"...And considering the sheer number of teams, I think preliminary matches are essential to determine the final participants."
Gekko Hayate finished his sentence, punctuated by a dry, sharp cough.
Mitsuro calmly placed another cigarette between his lips and slowly exhaled the smoke. "Holding a preliminary round... that's a good idea. But only if fewer than six teams make it to the third stage." He'd been quite nervous lately, which explained his increased smoking.
"Is it possible to have more than six teams?" Hayate asked, his tone weary.
Mitsuro took a drag from his cigarette and replied, "Look at the data. Seventy-eight people reached the second stage. At most, half of them might finish this round, but we both know that, in the best-case scenario, only about a third will succeed. You're right, teams will fight each other, but the initial number is still large. Think about it: seventy-eight people! That's twenty-six teams. Fifty percent of that is thirteen teams. Now, let's assume three teams fail to secure both scrolls, that still leaves ten teams. My guess is that seven to eight teams will definitely reach the end of the second stage. That means about twenty-one to twenty-four individuals will be lined up for the final round."
Hayate, who had subtly moved away from Mitsuro due to the smoke, listened intently and coughed hard. "With this many combatants, the third exam will take far too long."
Mitsuro smiled and continued, "We don't need to worry ourselves. We just need something like an eighth-final round instead of just a quarter-final. Perhaps we'll have to hold the final stage over two days. One day for the eighth-finals and one day for the quarter-finals and the actual final."
Hayate frowned. "That's not possible... The stadium matches have to be finished in a single day."
"Why be so rigid? Two days would be more engaging for the spectators and better for the participants... they could rest between matches," Mitsuro answered in a calm, persuasive tone.
Hayate responded with some annoyance, "I know, but the schedule is already set, and it can't be changed."
"Then we must either increase the number of preliminary matches or allocate less time for the final matches. We could set a time limit; for example, they have to defeat their opponent within a specific time. If they fail, both are eliminated! How much energy they spend on their battle is up to them, and that counts as part of the exam. If one person reaches the next stage exhausted while another is fresh, it's their own fault."
Hayate was lost in thought. It was a good idea.
Just then, the door opened, and Anko Mitarashi entered, supported by two Anbu. She was pale, her face covered in sweat.
Gekko Hayate turned to her in surprise. "What happened?"
Anko said in a strained, agitated voice, "It's none of your business!" She then turned to one of the Anbu: "Go inform the Hokage that the second stage is continuing... I'll explain the main issue to the Hokage myself later."
Anko scowled to herself, remembering the moment when Orochimaru stood before her with utter arrogance while she knelt in pain, saying:
"I came to take some fresh talent from this exam for myself, and I've already given a mark like yours to an interesting boy, one I truly desire."
Anko had replied,
"Then he's going to die."
Orochimaru gave a sickening smirk.
"It's possible, but I think he'll survive. You know what's interesting? That Uchiha blood is more abundant than you think..."
He was talking about Uchiha Sasuke,
Anko thought.
In anger, she gritted her teeth and walked toward the control room for the second stage, slamming the door shut behind her.
Mitsuro, watching Anko's behavior, smirked internally.
"So, Orochimaru finally showed up... Sasuke must be having a tough time right now... Good, everything is following the original path. That eases my worries."
...
July 7th
Finally, after five days, the second stage of the Chūnin Exam was drawing to a close.
Anko, after five days, finally informed Hiruzen Sarutobi of the danger posed by Orochimaru.
"Hokage-sama..."
The Hokage took a puff from his pipe. "Anko, are you still in pain?"
"No, thanks to you."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Anko looked slightly embarrassed. "I didn't want to jeopardize the Chūnin Exam... This is our first diplomatic exam in five years... I thought I could handle him myself."
"Hmmmm."
"But I think I know why he's returned to the village... He said he was looking for Uchiha blood..."
Sarutobi frowned. "So he's after Sasuke..."
Just then, a voice came over the surveillance speaker: the last group of applicants had entered. The time for the second exam was officially over.
Everyone calmly turned toward the surveillance monitors.
The Hokage said peacefully, "We will continue the exams, and at the same time, we must see what Orochimaru intends to do."
He then turned to the Anbu and ordered them to begin a secret search within Konoha.
In total, out of twenty-four groups and seventy-two participants, only eight teams had managed to collect two scrolls and reach the central tower, thus passing the second exam.
The breakdown of these teams was as follows: one team from the Hidden Sand Village (Sunagakure), one team from the Hidden Sound Village (Otogakure), one team from the Hidden Waterfall Village (Takigakure), and the remaining teams were all from Konoha.
This wasn't surprising given Konoha's large initial presence in the exam, but the fact that most of the successful Konoha teams were made up of rookies was a testament to the high talent of their new generation. With this exam, Konoha once again showcased its reputation as the birthplace of prodigies.