In a small room, The Third Hokage's expression grew solemn. Besides The Third Hokage, the room was crowded with Jonin from Konoha.
This included Kakashi, Might Guy, Ibiki Morino, Anko Mitarashi, and others who were all present.
"Orochimaru has returned to Konoha. I saw him in the Death Forest," Anko Mitarashi said gravely, as if recounting an earth-shattering event.
The Third Hokage asked, "What's Orochimaru's goal?"
"It's Sasuke!" Anko Mitarashi quickly replied. "Orochimaru said himself that he has his eyes on a young man from the Uchiha clan."
Kakashi was shocked. Sasuke was his student, and now being targeted by Orochimaru, how could he feel at ease?
Hearing this name, The Third Hokage remembered that Sasuke was the descendant of the Uchiha clan and the only remaining Uchiha in Konoha Village, and memories of the past welled up in his mind.
Anko Mitarashi proposed, "Hokage-sama, regardless of Orochimaru's goal, we should protect Sasuke right now."
"No need," The Third Hokage said calmly. "The Chunin Exams are of great importance and must continue. Then we'll observe Orochimaru's next move."
"Yes," Anko Mitarashi could only comply since The Third Hokage had spoken.
Kakashi left in a hurry. He wanted to check on Sasuke's situation and was quite anxious inside.
The Third Hokage announced, "The second exam of the Chunin Exams has ended. Let's go to the Ninja Hall!"
Just then, Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage from Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, walked in through the door and said, "Did I interrupt you?"
"Don't mention it," The Third Hokage's expression softened as he politely asked, "What brings you here, Fourth Kazekage?"
"The rules of this year's Chunin Exams might need to be changed," the Fourth Kazekage said in a deep, magnetic voice that seemed to carry a hint of killing intent.
"The rules of the Chunin Exams have already been set. Why the sudden change?"
"I've discussed it with the princes and dukes of various countries, and the influential figures have all agreed. The third round of the Chunin Exams will be held in seven days. The exam will be a free-for-all among three-person teams."
Everyone present was surprised at the Fourth Kazekage's words. They never expected the rules of the Chunin Exams to change so abruptly.
The Third Hokage asked, "Why make such a change?"
"Because the original one-on-one duels are just too boring," the Fourth Kazekage said. "To better showcase the strength of the ninjas to the princes and dukes of various countries, I believe the team free-for-all is the best form. Only in this way will it be more like a war and more exciting for the bigwigs of various countries to watch."
The Fourth Kazekage continued, "After all, this Chunin Exams, where the Genin of various countries fight for their lives, is actually a show for the powerful and wealthy of various countries."
"Now that the princes, dukes, and influential figures of various countries have spoken and they want to see the team free-for-all, I'm sure Konoha won't object."
"..." All the Jonin, including Anko Mitarashi, Might Guy, and Ibiki Morino, fell silent.
After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage finally made a decision and said, "Fine! Since the Daimyos of various countries want to see it, the content of the third round of the Chunin Exams will be changed to a team free-for-all. It will be held in seven days."
"Hahaha..." Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, let out a triumphant laugh and then left.
In the Ninja Hall, there were quite a few people standing. Both the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage were present, along with all the Jonin of Konoha, except for Kakashi.
There were seventeen people standing on the lower level, namely:
Sunagakure Village: Gaara, who was still in a coma, Temari, and Kanpo.
Konoha Village: Kabuto Yakushi, Yoroi Akado, and Kenzumi.
Konoha Team 3: Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten.
Konoha Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno.
Konoha Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka.
Konoha Team 10: Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi.
Among them, Sasuke Uchiha of Team 7 was not present.
Temari spoke up first, "Gaara was caught in the genjutsu of the Earth Scroll and fell into a coma. Can we wake him up first?"
At this time, Anko Mitarashi stepped forward and playfully said, "He could pass the test even in a coma. It seems the difficulty level I set for this round was too low. I'll have to increase it next time."
Anko Mitarashi's words made all the Genin present look at each other in dismay.
"What a hassle," Shikamaru Nara said. "If we have to go through this again next time, it'll be the end of me."
Actually, there was a small episode in the second round of the Chunin Exams. Gaara's team was unlucky as they snatched three Earth Scrolls. Since they already had one, most of the Earth Scrolls ended up in Gaara's team.
If there were no accidents, since Gaara's team held most of the Earth Scrolls, most people would be eliminated. Only Naruto's team and Kabuto's team could advance.
And Naruto was that accident. Naruto actually used the genjutsu of the Earth Scroll to put Gaara into a coma, disabling an incredibly powerful character.
After Gaara fell into a coma, Neji Hyuga cooperated with Shikamaru Nara and surrounded Temari and Kanpo, forcing them to hand over the Earth Scrolls.
The situation at that time was like this. In the Death Forest, Neji Hyuga swiftly led Rock Lee and Tenten to block their way in the front.
Shikamaru Nara stealthily led Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi to outflank them from the back.
Surrounded by the two teams, Temari and Kanpo felt an unprecedented crisis. Coupled with Gaara's coma, they had no chance of winning at all.
Shikamaru Nara showed a charming and confident smile, "Give up. I know all the Earth Scrolls are in your hands. Hand them over, and it'll save everyone a lot of trouble."
"Damn it," Kanpo cursed Naruto in his heart because it was Naruto who had put them in such a desperate situation.
Neji Hyuga said, "What? You still wanna resist? I'll go all the way with you!"
"We'll hand over the Earth Scrolls," Temari found the situation unfavorable to her side, so she had to hand over the Earth Scrolls voluntarily. Just like that, Neji Hyuga's team and Shikamaru Nara's team successfully advanced to the next round.
In this regard, it's thanks to Naruto Uzumaki that Neji Hyuga's and Shikamaru Nara's teams were able to advance.
Afterwards, Temari and Kanpo carried Gaara, who was unconscious, and continued to search for the Heaven Scroll in the Death Forest. On the last day, they finally snatched the Heaven Scroll from the Sound Ninjas' Genin. They got a bit of luck at the last moment and successfully advanced to the next test.
Back to the normal timeline, in the Ninja Hall, Anko Mitarashi walked up to Gaara's side, casually made hand seals, and shouted, "Release!"
Gradually, a glint returned to Gaara's eyes. He finally woke up from the Genjutsu spell. The first thing he did after waking up was to shout, "Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Yeah, yeah..." Naruto said listlessly. "What do you want?"
Gaara thought he was still in the Death Forest, still fighting Naruto. As a result, a terrifying killing intent emanated from his entire body.
"Hey..." Naruto reminded him. "Everyone is watching you. The Fourth Kazekage, your dad, is standing over there."
"What!" Gaara was completely stunned on the spot. Only then did he notice that he was in a strange hall, surrounded by people. He even saw the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage.
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