pout.
"The Mist Village has always been a place that trains in assassination. It makes sense that their Kages change more often because of stuff like that."
"But no one's ever seen the Fifth Mizukage before. After ending the Blood Mist era, he's never shown his face in public."
"With that kind of mystery, even if he *is* an old guy, people would still be curious."
Sasuke didn't try to hide his interest—he was curious about the Mizukage too.
A man who could stand on equal footing with the Hokage.
Just as they were wondering, a cheerful male voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Oh, the teacher's already here?"
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