"Who the hell are you?!"
The last trace of kindness vanished from Kakashi's demeanor.
His sharp eyes locked onto the opponent, ready to strike at any moment.
Hakuryu spoke calmly, "Does it matter who I am? Or would my identity change what you've done in the past?"
Kakashi's gaze darkened as his figure suddenly disappeared from where he stood, charging straight at Hakuryu with lightning speed.
At the same time, a pillar of purple light pierced through the ceiling, enveloping Hakuryu entirely.
In an instant, his body was bound by an invisible force, rendering him immobile.
He could only watch as Kakashi closed in and pinned him to the ground.
Hakuryu tried to resist with his chakra, but the power of the purple light was far more formidable than he had imagined.
Holding him down, Kakashi said coldly, "Since you're unwilling to talk, I'll let the interrogation department entertain you properly!"
However, to Kakashi's shock, the body beneath him began to transform.
What had been a solid human form suddenly writhed and distorted, the flesh twisting grotesquely before sinking into the floor.
Startled, Kakashi quickly drew a kunai and pinned Hakuryu's hand to the ground, but it was futile.
The pierced hand left no trace of blood.
Helpless, he watched as the figure vanished completely.
He leaped down to the lower level of the tower, but it was completely empty.
Kakashi's face turned grim, fluctuating between shades of pale and dark before he finally gave up.
In the arena, sitting in the special guest section alongside Yahiko, Nagato noticed Hakuryu returning and remarked, "Why did it take you so long just to go to the restroom?"
Hakuryu's expression was awkward. "Had a bit of a stomach upset."
The matches among the Genin continued in the arena.
Despite being only Genin, the participants displayed skillful techniques and engaged in fierce battles.
Those who had made it to this stage were no ordinary candidates; their solid fundamentals made the fights a rare spectacle for ordinary spectators.
Yahiko couldn't help but laugh at Hakuryu's words.
Though Hakuryu had only recently joined Amegakure, Yahiko greatly admired him.
He had already become a trusted confidant.
Yahiko had considered grooming him carefully and gradually assigning him important positions.
However, Hakuryu insisted that he only wanted to be Nagato's attendant and had no desire for power.
This made Yahiko appreciate him even more, so he didn't press the matter.
The Chunin Exams lasted most of the day, with the candidates showcasing impressive abilities that thrilled the audience.
The final match was between Konoha's Uchiha Itachi and Yakushi Kabuto.
Many people were familiar with Uchiha Itachi, a prodigy of the Uchiha clan and the son of the clan leader, who had graduated from the ninja academy in just one year.
However, Yakushi Kabuto was a virtual unknown to most, except for those from the orphanage.
Surprisingly, this obscure Genin claimed victory in the end.
Due to the butterfly effect, Itachi's path as a ninja had been smooth sailing, unlike in the original timeline.
As a result, he hadn't awakened the Sharingan early on.
While his skills were exceptional for a Genin, he still lacked the powerful edge of the Sharingan.
On the other hand, Kabuto had received far more rigorous training than academy students.
Additionally, their age difference gave Kabuto a significant physical advantage.
When Kabuto emerged victorious, the children from the orphanage cheered louder than anyone else, and Yakushi Nonou smiled in satisfaction.
Itachi, having lost to his teammate, didn't feel discouraged or upset.
The match ended with the two forming a sign of reconciliation.
"What a pity. I didn't expect Itachi to lose," said Ayari from the stands, clicking her tongue.
Mikoto replied, "The one who beat him is his teammate."
She didn't mind the outcome and didn't feel the need to demand victory from her son.
If Fugaku were here, he might not have been so pleased...
Mikoto thought to herself, her expression darkening momentarily.
She reached down and gently touched her abdomen.
Ayari offered comfort, "Mikoto, don't take it too hard. Itachi is much younger than him, after all."
Mikoto merely smiled. "I'm fine."
The Hokage reappeared to announce the names of those who had passed the exam: three from Konoha, three from Suna, and one from Ame.
He then made some formal closing remarks, marking the successful conclusion of the Chunin Exams.
The audience began to leave in an orderly manner, still discussing the recent matches.
Such joint Chunin Exams were rare and unique to peaceful times, with each event proving to be a remarkable spectacle.
Yahiko and his group, led by Konoha staff, were escorted to a rest lounge in the Hokage building.
There, Yahiko met the Fifth Kazekage, Pakura.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Kazekage. I've long heard of the legendary Scorch Release of Pakura. It's truly a pleasure to see you in person," Yahiko said humbly.
As the leader of a small village meeting a great nation's Kage, Yahiko adopted a respectful demeanor.
Pakura was aware that this young man before her was the one who had reformed Amegakure and dethroned Hanzo of the Salamander.
She did not underestimate him.
Hanzo's name had been familiar to her since childhood—a legendary figure who single-handedly initiated the Second Shinobi World War and fought against the combined forces of the Wind, Earth, and Fire nations.
Though now old and weakened, anyone capable of overthrowing him must be formidable.
Pakura smiled politely and said, "You're too kind, Mr. Yahiko. I've also often heard stories of your remarkable achievements in Amegakure."
Beneath her pristine white Kazekage robe, Pakura wore a sharp and practical outfit.
If she shed the cumbersome outer garment, her graceful and curvaceous figure would be revealed.
As the leader of a great village, every gesture exuded confidence and dignity.
A friend of a friend is naturally a friend.
Although there hadn't been much direct interaction between Suna and Ame, in the current landscape of the ninja world, gaining another ally was never a bad thing.
In Sunagakure, many elders who had lived through the Second Shinobi War still harbored resentment toward Amegakure, but some mental readjustment could resolve that.
Pakura remarked, "I heard the rules for the first two rounds of this Chunin Exam were devised by Mr. Yahiko?"
Yahiko replied modestly, "It was all thanks to the Hokage's kindness in giving Amegakure an opportunity."
Pakura smiled faintly, her tone ambiguous. "Mr. Yahiko certainly has creative and unexpected ideas."
Sensing a subtle undertone, Yahiko felt that this didn't sound like pure praise.
"You're too kind, Lady Kazekage," he responded politely.
Pakura suddenly turned to Makoto, the Hokage. "Hokage, how many participants from Konoha passed the first written exam?"
Makoto naturally knew what the Kazekage was getting at and responded, "Twenty-seven."
Pakura nodded with a sigh. "My village's results weren't far off. Those incapable kids lacked sufficient strength, yet when they returned to the village, they complained about the exam rules being unfair, saying they traveled all that way only to be denied entry to Konoha."
Yahiko was momentarily stunned, then his heart sank.
Makoto laughed heartily, "Konoha and Suna are friendly neighbors. There's no need for your village's people to use the Chunin Exams as an excuse to visit Konoha. They are always welcome, and we will certainly receive them warmly."
Genin were the foundation of the ninja system, the starting point for every ninja.
Today's genin were the future pillars of their villages.
Yahiko suddenly realized he had unintentionally attracted hostility from a particular group.
Looking at the expressions of both the Kazekage and Hokage, Yahiko felt complicated emotions.
No one else was to blame; he could only blame his own over-eagerness for merit.
As a leader who rose from a wandering ninja background, he still had a long way to go compared to these Kage who had received proper education since childhood.
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