Feeling the fragile, paper-thin auras of the other ninja welling up, Orochimaru scoffed. He stopped suppressing it, and a boundless, ocean-deep killing intent surged out of his body, spreading wildly. It engulfed the entire field like an aggressive, overbearing octopus.
The astonishing, almost solid killing intent jolted the candidates from the Great Nations. Those from the smaller nations fared worse; they seemed to see visions of their own deaths in Orochimaru's eyes and unanimously took a step back, some even tumbling to the ground.
Yūhi Rō and the other Konoha proctoring Jōnin were inwardly shaken by the intensity of Orochimaru's killing intent.
Observing the candidates' reactions, Yūhi Rō's eyes held a complex look. He knew that Orochimaru's killing intent had grown powerful enough to induce hallucinations in less skilled ninja.
Orochimaru retracted his killing intent as quickly as he released it. Ignoring the complex thoughts of the other candidates, he called over Manji, Bluebird, and Chi, and the six began to discuss their strategy.
Orochimaru spoke seriously to Tsunade and the others: "This second exam lasts seven days. Excluding the approximately two days needed for travel and meals, we have five days of free time remaining to search for and seize the mission maps."
"It's foreseeable that over these five days, numerous instances of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind' will be played out. Many of those Great Nation ninja are wolves in sheep's clothing, participating in the Chūnin Exams while possessing Jōnin-level strength."
"Therefore, after we enter, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and I will quickly find a location where we can first meet up. Only then will we scheme to acquire the mission map."
Everyone nodded in agreement when Orochimaru finished speaking.
Orochimaru scanned the group and nodded. He reached into his robes and brought out Yamata.
The exquisite and peculiar Yamata, with its small head, looked around, its scarlet snake eyes still slightly confused, as if it had just woken from a pleasant dream and couldn't grasp the situation.
Orochimaru gently stroked Yamata's head and handed it to Manji: "Manji, I'm entrusting Yamata to you. Yamata can sense my location. When the three of you enter, ignore everything else and follow the direction Yamata indicates to meet up with us."
Manji's dark, round eyes, understanding the severity of the situation, were filled with seriousness. She nodded solemnly.
Orochimaru then looked toward Yamata. The small snake, white with pale-gold markings, deftly darted into Manji's embrace and dutifully dipped its head toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru then patted Chi and Hyūga Bluebird on the shoulders: "Chi, Bluebird, you must protect Manji well. I do not wish to see her harmed in any way before you regroup with me!"
"M-master!" Chi's stuttering tone was full of resolve.
"Understood, Lord Orochimaru!" Bluebird immediately complied.
With everything arranged, the rest period was nearly over. Orochimaru's dark-golden snake eyes flashed with captivating brilliance and charm. He delivered a final motivation to the group: "This is the time to test the results of your training over the past three years. I will lead you to victory and glory!"
Jiraiya, stimulated by Orochimaru's words, became excited, his face flushed. He shouted loudly toward the surrounding candidates: "Come on! Lord Jiraiya will strike you all down, one by one!"
Tsunade, without hesitation, rushed over and delivered a Monster Strength Punch, dragging the embarrassing show-off back.
Orochimaru smiled faintly. Although the surrounding candidates glared with fury—as if they wanted to tear Orochimaru's group to shreds because of Jiraiya's arrogant declaration—the three first-time exam takers, Manji, Chi, and Bluebird, had relaxed due to Jiraiya's antics.
In the Cloud ninja squad.
Yotsuki Tee said with disdain as he watched the scene: "Brother, it seems only that Orochimaru from Konoha is any good."
Yotsuki A didn't reply, but the burning fighting spirit in his eyes, fixed on Orochimaru, was clearly visible to those around him. Though Yotsuki A was aggressive, he wasn't brainless. He smiled and said: "Heh, no need to rush. The fun things are best saved for last. After we secure a map, we'll have a proper fight with that Orochimaru!"
Yotsuki Tee and the other Cloud ninja participating in the Chūnin Exams, Kitagawa Ryūun, nodded in agreement.
On the Sand ninja side.
Sasori curled his lip in contempt.
Moriyama Nagai, the future Third Kazekage, watched Jiraiya's farce with interest.
Among the Mist ninja candidates.
A young man with delicate features and brownish-green hair asked his companion, who had water-like, pale-blue spiky hair: "Mangetsu, is that person standing next to the loud, idiotic one Orochimaru?"
The young man called Mangetsu turned his head. His smooth, handsome face broke into a grin, revealing a mouthful of sharp, shark-like teeth: "Yes, the aura he had earlier was indeed impressive!"
On the Stone ninja side.
A short man, whose internal aura was contained and as profound as a great mountain or marshland, scrutinized Orochimaru and the others one by one. He spoke to the two ninja following him: "Tsuchihara, Kurogumo, be careful later. That guy from Konoha named Orochimaru looks difficult to deal with."
The two ninja behind the man nodded silently.
In a gathering of ninja wearing Rain Village headbands.
One ninja, with a vicious expression, said to his comrades: "Look closely. That young man with the long black hair and the dark-golden snake eyes is Orochimaru! When we get inside, find an opportunity to take them out first. This is a direct order from Lord Hanzō!"
"Yes!" the two others bowed and replied.
Yūhi Rō checked the time, stepped forward, and announced loudly: "Time's up! Everyone, come here to draw your lots. Once you've drawn, enter Training Ground 18!"
A Konoha proctoring official behind Yūhi Rō brought out a wooden box sealed with jutsu paper. The seal was there to prevent cheating by candidates with abilities like X-ray vision or sensory detection.
The leaders of the twenty-three candidate teams came forward one by one to draw lots.
Suddenly, Orochimaru noticed a strange-looking individual from the Stone Village: a bizarre figure entirely wrapped in a black trench coat and wearing a black hood that only exposed their eyes. He carefully sensed the aura emanating from the person. Orochimaru frowned, and his mind suddenly clicked, recalling a certain insect-manipulating clan in the Stone Village, one renowned alongside Konoha's Aburame clan—the Kamizuru clan.
Orochimaru waited until Manji and the other two entered the training ground before allowing Jiraiya, who had eagerly volunteered, to draw their lot. Under the proctor's guidance, they entered the training ground through a separate, pre-arranged entrance.
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