Chapter 30: Water Release Ninja Wakaho (1/2)

Konoha Cemetery.

The Third Great Ninja War had just begun, and the list of heroes in Konoha had grown significantly.

Among them were the subordinates of Orochimaru who had fallen during their mission.

A total of ten people, all killed.

Though the S-rank mission was accomplished, the cost was extremely heavy.

Orochimaru had returned.

And only he had come back.

"Life is fragile, Young Wakaho,"

Orochimaru spoke softly in front of the tombstones.

Not only Orochimaru and his disciples were here to mourn, but also the Third Hokage and the relatives of the fallen.

The atmosphere was somber.

Wakaho had reason to suspect that Orochimaru's visit to mourn was just a performance for the Third Hokage.

"I can sense their will to fight, Master."

As Orochimaru's disciple, Wakaho was quite adept at this aspect.

"They sacrificed themselves for the future of Konoha."

"I will carry the will of my predecessors and become a qualified Chunin!"

Orochimaru smiled and placed a hand on Wakaho's shoulder.

The reason he didn't pat him on the head was that Wakaho was too sensitive...

...

Noon, the final round of the Chunin Exams.

Every exam has its dark side, and the Chunin Exams were no exception.

Looking at the "familiar" faces and recalling the morning's funeral, Wakaho suddenly understood the Third Hokage a bit better.

The frontlines were getting more and more tense.

Although Konoha's war reserves were still adequate for now, there was a need to plan for the near future.

Some of these Genin candidates did indeed have the strength of Chunins.

Although the rules dictated their elimination, this rule clearly needed more Chunin to emerge.

"So, how did Might Guy offend the Third Hokage?"

Scanning the surroundings and not finding Might Guy, Wakaho muttered to himself.

To become someone who would later kick the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into the role of comic relief, is it possible that he didn't even qualify as a Chunin without opening the Eight Gates?

Forget it...

"First match! Uchiha Wakaho vs. Hyuga Aokawa!"

"Competitors, get ready!"

Wakaho entered the arena, facing a twelve- or thirteen-year-old Hyuga clan member.

There was no record of this guy's name, so he was likely a minor character.

Since he had come this far, to ensure his Chunin qualification was foolproof, Wakaho decided to hold back a little.

Hmm.

He would showcase his battle intelligence and the will of Konoha's fire to reassure the Third Hokage.

Wakaho formed the hand seals.

Hyuga Aokawa also formed hand seals, his voice cold as he made threats, "I've been waiting for this moment..."

"Although the clan leader has strictly forbidden me from fighting you privately, this is the Chunin Exams."

"So no matter what I do next, the clan leader won't interfere, Uchiha Wakaho!"

"..." Wakaho frowned, "Are you serious?"

Did the recent fire in the forest also ignite your Hyuga clan's fighting spirit?

You're intent on a life-or-death battle with an Uchiha?

But Wakaho soon understood the source of Hyuga Aokawa's hostility.

"My poor younger brother still can't get out of bed. As his older brother, I can't do anything to help. You can't understand how I feel!"

"..." Wakaho shrugged.

"You could... spend more time with him."

"Begin!" The proctor's command ended the exchange of threats, stepping out of the combat zone.

"Byakugan!" Hyuga Aokawa immediately entered battle mode, his eyes surrounded by veins, and charged at Wakaho!

Wakaho did not underestimate him.

He knew that the exam was controlled by human intervention, including the participants.

In other words, Hyuga Aokawa was specifically arranged for him by the Third Hokage.

Although he was half his age, he had a powerful Kekkei Genkai and formidable Gentle Fist techniques.

So Wakaho thought...

This guy should be able to take some hits.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The Fire God's Fist!

Wakaho unleashed a torrent of flames, transforming them into a fist, and struck at Hyuga Aokawa!