"What's wrong?"
Nara Shikamaru curiously glanced at Uchiha Sasuke and asked somewhat strangely, "Naruto… wasn't he performing well?"
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Sasuke snorted discontentedly and responded, "I heard that idiot trained with Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, for a month. Yet, that fool is still only at that level..."
"..."
Nara Shikamaru had a black line appear across his forehead.
Just a month's training time...
Are you expecting Naruto Uzumaki to compete against a Jonin? At least being able to defeat Hyuga Neji, that top student from the previous exams, is already quite impressive!
"It's my turn to go up."
Aburame Shino walked past them.
"Eh?"
When Naruto Uzumaki, looking bedraggled, returned to the preparation area, he curiously looked at Aburame Shino: "Has Shino also made it to the third round of the finals?"
"..."
Aburame Shino hesitated for a moment.
However…
Aburame Shino didn't even have time to perform on stage. He quickly received the news that Kankuro had forfeited and withdrawn from the match, allowing him to advance to the next round without a fight!
"Now it's your turn, Shikamaru!"
Naruto Uzumaki loudly waved his fist to cheer for Nara Shikamaru.
"Yeah, yeah..."
Nara Shikamaru scratched his ear indifferently, standing on the stage as if he had no enthusiasm for the exam.
However...
He put on an exceptional display of combat skills.
Whether it was the weather, the venue, or even his clan's Secret Technique, this twelve-year-old heir of the Nara Clan utilized every factor in the battle, turning them into favorable elements that demonstrated his talents...
Only…
Despite completely grasping victory, he chose to forfeit, leaving his opponent Temari puzzled.
"I concede."
Nara Shikamaru dismissed his Jutsu and nonchalantly said, "For me, as long as I put on a battle convincing enough for those examiners to promote me to Chunin, that's enough. I'm not interested in the remaining fights..."
"Moreover, I've finally established an image..."
Nara Shikamaru slightly turned his head to glance at Uchiha Sasuke in the preparation area, speaking his honest thoughts: "If I get through, I'd have to face Sasuke, and everyone would probably witness me being chased around the arena by him..."
"Hmph!"
Temari also turned her gaze toward Uchiha Sasuke, shouting, "Don't forget his opponent is Gaara! Do you think he can beat Gaara?"
"You seem quite confident in your brother…"
Nara Shikamaru waved his hand as he stepped off the stage, responding leisurely, "Let's hope your brother doesn't end up crying in front of his sister later..."
"Fourth match!"
"Uchiha Sasuke VS Gaara!"
Shiranui Genma's voice echoed in the arena.
Amidst the grand cheers, Uchiha Sasuke and Gaara both stepped onto the field, as everyone discussed excitedly about this upcoming match.
Especially...
The village's high-ranking officials.
At the highest spot in the arena.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and Fourth Kazekage Rasa were observing the two youngsters on the stage, discussing the strongest two Genin in this exam.
"Lord Rasa, who do you think will be the victor?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen held a smoking pipe, calmly puffing a smoke ring: "I heard that young Gaara is Lord Rasa's son, and he's performing remarkably in this Chunin Exam, wielding power beyond the level of other candidates..."
"What do I think?"
Fourth Kazekage Rasa, wearing a Kazekage Kasa and a veil covering his face, chuckled as he said something unexpected to Sarutobi Hiruzen: "If all goes as expected, the victor should be Uchiha Sasuke from your village, right?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then revealed a slight smile, humbly saying: "That may not necessarily be the case, I actually have high hopes for the young one from The Hidden Sand Village..."
"Hokage-sama, there's no need for such formal words in this setting..."
Fourth Kazekage Rasa directly exposed Sarutobi Hiruzen's insincerity, smirking as he said, "The power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, even you and I may not be a match for that kid. He could be the second Uchiha Madara in the Ninja World, right?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned grim.
Uchiha Madara...
The first traitorous ninja of Konoha...
No matter how good Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament was, he could hear Rasa's provocation, clearly inciting him as Hokage to deal with Uchiha Sasuke!
However...
How could he possibly deal with him?
Considering both Uchiha Sasuke's identity and his power, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't handle that youngster. He could only hope Kakashi Hatake would guide Uchiha Sasuke onto the right path. After all, the young boy seems quite receptive to advice and values his companions, as long as bonds can lead him to become an excellent ninja inheriting the Will of Fire...
On the field.
Gaara's eyes held an aura of killing intent.
This red-haired boy didn't conceal his murderous intention towards Uchiha Sasuke, still maintaining his anger from Sasuke's last provocation!
"I'll return those words to you..."