Hearing Zabuza's voice, Suigetsu Hozuki shrugged, a helpless expression on his face:
"The two of us are being held up by four Konoha Ninja, aren't we, Kimimaro?"
After speaking, Suigetsu Hozuki looked at Kimimaro beside him, but Kimimaro still didn't say anything.
"I knew it."
Suigetsu Hozuki sighed, holding his forehead.
"Lord Yūto and Ranmaru went ahead a while ago. We're already a step behind because of our training, so we need to speed up."
Ameyuri Ringo, standing on a tree to the side, spoke softly, her sharp teeth involuntarily exposed.
"Oh, you mean..."
Looking at Ameyuri Ringo, Zabuza Momochi raised an eyebrow, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
"Direct breakthrough!" Kimimaro, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
Silence!
As Kimimaro spoke, everyone present immediately quieted down, all eyes fixed on Kimimaro.
"Living itself has no meaning, and the reason people live is simply to find the meaning of life."
"Clearing all obstacles for Lord Yūto is the meaning of my life now!"
Kimimaro spoke indifferently, and at the same time, he pushed off with his feet, his entire being disappearing from the spot and rushing forward.
"Tch, what a troublesome kid."
After a while, Zabuza Momochi stood up and looked in the direction of Konoha Village. Although his tone was one of dissatisfaction, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
Not only Zabuza Momochi, but the others also showed varying degrees of excitement on their faces.
Bubble, who was on the edge of the group, stretched, glanced at the expressions on everyone's faces, and muttered softly, "Sure enough, I'm still not suited to be with a bunch of guys like this."
"Um, aren't we waiting for the Kirigakure troops?"
Looking at Zabuza Momochi and the others, Haku asked softly.
"They're too slow. We'll just clear the way for them up ahead!"
Zabuza Momochi let out a cold laugh, and the next moment, his entire figure vanished.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh...
Accompanied by a series of whooshing sounds, all the figures present disappeared.
As Kimimaro, Zabuza, and the others began to move, the official finals of the Konoha Chunin Exams had already begun.
Loud cheers echoed all around!
The massive grandstands were already packed with people.
Konoha's Third Hokage and Suna's Fourth Kazekage sat at the highest point of the grandstands.
"I didn't expect the Kazekage to come personally this time. It must have been a tiring journey."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Kazekage beside him and chuckled.
"It's a good thing this time it's in the Konoha arena. If I had to make you travel specially for this, it would probably be very tiring for Hokage-sama, wouldn't it? I think it's better to decide on a successor sooner."
Orochimaro, disguised as the Kazekage, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, a hint of coldness in his voice.
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a hearty laugh, showing no sign of anger because of Orochimaro:
"Don't treat me like an old man. I plan to keep going for another five years."
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the edge of the grandstand, and loudly addressed the crowd:
"Distinguished guests, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for coming to Konoha to watch the Chunin Selection Exams."
"Now, let the eight qualified candidates proceed with the official selection matches!"
Hearing the Third Hokage's speech, the lively clamor rose again!
In a slightly secluded corner of the surrounding arena.
Ranmaru looked up at the Third Hokage standing at the highest point, observed him carefully for a moment, then retracted his gaze:
"Lord Yūto, is that person our enemy? Should Ranmaru go and kill him now?"
Hearing Ranmaru's words, Yūto showed a helpless expression, reaching out to pat Ranmaru's little head: "You'll be at a disadvantage if you go now, and someone is already dealing with that person."
Ranmaru nodded innocently and said softly:
"Haruna told Ranmaru not to do things that put him at a disadvantage."
Yūto raised an eyebrow. Indeed, having Ranmaru stay with Haruna wasn't without its uses.
Suddenly, a cheer came from the surroundings.
Below, in the center of the battle, the first match had begun.
Uzumaki Naruto VS Hyuga Neji!
Excited cheers came from the surrounding stands. After all, being able to witness the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan in the very first match was definitely a worthwhile spectacle for many.
Yūto looked down calmly at Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji below, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
Whether it was Uzumaki Naruto or Hyuga Neji, Yūto was quite interested.
Not to mention that Uzumaki Naruto was already part of Yūto's plan, so Yūto naturally paid attention to Uzumaki Naruto's matters.
And the other person, Hyuga Neji!
In Yūto's view, he was also a rare combat talent.
"It's really a waste to leave such a person in Konoha," Yūto murmured to himself, looking down at Hyuga Neji.
"Lord Yūto, are you here for these two people below?"
Ranmaru glanced at the two people fighting below, a curious expression on his face.
"That's right. These two might become our companions in the future, but for now, they're still not quite enough."
Hearing Ranmaru's voice, Yūto nodded slightly.
Ranmaru's eyes lit up, and he quickly focused his gaze downwards. As long as it was someone Lord Yūto cared about, Ranmaru cared about them too.
At this moment, the battle below was also reaching an intense stage.
"You! Why do you always jump to conclusions so casually!" Naruto clenched his fists tightly, looking at Hyuga Neji opposite him.
"So, you mean that anyone can become Hokage as long as they try?"
"The people who can truly become Hokage are few and far between. Face reality; it's not something you can become just by wishing."
"This is fate. People must live within an unchangeable fate."
"In this world, there is only one fate that is equal for everyone—and that is death."
Hyuga Neji spoke indifferently, his voice cold.
His white pupils held a faint, almost imperceptible, hint of hatred.
In a grandstand located in the center of the battle arena, Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hyuga Neji below, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.
That look, was he still hating the Main Branch?
Hyuga Hiashi's expression was somewhat somber. Although he felt a bit of guilt, he had no choice.
Because this was the clan. From the moment of birth, who was the Main Branch and who was the Branch Family was already decided.