章 98: Chapter 98
"Did they pass this time?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was low, clearly dissatisfied with Kazuki and his team's speed in clearing the exam.
"Sandaime-sama, Shikamaru's team also passed. They finished the exam almost simultaneously with Kazuki Gekko and his team."
"Oh? Team Shikamaru?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought deeply. "I remember Yamanaka Ino and Kazuki had a very good relationship, right?"
"Yes, Third Generation-sama."
"Well, that explains it. That explains it!"
Several hours had passed since the news that Gaara's team from Sunagakure took the exam in the morning and completed it in the afternoon reached the Hokage's office.
Kazuki and his team were much slower than Gaara's, which was far from satisfying Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After all, Kazuki Gekko's strength was greater than Kakashi's. How could an elite jounin leading a team be outpaced by a genin from Sunagakure?
Unless there was a special reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to reconsider his favorable treatment of Kazuki Gekko.
Only valuable individuals receive preferential treatment; otherwise, they are discarded.
Like in this Chuunin exam:
Not only did Kazuki Gekko receive special privileges from the jounin, but he was also allowed to act freely in the exam room!
All of this was because of Kazuki Gekko's value.
Because Kazuki Gekko was valuable, Sarutobi Hiruzen was willing to sacrifice some of Konoha's interests to protect him from Otogakure!
It was also because of Kazuki Gekko's value that Sarutobi paid close attention to his growth.
Otherwise, when a genin passed the exam, the Kage of his village would not pay much heed.
"This guy not only wants to pass the exam himself but also helps others pass. If there were no ranking, his first place would be taken away."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked displeased, yet there was a slight smile on his lips.
A talented Kazuki was what he desired, and a Kazuki who was dedicated to Konoha was even better!
As long as Kazuki remained bound to Konoha, he couldn't abandon it and would naturally serve the village.
"There is one more thing."
"What's the matter?"
"Kazuki Gekko has taken in a ninja from Kusagakure, and he hopes you can protect her!"
"??"
"What kind of Kusagakure ninja is this?"
Stealing someone from another village was something Hiruzen Sarutobi would never have done in the past.
But since this person was someone Kazuki wanted to protect, Hiruzen Sarutobi considered it.
Perhaps this person was different?
Then he remembered the past two days' events were somehow linked to Kusagakure.
Could something be happening in Kusagakure?
Was Orochimaru eyeing Kusagakure?
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could think further, the ANBU ninja reported, "A red-haired girl with little combat ability. The other subordinates don't know much, but Kazuki Gekko said she's from the Uzumaki clan..."
"Uzumaki clan?"
This word caused Sarutobi Hiruzen to interrupt the ANBU, "Are you sure? Are you sure she's from the Uzumaki clan?"
"Yes, my subordinate is certain!"
"Quickly, take me to her… to Kazuki Gekko!"
Why was the Land of Whirlpools destroyed back then?
It was because the Uzumaki clan's bloodline talent was too powerful.
Everyone feared the Uzumaki clan's rise, so they destroyed the country.
Konoha, though an ally, did not openly assist when the Land of Whirlpools was besieged, showing they too feared the Uzumaki clan's power.
Especially after the death of the First Hokage, Konoha's strength was no longer enough to pose a threat to the other four great nations. If the Uzumaki clan grew stronger, who knew if they would turn against their ally?
Humans are selfish, and between nations, interests come first!
When the First Hokage was alive, they didn't fear the Land of Whirlpools because no matter how powerful it was, it couldn't surpass the First Hokage.
After his death, the fear of the Whirlpools' power surged!
Everyone wanted the Uzumaki clan's power, so every village took in Uzumaki orphans.
Konoha had taken in Uzumaki Kushina to create Jinchūriki. Now that Kushina was gone, only Uzumaki Naruto remained.
So Naruto became Konoha's only option for a Jinchūriki!
But if Naruto were to die, who would be the next Jinchūriki?
Lacking alternatives, Sarutobi Hiruzen implemented many so-called protective measures for Uzumaki Naruto, including ANBU surveillance.
Now that Kazuki informed him of another Uzumaki orphan seeking refuge in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen was thrilled.
Although this orphan wouldn't be of immediate use, having options was always better than having none!
The presence of a Jinchūriki was essential, a village with a Jinchūriki and one without were vastly different.
Besides the village's Kage, Konoha's top combat power was its Jinchūriki!
A single Jinchūriki could stand toe-to-toe with several Kage-level fighters!
Cultivating a Kage-level combatant was incredibly difficult, and over the years, Konoha had produced only a handful.
But a Jinchūriki provided fixed Kage-level combat power!
It was a power that was both feared and desired!
Eager to return to Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen races through the night sky of Konoha with ANBU in tow.
It had been many years since he had moved like this. The last time was during the purge of Danzo's followers.
Ironically, that mission involved his most talented disciple—Orochimaru!
At the Forest of Death, the Third Hokage, who was not supposed to be there for another four days, suddenly arrived.
"Sandaime-sama!"
Anko Mitarashi, the lead proctor, stepped forward.
"Well, Anko, any news about Orochimaru?"
Anko's face darkened, filled with resentment. "No accurate information yet. We searched the Forest of Death and found only corpses of Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Beasts."
"Oh? If you haven't encountered Orochimaru, who fought him?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed something unusual and, for a moment, set aside his thoughts about Karin.
Anko shook her head. "According to all proctors, no outsiders have entered the Forest of Death. The only non-candidates present should be Orochimaru and his two subordinates!"
"Then if we rule out the possibility of Orochimaru and his subordinates clashing, the only ones left to confront him are the examinees!"
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