Over the next three days, Aoshi gained another 600 chakra points. Including the previous two days, his total chakra gain had surpassed 1,300.
Aoshi was quite satisfied with that. After all, that amount of chakra was equivalent to the reserves of an average Chūnin.
Just before the final deadline, Aoshi returned to the central tower. With that, the second exam officially came to an end. Out of the initial 89 participants, only 20 managed to pass.
The list included: Aoshi and Kushina, Minato's full team of three, the Uchiha trio, the Hyuga trio, Killer Bee's team, Masaki's team, and Gokai's team.
"In the second exam, you all performed impressively. Up next will be a preliminary round." Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage himself, arrived on-site to explain the reason for the preliminaries.
After that, the exam proctor took over for the remaining announcements.
"Both the preliminaries and the third round are one-on-one matches. If anyone wishes to withdraw, now is the time to do so."
However, no one stepped down. After all, their team leaders were all watching from the spectators' platform.
"Very well, then. Let the preliminaries begin." As the examiner's words fell, a large screen appeared, displaying the names of all the remaining participants.
Matchups would be randomly generated.
"First match: Hirakawa Aoshi vs. Yukimura Tomoki."
The first round featured Aoshi—and it was an internal Konoha battle. Upon seeing the screen, everyone let out a breath of relief, except for Tomoki, Aoshi's opponent.
His face turned pale. He wants to curse his luck!
Had it been anyone else, he might've had a chance. But if it were Aoshi-senpai, there was simply no way. There was no path to victory.
By now, Aoshi had taken on the air of a final boss.
"I forfeit!" Before the proctor could even speak, Tomoki's voice rang out.
No one laughed at him for it. Everyone had seen Aoshi's strength during the second round.
"First match winner: Hirakawa Aoshi."
"Next, the second match: Namikaze Minato vs. Hiko."
Hiko was one of Killer Bee's teammates and the only female Cloud ninja to pass the second round.
The arena was cleared for Minato and Hiko, while the others headed to the spectator platform to regroup with their respective jōnin.
"Mikoto!" Kushina squealed and threw herself into Mikoto's arms, clearly overjoyed to see her after a while.
Mikoto could only sigh helplessly and embrace her warmly. As her friend, she knew Kushina's personality all too well. "You really need to grow up someday."
Kushina just grinned cheekily in response. Still, she stepped out of the hug and clung affectionately to Mikoto's arm. Their affectionate display didn't go unnoticed. Aoshi saw it all.
"Aoshi," Mikoto greeted him with a hint of apology when she noticed the subtle expression on his face.
Given the public surroundings—and with Kushina right there—she didn't feel comfortable being too close to Aoshi.
He responded with a gentle smile, showing he understood.
"Begin!" With the examiner's call, Hiko launched the first attack.
As a Cloud ninja, she specialized in Lightning Release jutsu. She quickly weaved hand signs, and a bolt of lightning shot from her hand directly at Minato.
Watching the match, Aoshi chuckled lightly. "Minato's going to win."
Ayame, standing beside him, blinked in confusion. "But the match just started?"
Kushina explained immediately, "Minato specializes in Wind Release—it's a perfect counter to Lightning."
"Oh, that makes sense."
And indeed, just as they said, Minato easily neutralized Hiko's Lightning Release with a Wind Release jutsu.
Seeing her specialty overcome so easily, Hiko was visibly rattled. Minato didn't waste the opportunity. He focused chakra into his legs and, with a flicker of movement, appeared behind her, kunai ready to strike.
Hiko reacted quickly, spinning around and blocking with her own kunai.
But she only held out for a few exchanges. With Minato's kunai poised at her throat, Hiko, though unwilling, accepted defeat and surrendered.
In truth, Hiko wasn't weak—her strength had already reached Chūnin level.
But she'd unfortunately gone up against this version of Minato. Had she faced the Minato before he met Jiraiya in the Land of Rain, the difference between them wouldn't have been so large.
Back then, even if Minato won, it would've taken more effort.
"Second match winner: Namikaze Minato."
After the match, Hiko returned to her team with a slightly embarrassed expression and offered a small apology. "Sorry... I lost."
"It's fine. That guy really is strong. We'll win it back later," Killer Bee reassured her.
"Third match: Killer Bee vs. Gōkai."
Right on cue, the examiner called out the third match—and Killer Bee was up. His opponent was one of Pakura's subordinates.
Watching the match-up, Aoshi shook his head and turned to Pakura. "Looks like your subordinate ended up with the worst matchup—he's up against the strongest in Cloud."
In other words, Gokai was going to lose.
Pakura made no comment. She was actually here to thank Aoshi. During the second exam, Aoshi had treated her three subordinates' injuries without hesitation.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Rasa's face darkened as he watched Pakura approach Aoshi on her own. What the hell was she doing?
At the same time, Toroi—the jōnin leader of Killer Bee's team—quietly appeared beside Rasa. "Captain Rasa, are you available tomorrow?"
Toroi wanted to schedule a private meeting to discuss a potential collaboration. With so many eyes around—including even the Hokage Hiruzen—it wasn't a suitable time to talk now.
Glancing at Toroi, Rasa quickly recalled his intel. A Magnet Release user from the Hidden Cloud.
But Rasa was confident in himself. He believed the Magnet Release technique he inherited from the Third Kazekage was far superior. Still, despite his personal disdain, he didn't show it on his face.
"Is there something you need, Captain Toroi?"
"Yes, something I'd like to discuss." As he spoke, Toroi gave a brief glance toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Rasa noticed this and, after a moment's thought, gave a reply. "All right."
"Good. I'll wait for you tomorrow." With that, Toroi returned to join Motoi and Hiko.
At the same time, Hiruzen whispered a few quiet instructions to an ANBU shinobi beside him. Naturally, he had noticed Toroi and Rasa's interaction just now.
Bang! In the fighting stage, Killer Bee ended the fight instantly.
With his signature move, Lightning Style: Lariat, he overwhelmed Gōkai in one go. Of course, he had held back—he only seriously injured Gōkai, not fatally.
"Third match winner: Killer Bee." As soon as the result was announced, Aoshi flickered into the arena, helped Gōkai back to the observation deck, and began treating him.
[Treatment of Gōkai complete. Reward: 1 Blue Orb.]
[Congratulations! You've received 1 Shuriken.]