Chapter 27
"So, the next step in the Chunin Exams is entirely in your hands now," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, gripping his pipe with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Even he hadn't anticipated this turn of events. Who would've thought Tsunade would bail at such a crucial moment in the Chunin selection?
Considering Tsunade's stubborn streak, Hiruzen could only shake his head in resignation. Counting on her to change her mind now? He'd have better luck believing an elephant could climb a tree.
"What about Jiraiya?"
Orochimaru didn't reject the request outright, but the look on his face made his displeasure clear. Babysitting these kids through their games? Not his idea of fun.
"Jiraiya? He's already accepted a mission to the Land of Whirlpools and won't be back anytime soon," Hiruzen admitted, tapping his pipe and feeling a bit guilty.
"Alright, I understand. Leave the Chunin Exams to me."
The moment Orochimaru took on the task, he had already planned how to make sure Jiraiya and Tsunade wouldn't get away scot-free either. If he had to work, they weren't going to get a free pass!
---
The next morning at the 37th training field, Fujiwara Tetsuya couldn't hide his surprise when he saw Orochimaru again. Hadn't this guy already said goodbye yesterday?
"Ladies and gentlemen, we meet again," Orochimaru's raspy voice echoed. "Due to some unexpected changes, I'll continue as the proctor for the Chunin Preliminaries."
As he spoke, a weight seemed to settle in the air around him, and the genin standing nearby immediately grew quiet. The presence of a strong figure demanded respect.
"The rules for the Chunin Preliminaries are simple. There are twenty teams left after the second exam, meaning sixty participants remain. The next round will be a series of one-on-one battles. Win two rounds, and you'll qualify for the final selection."
"Lord Orochimaru, how will we determine our opponents?" Senju Seito piped up, the excitement palpable in his voice. This guy had a habit of getting way too pumped for things like this.
"You'll draw lots to decide. I've already arranged everything," Orochimaru said, his hand gesturing smoothly toward a masked Anbu member who stepped forward with a wooden box. "Once you've drawn, you'll face your opponent in the order indicated on the slips."
At his command, the gathered genin hesitated for a brief moment before stepping up to take their turns.
"Tetsuya, who did you draw?" asked Muto as he returned to his group.
Tetsuya looked down at his slip, a faint smile forming. "Not bad. I got someone from the Grass Village. How about you two?"
"Grass, huh? Lucky. I drew someone from the Sand Village," Muto said, shrugging. "And as for Mikoto, she's up against someone from the Hyuga clan."
"The Hyuga, huh?" Tetsuya's interest piqued. A showdown between the Hyuga's Byakugan and the Uchiha's Sharingan was bound to draw attention.
Though he couldn't help but feel it was a missed opportunity. If there were betting pools here, he'd definitely be raking in some extra cash.
"The Hyuga clan? They're not that special," Mikoto muttered, her tone sharp and confident. "I'll finish this in three minutes, tops."
She must've noticed the amusement in Tetsuya's gaze because she shot him a glare before turning and walking away, her sleek figure cutting a graceful silhouette.
"Mikoto, I didn't mean anything by it, I swear!" Tetsuya called after her, his voice carrying a mix of apology and amusement.
With that, the preliminaries began in earnest.
The first half of the matches, though a bit dull, quickly thinned the ranks. Most of the early knockouts came from smaller villages like Grass, Rain, and Waterfall. While these genin might've been the pride of their respective villages, on the grand stage of the ninja world, they were simply outmatched.
"Mikoto, go for it! Take down that Hyuga kid!" Muto cheered as it came time for her match.
"A battle between the Uchiha and Hyuga, huh?" Tetsuya mused, folding his arms. "This should be fun."
The same thought crossed the minds of the many onlookers, even Orochimaru, whose reptilian gaze fixed on Mikoto and her opponent, Hyuga Kawato. Despite being from the Hyuga's branch family, Kawato was still a formidable talent, one worthy of representing the clan.
"I've heard of you, Uchiha Mikoto. The prodigy of your clan, awakening the Sharingan at twelve," Kawato said, eyes serious as he activated his Byakugan. "But I won't lose. I'll prove to everyone that the Hyuga's Byakugan is every bit as strong as the Uchiha's Sharingan!"
His intense declaration was met with silence from Mikoto, who simply raised a brow. "Strength isn't something you can prove with words. If you want to show me the Byakugan is superior, you're not nearly strong enough."
Mikoto's cool detachment was almost infuriating, but at the same time, it carried an air of undeniable power.
As Kawato's Byakugan activated, the crowd caught a glimpse of crimson in Mikoto's eyes—her Sharingan was fully active.
"Two tomoe!" someone gasped from the sidelines.
Even members of the Uchiha clan seemed shocked. A thirteen-year-old with two tomoe was a sign of extraordinary potential.
"Two-tomoe Sharingan… This is going to be more interesting than I thought," murmured a voice from the distance. Tetsuya turned his head and spotted A, Rasa, and Kitsuchi—tactical geniuses from the five great nations—watching closely, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"It's going to be an exciting match," Rasa remarked, grinning.
"No kidding. Team Thirteen really is full of surprises," A added. "A kid who mastered an A-rank Lightning Release jutsu before eight, another with a two-tomoe Sharingan, and that bug-user… I'm curious to see what else they've got."
Orochimaru's gaze flickered between the trio of Tetsuya, Mikoto, and Muto, an odd glint in his eyes. He seemed to savor the spectacle, almost as if the potential of these children stirred something deep within him.
---
The battle between Mikoto and Kawato began with a rush of movement.
"Even if you have the two-tomoe Sharingan, I won't lose!" Kawato yelled, launching himself forward. "Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Twenty-Four Palms!"
Mikoto remained unfazed, her Sharingan tracking his every movement. His attacks cut through the air, but her deft steps kept her just out of reach.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!"
Kawato's strikes intensified, but Mikoto's voice rang out cold and composed. "Your technique isn't bad, but you're too slow. To these eyes, your every move is full of openings."
As Kawato attempted a final strike, Mikoto sidestepped, countering with a graceful kick that sent him spinning through the air. She landed lightly, her movements elegant and efficient.
The fight was over.
---
"Double tomoe Sharingan at thirteen… This Chunin Exam might be more interesting than I thought," Orochimaru muttered, his lips curling into a twisted smile as the excitement in the air continued to build.
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