Sudden Rules

The recently formed Otofū team, having completed only a handful of missions, might not have even been among the six reserve teams if not for the fact that its three members were not novices and the strong recommendation from their captain, Otofū.

The Sayuri team shared a similar fate. Unlike the Otofū team, which was genuinely underestimated, the Sayuri team could have secured official qualifications. However, Sayuri wanted to test Zairo's abilities and was reluctant to spend too much social capital, which is why they ended up as a reserve team.

Three days passed before all the Genin teams with qualifications completed their missions and returned to the village. After two more days of rest, the preliminary tests finally began. During this time, the Otofū team made their preparations.

Daimaru had initially hoped to obtain a list of all the Genin participating in the Chunin Exam from Sayuri, but was ruthlessly rejected. The whimsical young lady was troublesome, indeed. Despite a smooth transaction before, Daimaru thought they were on good terms, only to be snubbed the next moment.

Kankurō was more straightforward in business, always prompt with payment, never in arrears.

It wasn't until noon on the day of the test that the rules for the preliminary selection were announced. The test would start after lunch, leaving only a few hours to determine the final spots.

Holding the announcement and roster in his hands, Daimaru exhaled deeply.

"A round-robin battle that considers both individual and team strength—interesting!"

The battle rules were simple: after choosing a team to challenge, victories would be determined through one-on-one fights. The winner would continue, the loser would be replaced, and the battle would go on until all three members of a team were defeated and their qualification was taken.

The successful challenger would secure a direct slot to the joint Chunin Exam in Konoha; the losers would be eliminated.

The teams that lost their regular qualifications would be treated as reserve teams, with one chance to challenge and secure their spot.

"Senza, you go first, Yoru next, I'll be last."

"Okay!"

Senza nodded in agreement,

"But which team are we challenging?"

"As long as it's not Temari's team, any other is the same."

Yoru asked with some concern,

"Is it really okay to be so casual? We don't know much about the others!"

Members of weaker Genin teams and those aspiring to the Chunin Exam were entirely different circles. Daimaru could name a few, but he wasn't well-acquainted.

"That's not an issue!"

Daimaru answered as a matter of course,

"Just do your best, and with me as the final boss, there won't be any problems."

From the rules of engagement, a team's overall strength would be advantageous, but if a single Genin was far superior, they could potentially defeat all three opponents alone.

The rules reflected the practicality of the Sand ninja, valuing both teamwork and individual valor. Additional rules were in place to prevent any team from being maliciously targeted or benefiting from underhanded tactics without fighting.

In theory, any of the ten teams with regular qualifications could be challenged, even repeatedly.

Without real strength, having regular qualifications might not be a blessing, as the situation could be even more challenging than for the reserve teams.

...

As the sun dipped in the sky, the hottest part of the day passed. Forty-eight Genin candidates gathered, along with a dozen senior ninjas overseeing the test.

"No need for extra words. Challengers and defenders, follow the proctors to your respective training grounds. You have one hour. If the defenders can't defeat the challengers within the time limit, they will be deemed defeated."

The additional rule from Maki, the person in charge, sent a chill through the candidates, prompting some to whisper among themselves.

"Silence! If you're deemed strong and can't defeat the weak decisively, I'll question if you deserve my esteem. I have the final say here, and now... begin!"

Gaara, Kankurō, and Temari sat at the forefront, with Daimaru from the challenger's side winking at Temari, only to be met with cold indifference.

No one dared challenge the three children of the Kazekage. Gaara's exceptional strength was one thing, but no one wanted to risk being killed by him just for the sake of a Chunin Exam.

The groups were set, and each of the six reserve teams chose different teams to challenge. They weren't necessarily targeting the weakest—most were unfamiliar with one another and opted to challenge teams they felt confident against rather than gamble with unknowns.

The team facing Otofū's squad consisted of three unremarkable Genin, indistinguishable from the typical Suna ninja with their standard attire. They could have been anyone.

"Do you know them?"

Daimaru gestured toward the trio,

"They look rather arrogant, as if they don't take us seriously."

"Who knows? Maybe they do have the strength to look down on us!"

It was clear they saw two seemingly easy-to-bully young girls, especially Yoru, who didn't appear very strong. By association, Daimaru's capabilities were also underestimated.

The principle of team division in Sunagakure did not consider balance of strength. With the overall number of ninjas restrained, an elitist training strategy was thoroughly implemented. The strong were grouped with the strong, and the weak would not have strong teammates.

The proctor for Otofū's challenge was a slender ninja wrapped in white, his face covered with a mask and goggles, making him unrecognizable.

Senza's first opponent had unkempt hair, a slight hunchback, and an odd breathing valve. He was armed with a pair of iron claws on his wrists, their tips glowing with a venomous blue light.

"The first to die is you, skinny girl? If you're scared, just surrender early, and I, Fujin, will show mercy!"

Senza's face was serious as she covered half of it with her fan, warily eyeing her opponent.

"Fujin? What a ridiculous name!"

Daimaru snickered.

Names in Sunagakure were chosen with such randomness, often related to sand, wind, desert, common beasts, children's toys, ghost stories, and the like. Few among those Daimaru knew were exceptions.

Not only were the names unrefined, but few even had surnames. With no significant clans to speak of and little inheritance to claim, having a surname to flaunt one's lineage hardly mattered. Most were like Sayuri's family, forming interest groups for mutual support.

Of course, there were surnames in Sunagakure.

Not long ago, Daimaru saw a name on the list of soon-to-graduate ninja school students: a boy with the surname Aoi, named Sorata.

This "Fujin" before them was certainly arrogant enough, but his strength... 

"It's really quite pitiful to behold!"