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A ninja is a powerful profession, but at its core, it is no different from a mercenary—earning a livelihood by completing missions in exchange for payment.
For the Hidden Villages, missions are the primary source of income. The quantity and quality of missions directly impact the growth and prestige of a village.
Therefore, to attract more clients to commission tasks, the villages must showcase their strength and reliability.
The most effective way to display that power is through war.
However, in an era of political alliances and fragile peace, open conflict is no longer a viable option. Tearing up treaties would invite devastation.
After long deliberation, the nations found a way to avoid mutual destruction while still competing for resources and influence.
They agreed to have their villages select elite genin to participate in battles held in designated arenas.
This became the origin of the Chūnin Exams.
"In the third part of the Chūnin Exams, many dignitaries—feudal lords, aristocrats, and influential figures from various lands—will be in attendance," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained gravely. "They are the ones who provide the missions that keep our villages running."
"They will witness the final rounds firsthand and judge for themselves which villages deserve their trust and support. Remember, the strength of a nation is reflected in the strength of its Hidden Village. The results of this exam can even influence diplomatic relationships."
Sarutobi's explanation laid bare the true purpose behind the Chūnin Exams.
"If that's the case, then why do you claim this is about building friendly relations?" a confused ninja asked.
"I told you from the beginning not to misunderstand!" Hiruzen replied sternly. "In the world of shinobi, peace is established through strength—through killing and fists!"
His words carried the weight of experience. Hiruzen didn't wish for war, but he understood that true peace often required sacrifice.
Just like in the past—if the Uchiha clan had remained, Konoha might not have enjoyed these years of tranquility.
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[The Third Exam Begins]
Without delay, the third stage of the Chūnin Exams began.
As Sarutobi had mentioned, the final matches would be observed by high-ranking officials and nobles. Their time was valuable, and it was not to be wasted.
Mitarashi Anko, the proctor of the second exam, had initially hoped to limit the final round to fewer participants to skip the preliminaries entirely. However, with eight full teams—24 genin—there were too many candidates.
"Now begins the preliminary round of the third Chūnin Exam," announced the examiner, Gekkō Hayate.
"The format will be one-on-one battles. All other participants, please proceed to the upper gallery to make room for the matches."
"Match-ups will be displayed on the electronic board. If your name appears, proceed to the arena."
Hayate was known for his persistent cough and frail appearance, but he was actually a Tokubetsu Jōnin of Konoha, skilled in kenjutsu. His true strength was not to be underestimated.
Ye Dou followed Kakashi to the observation deck and remained to watch. Despite being a candidate himself, he didn't underestimate any of the others—after all, genin could wield surprising strength, especially those with bloodline abilities.
For example, Uchiha Sasuke's opponent in the first match was a shinobi named Yoroi Akadō, one of Orochimaru's men who had entered under the banner of the Hidden Sound Village.
Yoroi's unique ability allowed him to absorb chakra through physical contact.
However, unlike Pain's Preta Path, who could absorb ninjutsu from a distance, Yoroi's technique required him to touch his opponent directly—making it a lower-tier version of the same concept.
Still, Orochimaru was intrigued. He wanted to see Sasuke forced into using the Cursed Seal of Heaven he had recently planted.
Unfortunately for him, Sasuke defeated Yoroi with only taijutsu, thanks to prior training from Kakashi. Immediately afterward, Kakashi took him away to begin the sealing process of the curse mark.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and slipped away silently.
"Ye Dou..."
"Let him go," Ye Dou said calmly, having noticed Orochimaru's departure but choosing not to act.
Instead, his attention returned to the matches.
Sarutobi's speech had left a lasting impression. The genin realized this wasn't just a test; it was a stage on which their future—and the fate of their village—could be decided.
Their battles became more intense, driven by the desire to prove themselves not only for personal glory but for the prosperity of their home.
One match followed another.
Since these were genin, most had limited chakra reserves. The fights were short but intense.
The longest match was between Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino, childhood friends and rivals. Their fight stretched over ten minutes as they emptied each other's chakra, eventually ending in a draw.
Then came the highly anticipated match: Hyūga Neji vs. Hyūga Hinata.
Neji, filled with resentment toward the main family and the Caged Bird Seal, held nothing back.
He utterly overwhelmed Hinata, sending her to the hospital with internal injuries. Yet no one reprimanded him.
It was known that the Hyūga clan's internal conflict was deeply rooted in history—an issue only they could resolve.
"Sister..." whispered Hyūga Hanabi, her expression pale with worry as she watched the medical-nin carry Hinata away. She jumped down from the observation deck and followed.
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