Chapter 148: The Harmonious Banquet and the Price Yet to be Paid
The second round of the exam ended with half an hour to spare. Many of the contestants who had been in the middle of a fight had no idea what had happened. They had been too focused on their opponents.
A few Rain ninja with "test" masks came to the "big pot lid" on the west side of the town. They could hear the sounds of a fierce battle from within. They exchanged a look, and one of them knocked on the "lid."
"Contestants inside," he said, "the exam is over. Please stop fighting and come out."
But the noise inside did not stop.
Just as they were debating whether to use force, a massive explosion erupted from the "lid," and a figure was sent flying.
Minato Namikaze crashed through a house. When he stood up, he had a mouthful of blood. He saw the masked Rain ninja around him and realized the exam was over. He panted for a moment, then sheathed his short sword.
Hiroto Uzumaki also emerged from the "Earth Prison Dome," blood dripping from his right arm.
He looked around, gave up on the idea of continuing the fight, and took out a Healing Talisman, slapping it on his hand. He then thought for a moment and threw one to Minato.
"Thanks."
Neither of them were petty. Though it was a shame they couldn't finish their fight, it hadn't escalated into a personal grudge.
On the other side, the three Danas had been brought to a safe place by Kayo and Yusuke.
"Kayo," Dana said, "untie me."
She nodded and cut the rope with a kunai. She thought, Onii-chan Dana is really getting into character. She knew he could have easily broken the ropes himself.
"Well then," he said, "this exam is officially over."
He formed a release seal, and two of the clones disappeared.
Kayo froze. "So there was a real one in there?"
But the real one was not the one who had been talking, but the most silent of the three.
"An excellent performance," he said. "Go and join your team."
Half an hour later, everyone had gathered. Hanzo of the Salamander nodded in satisfaction. At least this time, the exam site had not been destroyed, and no one had died. Kayo's sensory ability had played a huge role. She had been able to accurately match her comrades with opponents of a similar skill level. And the previous round's "star of death," Tsuki Kaguya, had been held off by Killer Bee.
Of course, the Waterfall ninja who had been in a heartfelt battle with a puppet all this time was looking a bit dejected.
Besides Fugaku Uchiha and Yotsuki Dana, who had been acting as up-close judges, the entire underground space had been filled with hidden Rain ninja, who had recorded everyone's performance. The data still needed to be compiled.
"Congratulations to all of you," Hanzo announced, "for completing the second round of the Joint Chunin Exams. The results will be announced tomorrow. Tonight, please join me for a banquet. I will celebrate your success."
He had organized a banquet for all the contestants. Some were dejected, some were excited. Some knew that their Chunin Exam journey was likely over and had relaxed, while others, whose performances had been a mixed bag, were now filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
The high-ranking officials and Daimyo appeared at the banquet again. But compared to the formal banquet after the first round, this one, with over forty contestants, was much more lively. Dana noticed that a few of the Daimyo seemed a little uncomfortable.
Natsu, who had been absent for the past few days, was also there, sitting by the Daimyo's side, occasionally glancing in his direction.
Kayo, next to him, angrily ate two extra plates of meat.
But the Thunder Daimyo's attitude was no longer as warm as it had been before.
Dana had, of course, already spoken with his father and knew the reason. But they were in the Land of Rain, and it was not the time to make a move.
At the banquet, you could see the different personalities of the contestants.
Tsuki Kaguya, who was so ferocious in battle, was now sitting upright, her eyes straight ahead, as quiet and demure as a young lady from a noble family.
Ringo Ameyuri's sharp teeth were perfect for tearing at meat, and she was eating even faster than Fuguki Suikazan.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio were huddled together, talking about something, but Choza's mouth never stopped eating. The other two did the talking, and he just nodded.
Tsume would occasionally feed a piece of meat to Kuromaru. Minato would occasionally glance at Hiroto.
Pakura would put food on the plate of the youngest of them, Sasori, who would say nothing but would eat whatever she gave him.
Ganseki and Akane were constantly feeding each other. Yusuke was always holding his water bottle. And Konan was taking notes on the flavors of the dishes, laying the groundwork for her future hot spring inn.
The Chunin Exams had brought them all together. People from different villages, who would normally be at each other's throats, could now sit down and eat and chat.
But Dana knew it was all temporary.
The moment the ninja world returned to a state of war, these same people, who were now so harmonious, would be at each other's throats again. These young people, who now seemed to have a sense of camaraderie, would fight to the death.
And Hanzo, who now seemed so benevolent, so unwilling to see anyone get hurt, would be the one to bring his chain-scythe down on their necks.
And the solemn-faced Daimyo on the stage would calmly watch the brutal war between the ninja. The wildfire of war, to them, was probably just a tool to clear the weeds.
He felt a sense of pity, but he was not naive enough to think that mutual understanding could bring peace.
He thought of what his father had said about the Daimyo.
The current peace was an illusion. As long as the situation in the ninja world did not change, as long as the system did not change, they would be forever trapped in this cycle.
The ninja world still had a heavy price to pay for peace.
After the banquet, he returned to the dormitories with the other contestants. After getting them settled, he went back to his own room to train.
A small pebble was thrown through his window and rolled to his feet.
He closed his eyes and sensed her. Yare yare.
Natsu waited for a moment, but there was no response. Is the 'strongest new star's' alertness so poor? she thought, and was about to throw another one.
A hand clapped her on the shoulder.
"Ah!"
"Shh! Everyone's probably asleep." He quickly covered her mouth.
He waited for a moment, and when she had calmed down, he let go.
"How did you get out?" he asked. "Didn't the Daimyo find out?"
"I was taught by the strongest, most amazing supernova in the ninja world," she said proudly.
"The Nine Samurai didn't stop you?"
The Daimyo was just an ordinary man, and an old one at that. It was easy to fool him. But the Nine Samurai were another matter. With her clumsy skills, it was impossible.
"I told them I was coming to see you," she said. "They agreed. They were following me at first, but they're probably gone now."
He nodded. That made more sense.
"So, what brings you here?"
"I have a few questions about my training," she said, her words a bit evasive.
He didn't press her. But she did have some questions, and some things were difficult to understand just from a book.
He answered her questions, and they chatted for a while.
"Did the Daimyo find out after I left last time?"
"Of course," she said. "I was grounded for three months. Momo was sent to the kitchen to do rough work, though I think she was quite happy about it."
"Last month, he even had a few old ladies come and teach me etiquette. It was hours every day."
Neither of them mentioned the engagement. It was as if they were just friends, discussing training and chatting.
But he knew that the engagement would likely have some more twists and turns.
Before she left, he stopped her and gave her a snail shell.
"What's this?"
"A Communication Snail. It probably doesn't have a signal in Asuka Castle yet, but keep it safe. Don't let anyone know."
He summoned a new slug and explained the precautions to her.
The next morning, the contestants, a mixture of excitement and anxiety, were gathered in the training ground, waiting for the results of the second round to be announced.
Killer Bee was a bit restless. He had been at a disadvantage against Tsuki in the last round and had almost been taken out several times. Though everyone had comforted him, saying it was because he was younger than her, he was worried he wouldn't make it to the third round.
He was not the only one. When Hanzo arrived at the training ground, everyone fell silent.
He stepped onto the stage and cleared his throat.
"Now," he announced, "I will announce the results of the second round."
"First place: Hidden Cloud Village, Hiroto Uzumaki!"
In addition to his own strength, his command and tactics in the second round had been excellent, leading Camp A to victory. It was no surprise.
"Second place: Hidden Cloud Village, Kayo Uzumaki!"
Her sensory ability had been crucial in the second round, and she had been the one to rescue the hostage.
"Third place: Konoha, Minato Namikaze!"
The only one from Camp B in the top three. He had infiltrated the enemy's base alone, had taken out his opponents along the way, had seen through Hiroto's disguise, and had fought him to a standstill.
"Fourth place: Hidden Sand Village, Sasori!"
He had controlled four puppets by himself, and as the youngest contestant, had achieved an incredible feat of arms. Though he had not lasted until the end, he had been a crucial part of Camp A's battle plan.
"Fifth place: Hidden Mist Village, Tsuki Kaguya."
She had dominated her battles, and her "reputation" had also eased the pressure on her comrades.
"Sixth place: Hidden Cloud Village, Yusuke Akahoshi."
"Seventh place: Hidden Stone Village, Han."
"Eighth place: Hidden Sand Village, Pakura."
"Ninth place: Hidden Cloud Village, Konan Kohaku."
"Tenth place: Hidden Mist Village, Ringo Ameyuri."
"Eleventh place: Konoha, Choza Akimichi."
"Twelfth place: Konoha, Shibi Aburame."
"The twelve of you have advanced to the third round," he announced. "The third round will be held the day after tomorrow, in the morning."