"Orochimaru?"
"One of the legendary Konoha Sannin?"
"A strong figure like that is actually serving as an examiner for the Chunin Exam..."
The name of Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, was indeed very famous.
At the very least, after hearing that name, many people could not help but start whispering among themselves.
Konoha Sannin, Orochimaru.
He was one of Konoha's well-known powerful shinobi.
No one had expected him to actually come serve as an examiner for the Chunin Exam.
There were quite a few sharp-minded people who found this somewhat strange.
A powerhouse like Orochimaru should not have been involved in something like this...
Perhaps.
This was also one of Konoha's ways of showing off its foundation?
On Suna's side.
Sasori calmly looked at Orochimaru standing atop the giant snake, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
He muttered, "One of Konoha's Sannin, huh? He really is impressive. Just looking at him gives me an inexplicable sense of pressure..."
Aside from the Hokage, Konoha also had many powerful shinobi worth paying attention to.
The Konoha Sannin, Konoha's White Fang.
These were all famous powerhouses throughout the ninja world.
Even the Kage of the various villages would speak with some seriousness when mentioning these names.
And Orochimaru had indeed lived up to the name of one of Konoha's Sannin.
Just standing there, he gave off an invisible pressure.
On Kiri's side.
The young leader of the Kaguya clan, Kaguya Shimaichirō, looked straight at Orochimaru without fear.
The corners of his mouth even curled into a somewhat excited smile. "As expected of Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. He doesn't feel any weaker than my father."
"I wonder how much longer it will take before I can fight a strong person like this?"
The current him was definitely no match for one of the famous Sannin.
But he felt neither fear nor timidity.
Instead, he felt a strange kind of excitement.
Meeting the strong always stirred the desire deep in his heart.
At the same time, he was extremely confident.
As long as he was given enough time, he too would become a powerful shinobi whose name shook the ninja world.
His goal was to become the new God of Shinobi, and make the Kaguya clan the strongest bloodline clan!!
Hearing Shimaichirō's words, the other Kiri Genin beside him showed little reaction.
It was as if they were already used to it and understood his personality very well.
'This guy has probably already forgotten the real purpose of coming to Konoha this time.'
Kisame merely glanced at Shimaichirō and muttered inwardly.
Afterward, he looked at Orochimaru and thought to himself, 'Konoha cannot possibly be unaware of what this Chunin Exam means. As expected, they are also going to display their foundation, one of the Sannin, Orochimaru.'
In truth.
This Chunin Exam was originally an excuse the major shinobi villages were using to probe Konoha's true strength.
Konoha was publicly acknowledged as the strongest shinobi village!
It was impossible for Konoha not to understand such probing.
By agreeing to this joint Chunin Exam, Konoha was already making a statement.
It was also confidence in the strength of their own village.
Having one of the Konoha Sannin, Orochimaru, come out and show himself was likely also meant to intimidate the other shinobi villages.
Mei lightly clicked her tongue, seeming a little disappointed. "So Orochimaru of the Konoha Sannin looks like this. He does look pretty good, but he seems a bit too feminine. He's not as handsome as that Seiryū."
"Speaking of which, Konoha really does have quite a few handsome guys, way more than Kiri..."
Mei looked toward another spot.
Ryosuke, wearing his forehead protector and standing tall, was also quite handsome.
It was just that his gloomy eyes ruined it...
Making Mei shake her head, and softly say, "Mm, that one called Seiryū still looks better. It's just a pity he's from Konoha..."
To be fair.
The quality of handsome men in Konoha was far higher than in Kirigakure.
Just take Seiryū.
Even his looks kept drawing her eyes, and Mei was willing to call him the most handsome.
Unfortunately, he was from Konoha, which meant he was an enemy. Sigh, what a pity.
"Quiet!"
A hoarse voice came from Orochimaru's mouth.
Although his voice was not loud, everyone could hear it clearly.
Even though he was not releasing any visible aura, everyone present felt as if they were being stared at by a venomous snake.
Many people could not help but feel a chill run down their spines.
Sweat also began to drip from their foreheads.
The somewhat noisy chatter instantly ceased, and the area fell into a strange silence.
The chirping of insects and birds around them, along with the breathing and heartbeat of those nearby, all seemed to become much clearer.
"Next, I will announce the rules of the second preliminary exam."
Orochimaru looked at everyone.
His gaze involuntarily swept across a few people who interested him, and the corners of his mouth curled upward. "There are a total of eighty-seven participants in this exam, which means twenty-nine teams. Next, you will be issued scrolls."
"One Heaven Scroll, and one Earth Scroll."
"No matter what methods you use, whether it's killing or stealing."
"As long as you obtain both types of scrolls at the same time and successfully reach the tower deep inside the Forest of Death, you will have completed this exam."
"The time limit is three days. Anyone who cannot reach the tower within three days will also be considered to have failed."
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils looked at everyone with interest, and he curved his lips. "The moment you pass through the fence and step into the Forest of Death, the exam begins. So let me see what kind of performance you Genin can put on..."
This Chunin Exam was also something he found very interesting.
So.
When the Third Hokage suggested that he serve as examiner for the second preliminary exam, he did not refuse.
Rustle rustle rustle!
After receiving the scroll belonging to their own team, some teams had already begun moving.
After all, there was a time limit, and they were also afraid of being targeted by others.
One team after another rushed into the Forest of Death, moving at no slow pace.
Then...
Sounds of fighting and screams faintly began to carry over.
Clearly.
Battle and slaughter had already broken out!!
Tossing the Earth Scroll in his hand, Shimaichirō revealed a savage smile. "Any method is fine, huh? Then let's try clearing everyone out. That's Kiri's usual style after all."
Kirigakure had always been famous throughout the ninja world for its cruelty.
It was known as the Village of the Bloody Mist.
Back when they were still in the Ninja Academy, children only a few years old were already made to stain their hands with blood.
There were no such concepts as comrades, friends, or family. There were only enemies, enemies that could be killed!
"Let's go."
Shimaichirō called out to Mei and Kisame, the two members of his team.
Then, without hurry, he passed through the iron fence and walked into the Forest of Death.
Not worried in the slightest about being targeted by others.
Strength was confidence!
Rustle rustle rustle!
One after another, more teams began crossing the fence and entering the Forest of Death.
Movements could be heard coming from every direction.
Listening to the sounds of fighting and screams over there, Seiryū twitched the corner of his mouth. 'Orochimaru did that on purpose, didn't he? There were clearly several gates, but he didn't mention them. He really enjoys stirring things up.'
He was not unfamiliar with the Forest of Death either.
There were several entrances in the fence.
But Orochimaru had not mentioned that, which was clearly deliberate. What a nasty guy.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)