Daigan didn't listen too closely, instead observing the reactions of the other candidates and the attitude of the proctors. In the end, no one mentioned the "fake scroll incident" in the Forest of Death. It seemed Konoha truly didn't think it was a big deal. With so many teams qualifying, the number was, if anything, a little high.
And so, Gekko Hayate took over to begin the preliminaries for the third test immediately. Regardless of how reluctant the candidates were, due to time constraints, the number of participants for the main event had to be limited to ten or fewer. This was an ironclad rule. The nobles who had traveled all the way to Konoha wanted to see clashes between top-tier ninja, not long, unexciting matches. A drawn-out competition was not the purpose of this grand, joint Chunin Exam. Dragging things out was absolutely forbidden.
Even when Nara Shikamaru and Haruno Sakura voiced their dissatisfaction, nothing changed.
Just as Daigan had predicted, when the time came for anyone to withdraw, Yakushi Kabuto did not raise his hand.
***
In the end, it was Daigan who raised his hand to ask a question.
"There are twenty-four of us. Even after one round of preliminaries, there will still be twelve candidates, which is more than the required ten. What happens then?"
"The winners will continue to be randomly matched until the number drops below ten. However, losers will have one chance to challenge a winner who wasn't drawn for a second match, and so on."
"Understood," Daigan nodded.
Those chosen for the first matches were naturally unlucky. They'd have to fight a tough battle and then possibly challenge another candidate, putting them at a disadvantage. But luck was part of skill, and getting a second chance was better than nothing. Of course, that was all assuming the electronic screen was truly random, as the proctor claimed.
Finally, the supposedly impartial electronic screen appeared.
As he saw the first match—Sasuke Uchiha versus Akado Yoroi—a mocking smile touched Daigan's lips.
*Let's just pretend this thing is random for now. But I'd better be on my guard.*
Daigan didn't believe for a second that Konoha couldn't manipulate the matchups. In crucial rounds, they would surely give certain people favorable treatment. Sasuke Uchiha, marked by Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, was the first beneficiary. And the battered Konoha Genin Team 10, whose stamina and chakra recovered far slower than the equally exhausted Naruto Uzumaki, would likely have their matches scheduled much later to give them as much rest as possible. After all, they had a much better chance of winning than the still-weak and injured Haruno Sakura.
The combatants for the first match, Sasuke Uchiha and Akado Yoroi, remained, while the other Genin candidates filed upstairs to await their turn.
Akado Yoroi, dressed in black with his face obscured by a black mask, was an unknown. Sasuke Uchiha, however, was the famous sole survivor of the Uchiha clan. Even the Sand Ninja, who hadn't been in Konoha for long, knew of this formidable character.
Looking down at the two squaring off below, Kankuro said with some disdain, "Is that Uchiha really all that great? He got his ass handed to him by Daigan. Doesn't seem so special to me..."
"Ever consider that I'm just that good, and it's not that Sasuke Uchiha is that bad?"
"Who knows? Let's wait and see..."
Temari, on the other hand, was quite interested. "At least he's good-looking..."
"That pretty boy doesn't look like he's in good shape," Daigan commented coolly. "I wonder if he can win with any style!"
"Oh? You haven't even considered that he might lose?" Kankuro gripped the railing, looking at Sasuke's pale face. "Is his neck injured? He's trembling all over from the pain!"
"If he's too weak, how can my victory over him seem heroic and brilliant?" Daigan said as if it were obvious. "Losing to a guy who doesn't even dare to show his face would be pathetic!"
"You lot, quiet down and watch carefully. They could be your future opponents," Baki interjected, patiently observing the situation. He silenced the Sand Ninjas' chatter. "Revealing your strength too early might allow later opponents to counter you."
"Got it."
Besides the Fourth Kazekage, Baki held the most authority in the Konoha Crush plan. His presence here was to ensure that nothing went wrong with their key asset, Gaara.
Below, as Gekko Hayate announced the start of the match, Akado Yoroi immediately launched a fierce attack. Yoroi, several years older than Sasuke, had decent taijutsu skills but no standout ninjutsu. However, his chakra-absorbing secret technique was quite effective, especially against a Sasuke who couldn't use his own chakra.
Despite easily subduing Yoroi with his superior reflexes, Sasuke was caught by Yoroi's chakra absorption technique. His chakra and stamina drained rapidly, and the Cursed Seal on his neck began to stir.
Just as Daigan expected, Sasuke improvised. By mimicking Rock Lee's taijutsu, Shadow of the Dancing Leaf, he created his own technique on the spot—the "Lion Combo"—and defeated Akado Yoroi in a single, decisive blow, clinching a narrow victory.
The process was uneventful and not particularly exciting. However, for Sasuke to defeat the reasonably skilled Yoroi while severely injured and unable to use his chakra was an impressive display.
"Daigan, if Temari and I hadn't stopped you that day, you might not have actually beaten that Sasuke Uchiha," Kankuro remarked, watching with interest as Hatake Kakashi led Sasuke aside to check his injuries.
"Mind your own business!" Daigan snapped. "I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. There's no way I'd lose to some Uchiha!"
*At least not the sick-looking version of him right now. I could knock him over with a single push.*
But the narrowly victorious Sasuke couldn't go for treatment just yet. Nor could Kakashi take him away, apply the Evil Sealing Method, and send him to the hospital. Because there were too many contestants, one round of eliminations wasn't the end. Sasuke could theoretically be called to fight again.
Sure enough, Kakashi and Sasuke seemed to be arguing. In this situation, no matter how bad it was, he had to tough it out until the preliminaries were over.
Turning his attention from Sasuke, Daigan saw that the second match had been decided. The electronic screen displayed the names Hyuga Neji and Shira.
"Interesting," Daigan said with a smile, looking at the eager Shira. A chance to fight the rumored "strongest Genin in Konoha" would surely satisfy him.
Saya first glanced at the arrogant, dismissive Hyuga Neji, then turned to Shira with a frown. "Don't bring shame to the Sand Ninja. He's strong, but you can't afford to lose too badly."
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