The ink-black scroll was about three fingers thick and twenty centimeters long, secured by a cord of the same dark color. Its surface was decorated with antique, somber patterns.
The entire scroll constantly emitted an intense, unrestrained Chakra fluctuation.
Orochimaru cautiously untied the cord and unfurled the scroll.
The moment he saw the jutsu formula drawn and sealed on the paper, Orochimaru's dark-golden eyes narrowed, turning as profoundly cold as a blizzard in December.
The black scroll sealed a jutsu that could only be used by a Kage-level master who had mastered the ultimate level of Water Release: the Heavy Water Prison Technique.
This Heavy Water Prison Technique was the Kage-level version of the C-rank Ninjutsu, the Water Prison Technique. Once activated, it would condense a deep blue circular cage, trapping the enemy inside. Unlike the standard Water Prison, this technique also carried intense water pressure.
An enemy trapped inside the Heavy Water Prison, even a Jōnin or a Kage-level master who cast the technique but didn't press the attack further, would die within less than a minute due to the powerful water pressure and lack of air.
The more he thought about it, the darker Orochimaru's expression became. The Kage-level master capable of creating this Heavy Water Prison Technique scroll and giving it to the Rain ninja was undoubtedly the legendary figure of the ninja world—Hanzō the Salamander.
Moreover, Orochimaru knew the rule of the Chūnin Exams: any casualties caused during the exam could not be privately retaliated against or pursued by the respective villages afterward. Doing so would invite a joint attack from the great nations.
If that Rain ninja had successfully used this scroll, Orochimaru believed there was a significant chance he would have perished by the technique.
At this realization, cold light erupted in Orochimaru's dark-golden eyes. He smiled wickedly and muttered: "Good, very good, Hanzō the Salamander, you just wait for me!"
His whispered voice echoed in the empty room. The bright candlelight in the bedroom instantly flickered, the unsteady light casting dramatic shadows across Orochimaru's pale, handsome face.
Due to the wait for the other four Kage leaders to arrive, the examinees were informed that the Third Exam would be postponed.
In the early morning two days later, Konoha began to bustle. Ninja figures flashed across rooftops and walls, and the festive, lively atmosphere confirmed the anticipation: the four other Kage were about to arrive.
Around eight o'clock, Konoha's two newly appointed Elder Councilors—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—along with a contingent of Konoha Jōnin, arrived at the village gate to greet them.
Sarutobi wore his white and crimson Kage Robe and waited in front of the Konoha arena with Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and a number of Anbu and the remaining Konoha Jōnin.
The main road, stretching from Konoha's main avenue to the arena, was lined with curious villagers craning their necks to watch.
After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Orochimaru's powerful spiritual power sensed four majestic auras, like pillars connecting heaven and earth, approaching Konoha from the edge of the sky. As they moved, these forces pushed the clouds in their path to dissipate.
About fifteen minutes later, nine rounds of celebratory fireworks exploded at the Konoha gate, accompanied by loud, excited cheering and commotion.
At this moment, a strong gust of wind suddenly surged from the ground. Orochimaru sensed a sudden, immense aura rising from Sarutobi—one as heavy as a mountain and as stable and solid as a mighty range. It, too, shot straight into the sky like a colossal jade pillar, seemingly greeting the four forces entering the village gate while asserting the solemn prestige of the great Nation of Fire and Konoha.
The commotion lasted until they reached the arena entrance, where Orochimaru finally got a clear look at the other four Kage leaders.
From left to right: the Second Raikage, Yotsuki Manrō, wore a bright yellow Kage Robe. An aura of boundless majesty and dominance, like thunder from the nine heavens, emanated from him. He looked capable of bringing down lightning to cleave any towering mountain in his path.
The Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Jōrō, wore an azure blue Kage Robe. He exuded a majestic atmosphere, like boiling water or a vast ocean. He stood there like a tranquil, moving sea, yet everyone knew the terror and fright of the ocean when it raged with storms and massive waves.
The Second Kazekage, Nagai Hōsai, wore a deep blue Kage Robe. His boundless Kage-level aura was elusive and difficult to fathom, like a wind-blown desert. Most striking were the Kazekage's eyes, which were deep and vast, seeming to take in all the secrets of the ninja world—a man who set grand strategies with a mere thought or wave of his hand, his every move seemingly concealing infinite wisdom and depth.
The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, wore an earth-brown Kage Robe. His entire body, except for a pair of incredibly clear eyes that shone with sharp intelligence, was wrapped in white bandages, making him look like a resurrected mummy. Like Sarutobi, he was a Kage-level master skilled in the ultimate level of Earth Release. However, the Second Tsuchikage emitted a strange, empty, and void-like aura, entirely different from Sarutobi's, suggesting he could annihilate an entire location into nothingness with a flick of thought, inspiring awe and fear.
Each of the four Kage brought a team of ten elite bodyguards, every one of whom undoubtedly possessed Jōnin-level chakra fluctuations.
Orochimaru watched the four Kage standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world and the four teams, each powerful enough to destroy a minor nation. He licked his lips, a wicked smile spreading on his face, his dark-golden eyes surging with sharp energy.
Sarutobi, observing proper etiquette, led the Konoha ninja to greet them.
The moment the auras of the five Kage converged, they intertwined and condensed into an even more majestic and powerful stream of Kage-level energy, fiercely charging straight into the nine-layer cloud layer. An invisible, powerful gust of wind and air pressure suddenly dispersed high above Konoha, sweeping away all clouds within a ten-mile radius of the village.
Sarutobi smiled kindly: "Welcome to Konoha, four Kage leaders! Our humble village is truly honored to host you, haha!"
The four Kage modestly offered greetings, and after exchanging pleasantries and subtle tests of power, the five Kage and their teams walked into the Konoha arena.
Another round of deafening nine-gun salute rang out. The Konoha villagers cheered, and a vast wave of jubilant sound spread throughout Konoha. Villagers who had purchased tickets followed the five Kage teams into the Konoha Grand Arena.
With this, the Third Stage of the Chūnin Exams officially began!
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