Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The five days of the second exam ended without Orochimaru showing himself again. Kaen knew that Orochimaru wouldn't risk revealing himself again, but it only unnerved Kaen more. Orochimaru wasn't someone who would give up after failing once, or twice, or thrice. No matter how often he failed, Orochimaru never gave up on his goal.

Orochimaru was a scientist that wanted to discover the limits of the human body and answer the question of immortality. His mindset was too focused to let a few setbacks hold him back. That is what was terrifying about him. Kaen understood very well that Orochimaru would use any opportunity to achieve his goal or create that opportunity.

Failing to implant his cursed seal on Sasuke, Orochimaru might try to strike sooner than Kaen thought he will. It was always hard to fight against the unknown, yet he had to be prepared for it. And maybe he was wrong. Maybe Orochimaru got spooked by Kaen and gave up. It was wishful thinking, and Kaen knew it, but one can always hope.

With all teams either failing or succeeding, Kaen found Anko and together started to leave for the Tower at the center of the Forest of the Death. Kaen had seen how his students finished the test on the first day. In comparison, Kakashi's team had to spend a few days resting before sneaking into the tower. Asuma's team was unlucky, and they only found the scroll they needed after fighting three teams. And then, they had to fight to keep the scrolls for the rest of the time.

"Will you stop mopping around?" Kaen asked Anko, who hadn't spoken for a while. "It wasn't your fault."

"You know that isn't the truth," Anko replied. "Not only was I useless, but I also hindered you. There is no bigger shame."

"There is," Kaen said and flicked her forehead. "It would be biggest of shame if you died. As long as we live, in my opinion, it is a win."

"In that logic, Orochimaru won," Anko replied, not amused.

"In that logic, it was a draw," Kaen responded with another flick on her forehead. "So, we haven't lost."

It was hard for Kaen to get Anko out of her thoughts. Even dango didn't work. He was out of options. Kaen might blame Anko for her interference when it wasn't needed, but Anko already blamed herself too much—more than she deserved. Kaen will have to talk with Kurenai and ask her to watch over Anko as they seem to be good friends.

"Kaen, Anko," Yugao and Hana appeared before them as they reached the tower in the center of the Forest of the Death.

"Good work, everyone," Kaen said, and instantly regretted his words as he saw Anko flinch. "Go and rest. Our part is done."

"I heard about Orochimaru's appearance," Hana stated.

"All shall be told later," Kaen replied. "I will report to Hokage-sama myself. Anko is coming with me."

Maybe they understood that Kaen didn't want nor have time to talk about it now. Yugao and Hana left it be. Kaen entered the tower, where the Third Hokage would address the genin. The Third Hokage was already informed of what had happened at the Forest of the Death by Kaen's shadow clone. But he still needed to speak with the Third Hokage to coordinate their following actions.

…

The Hokage has said that the exam shall continue as planned for now. No matter how much Kaen wanted to protest, he couldn't fault the Third Hokage's decision. Orochimaru is gone for now, and it would be impossible to find him. Kaen wanted to take the three from the Sound Village to Ibiki, but it would give a wrong message to other villages. It could be used even to wage war if the misunderstanding isn't cleared.

But there was someone that Kaen could do whenever he wanted without anyone able to question it. Kabuto Yakushi. Still, Kaen had to wait a bit to take care of that little snake, as he wished that Orochimaru would contact Kabuto first. That way, he might get new information, and even if Kabuto didn't talk, Kaen already knew the gist of their plan. He only needed to convince others of how he found that information, and Kabuto would be the best excuse.

"Kaen," Kakashi and Asuma greeted Kaen as he stood before the genin with other Jonin and proctors.

"Not bad for rookie teams," Guy said to Kaen, Asuma, and Kakashi. "They might get lucky, but with my team around, getting further would be impossible."

"Did you say something?" Both Kaen and Kakashi asked, picking their ears.

"Hmph, not bad, Kaen-san," Guy laughed while Kakashi glared at Kaen with one eye. "But you still have a long way to reach my eternal rival Kakashi's coolness."

"There are seven teams," Kaen ignored Guy and commented.

"More than expected," Asuma replied.

Kaen could see how his team and Asuma's team looked at Naruto. Kaen had watched the fight Kakashi's team had with the sound three. Even though Sasuke tired them down, Naruto destroyed them. Kaen had informed the Third Hokage of the one-tail cloak but did so in private. Kaen was surprised by that, so he expected some people to start fearing Naruto's power.

"Listen up, brats," Kaen spoke once everyone got their bearings. "Hokage-sama shall explain the third test. So, you better listen carefully."

"Before I start, I wanted to tell you the true reason for Chunin Exams," The Third Hokage said calmly.

"True reason?" Naruto was the loudest, but Kaen could tell everyone was thinking about it.

"Some of you might have questioned why the allied countries took the exam together. Was it to promote friendship among the countries? To raise the level of shinobi? Yes, it is true, but only partially. I want you all to know the true and most important reason for the exam. It is a replacement for war among the allied countries."

"What?"

It was a common reaction for most genin. Kage's wouldn't ordinarily tell it to the genin. It was their job to learn it or their sensei's job to explain it. But Hokage have chosen to speak here because he wanted to warn certain individuals. Warn that Konoha is prepared for war and was preparing it through the years of peace.

"Leaders will watch the third test from many countries, while the exam is to choose the next chunin among you. You will be fighting to protect your home village's prestige. It is simple, the more strength the village shows, the more clients they will be able to get. On the other hand, the village that offers poor performance has fewer clients and is seen as weak. So, remember that this is a life-risking battle. You will fight for your dreams and the village's prestige."

"I don't care for any of it," Gaara from the Sand spoke as Hokage finished his speech. "Hurry up and tell me what the next test entails."

"Hmm," Before Kaen could smack some manners to the brat, Hokage stopped him. "If you wish, young one. I will tell you now…"

"Actually," A cough got everyone's attention. "As a referee, I, Hayate Gekkou, would like to continue from there on."

"Very well."

"Before the third test starts, something must be done," Hayate said with a tired and sickly voice. "There are too many of you, so we shall begin the preliminary test to choose who will participate in the main event."

"What do you mean, preliminary?" Naruto and many others were unquestionably concerned with this course of action.

"Silence!" One word from Kaen and everyone quieted down. "There are too many of you brats this year than usual. It would be embarrassing to show weak ass kids who got this far with only luck to the country's leaders. So, your skill will be tested now, and those who will pass will make it to the next stage. If you have any problem with that, you don't deserve to get into the next stage. The doors are behind you. You can leave at any time."

"Kaen-san speaks too harshly. Everyone here has proven their worth, but we are limited in time, so not everyone can participate," Hayate explained. "In short only half of you shall proceed to the next and final test. If you don't feel like you can continue fighting after hearing all of it, please step forward and say so now."

"Umm, I shall do so," Kaen knew who it was, not needing to even look at him. "I didn't have time to rest from the previous test and won't be able to fight well."

"Kabuto Yakushi, from Konoha, right?" Gekko asked. "If that's your wish, you might leave now. Is there anyone else? Then I shall tell you that it will be individual battles from now, so you can leave by raising your hands at any time."

"He is lying," Kaen said silently to the Hokage. "He had no trouble passing the second test."

"Hmm, what else do you know about him?" Hokage asked.

"He gave up before the finals last time too, and had failed chunin exams six times, now would be the seventh time."

"I never heard of someone who failed that many times," Asuma said. "By pure luck or experience, most would succeed or give up at this point."

"What is his record?" Hokage said.

"Below average, graduated from the academy by the third time taking the exam. Have two C-rank and fourteen D-rank missions under his belt," Kaen answered. "It feels like he is hiding his skills and might fear that he might risk revealing them if he is to fight some of the genin."

"But why?" Guy turned to Kaen at his words and asked.

"To keep a low profile, to be unnoticed," Kaen said. "His history is suspicious."

"Keep an eye on him," The Third Hokage ordered.

"Will do, Hokage-sama," Kaen nodded and returned to his team with the rest of the jonin.

"Since we have an odd number, one of you won't need to fight and shall be chosen randomly to continue to the next stage," Gekko said. "But it will be done at the end. We shall put everyone in duals at random. One who will not be chosen shall be the lucky one."

After Gekko explained that there are no rules, they can do as they wish in the battle, but if he can proclaim the winner ahead of time and will stop any pointless bloodshed. As the genin, Kaen got tired of listening to it too. Everyone's blood was boiling in anticipation. Even Jonin were excited to see their pupils fight and test themselves.

"If everyone is ready, we shall begin," Gekko said. "Those who are shown on the screen shall stay in the arena. For the rest, please move to the upper level.

Everyone, including Jonin, looked at the screen as names and faces flashed. Until it stopped at two faces and names. Choji Akimichi and Temari of the Sand. Kaen thought it would be interesting, but it could have been a more exciting fight. He already could predict how the battle would commerce and who would be the winner.

"He didn't even have a chance to eat," Shikamaru mumbled as the others moved to the upper levels to watch the fight.

"There will be many battles you will have to fight while starving," Asuma said. "It is better he learns it now rather than later."

"It is your fault for not finishing the test sooner," Kaen said. "You would have more time to rest if you did so."

Shikamaru didn't say anything, but Kaen could see that Asuma was worried for his pupil too. But who knows, Choji might show something surprising. After all, neither had much of an advantage against the other. As fat as Choji looks, the Akimichi clan is renowned for its defenses and physical prowess. But Temari is quite agile and uses long-range attacks. So, if she doesn't let Choji get close, she should win. But she might let her guard down too soon. Who knows what will happen?