Chapter 83:

The rest of the time seemed to pass by slowly as another three days went by. Slowly but surely the rest of the remaining squads made their way into the building with both scrolls in hand. Kujira and his squad made it not long after Kimimaro and the others had. Kujira was pissed that they had arrived before them, but after throwing a small tantrum he soon changed his attitude once his squad opened the scrolls being reunited with their sensei. Haku and the others had never seen the man before, hearing Kujira call him Ryo sensei. Kaga seemed to know him and exchanged a few words before they went their separate ways to focus on their own squads.

Haku had counted ten teams in total from the original twenty that had started the exam, and from what the instructors were saying, that was all that would be making it to the final phase of this exam.

Now that everyone was present and accounted for, with the instructors having combed the forest for any who had been unable to complete the exam, dead or otherwise. With the information being confirmed they could now move on with the exam, being asked to move into the large hall, lining all of the remaining squads up in formation. The hall they now found themselves in was very large with a lot of open space, with the most notable thing being the large stone statue of a hand seal right in the centre back.

Haku, Koyuki and Kimimaro took a good look around at the other squads, seeing who had made the cut. Three squads from the hidden leaf village had made it through, no surprise there as they had the most genin taking part in the exam, meaning they had to at least have some worthy genin among the ones they had come across so far.

One squad caught Kinimaros eye inpitcular as he noticed the symbol for the Uchiha clan on the back of a boys clothing, knowing he would make for a challenging opponent. After all, the fame of the Uchiha was known throughout the world of shinobi.

All three of the hidden mist's squads had also made it to the final without struggling against anyone they had come across just yet. Haku had been able to observe some of Kujira's abilities that he had reported to the others, just in case. Hattori's squad on the other hand still remained a mystery, but he was sure he would find out soon enough.

Kimimaro could also see that the squad from the hidden waterfall had made it, seeming unscathed. Two squads from the hidden rain had also made the cut with the last squad being from the hidden grass, all of which they had not encountered as of yet, knowing nothing of their abilities or jutsu that they could possess.

That meant that each village had genin that had made it to the final exam, with their jonin sensei all standing by the sidelines also weighing each other and their students up. Such was the nature of the world they lived in.

Anko who was the head instructor for the second part of the exam stood at the front with the other instructors. She couldn't believe how many had made it through the forest to this stage, she had thought for sure that only three, or maybe four squads would make it.

She took a good look at the genin that stood before her, studying each of them to see what they had.

"This year's genin are certainly interesting indeed." She thought before she cleared her throat.

"Alright, quiet up!" She yelled getting their attention.

Everyone looked to the front to see that Anko was about to speak, standing at attention and waiting patiently.

"Alright, you brats!" She started.

"It looks like that many of you passed the second stage of the exam that we have too many of you for the finals!" She said with a smile on her face.

Everyone broke out into whispers, confused as to what she meant.

Suddenly a shadow appeared from the back of the hall, getting all of the instructor's attention as the figure came into view.

"Lord Hokage!" Anko said in surprise as she suddenly bowed her head, not expecting him.

Everyone else in the room bowed their head, with the genin squads following suit to show respect.

"Now, now, no need for that." The third Hokage said, giving a wave of his hand before he placed his pipe back into his mouth, taking a good look at the genin once he got to the front of the hall.

Anko and the other instructors made room for him and Anko gave him the floor, moving to the side so he could address the genin.

"Well done on getting this far. I know that it wasn't easy, and you have become a credit to your village and your sensei for getting this far." He said, giving them words of praise.

"However, the exam is not at an end as of yet." He said before blowing the smoke from his pipe out.

"As Anko has just said. There are too many of you who made it to this point for the finals. Therefore, we have decided that we shall hold an exhibition match beforehand!" He shouted, getting everyone's attention.

"Now I want you all to give it everything you have got. Remember, even if you lose, that does not mean you have failed the exam. Now you have made it this far, it is no longer about passing or failing. It is now time to show us what you are made of and if you have what it takes to become a chunin."

Everyone took in his words, thinking on them hard and becoming fired up at the thought of being able to show their true skill and power.

"Now everyone if you will look to the large screen that is hanging above us." The third said as he pointed above them.

Everyone looked to the large screen that was hanging down, seeing that it displayed all of their names for a short moment.

"Now, this screen will show the two that are picked at random to do battle, I wish you all the best of luck!" The Hokage said before he passed them over to another instructor from the hidden leaf.

The leaf jonin stepped out, thanking the Hokage before he looked over to the genin that was standing before him.

"My name is Shibi Aburame. I will be your instructor for this part of the exam." He said while everyone got a good look at him, seeing that he was dressed in a large cloak with his hood up and a pair of dark glasses on.

"Now allow me to explain the rules." He then said.

"During this exam, you will be allowed to use whatever Jutsu and fighting ability that you wish. You may even kill your opponent if you so wish." He said with no emotion.

"The only rule you have to follow is what I say goes. If I stop the match, then that means the match finishes. One loses when they are either unable to fight, give up, or I end the match having decided on the winner. Is that understood?" He asked, getting a swift nod from all.

"Very well, let's get the first match underway." He then said before turning to the large screen.

Everyone else did the same as names started to spin in a lot, moving too quickly for anyone to see until they both stopped, revealing who would be battling first.

Everyone started whispering as they read the two names, everyone looking to see who they belonged too.

"Very well, the first match is Haku Yuki of the hidden mist Vs Akio of the hidden waterfall." The instructor said.

Koyuki looked at Haku, punching him in the arm before giving him a thumbs up.

"You had better win!" She then said with a smile.

"Can everyone else move to the spectating area, with the two fighters stepping to the front," Shibi said.

Kimimaro nodded to Haku, who returned the nod knowing what he meant.

With that Haku walked out to the front, getting a good look at his opponent. He had long brown hair with a cream coloured robe on and his headband sighed around his forehead.

Koyuki and Kimimaro made their way to the standing area above with Kaga. The others also did the same as they waited to see what was going to happen.

All of the other instructors and the Hokage also took their spectating area, also eager to see how the fights would turn out.

Sarutobi took a good look at Haku, knowing that he was one of Fuyōna's students and adopted sons, he had also learned that he was a member of the Yuki clan and possessed the ice release.

He couldn't help but smile as he felt excited waiting to see them both in action.

"This will be over quickly," Kaga said with a smile as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Are you both ready?" Shibi said as he looked at each of them, watching as they stood face to face.

"Yes," Akio said, looking a little nervous.

"Yes." Haku also said, flashing a friendly smile at his opponent.

"Alright, take your positions and await my signal." Shibi then said, letting each of them take a couple of steps back to prepare themselves.

"Come on Akio! You've got this!" His teammates shouted from the spectating area, their cheers not going unheard from both him and Haku.

"Alright, you two," Shibi said as he raised his hand into the air.

"Let the battle begin!"

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