"You are... Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto, right?" Gekko Hayate flipped through some files, cross-referenced them with the person, and nodded. "You may leave now."
"Yes." Yakushi Kabuto walked straight out.
Just like that... he casually left? Naruto was speechless, watching Kabuto's retreating figure. Why didn't this guy insist a little longer? No, his chakra was abundant, and his body was perfectly fine, so why would he withdraw?
In that instant, Naruto suddenly remembered the opponent data he had collected. Yakushi Kabuto had continuously failed the Chunin Exams seven times as a Genin. With his chakra and strength, it was impossible for him to fail seven times. The only explanation was that he himself didn't want to pass. Could this guy be a spy from another ninja village? It was possible.
However, that was something to consider later. What urgently needed to be resolved now was... the results of the first round's drawing had already been determined. How could he change a result that was already decided? He considered using genjutsu to stop Kabuto from leaving, but the Third Hokage was present, and it was too sudden. The result was already confirmed; he had no time to prepare.
With this thought, Naruto suddenly looked at Uchiha Rokutsumi—no, the reporter Domahira. Rokutsumi, quickly use your little brain and think of something!
Rokutsumi naturally noticed Naruto's gaze. He gave a subtle hint, and Naruto looked at the chat channel.
[Uchiha Rokutsumi: Boss, I can't change it. To prevent others from noticing, I used a suggestive genjutsu, and that genjutsu was one-time use.]
[Uzumaki Great Unification: I don't want explanations, I just want results!]
[Uzumaki Great Unification: If you can't do it, run 5000 laps around Konoha tonight.]
[Uchiha Rokutsumi: Eh? This punishment is so simple this time?]
[Uzumaki Great Unification: Handstand! Naked run!]
[Uchiha Rokutsumi: Boss, I don't want to go out strolling naked! I'll do it right away!]
Looking up, Naruto saw that Domahira, the reporter, was running towards the back in a hurry.
"Excuse me, excuse me, I'm going to the restroom~"
Kakashi stepped aside, letting the Ninja World Daily reporter pass. He was running very fast, but his face didn't look like he was trying to hold in pee.
"Strange." Kakashi sighed internally, then looked at his three students. These three, each of them had remarkable strength, especially Naruto. He heard that when he was in the academy, he was still a dead last. At the time, he believed it, but then... However, Naruto would definitely shine brightly in this Chunin Exam, right? After all, every time he saw his ninjutsu, he was astonished, refreshing his understanding of ninjutsu. He himself was long numb to it; this time, let the people of the ninja world be numb.
"So... no one else wants to withdraw now, right?"
Seeing no response, Gekko Hayate announced: "Since no one has withdrawn, the matches will now begin."
"The total number of participants is exactly 20. One-on-one, ten matches. The winners will proceed to the third exam."
"This preliminary round has no rules. It continues until one party dies... collapses, or surrenders."
"Therefore, if you don't want to die, surrender quickly. However, if I determine that the outcome has been decided, I will intervene to prevent unnecessary casualties."
"Now, begin."
After the referee announced the rules, a covering on the upper left corner of the wall opened, revealing an LED screen inside.
"This is an electronic scoreboard. It will randomly display the names of the two combatants for each match."
"The first group will be revealed now."
Random? Almost all the Genin had this question pop into their heads. Such high-tech was rarely seen by them, but due to Konoha/the village's strength, they still believed what the referee said. All 20 examinees stared intently at the electronic scoreboard.
Who would be in the first group?
Chirp~
Without giving anyone time to think, the electronic scoreboard began to flash the names of the participants. Soon, the result appeared!
[Naruto Uzumaki VS Yakushi Kabuto]
Hmm? ×N
Why would Kabuto, who had already left, still appear on this? Was this... truly random?
Instantly, everyone's thoughts varied. Yakushi Kabuto had already left, so their gazes collectively turned to the sole person involved—Naruto.
Naruto tried his best to put on a surprised expression. After all, he, Naruto, knew nothing!
Sasuke, who knew him well, understood immediately. "Naruto, you didn't arrange this, did you?" he whispered close to his ear.
I didn't, I don't, don't talk nonsense! Naruto immediately threw out a triple denial, indicating that he was also a victim. It was all Uchiha Rokutsumi—no, the mastermind Uchiha Obito! This must be his doing!
At this moment, the Sand Village's squad leader Jonin was equally bewildered. Konoha is truly ruthless. We merely wanted Konoha to collapse.
And Konoha? They actually want to cheat? Directly letting someone advance to the third round.
Is there no law? No morality?
No, when I go back, I must vigorously publicize this.
This Konoha, they have no shame left.
On the other side, seeing the abnormality of all the examinees, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked back at the electronic scoreboard.
"Naruto Uzumaki VS Yakushi Kabuto?" He read it aloud, doubting if his eyes had deceived him. Hadn't Yakushi Kabuto already withdrawn? He looked again; indeed, he hadn't misread it.
"Hokage-sama..." An Anbu came to ask for instructions on how to handle this situation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the crowd gathered around. His own village's people were irrelevant; it was mainly the two Jonin from other villages. This matter was handled ungracefully.
"Hehe," Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled to ease the atmosphere. "This screen was last used last year. It must have malfunctioned from being unused for so long."
"We just need to draw again."
His expression remained unchanged, but in his mind, he was already pondering: Someone deliberately arranged the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Yakushi Kabuto together. What does that mean?
Seeing that everyone's attention had shifted back to the screen, he called an Anbu and gave direct orders.
The screen began to flash again; the random drawing restarted. Unlike before, everyone now had a hint of hesitation on their faces. This Konoha/village wouldn't pull any more tricks, would it?
This time, just like before, it was equally quick. The result appeared in an instant!
[Naruto Uzumaki VS Neji Hyuga]
Seeing this result, many outsiders felt relieved. A clash between two geniuses from the same village; Konoha was still fair.
"Naruto Uzumaki, huh?" Neji looked at the blonde boy who was chatting with his teammates. Just a dead last who's a bit stronger in genjutsu? Right, he only graduated three or four months ago, and he was a dead last in all aspects in the academy. He could only continuously train genjutsu to earn the title of "genius." His strength in other areas was imaginable.
"Now, will the chosen two contestants please step forward?"
Naruto and Neji stood facing each other before the referee.
"Do either of you have any objections to the result?"
"No." ×2
"Very well. In that case, let the first match begin. All individuals, except for the two contestants, please move to the observation area above."
In the hall, there was a wide elevated walkway several meters high that circled the perimeter, for observing matches. Everyone ascended to the second floor via the stairs.
The spacious hall was left with only the examiner, Naruto, and Neji.
"Now, please begin."
The referee announced the start. Neji didn't make a move immediately. Naruto was curious what he was planning. He remembered this guy was Hinata's clan member and Might Guy's disciple. Was he a taijutsu ninja? His reputation as a genius was even more prominent than Sasuke's.
"Naruto Uzumaki, a genjutsu genius?"
Noticing the confidence on Naruto's face, Neji was extremely displeased. Just a dead last who only knows genjutsu, what right do you have to be so confident? Your destiny was decided the moment you were born. Do you really think you can turn things around?
He mocked mercilessly, "Too bad. You've met my Byakugan. Under my Byakugan, your destiny has already been seen."
"A dead last is a dead last. This time, I will personally expose your true colors."
This aggression... Naruto didn't know where this guy got so much anger, as if he wanted to beat him to death—no, to seal his fate. To make him accept the arrangements of destiny and remain a dead last forever.
What a pity... If I don't resist destiny, if I don't control my own destiny, wouldn't all this training be for naught?
Naruto had always repaid grievances with grievances. For a fellow village ninja, he had intended to stop short. But since it had come to this, he would let him see what a true genius was. His eyes were disdainful, as if looking at an ant.
"Genius? Heh, that's just the entry requirement to see me."