"That's the Uchiha genius Kakashi mentioned. He's not afraid of me. Interesting," the Third Hokage thought. He looked forward to his performance.
"Candidates, you've proven your strength by getting here, but it's mostly luck. If the second exam continued, most of you wouldn't be here."
The Third Hokage made the atmosphere tense.
"You won't be so lucky in the third exam," the Third Hokage said. "I announce the third Chunin Exam preliminary round is starting!"
The tense atmosphere exploded!
The Genin were eager to fight.
The Third Hokage nodded, pleased.
He admired their spirit of challenge.
A figure came from the Jōnin and went to the center.
He bowed to the Third Hokage and said, "Lord Third Hokage, forgive me, leave the rest to me."
He looked like the Third Hokage. He had a cigarette in his mouth.
He was the proctor for the preliminary round, the Leaf Village's elite Jōnin, Asuma Sarutobi.
"Good," the Third Hokage nodded. "Leave it to you."
He went back to the stands with the other Jōnin.
Okay, kids, it's time for you to suffer, Asuma said. There are too many of you. We need to reduce the number. There are 75 of you. We'll have one-on-one battles. We'll have 37 groups.
One person will get a bye in the first round. We'll have three rounds. The survivors will be in the main round!
Asuma pointed at the floor. "The battles will be here. The battle ends when someone gives up or dies. Cherish your lives. Don't get killed. The matchups will be on the board..."
Asuma pointed at the board and said, "The preliminary round starts now!"
The board showed the first matchup.
Hidden Mist Village Genin: Kuro VS Hidden Stone Village Genin: Deidara!
Everyone looked at Kuro and Deidara.
Most people knew Deidara. He made a big impression on the second exam. He made a bird and bombed people. Most ninjas were eliminated by him.
They didn't know the bandaged Kuro.
"Too bad, Kuro, you're fighting that Hidden Stone Village kid..." Hozuki Mangetsu said. "I won't get to fight him."
Hozuki Mangetsu was confident in Kuro's strength. He could beat Deidara easily.
"Brother, be careful. That bandaged guy is strong!" Kurotsuchi said to Deidara.
"I'll show him my art!" Deidara said, not caring.
"The first match is between two Genin from other countries..." Kaoru frowned. The matchups weren't random.
"The Third Hokage wants me to eliminate the Genin from other countries?" Uchiha Obito smiled. "I'll do it."
Uchiha Obito stepped forward, going to Asuma.
Deidara followed. They stood on either side of Asuma.
They faced each other.
"You're with the guy who turns into water?" Deidara said. "Tell him I'll beat you and then beat him!"
"He's lively..." Uchiha Obito smiled.
Uchiha Obito noticed Deidara. He was talented and had unique ninjutsu. He wanted Kaoru to join Akatsuki, but Kaoru wasn't ready to betray the village.
Obito wanted Kaoru to join Akatsuki, but he knew it wouldn't work. Kaoru was cunning. It would backfire. He should be friendly and let him be a spy.
Deidara was different. He loved his art. He didn't care who he worked for. It was easy to trick him. Obito would test Deidara. If he was good, he would have him join Akatsuki.
"Okay, everyone else, go to the stands," Asuma said.
The Genin went to the stands.
Everyone watched the two figures.
"Kaoru, who do you think will win?" Shin asked.
Kaoru smiled. "Who do you think will win?"
"I think the Hidden Mist Village Genin," Shin replied. "He's mysterious. But I want Deidara to win."
"Oh, why?" Kaoru asked.
"If he's eliminated, I won't get to beat him!" Shin said.
"I see..." Kaoru nodded. "You'll get your wish."
"I'll get my wish?" Shin asked. "Do you think Deidara is stronger than the Hidden Mist Village Genin?"
Kaoru shook his head. "No, but strength isn't everything."
"What does that mean?" Shin asked.
"You'll see," Kaoru said.
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