Choza was explaining the rules of the Chunin Exams in detail to the examinees.
"...The match only ends when one party loses the ability to fight or surrenders. Finally, a reminder: please act within your capabilities. If you achieve victory at an extremely heavy cost, you likely won't be able to participate in the third assessment a month from now."
"Now, the third preliminary round of the Joint Chunin Exams officially begins!"
As Choza's voice faded, the names on the large screen on one of the dueling arena's walls began to scroll. Three seconds later, the scrolling stopped.
"Preliminary Round Match One: Tenten VS Kurotsuchi!"
"Both examinees, please step forward. Everyone else, please move to the spectator area!"
As soon as Choza finished speaking, Yuuki immediately followed the instruction and appeared in the dueling arena's spectator area.
Yuuki's actions showed his respect for the chief examiner, and everyone else was also quite sensible; there were no brainless show-offs.
Only Choza and the two examinees remained in the arena.
After a standard series of inquiries, Choza gave the order, and the match between the two began.
The current Tenten, let alone having even a hint of her future Ninja World War demeanor, hadn't even formed her own combat system.
Still aiming to be like Tsunade, Tenten was still dreaming of becoming a Medical Ninja in the future, carrying no scrolls, and only a small number of Ninja tools in her Ninja tool pouch.
Kurotsuchi was the same; a year younger than Tenten, Kurotsuchi also showed no sign of her future 'Leg Kage' appearance.
Their battle was a standard Genin chicken-pecking match, two slackers who, in Yuuki's eyes, needed to be eliminated.
However, Iwagakure made a request and was willing to pay, so Konoha naturally met their needs.
That's right, the examinees' match-ups were fake random; everything had already been clearly arranged.
After some time, Kurotsuchi, with her good background, ultimately secured the victory, becoming the first to qualify for the third round of the Chunin Exams.
[Utakata VS Rock Lee]
[Deidara VS Kankuro]
[Kumogakure 'Genin' VS Iwagakure 'Genin']
...
Konoha's preliminary rounds were proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Land of Rice Fields.
After more than ten hours of full-speed flight, Ōnoki met Kakuzu again.
The two, both having business with the other, spoke almost simultaneously.
"Iwagakure still has several big deals to cooperate with the Akatsuki Organization!"
"Tsuchikage, I have some regrettable news to inform you of!"
"You first!" x 2
After some discussion, both parties understood what the other wanted to say.
Ōnoki wanted to add several more tasks to the original mission of abducting Deidara.
Taking advantage of Konoha's chaotic state before the third round of the Chunin Exams, he aimed to bring back Deidara while clearing Kumogakure's suspicion.
Kakuzu, on the other hand, had received instructions from Nagato to inform Ōnoki that the Akatsuki Organization would no longer undertake the mission they had verbally agreed to earlier.
Ōnoki's trip to Konoha this time had yielded some gains, and not insignificant ones at that.
But he still felt a lingering dissatisfaction. Whether it was the various small losses he incurred or the constant threats and intimidation from Yuuki, Ōnoki felt displeased.
Especially, why should Deidara belong to Konoha?!
Unwilling to give up, Ōnoki wanted to try again.
"Can you tell me why you're abandoning the mission? If you're worried about Iwagakure not cooperating, as long as we choose to act a month from now, I can personally provide assistance in secret!"
Ōnoki finished speaking, saw no obvious reaction from Kakuzu, and further analyzed the situation, trying to persuade Kakuzu.
"Konoha a month from now will certainly be bustling. There's no need to worry about the Kage of other Villages. Iwagakure isn't the only one with a grudge against Konoha; other Ninja Villages, not to mention kicking them when they're down, will definitely be sitting by and watching the show!"
Ōnoki's words did not move Kakuzu.
"The leader did not explicitly state the reason for abandoning the mission, but he clearly stated that for now, no missions related to Konoha will be accepted."
After speaking, Kakuzu also added,
"Aside from Konoha, any other Ninja Village is fine. Aren't you Iwagakure always at odds with Kumogakure? We'll take Kumogakure's missions."
Ōnoki listened and thought to himself,
Kumogakure?
They're almost sucked dry by Konoha; there's no benefit in dealing with Kumogakure.
A bunch of rogue Ninja just don't understand the situation. Where in the Ninja World are there so many disagreements and grudges?
However, Kakuzu remained unwilling to budge, and Ōnoki was left with no choice.
Iwagakure acting directly was impossible. At most, they could secretly provide some help. Now, for some unknown reason, the Akatsuki Organization was unwilling to act.
Ōnoki eventually left, saying that if they changed their mind, they should contact Iwagakure at any time.
However, on his way to Iwagakure, Ōnoki was suddenly attacked.
Wood Release!
Ōnoki was stunned, immediately guessing whether Konoha had discovered something and was trying to ambush him.
But Ōnoki quickly dismissed the suspicion.
Zetsu, dressed as a core member of the Akatsuki Organization, appeared at the attack site.
"Tsuchikage, do you want to deal with Konoha? We are willing to provide assistance!"
White Zetsu immediately informed Black Zetsu of the intelligence when Ōnoki found Kakuzu.
Upon hearing the news, Black Zetsu rushed over without delay and intercepted Ōnoki.
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