Can a Kekkei Genkai really be fixed with something this scientific?
Sasuke looked at Hatake Satoru, then at Kimimaro, wanting to say something but holding back.
It's like how overusing the Sharingan used to make you go blind, but now they say you can fix it with some eye drops.
Technically true, but it still feels weird.
"Is he still alive? He looks really strange."
Naruto leaned his head forward and looked at Kimimaro a bit unsurely. Since Suigetsu was feeding him medicine nearby, Naruto couldn't just walk over and poke Kimimaro.
Even though Kimimaro's eyes were still open, he wasn't saying a word, and his body looked more like a puddle than a person.
"You really just said that out loud? You idiot,"
Sasuke gave Naruto a sideways glance, then smacked him on the head.
He was the one who rushed over the fastest, and he was also the one who said the most unlucky thing right off the bat.
Naruto held his head and mumbled to himself.
"Ugh... there's so much weird stuff going on, I don't even know where to start."
"Anyway, we can't just leave him here. We should take him to the hospital."
Kakashi held back the two people next to him who looked like they were about to start arguing again and let out a tired sigh.
Even though the one who really understood Kimimaro was Hatake Satoru, this place was way too rough for emergency care. It'd be better to have Kimimaro checked out properly.
Also, Kakashi wasn't even sure when his older brother learned medical skills. From what Hozuki Suigetsu said, it seemed like Kimimaro had been relying on medicine to keep his body going.
"Taking him to the hospital is fine, but forget the checkups."
"He didn't use that much of the Dance of the Early Fern, but his body barely has any bones left. From the looks of it, he doesn't seem like someone who should still be alive."
"He'd just scare a normal doctor~"
Hatake Satoru sat on the railing, swinging his legs and flicking his eyepatch lightly with a finger.
Kakashi tapped the metal plate on his forehead protector with a fingernail while thinking things over.
It was usually a no-brainer to give a full-body checkup after the exams. Any student who got hurt would be sent to the medical team.
The reason was simple—internal injuries can kill you if they're missed.
But Kimimaro wasn't a Konoha ninja, so asking for special treatment wasn't really a big deal.
"Fine. As long as you can guarantee he won't die and cause trouble between the villages…"
"I'll talk to the medical team."
Suigetsu stayed behind to see if there were any next steps, while Haku hoisted Kimimaro over his shoulder like a sack.
"You two stay here and don't fight. If the Hokage gives any orders, you better listen."
Kakashi gave Sasuke and Naruto a quick rub on the head, then took Haku with him down a side path toward the temporary medical area.
Hatake Satoru wasn't too familiar with this temporary medical zone. The teachers had mentioned it during meetings, but since he didn't have a team with him, Kakashi naturally took over.
"Sorry... Sensei."
As Haku carried Kimimaro past Hatake Satoru, Kimimaro said it in a voice so soft it was barely there.
Ah, so he's just completely out of energy. Still conscious though—that's not too bad.
Hatake Satoru rested his face on one hand and looked away with a slight pout, glancing back at the battlefield out of the corner of his eye.
The sharp white bones and golden sand had split the ground into two completely different scenes.
It's not like Satoru had ever been that hard on Kimimaro. The kid was the one who decided his life goal was to become the best weapon, the best student.
He really didn't have to push himself this far. Just getting to this point was already amazing.
Sasuke and Naruto didn't hear what Kimimaro said. They just watched as Kakashi and Haku's figures disappeared into the passageway.
Naruto puffed out his cheeks, hands behind his head, and mumbled,
"He looks really badly hurt, but… he's seriously strong."
"Oh yeah, that guy's teacher—is it Satoru-nii? I thought their squad had another Jonin too."
"But out of the three of them, only he calls you 'sensei', right?"
Naruto suddenly turned to look at Hatake Satoru, who looked completely unfazed.
"Yeah. He used to follow me around back then."
"Now that I'm back in Konoha, he returned to Kirigakure—until now, I guess."
Hatake Satoru admitted it like it was no big deal.
Naruto's bright blue eyes lit up slightly. He turned his head, looking thoughtful.
"The decision has been made. All students and teachers should stay where they are and follow instructions. Don't step into the arena carelessly."
"After the meeting ends, leave through the main gate in an orderly way. There are gaps in the sand—if you're not careful, you might sink into the quicksand."
Mitarashi Anko's voice echoed through the mic, loud and clear across the whole arena.
"Because the preliminaries were interrupted, those who haven't fought yet will be told the new location within half an hour after the meeting ends. Any students who want to watch can also go there."
"Those who have already passed can check the screen to find your matched opponent."
A categorized board appeared on the screen, which had been constantly changing earlier. Most of the matches were shown as pairs.
Hozuki Suigetsu searched for his name and others.
The purpose of the prelims was to filter out the ones who weren't worth watching, so of course Suigetsu and the others still had their names on the board.
Some matchups still had blank spots—those would probably be filled by people who hadn't fought yet, randomly added in later.
"Ahem."
An old-sounding voice came through the microphone as Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a cough.
"To see the prelims get this intense... this year's Chunin Exam is full of talent."
"Later, the heads of each country's ninja forces and their Daimyos will be invited to come and watch. As one of our allies, the Kazekage will also be attending."
"I hope you'll all fight in the main event without holding back and do your countries proud."
"The official Chunin Exam matches will begin in one month."
"Some people were injured during the prelims, so this break is partly for you to recover and also to give you time to analyze the abilities of your future opponents."
"The other reason is that during this time, the Daimyos and ninja leaders from each country need to be informed so they can free up time in their schedules. The Kazekage will be coming as well."
When Hatake Kakashi heard the name Kazekage, he lifted his head a little, like he'd just heard something interesting.
"Alright then, this meeting is over."
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