Chapter 99

"Have any candidates been killed?" Hokage asked.

"No candidates' bodies were found at the scene, but examiners occasionally saw bodies of some candidates in other places. There will be casualties in this exam, the candidates fight each other. Even if a candidate is killed, we don't know whether it was Orochimaru or another candidate who did it," Mitarashi Anko replied.

"Um…"

Seeing the dignified look on the Third Hokage's face, Mitarashi Anko asked tentatively, "Do I need to suspend the Chunin Exams?"

"No."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sternly objected, "I will send more Anbu into the Forest of Death. The Chunin Exam cannot be suspended! This exam involves many things. Even if we suspend it… the daimyo and nobles will not agree."

"Yes!"

Although there are two Chunin exams a year, not every exam holds the same significance. This Chunin Exam is special—not only will many nobles participate, but even the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure will attend!

Suspending the exam for just one ninja's sake would make Konoha appear weak. Not only would Sunagakure look down on Konoha, but it could also cause the daimyo to reduce Konoha's funding.

"We can't allow that."

"I remember Gekko Kazuki passed the exam, right? Anko, take me to see him."

"Please follow me!"

Only Anbu knew that Gekko Kazuki had taken in a ninja from Kusagakure, and there were several proctoring chunin aware of it as well. Sarutobi Hiruzen did not want the news to spread that Konoha had taken in an orphan of the Uzumaki clan. He even hoped that Karin could be a hidden asset for Konoha!

Because the second round of the Chuunin Examination lasts five days, candidates cannot leave the Forest of Death until the results are out—even those who have already passed. Candidates like Kazuki and Gaara are usually assigned a room and remain there until the exam concludes.

Currently, Kazuki and his team were in one of the rooms in the central tower.

404

Boom, boom, boom!

Sarutobi Hiruzen politely knocked on Kazuki's door before saying, "Kazuki, can I come in?"

"Who is this voice?"

"It sounds familiar."

"An old man, and a genin candidate that old?"

"Is it possible that this is the voice of the Third Hokage?"

"…"

Listening to the bustling sounds inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitarashi Anko were speechless.

Isn't this supposed to be a single room? Why are there so many people inside?

Besides, is it possible that no one recognizes the voice of me, the Third Hokage, who gives you missions every day?

"Ahem, I'm the Third Hokage. Kazuki, are you busy? If so, I can come back later."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened. An indifferent face appeared before the two.

"Come in," Sasuke said coldly.

"Um…thank you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't sure what to say for a moment, so he squeezed in with Anko. Before entering, he never imagined that this small single room could house so many people!

Kazuki, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, Karin, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Mitarashi Anko were all present…

If Shikamaru and Choji hadn't been away, they would have had no choice but to go out and chat.

"This is Karin."

Sitting across from each other, Sarutobi Hiruzen patiently observed Karin for a long time before speaking. During the waiting time, Karin was visibly nervous. She feared rejection from Sarutobi Hiruzen, but fortunately, he spoke kindly.

"Well, it's me."

"Are your parents still alive?"

Karin lowered her head, her eyes darkening. "I never met my father. I only remember my mother constantly moving us around until we finally settled in Kusagakure."

"Who is your mother?"

"Her name is Uzumaki Mira."

Although she belonged to the Uzumaki clan, her mother had kept them hidden for years. Even Karin's birth was unplanned, and Mira had never registered a surname for her daughter to keep her hidden.

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment but could not recall anyone named Uzumaki Mira. She was likely not well-known within the clan and not of direct descent.

"Do you mind if I ask about your abilities? It's fine if you don't want to share," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a kind smile, though there was an underlying expectation.

Karin spoke of her ability to heal others and restore chakra through biting, but Kazuki had advised her not to mention Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

While the ability to heal by biting was unique, it wasn't what Sarutobi Hiruzen had hoped for. He had been hoping for sealing techniques or other powerful Uzumaki abilities.

However, he concealed his disappointment well. If he knew about Mind's Eye of the Kagura, he would have likely tried to assign Karin to his trusted ANBU for her unique reconnaissance abilities.

After conversing with Karin, Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed that she stay under Kazuki's watch. Though he gave her options, Karin chose to stay with Kazuki rather than follow the Hokage, which irked him slightly.

Nonetheless, Sarutobi Hiruzen maintained his composure and instructed Kazuki to take good care of Karin, while he would handle Kusagakure's response to her presence. Though handling Kusagakure's reaction seemed straightforward, unseen challenges always emerged.

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+80 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg

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