Chapter 26: Evil Uchiha Don't Deserve to Be Chūnin! (2/2)

Among the information Might Guy recorded were details about some of the candidates who had failed the exam last year, as well as the examiner's full identity...

Yes, this examiner had been Might Duy's teammate back in the day, and they had been classmates in the Ninja Academy over a decade ago.

"Regardless, he's managed to pass the first stage of the exam," the Third Hokage said as he sat back down and relit his pipe, speaking in a somber tone. "In the next stage, this child doesn't have any teammates."

"No teammates?" Danzo narrowed his one eye. "Then why did you allow him to participate in the exam?"

Danzo paused, surprised at his own question.

He almost forgot that the Hokage had initially not even wanted this kid to graduate. So what were they just arguing about...?

"It was Orochimaru who came to me before his mission and asked me to let the boy participate. He has high hopes for him."

The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe, and after calming down, he realized just how pointless their earlier argument had been.

They had been bickering like this for so many years that it had become a habit...

Once Danzo started something, the Hokage would always get drawn in.

"The timing was tight, and there wasn't enough time to find teammates for the child. This year's candidates didn't have anyone going solo either," the Third Hokage explained in a serious tone. "I never intended for the children to advance too quickly. This Chūnin exam is meant to be more of an experience."

The Hokage's statement almost felt like a flag being raised.

"Hmph!" Danzo snorted but didn't continue to argue.

A six-year-old brat, passing the Chūnin exam alone?

"Hmm?" Danzo squinted his eye.

The Hokage might do something foolish, but given what he knew about Orochimaru, that guy was not like his teacher...

Could Orochimaru really believe that this kid has the ability to pass the Chūnin exam?

If that's the case...

"What are you thinking?" the Third Hokage suddenly asked.

"I'm thinking about the kid's cheating earlier."

Danzo replied coldly, "Although he violated the exam rules, I have to admit he exploited the loopholes in the exam twice."

"Exploiting loopholes doesn't equate to breaking the rules, Danzo," the Third Hokage responded, still smoking and staring at Danzo.

"It's not important... What I'm concerned about is his potential as a spy."

With that, Danzo shook his head as if in regret before the Hokage could say anything. "It's a pity he's an Uchiha. Otherwise, he might've been worth considering for Root's training."

"..." The Third Hokage continued to smoke, staring at Danzo for a long time before finally turning his attention back to the exam.

"If Kagami were still alive... Danzo, you would have greatly disappointed him."

"If Kagami were still alive, he would have kept the Uchiha in check, Monkey."

Mentioning their old friend brought a moment of silent understanding between the two old men.

Danzo knew.

He had won this round...

In the crystal ball.

Wakaho, along with the other remaining candidates, stood in front of the second exam site.

He now held a scroll in his hand.

"This exam will last until the same time seven days from now."

"Your only task is to gather both the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' scrolls by any means necessary."

"Then, proceed to the tower, which will signify you've passed the exam."

"Remember, if you find yourself unable to continue during the exam or encounter danger, you can open the scroll, but doing so will be considered forfeiting the exam."

The female examiner explained the rules, which were quite similar to those Wakaho remembered.

It was just a pity she wasn't wearing a fishnet bodysuit, and her figure wasn't as alluring as the Anko of the future.

"Speaking of which, it's been a while since I've seen little Anko."

"I wonder if she's been thinking about me..."

As he mentally cataloged all the candidates, Wakaho quietly chewed on a rice ball, pondering these thoughts to himself.