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"Um… *cough cough*… let me introduce myself… I am… the proctor and referee for the third exam… *cough*… Hayate Gekko…"
After the Third Hokage finished speaking, the sickly Hayate stepped forward and spoke haltingly.
"Because… the third exam… will be… *cough*… displayed before the feudal lords of various countries and the leaders of the ninja villages… therefore, *cough cough*… to present everyone with more exciting battles, there are requirements regarding the number of participants and their strength.
Now, the preliminary rounds for the third exam will begin… *cough cough*… Next up are individual battles. Those who are feeling unwell or do not wish to participate can now… *cough*… can forfeit…"
With most people looking on with skeptical expressions, Hayate Gekko explained the situation with stutters and stammers.
This caused an uproar among the crowd. "Is this guy really a Jonin proctor?"
Looking at the breathless Hayate, Naruto couldn't help but curl his lips and grumble weakly.
"Teacher, it seems like you're the one who's most unwell…"
On the other side, Hinata, though not as bold as Naruto to speak out, also had her doubts internally.
"Um, I choose to withdraw…"
While others were still hesitating, Kabuto Yakushi raised his hand first to forfeit.
Immediately, most people's gazes turned to him. "It's that guy… He really is fine!!"
Seeing that it was Kabuto Yakushi, Naruto felt a mix of emotions.
Because the Heaven and Earth scrolls were real, not fake, and Sakura's injuries recovered within an hour, just as Kabuto Yakushi had said.
This left Naruto's mind reeling, unsure of what was going on with this senior… He didn't know if he was a friend or foe… "He's completely unharmed… Kabuto Yakushi, as expected of the medical elite valued by Orochimaru."
At the same time, Sasuke also heard the commotion, looked over, and mused to himself.
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto…"
Sakura, on the other hand, glanced at both of them, caught in a dilemma of whether or not to advise them to withdraw from the competition!
However, after only a moment of hesitation, she dismissed the thought… Although that thing was evil, Sasuke and Naruto's strength wasn't affected; instead, it had improved.
If she tried to stop them now, with their dreams of becoming Hokage, they would never agree!
So, she still had to find Kakashi-sensei… to explain the situation first before making a decision.
"I withdraw…"
"Me too…"
While the three had their own thoughts, several others also withdrew from the competition one after another.
"Alright… Since… no one else is withdrawing… then… *cough cough*… the first preliminary round now begins…"
Seeing that no one else was withdrawing, Hayate announced in a sickly, deep voice.
Anko simultaneously activated the electronic screen, flipping the switch to match opponents… Including Sasuke, all the examinees' gazes simultaneously swept over… The next second… "Akado Yoroi VS Uchiha Sasuke."
"Alright… the two on the announcement board stay, everyone else please go upstairs…"
Hayate Gekko said, his body unusually calm, and the others left their spots one after another.
"Kakashi-sensei…"
Naruto looked at Kakashi walking over and immediately abandoned Sasuke and Sakura, scurrying towards him.
With Sasuke's strength, he had absolutely nothing to worry about… "Sasuke-kun, good luck…"
Sakura sweetly encouraged Sasuke, then quickly ran to Kakashi to report the situation.
"Kakashi-sensei, why did you…"
"Naruto, let me speak first!!"
Naruto's words were barely out when he was forcefully interrupted by Sakura.
Facing Sakura, Naruto instantly felt aggrieved, lowered his flag, and obediently shut his mouth… "Kakashi-sensei… Sasuke-kun and Naruto, they…"
Sakura didn't waste any time and immediately whispered the entire story about the Cursed Seal.
Including how both of them could use the Cursed Seal's power to fight, as well as the changes in their temperament and chakra… "Has it… come to this point already?!!"
Hearing Sakura's words, Kakashi's pupils constricted, and he inwardly thought it was bad.
Regarding Sasuke and Naruto's Cursed Seals, Anko had secretly told him earlier… The purpose was to have him seal the Cursed Seals as soon as possible, to prevent Naruto from going berserk… This way, it would neither anger Orochimaru nor compromise Konoha's safety!
But he never expected Sasuke and Naruto to adapt to the Cursed Seal's power so quickly… This made Kakashi, who had planned to warn Sasuke not to use his Sharingan, pause and frown slightly.
Now, it was truly a bit troublesome… "Hmph, I didn't expect my opponent to be you, you Uchiha brat!"
Akado Yoroi's expression under his mask turned cold with disdain, completely looking down on this so-called Uchiha genius.
Kabuto Yakushi was defeated because of his incompetence!
Now, it was his moment to demonstrate his abilities before Lord Orochimaru… "A waste who's been a Genin for so many years, you talk too much.
You sneaky fellow…"
Sasuke's eyes gleamed with cold light as he spoke impolitely, extremely annoyed with this opponent.
He had already snatched Kabuto Yakushi's scroll, yet he still had to fight this guy… Of course, it wasn't out of fear; an Akado Yoroi wasn't enough to… "You brat…"
Hearing Sasuke call him a waste and sneaky, Akado Yoroi roared in anger, exploding on the spot.
If it weren't for hiding his identity as a spy, why would he be so cautious!!
"Alright… The first round of preliminaries, now begin…"
Seeing the two at loggerheads, Hayate Gekko didn't waste words and directly announced the start of the battle.
"Buzz…"
Just as his voice fell, Akado Yoroi formed hand signs, and visible chakra ignited in his right hand… "Yoroi's ability is quite special… What will you do, Sasuke?"
In the stands, Orochimaru, disguised as a Sound Ninja Village Jonin, his eyes flickering with a hint of anticipation.
While focusing on Sasuke, he also subtly glanced at Naruto's side from the corner of his eye… "Sakura, are you done talking?… Now it's my turn. Kakashi-sensei, you're so biased… Why…"
Naruto saw Kakashi still deep in thought even after going upstairs, and couldn't help but complain again.
He absolutely had to learn that Chakra Orb jutsu… "Naruto, I suddenly remembered I have something else to do!
We'll talk about your matter later…"
Just as Naruto was about to state his purpose, Kakashi's expression changed, and he said solemnly.
"Sakura, I'll handle their matters… You continue with your exam in peace…"
Without giving Naruto a chance to speak, Kakashi turned to Sakura and comforted her.
With a "poof," he vanished in a puff of white smoke!
The sealing of their Cursed Seals was already urgent, and most importantly, Naruto!!
Naruto, with the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, was not something he could handle… And a Naruto who had adapted to the Cursed Seal, if not handled properly, would become Orochimaru's pawn against Konoha!
This seal had to be dealt with personally by the Third Hokage… Now, Orochimaru's threat could no longer be ignored!!
"Huh??
What's going on… He's avoiding, he's avoiding the problem!!
Damn it, don't let me catch you again… Kakashi-sensei!!!"
Looking at the vanished Kakashi, Naruto cried out in boundless resentment and indignation.
He absolutely, absolutely had to make Kakashi-sensei teach him that jutsu… No, a jutsu even stronger than that one!!
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