Chapter 93 (Patreon)

“We came across four Konoha shinobi, didn’t we, Kimimaro?” – Suigetsu helplessly spread his hands in response to Zabuza’s claim and looked hopefully at Kimimaro standing next to him, but he again remained silent.

“Well, of course, what was I even hoping for...” Hozuki hit his forehead with his hand and muttered under his breath after a short silence.

- Let's speed up! We’re already behind Yudao-sama and Ranmaru because of training...” Ameyuri grinned displeasedly.

– Yes, I’m all for it! – Zabuza raised his eyebrows excitedly when he heard the proposal of the Swordsman of the Mist standing next to him.

- Let's make a breakthrough! – Kimimaro suddenly added, from whom you usually can’t even get a word out of him.

Silence...

All the Kiri shinobi present immediately calmed down and turned their surprised glances at the last survivor of the Kaguya Clan.

– Life itself has no meaning. We continue to live and move forward in search of this meaning. And my life now has only one meaning - to clear the way for Yudao-sama! – Kimimaro stated impartially and, sharply pushing off the ground with his feet, rushed forward under the perplexed glances of the other Kiri shinobi.

“Tsk, what a problem child,” Zabuza stood up after a while and grumbled, looking displeased in the direction of Konoha, but his trembling voice betrayed his excitement and thirst for battle.

And not only the Demon. The faces of the other Kiri shinobi also showed varying degrees of excitement.

“Eh, I knew that I had no place in this gang of madmen,” Utakata raised his head and whispered in a voice full of helplessness, looking at the other Kiri shinobi from the branch of a large tree nearby.

– Wait, shouldn’t we wait for the main forces of the village to arrive? – Haku commented on the situation as if casually.

– What’s the point of waiting for these snails if you can just clear the way for them? – The Demon grinned predatorily and the very next moment disappeared after the last representative of the Kaguya Clan.

Phew! Phew! Phew...

Then there were several more sounds of cutting air.

And there are no more Kiri shinobi left here.

Just when Kimimaro, Zabuza and the others decided to do the so-called clearing of the way, the third and final stage of the ongoing Chūnin Exams started in Konoha.

There was a loud atmosphere in the arena!

The stands were packed with spectators.

The Third Hokage of Konoha and the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage of Suna sat with dignity in the highest places of the central podium.

– I am incredibly glad that the respected Kazekage was able to come in person. You are probably tired from a long journey... – Hiruzen turned his head and smiled at the Kazekage sitting next to him.

- Well, no, not at all, it’s even good that the exam is taking place here. Although you are full of strength, a visit to another village would be tiring at your advanced age, dear Hokage. Perhaps the time has come to think about electing the fifth... - Orochimaru answered, at first glance affably, but with obvious notes of irony, under the guise of the Fourth Kazekage.

- Ha-ha... Don't bury the old man ahead of time... I'll have enough for another five years! – Hiruzen was not angry at all and even laughed.

He then stood up, leaning on the armrest of his chair, and walked to the railing of the podium, from where he addressed everyone present: “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to Konoha to see the Chuunin Exams. Then we proceed to the main battles, which will take place between the eight participants who have passed the preliminary stages!”

The public greeted the Hokage's announcement with an enthusiastic noise!

Meanwhile, somewhere in an inconspicuous corner of the arena.

– This old man is Yudao-sama’s enemy, isn’t he? Then let Ranmaru kill him right now! – Ranmaru said in all seriousness, raising his head towards the Third Hokage at the top of the central stand.

- Well then you will have a hard time, oh how hard it is. And there’s someone to deal with him...” Yudao sighed helplessly in response and patted the head of Ranmaru, who was sitting next to him.

“Yeah, Haruna told Ranmaru not to get involved in obviously losing ventures,” the Swordsman of the Mist nodded understandingly and whispered to himself.

And then the cheers of the crowd became even louder.

Because the first fight has already started in the arena.

Uzumaki Naruto VS Hyuga Neji!

The spectators were only glad to see the Byakugan of the famous Hyuga Clan in the very first fight of the final stage of the Chuunin Exams.

Yudao also turned his gaze to the arena below, expressing some interest in this fight.

He was interested not only in Uzumaki Naruto, but also in Hyuuga Neji. And this is not even taking into account that the Uzumaki boy had already, without knowing it, become part of Yudao’s plans, which a priori required his attention.

About Neji.

The First Mizukage considered him a rare genius.

“Keeping such a shinobi in Konoha is a waste of talent!” – Yudao said to himself, looking intently at Neji in the middle of the arena.

“We came here to look at them, Yudao-sama?” – Ranmaru asked curiously, also looking at the arena below.

- Yeah, maybe soon they will become your comrades. Don’t look at the fact that they don’t have much strength right now, it’s only a matter of time...” Yudao nodded in response.

Ranmaru's eyes sparkled with interest at what he heard.

He was very interested in the people Yudao paid attention to.

By this time, the Genin battle was already raging in the arena.

– Why are you so drawn to shackle the whole world with this brand?! – Naruto clenched his fists tightly opposite Neji.

- So, you want to say that anyone can become Hokage, you just need to try? The title of Hokage is reserved for only a select few. Let's face it! All Hokages were born with this fate. This is not acquired at will, but is bestowed from above. People can only come to terms with the irreversible course of life. And fate distributed only one thing equally - DEATH ! – Neji answered indifferently, and the flame of hatred was reflected in his snow-white Byakugan.

“This look... He still hates the main branch of the clan...” Seeing this, Hyuuga Hiashi, who was sitting on the podium, frowned slightly.

And although deep down, the head of the Hyuuga Clan felt guilty, despite his stone face.

But in his opinion, that was life.

After all, which branch they should be a part of - the main one or a secondary one - was determined from the moment of birth, and one might truly say it was fate.