This Chunin Exam was hosted solely by Konoha. Only recent graduates who met the necessary strength requirements were permitted to participate.
Because of this strict filter, only a dozen or so Genin remained after the first two rounds. With so few candidates left, there was no need for a preliminary selection before the third round. Everyone would proceed directly to the final exam a week later.
This one-week gap was meant for the Genin to rest and train.
Jie Uchiha couldn't understand the logic at all. A mere week? How much could their strength realistically grow, even if they spent every waking second on chakra control? It wasn't like everyone possessed a cheat ability where a single day of training equaled a year for a normal person. Hiruzen Sarutobi's brain had to be short-circuiting.
Still, since these were the rules, Jie didn't feel like forcing a change. It was only a week, anyway. He would consider it an act of mercy, letting Hiruzen live just a few days longer.
The week quickly slipped by. Jie spent most of his time enjoying himself, while Itachi Uchiha used the break to familiarize himself with his newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan.
On the day before the exam, Orochimaru, who had been missing for quite some time, finally reappeared before Jie.
"They're here," Orochimaru said immediately upon arriving.
"They?" Jie was momentarily stunned by the abrupt statement, but quickly realized who he meant. "Are they all here?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Not quite," Orochimaru said, shaking his head. "During today's Akatsuki meeting, Pain stated he would remain at the Amegakure base. The other members will arrive in Konoha tonight."
Hearing this, Jie nodded, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes. It would have been perfect if Nagato had come. If he killed him, not only would he gain a pair of incredible eyes, but perhaps the System's reward would allow him to unlock the Eternal Mangekyo. What a pity Nagato decided to stay behind.
"If nothing goes wrong, and we don't act tomorrow, Hiruzen Sarutobi will launch a massive attack on the Uchiha clan tomorrow night." Orochimaru licked his lips, offering Jie a half-smile. "My sensei really went all out, liquidating all of the Sarutobi clan's assets. He used a full billion ryo to hire the Akatsuki to exterminate the Uchiha. It seems my he truly hates your clan."
"Does Hiruzen really think that hiring the Akatsuki means he can take on the Uchiha? How naive," Jie sneered. "Tomorrow, I'll show him what true despair looks like."
Orochimaru chuckled softly. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Jie, have you prepared the item I requested?"
"Of course," Jie said calmly. "I guarantee it's absolutely perfect for you."
"Get ready. Tomorrow, we invite our final guests to the stage. This decaying village is long overdue for its demise," Jie said coldly, his gaze fixed on the distant Hokage Monument.
The night passed in a flash, and the day of the third Chunin Exam arrived.
"Father, get ready," Jie said to Fugaku Uchiha earnestly before leaving the compound. "Although I believe the major clans will make the wisest choice, that old fox has been operating in the village for years; he definitely has many diehard loyalists. When the time comes, I'll need you to lead the clansmen and intercept them all."
"Rest assured, Jie." Fugaku nodded, his voice deep and resolute. "I promise not even a single fly will slip past us."
"Do the clansmen have enough intelligence on those rogue ninjas wearing the black cloaks with red clouds?" Jie asked, still wanting to be absolutely certain.
"Don't worry, the information on all Akatsuki members has been distributed. As long as they dare to show up, absolutely none of them will escape," Fugaku said confidently.
Getting the answer he wanted, Jie nodded in satisfaction. Everything was ready; all they needed was the right moment. With their plans finalized, Jie and Itachi slowly made their way to the arena hosting the third Chunin Exam.
The arena was already packed. Commoners and Fire Country officials sat in the spectator stands, buzzing with anticipation for the exam to begin.
Under the ninja world's current system, the Daimyo ruled the commoners and controlled the purse strings, while the Kage ruled the ninjas, controlled the military, and held the sole authority to wage war. Thus, the Chunin Exam wasn't just a platform to select village talent; it was a stage to display military might to the officials of major countries, serving as justification to secure funding.
Only if a hidden village was strong could it ensure the safety of the Daimyo and the officials, protecting the Land of Fire from the invasions of other great nations. To maintain this strength, the Daimyo and his officials had to continuously provide funds.
The Fire Daimyo hadn't attended this exam personally, but he sent a trusted minister to observe in his stead. However, when Jie laid eyes on that minister, his eyes widened slightly.
Orochimaru?
Had Orochimaru assassinated the Daimyo's trusted minister halfway here and disguised himself, or was he the minister all along? Truly worthy of being one of the former Sannin—his connections were vast and his methods wild. Regardless of how Orochimaru had managed it, Hiruzen's fate was now entirely in his hands.
Looking away from Orochimaru, Jie turned his attention to the Genin participating today. Good, there were no familiar faces. It was to be expected; the timeline was still years away from the start of the main plot. The capable next generation was currently the exact same age as Naruto and Sasuke.
Because of this, Jie found it even harder to muster any interest in the current matches.
After the proctor of the third round, Kakashi Hatake, finished explaining the rules, the names on the large screen began to scroll rapidly before locking into place.
[Match One: Itachi Uchiha vs. Gangban Sarutobi]
Hearing Itachi's name, Jie looked for his supposed opponent with a spark of interest. It was an ordinary Genin from the Sarutobi clan, completely unremarkable without a single redeeming quality.
"Trash like this is participating in the Chunin Exam? Hiruzen won't even let this tiny privilege slide?" Jie couldn't help but mock.
But before he could even finish his sentence, Itachi closed the distance in a flash, knocking the Sarutobi Genin unconscious with a single, precise chop to the neck. The boy collapsed heavily to the ground.
Seeing this, Jie was left utterly speechless. With that little strength, he dared to enter the Chunin Exam? Couldn't he have lasted a bit longer, at least until he finished his sentence!?
Itachi's swift victory immediately drew a wave of gasps from the spectators. As expected of the Uchiha clan's second young master—possessing such combat power at such a young age, he was bound to become a fierce general for Konoha in the future.
"Lord Hokage, to think Konoha has such talent under your rule," the trusted minister—disguised by Orochimaru—said to Hiruzen, licking his lips as he spoke in a mocking, passive-aggressive tone. "I will definitely report this to the Daimyo when I return and advise him to allocate more funds."
"You flatter me, Lord Minister. Itachi Uchiha's strength is merely average; it's just that his opponent was far too mediocre." Hiruzen frowned, his voice indifferent.
"It seems the one he fought was from the Sarutobi clan, though," Orochimaru noted with a sinister chuckle.
"There is no benefit in discussing this further, Lord Minister. Let us continue watching the matches." Hiruzen brushed him off casually, not wanting to say more.
'Sensei, you really have grown old,' Orochimaru thought silently. In a place Hiruzen couldn't see, Orochimaru's nails dug deeply into his own palms.
'Since you failed to grasp this final opportunity... then farewell forever.'
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