As long as one could enter the main arena, they would inevitably catch the attention of the Third Hokage.
Let alone taking first place—simply advancing to the main arena and being noticed by Hiruzen Sarutobi was already considered an immense honor in the eyes of these students.
Amid the thunderous uproar of the third subsidiary arena, Yuya left the field and headed toward the main arena.
Uzumaki Kushina actually wanted to abandon her own matches and rush over to the main arena as well. However, once a participant entered the examination, even if they surrendered every remaining match, they still had to finish the full ranking process.
So Kushina could only remain in the crowd, watching Yuya depart with hopeful eyes.
The cheers from the third subsidiary arena were deafening.
So loud, in fact, that even the first, second, fourth subsidiary arenas, and even the main arena, drew curious glances in that direction.
First Subsidiary Arena
Just as he was about to begin his fourth match, Namikaze Minato looked toward the distant commotion from the third arena with mild surprise.
"It seems someone has already secured victory… and faster than me, at that."
After a brief flicker in his eyes, he smiled unconcernedly.
It didn't matter who arrived first. Once in the main arena, rankings would still be decided through battle.
He had no intention of yielding first place to anyone.
A relaxed confidence shone in Namikaze Minato's eyes.
The Main Arena
The venue had already been fully prepared.
Seated upon the main platform, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly when he heard the distant commotion.
"It seems an outstanding child has already emerged. I wonder who it will be."
"Without question, it must be Namikaze Minato—the genius who surpassed Orochimaru in talent!"
Standing behind Hiruzen was Jiraiya, already an elite jōnin, and one of the future Legendary Sannin.
Within the Ninja Academy, Namikaze Minato was unquestionably first in every aspect, often crushing second place with ease—surpassing even Orochimaru in his youth.
Because of this, Minato's reputation as a genius had long since attracted the attention of Konoha's upper ranks.
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Hiruzen smiled and nodded slightly.
Indeed, under normal circumstances, it should be Minato.
However, at that moment—
From another direction, Orochimaru approached quietly, a strange curve lifting the corner of his mouth.
"Hehe… not necessarily."
"What? Orochimaru, are you dissatisfied?" Jiraiya snorted.
"At this age, you weren't as outstanding as Minato either."
Orochimaru couldn't be bothered to argue. He merely shrugged and replied calmly,
"That's not what I mean."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Look for yourself."
Orochimaru subtly gestured in a certain direction.
Hiruzen and Jiraiya both turned their gazes—then froze.
Because the first victor to enter the main arena had already arrived.
A silver-haired boy.
Not Namikaze Minato—
But Yuya.
"That's impossible… someone actually arrived faster than Minato?!"
Jiraiya nearly shouted in disbelief.
The first victor… wasn't Namikaze Minato?!
Beside him, Orochimaru wore a faintly sinister smile.
"What's so impossible about it?"
"This is interesting. I thought this era only produced one true genius—Namikaze Minato."
From behind them, Tsunade walked forward lazily, her beautiful eyes flashing with curiosity.
"He's the child who agreed to a life-and-death duel with Uchiha Han, isn't he?"
"That's right," Orochimaru replied with a nod.
Jiraiya—who held Minato in the highest regard—immediately looked displeased as the conversation shifted entirely toward Yuya.
"So what if he made it here? There's no way he can defeat Minato. Minato's talent surpasses even yours, Orochimaru!"
"Hehehe…"
Orochimaru chuckled softly, not offended in the least.
"A special Kekkei Genkai, combined with remarkable composure under pressure… I think that child may very well surpass Namikaze Minato in the future."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present was startled.
Though most did not believe Yuya could truly exceed Minato's genius, hearing such certainty from Orochimaru meant Yuya's talent was undeniably extraordinary.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into brief contemplation.
He had, of course, heard about Yuya.
Facing a dead end, Yuya had chosen a life-and-death duel with Uchiha Han to carve out a chance—earning three months of reprieve, though it still seemed like a path to death.
But thinking carefully, under those circumstances, Yuya had made the best possible decision.
That child… was indeed not simple.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered thoughtfully.
If Yuya truly possessed such potential, then a sapling like this could not be allowed to wither in the hands of the Uchiha.
In that case—
Let him show what he can do next.
Under Hiruzen's expectant gaze, Yuya finally arrived at the main arena and stood quietly below the platform, waiting.
As he waited, Yuya discreetly examined the battlefield.
Compared to the subsidiary arenas, the main arena was far more formal.
It resembled the Chūnin Exam arena seen in later years.
At the highest seat, Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in his Hokage robes, sat calmly.
Standing beside and behind him were three figures Yuya knew all too well.
As Yuya looked up, a faint glimmer passed through his eyes.
Orochimaru. Tsunade. Jiraiya.
The future Legendary Sannin—all present.
They looked much younger than in the original canon, and all three wore proper jōnin uniforms.
Seeing so many familiar figures at once stirred a ripple of emotion in Yuya's gaze.
And just as Yuya observed them, they too were evaluating him.
Sometimes, one could see a great deal simply from a person's eyes.
Excessive calm could invite suspicion—but Yuya's composure, mixed with a faint trace of restrained excitement, revealed no psychological flaws whatsoever.
"Good eyes," Tsunade remarked softly after studying him.
Reaching this point with the current first-place ranking, and still maintaining composure in front of the Hokage and elite jōnin—
This was the mentality of a qualified shinobi.
Hiruzen nodded as well.
Though Yuya had come from another village as a child, that no longer mattered.
In Hiruzen's eyes, Yuya was no different from any other child born in Konoha.
He simply appeared to be someone whose brilliance had long been buried—unable to use ninjutsu—until awakening a Kekkei Genkai allowed his genius to finally bloom.
Just as everyone continued assessing Yuya, the second victor finally arrived.
This time, there was no surprise—
It was Namikaze Minato.
Upon entering the main arena, Minato wore the same calm expression as ever.
Jiraiya—who had briefly lost interest—immediately became animated again.
"See? Minato's eyes are exactly the same! No matter how talented Yuya is, he can't surpass Minato."
"Heh… then let's wait and see."
Orochimaru smiled faintly, leaned back against the wall, and fell silent.
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