"If he could create some distance and use shuriken with Fire Release, he might have a chance, but he's still eating candy... forget it, Hyuga Satomi will definitely win."
Uchiha Yoichi really didn't think highly of Obito, even if Hyuga Satomi didn't use the Sage Curse Seal, it would probably still be Satomi who wins.
The match quickly began, and Uchiha Obito knew he couldn't get close to the Hyuga family, so he threw shuriken right from the start to increase the distance.
But all of Obito's shuriken were blocked by Hyuga Satomi, and instead of increasing the distance, it decreased a bit.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball...."
Uchiha Obito wanted to use ninjutsu to create an opportunity, but after finishing the seals, the candy got stuck in his throat. Not to mention performing seals, even escaping became difficult.
In the end, Hyuga Satomi got close and struck him on the chest, not only sending Obito flying seven or eight meters but also conveniently dislodging the candy from his throat.
However, just as Obito struggled to get up, a kunai was pressed against his throat.
The members of the Uchiha Clan and Kakashi's teammates in the audience all covered their heads at Uchiha Obito's performance.
Uchiha Mikota also advised the Itachi beside her, "Itachi, once you become a ninja, you can't eat candy during missions...."
After the next few matches ended, Kakashi took first place in the individual battles, with the lowest odds; after all, once they found out he was the son of the Konoha White Fang, Kakashi's odds kept dropping.
The second place was Yuhi Kurenai, who was actually restrained by Hyuga Satomi, but unfortunately, they didn't encounter each other.
Hyuga Satomi and an Explosion Release ninja from the Hidden Rock Ninja ended up in a draw, both taking fourth place, while third place went to the Cloud Ninja Samui; both the Explosion Release ninja and Hyuga Satomi were severely injured, allowing Samui to win directly.
Only the top five received the Chunin title, while others who made it to the third round of individual battles still lacked the strength to achieve Chunin.
The Wood Release Bloodline Ninja whom Danzo had high hopes for only took sixth place.
Although the appearance of Wood Release shocked everyone in the stands who knew about it, not getting first place severely diminished the impact of the Wood Release Bloodline re-emerging.
This Chunin Exam, lasting over a month, finally came to a close. Although it seemed boring to Uchiha Yoichi, others found it exhilarating, with the Genin in the final rounds showing Chunin-level or even higher capabilities.
Especially Hatake Kakashi, whose performance with the White Fang Saber Technique made Kitsuchi, the Hidden Rock Ninja, frown; this kid was too much like his father, the Konoha White Fang.
In another ten years, a new White Fang is likely to emerge in Konoha Village.
After the exam, the first to leave were certainly the Daimyo and nobles of various countries, with dedicated guards and Konoha Ninja escorting them a respectable distance outside the village.
Yahiko, seeing the Chunin Exam end, got up and said to Konan, "Konan, let's meet the Third Hokage this afternoon."
"Got it, Yahiko."
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With the Chunin Exam over, Uchiha Yoichi spent some time in the Security Team, calling in Uchiha Masato and four other squad leaders, instructing them to recruit more non-clan ninjas into the team recently.
The Security Team's authority could even expand, allowing them to make their own rules, but sufficient manpower is needed to enforce them.
Uchiha Yoichi also discussed some business with the Daimyo Mansion that required some clan ninjas for maintenance, hence some personnel would be drawn from the Security Team.
Hokage Building.
Yahiko and Konan changed their clothes and donned the headbands of the Hidden Rain Village. However, foreign ninjas had to leave Konoha within one day, so they had to hurry.
"Excuse me, I'd like to see the Third Hokage. I'm Yahiko, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization from the Land of Rain. Could you pass on the message, please?"
The guard at the Hokage Building frowned and shook his head, "No, please take your leave from Konoha. If you wish to see the Third, have the Hidden Rain Village send an emissary...."
He had never heard of the Akatsuki Organization from the Land of Rain, only knowing about the Hidden Rain Village. If they hadn't made a normal visit without signs of intrusion, he'd have called the Anbu to handle them.
Yahiko bowed and said, "Please pass on the message. I have thoughts on peace that I wish to discuss with the Third Hokage."
"Leave quickly, or I'll have to call the Security Team!"
The guard ninja at the Hokage Building said, even putting his hand into his ninja tool bag.
Konan, a bit frustrated, stepped forward to say, "We are from...."
"Konan, let it go."
Yahiko stopped Konan, unwilling to rely on Jiraiya-sensei's reputation, but hoped to have others understand his vision on its own merits.
"Let's go."
Saying that, Yahiko and Konan turned and left.
After seeing the two of them leave, the guard ninja at the Hokage Building finally took his hand out of the ninja tool bag, but he still turned around to report the situation inside.
The news that two ninjas with Hidden Rain Village headbands wanted to see the Third Hokage and talk about peace quickly made its way to the Anbu and Root.
The Anbu didn't do much besides pulling up some information on the Akatsuki Organization, assessing the risk levels, then summarizing and reporting the situation onto the Third Hokage's desk.
But the Root ninja relayed the message to Danzo, who furrowed his brow slightly, "The Akatsuki Organization...is it the one Hanzo mentioned?"
"Where are they?"
"Preparing to leave Konoha Village, there's only two of them."
"Let Shen handle it. This time, make sure to take the heads of the two from the Akatsuki Organization!"
Danzo coldly ordered, feeling embarrassed for not getting first place and realizing that the power of Wood Release in his subordinates couldn't compare to having it under his control.
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
After receiving their orders, the Root ninja went to find Shen.
Shen, after being briefed, took a Soldier Pill to restore Chakra and left Konoha.
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"Yahiko, I didn't expect Konoha Village to be so arrogant, not even willing to meet us!"
On the way back, Konan couldn't help but complain; even if that ninja went inside to pass on the message briefly, they wouldn't have minded, but to not even do that and directly drive them away.
"It's still because we're not strong enough, Konan, if we could represent the Land of Rain, maybe Konoha wouldn't take us so lightly."
Recalling what that Konoha ninja said earlier, Yahiko made a decision in his heart.
"When we return, we'll continue to grow the Akatsuki Organization, aiming to gain recognition throughout the Land of Rain, including Hanzo...."
Before he could finish, Yahiko's expression suddenly changed, and he and Konan instantly leaped away.
In the next moment, several shuriken came from the woods, almost grazing Yahiko and Konan's legs.
If they had dodged a bit later, the shuriken would have hit them.
"Who's there!?"
Yahiko shouted angrily, "This is near Konoha, soon there will be ninjas...."
"Wood Release: Great Forest Jutsu!"
Several thick wooden logs extended from the woods, attacking Yahiko and Konan; upon seeing this jutsu, shock flashed across their faces, and they quickly formed signs to counteract.
"Water Release: Water Turbulence Jutsu."
"Paper Shuriken - Explosive Tag!"
Yahiko's Water Release Ninjutsu had no effect on the charging logs, but it did slow their impact, buying them time.
Then the paper shuriken Konan threw turned into explosive tags upon hitting the logs, the violent explosion instantly shattering the attacking logs, allowing the pair to evade the Great Forest Jutsu's assault.
"Wood Release Ninjutsu, you must be that Konoha ninja from the earlier Chunin Exam."
Just as Yahiko finished speaking, a figure jumped out from the forest—it was that Konoha ninja he saw during the Chunin Exam individual battles.
"Why are Konoha ninja intercepting us?"
Yahiko asked in confusion, what's this about? They hadn't done anything out of line.
Shen didn't respond, instead, he proceeded with the mission to eliminate the two in front of him, "Wood Release...."
"Wait!"
But just as Shen was forming seals and was about to use Wood Release Ninjutsu, someone suddenly appeared between the two sides, interrupting their fight.