Soon, the main tournament began.
Two by two, the winners advanced, and the losers were eliminated.
Although this was the format, it didn't mean only the winners could become Chūnin.
Or rather, who ultimately became a Chūnin had little to do with victory or defeat. What the proctors cared about was the strength, wisdom, courage, and so on, that the examinees displayed during their battles.
After a comprehensive evaluation, the final quota determination would be handed over to the three Kages.
Therefore, the key to this exam was to showcase one's strengths as much as possible during the battles.
The most anticipated match was undoubtedly Gaara vs. Rock Lee.
Even Shinji was very interested.
If Sasuke knew that Shinji actually didn't care about who his opponents were, he would probably rush in and settle scores with Gaara and Lee Rock.
And the facts proved to be so.
The battle between Gaara and Rock Lee almost instantly ignited the audience's exclamations!
Whether it was Gaara's sand manipulation ninjutsu and 'absolute defense' or Lee Rock's taijutsu and the Eight Inner Gates, both displayed an extremely high level of skill, completely unlike the level expected of Genin. In fact, most Chūnin wouldn't be their match!
Although this duel was eventually halted by Teacher Guy's intervention, in reality, Lee Rock lost.
At this point, although Lee Rock could open the fifth of the Eight Inner Gates - the Gate of Limit - he ultimately failed to completely break through Gaara's sand defense and had his limbs crushed.
If Guy hadn't intervened in time, Gaara would have killed Lee Rock in the next second.
But win or lose, the strength Lee Rock displayed was enough to crush other examinees.
Sasuke's expression was particularly grim. After watching the battle between Lee Rock and Gaara, he realized how much power Lee Rock had held back when fighting him.
Let alone the Eight Inner Gates, when dealing with him, Lee Rock hadn't even bothered to remove the weights tied to his legs.
Furthermore, even with his taijutsu at its normal level without opening the Eight Inner Gates, he couldn't keep up with Lee's movements. One could imagine Sasuke's fate if Lee Rock had opened the Eight Inner Gates.
Yet, such a powerful Lee Rock was nearly killed by that 'monster' Gaara!
WTF!
However, terrifying as it was, Sasuke still had to thank Lee Rock.
Thanks to Lee Rock's all-out effort, he forced Gaara to use his full strength, which also gave Sasuke an idea of how to break through the 'absolute defense.'
Match after match began, some exciting, some dull.
However, Kazekage Rasa's mind was no longer on the Chūnin Exam in the arena.
"Judging by the time, it should have started..."
Rasa's gaze lightly swept past the Hokage beside him, and he sneered inwardly.
...
Outside, after burying the last special device underground, Kabuto immediately released a firework into the air.
Although he didn't know why Lord Orochimaru had suddenly lost contact.
However, after Kabuto and Baki had a secret meeting, they decided to proceed according to the original plan.
Many people looked up, wondering why someone was setting off fireworks in broad daylight.
But upon receiving the signal, Kidōmaru, Sakon, Jirōbō, and Tayuya immediately activated their curse marks and transformed into monsters.
Anko only knew she was the first successful recipient of the Heaven Curse Mark, but she didn't know what version Orochimaru had evolved the curse mark to by now.
The curse marks of the four, Kidōmaru, Sakon, Jirōbō, and Tayuya, were now Orochimaru's latest model, developed by combining the power of curse spirits.
This curse mark not only greatly enhanced the user's inherent strength but also allowed the curse mark holder to temporarily borrow the power of curse spirits, very much like a fusion of human and curse spirit.
Orochimaru, as the number one scientist in the ninja world, had created such a thing without anyone noticing.
At this moment, the four, who had transformed into half-curse spirits, immediately began forming hand seals and then slammed their hands onto the ground.
As the special power was transmitted into the special devices already buried underground, pillars rapidly sank into the ground.
Suddenly, a strange chakra fluctuation flashed by.
Then, a giant brown barrier rapidly rose, enveloping the entire venue.
Four Violet Flames Formation!
This was a barrier jutsu newly developed by Orochimaru, combining the power of curse spirits and technology.
Within this barrier, only individuals with curse spirit power could enter and exit freely. Others could only get out by destroying all the special devices or waiting for Kidōmaru and the other three to exhaust their chakra.
And those outside could not see what was happening inside.
Of course, under absolute power, no barrier was unbreakable.
But Orochimaru was confident that one or two Kages could not break this barrier in a short period.
"Alright, now it's time to have some fun. But where did Lord Orochimaru go?"
Kabuto pulled down his hat and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
...
"Hmm? What is this..."
"What happened?"
"A barrier? Where did this barrier come from?"
Many people sensed something was wrong and were surprised to find they couldn't get out.
"Quiet!"
At this critical moment, the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood up, and with a single word, calmed everyone down.
"The exam is temporarily suspended..."
"Kakashi, take someone to investigate the situation."
"The rest of you, stay put and await the results."
The sudden turn of events left many bewildered, but under the Hokage's arrangements, they all complied.
At this moment, Rasa suddenly spoke, "I don't think this is a coincidence. Does the Hokage intend to capture all of us in one net?"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent!
Then, suspicion flickered in the eyes of many outsiders.
Because they suddenly realized that Konoha ninja constituted more than half of the people present. If a fight were to break out, it would be entirely possible to kill them all.
Moreover, the timing of this barrier's appearance was also very suspicious.
It didn't appear earlier or later, but precisely when everyone was gathered and unprepared, trapping them all inside.
And this place was arranged by Konoha, making it easiest to tamper with things.
Thus, many people silently distanced themselves from the Konoha ninja beside them, fearing an attack.
Seeing this, many Konoha ninja showed looks of indignation. They themselves had no idea what was going on.
However, they also didn't make any rash moves, as they weren't sure if this was the Hokage's plan.
What if the Hokage really had this intention but just didn't tell them to prevent leaks?
At this point, even some Konoha ninja thought this was possible.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious inwardly but maintained a calm demeanor outwardly. "Kazekage, you jest. Konoha is not so base, and we would never do such a thing."
"Everyone need not worry. When the barrier team arrives later to open the barrier, everything will become clear."
Although he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew in his heart that the person who caused this wouldn't have done so without a backup plan.
____________________
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