In one of these booths, Tsunade, Shizune, Naruto, and Kakashi were already seated in comfortable armchairs. The enclosed room, with its large glass window, offered a very good view of the arena and blocked out the deafening noise from the audience.
The Konoha Anbu had already hidden in the shadows, Tsunade sat down with Shizune and Naruto, Kakashi wanted to stand until Tsunade ordered him otherwise, Naruto seemed excited to see his friends' presentation while Shizune looked around curiously with Tonton in her arms.
Tsunade, on the other hand, had already opened the bottle of sake on the table and was drinking it with relish.
-The food produced in Otogakure is really good, even the sake tastes better.- Tsunade sighed, knowing this was due to Jugo's Wood Release.
Unlike Konoha, where the Kages sat in a private booths, here each Kage had their own space.
Tsunade let herself be guided directly when she arrived, without needing to act like a statue, unlike when those idiotic elders constantly asked her to when she was in Konoha.
Shizune sighed, but felt she could let Tsunade-sama pass this time.
Kakashi had already taken out his book and started reading silently, waiting for the exam to begin.
Naruto, on the other hand, couldn't stay still, getting up and looking around before getting tired and pressing his head against the glass, wanting to jump into the arena himself.
-Hey! How much longer, Kakashi-sensei?! I want to see Sakura-chan and the others!- Naruto complained to Kakashi.
Kakashi sighed, exasperated, but he should have expected this from Naruto. -Naruto, calm down, it'll start soon.
Naruto didn't hear him, continuing to complain while looking at the arena with interest.
However, in the next moment, when the TVs switched directly on and the commentator's voice came on, they subconsciously looked and froze, in the center of the arena, a figure appeared first.
Orochimaru didn't look any different from the beginning of his last visit to Konoha, even his clothes were the same.
The Konoha group remained silent for a long moment, until Orochimaru's voice came through the TV. He was wearing a headset with a microphone and spoke. -Let's begin the third stage of the Chunin exam. I am your examiner, Orochimaru.
//-//
(Earlier moments)
In the center of the field, 18 people slowly entered behind Orochimaru while the crowd cheered.
From Otogakure, Suigetsu waved to the audience with an arrogant smile on his face. Karin rolled her eyes at Suigetsu, but remembering Guren's instructions, even with pursed lips, she waved slightly with one hand.
Ranmaru seemed like a kind young man after growing up, very handsome with his short purple hair and red eyes. After Sasuke and Jugo, the number of female fans of Ranmaru in Otogakure was not small.
Beside them, Ryuta, who had also been warned by Guren, waved, his cheeks red with embarrassment, he tried to maintain his composure.
Kenta, on the other hand, was waving his hands excitedly, he even jumped to show his enthusiasm. Nanami smiled awkwardly beside him and waved as well.
Beside them, Taki's team presented a stark contrast, the two jonin were holding back Fuu, who was jumping even higher than Kenta, wings sprouting from her back as she attempted to fly into the air and begin making thousands of friends in the audience.
On their side, the Konoha group also had its variations.
Neji and Shino were the calmest, Lee on the other hand was as excited as Kenta, waving and blowing kisses around, Tenten rolled her eyes at Lee, but still waved a little shyly.
Ino pulled the embarrassed Sakura forward, waving to her. Sakura sighed and reluctantly accepted. Choji was nervously eating, ignoring the audience and taking chips, leaving bags scattered on the floor around him, eating so fast that it left afterimages.
Hinata almost fainted from all the attention, she hid behind Shino and wouldn't come out no matter how much Kiba tried to pull her away. Akamaru wagged his tail excitedly beside them, barking occasionally.
Orochimaru seemed somewhere between curious and bored, the contrast was evident. He looked around with a gentle expression, his snake eyes never stopping. He even seemed to gaze directly at the cabin where Tsunade was, letting out a slight smile and sticking out his long tongue.
Of course, his current eyes were just a layer over his real eyes, Sharingans that couldn't be closed, so his vision was much better.
As for chakra consumption? As a werewolf, Orochimaru discovered that his chakra was replenished faster than it was consumed, so he was much better off than Kakashi.
Ignoring the audience, Orochimaru listened to something through the headphones and began to speak immediately afterward. - Let's begin the third stage of the Chunin exam, I am your examiner, Orochimaru.
This left the group that knew Orochimaru stunned, but the general public knew little about this man. Orochimaru's voice came through the loudspeakers, causing the audience to cheer once more.
-The first fight is Nanami from Otogakure and Fuu from Takigakure.- Orochimaru said, turning to the examinees and continuing. -The others can go to the waiting area.
Nanami froze, her nervousness rapidly increasing, while Fuu didn't seem at all concerned, simply continuing to wave to the crowd, her happiness at its peak.
The two Jonin sighed and could only leave Fuu after a few more warnings. Ryuta simply nodded to Nanami, it was a slight nod, but full of meaning. He didn't need to say anything more.
Kenta, on the other hand, placed his hand on Nanami's shoulder and said. -Nanami! Work hard! We'll be cheering you on!
Nanami smiled at her companions, nodding briefly, her stomach churning, she couldn't respond with words without vomiting. Luckily, she had anticipated this and eaten shortly before coming.
The group of examinees was sent to an area on the side of the field, where there was a booth with TVs that showed the field directly, although there was no direct view of the field.
Orochimaru, seeing that everyone had already left except for the two competitors, who were now facing each other directly, began to speak again for all to hear. - You will fight until one of you gives up, no other form of victory is available, but if one of you kills the other, you are immediately disqualified.
The two listened calmly, already knowing this. Orochimaru didn't continue, explaining further to the audience. - In other words, the only way to win is by making the opponent give up.
Nanami took a deep breath, clenching her fists. She might be weaker, but she wouldn't give up so easily!
Fuu nodded, finding that interesting.
Orochimaru looked at the two with interest before smiling and licking his lips with his long tongue, disgusting much of the audience. - So, the first match, begin!