Upon arriving at the arena, the atmosphere was already very crowded and festive.
Konoha's largest competition venue, capable of accommodating thousands of spectators from various backgrounds, was almost completely full.
Shouts and cheers of support for the finalists had already begun to be heard.
Even if you stood at the edge of Konoha village, you could still clearly see the corner of this giant stadium's roof towering high.
In the upper section of the stands, there was a row of more luxurious special seats, prepared for the Daimyō, village elders from various clans, and other honored guests who came to witness the display of strength from Konoha's prospective Chunin.
It could be said that the entire place was indeed designed and intended for grand and prestigious matches like the Chunin Exams.
Karin walked towards the spectator seating area, looking for a strategic and comfortable position to clearly see Naruto's fight without obstruction. Meanwhile, Naruto joined the other finalists in a special waiting area provided below the stands.
Not long after, as the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure (Orochimaru in disguise) sat arrogantly in his seat of honor beside the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up from his seat and with a loud and authoritative voice announced the commencement of the third and final round of the Joint Chunin Selection Exams.
Of course, there was a slight change that was immediately noticed by observant spectators.
The proctor or referee for this final round had changed.
It was no longer Gekkō Hayate, the pale-faced Jōnin who in the previous preliminary round had an expression as if he would die suddenly at any moment (and unfortunately, had indeed mysteriously fallen after that), but another strange man who also didn't look too healthy and fit, with a senbon always casually tucked between his lips: Shiranui Genma.
This person, Shiranui Genma, also had a more or less similar appearance to Hayate, looking like someone who would die suddenly at any moment.
But at least, he was far better than the previous Hayate in terms of 'survivability'.
After all, Genma wasn't really going to die anytime soon, whereas the previous Hayate was truly gone and had become a victim of Baki and Kabuto's cruelty.
Of course, the Genin who would fight in the final round of these Chunin Exams did not know the details about Hayate's death or why the referee was suddenly replaced.
For them, what mattered most was the fight that was right in front of them.
Shiranui Genma stood calmly in the middle of the vast arena, biting the senbon in his mouth with his characteristic nonchalant style.
Deep down, he also felt very angry and sad about the death of his fellow Tokubetsu Jōnin, Gekkō Hayate.
But as a professional ninja and a referee appointed directly by the Hokage, he couldn't show it now in front of thousands of spectators and village officials.
He had to remain focused on his duty.
He took out a piece of paper from his Jōnin vest pocket with an expression that looked very dissatisfied.
He opened the paper in front of all the finalists who were now gathered in the middle of the arena and said in a flat but clear tone,
"Due to some technical reasons and conditions that you don't need to know, the order of matches that was previously drawn in the preliminary round has undergone a slight change. This is the new and final match schedule."
He briefly showed the paper to the finalists.
"The rules of the game are still exactly the same as the last preliminary round, that is, there are basically no special rules. The fight will continue until one party is declared dead or voluntarily admits defeat and surrenders."
Naruto unconsciously swallowed his saliva upon hearing the re-emphasis on the word 'deceased'.
The atmosphere among the finalists became slightly more tense and serious.
None of them overreacted or showed fear; they were all mentally prepared to face the worst possible outcome.
"Of course,"
Shiranui Genma added in his characteristic lazy tone,
"if I, as the referee in charge, judge that one party is no longer able to continue the fight or is in a critical life-threatening condition, I will immediately intervene and stop the fight and decide the winner to prevent further undesirable events."
He glanced at the finalists one by one.
"If you have any questions about this new schedule or about the rules of the game, you can ask them now. After this, there will be no more question and answer sessions, and we will immediately start the first match."
Shikamaru Nara was the first to realize something was wrong with the list of opponents' names on the paper Genma showed.
He remembered very well that his opponent in the first round was supposed to be a man named Dosu Kinuta from Otogakure.
And if he managed to win against Dosu, he would have to fight again in the next match.
This was actually better for him now because his opponent in the first round changed to Temari from Suna, who might be slightly easier to face than the mysterious Dosu, but...
'Wait a minute... Dosu Kinuta's name isn't on this list at all. Did that person named Dosu decide to withdraw from the competition suddenly? Or did something happen to him?' Shikamaru frowned deeply, his genius brain immediately working to analyze various possibilities.
'No, it shouldn't be that simple. This is really strange and suspicious. It's so troublesome to have to think about this now.'
"I have a question, Mr. Sleepy-Looking Referee!"
Naruto was the first to raise his hand high with great enthusiasm, his face full of confusion and a little worry that he couldn't hide.
"Where's Sasuke?!"
Shiranui Genma turned towards Naruto with a flat and slightly bored look, his eyes showing not much change in emotion upon hearing Naruto's question.
"Uchiha Sasuke has not yet arrived in the arena. If he still hasn't come after this first match begins and his name is called, then he will be dealt with according to the applicable rules of the game."
"Dealt with according to the rules... Doesn't... doesn't that mean he'll immediately lose his qualification to compete and be declared defeated by default?!"
Naruto exclaimed in a louder voice, unable to stop himself from showing even a hint of urgency, disappointment, and a little anger in his voice.
He had been looking forward to the moment he could meet and fight Sasuke in this final round to prove who was stronger between them.
What would he do if that arrogant Teme lost his qualification just for a silly reason like being late to the arena? That would be so annoying!
'That stupid Sasuke! Where have you been at such an important time, Teme?! Don't tell me you really got lost on the path of life like Kakashi-sensei often says! Or are you scared to fight me, huh?!'
Naruto thought with a mixture of annoyance and anxiety.
Inside the seal, Hana, who clearly heard Naruto's question and saw the unconcealable anxious expression on her prince's face, immediately sent a calming message through their connected telepathy.
"Don't worry, my dear prince. Sasuke-kun will surely be fine. I can feel Kakashi is with him now, perhaps giving him a very special and secret 'final training' before his match. He will definitely come on time, or maybe deliberately come a little late to make a more dramatic and cool appearance, as those arrogant Uchihas usually do"
There was a hint of amusement and slight mockery in Hana's voice when she mentioned the Uchiha clan.
Hearing Hana's calming and slightly comforting words, Naruto immediately felt much more relieved.
The worry on his face drastically reduced, although his annoyance at Sasuke for not showing up yet still lingered a bit.
He was used to trusting Hana's instincts and information.
When Naruto's question was answered (or rather, not answered clearly and satisfactorily) by Genma, the other finalists seemed to have no other questions.
The atmosphere had reached this point, and there was nothing more they could do but prepare to fight with all their abilities and spirit.
Shiranui Genma put the match schedule paper back into his pocket and now looked at the seven Genin still standing tensely before him with an expressionless face:
"Alright, if there are no more questions, we will immediately begin the first match of this Chunin Exam final round."
The seven pairs of finalists' eyes unconsciously turned their gazes completely and simultaneously towards Genma, waiting with pounding hearts for who would be called first to open today's series of fierce battles.
"The first match,"
Genma announced in a flat but loud enough tone to be heard by all the spectators in the stadium,
"Uzumaki Naruto from Konohagakure."
Naruto immediately clenched his fists tightly, his heart pounding even faster.
There was a mixture of nervousness, enthusiasm, and a burning determination within him.
'Finally! The time has come! I'll show everyone how strong I am now!'
"Will face..."
Genma continued, pausing slightly to add dramatic effect,
"...Hyuga Neji, also from Konohagakure."
Neji, who had been standing calmly and arrogantly among the other finalists, slightly lifted one corner of his lips, forming a thin smile full of cold confidence and a bit of... disdainful arrogance?
As if he had already clearly and definitively seen the end of this fight's story in his head, and the result was always the same: his victory.
Shiranui Genma glanced at the two of them alternately for a moment, then said in an undeniable commanding tone,
"Except for Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji, the other finalists please proceed immediately to the provided contestant preparation area and wait for your respective turns to be called."