"Will this guy become the next Orochimaru of Konoha?" Anko suddenly asked.
"No, Konoha will never let history repeat itself like what happened with Orochimaru!" the Third Hokage said firmly. He was determined to guide Morkel down the right path.
"I hope so. If someone like him betrays the village, he would be even more dangerous than Orochimaru." Anko's voice trembled at the thought of Morkel's terrifying jutsu and incredible sealing speed.
After discussing with the Third Hokage, Anko learned that Morkel and his team had completed the exam, and the unconscious Sasuke had been taken to the hospital. Since Sasuke's incapacitation was an exceptional case, his team was not disqualified.
Having just finished her report, Anko decided to stop by the hospital to check on Sasuke. More importantly, she wanted to verify whether Morkel's sealing technique was effective.
---
At the Ninja Hospital
In the intensive care unit, Anko pushed open the door. She found Sasuke lying unconscious on the bed, with Morkel and Naruto watching over him.
"Is his condition stable?" Anko asked.
Morkel stood up and greeted her. "Yes, it's stabilized, but Sasuke hasn't woken up yet."
Anko explained, "The first 24 hours after the curse mark is implanted are the most dangerous. This period ends when the second exam concludes. Once it does, the higher-ups will decide whether to hold a preliminary round before the final exam."
She looked at them sternly. "You should rest. There are medical ninjas here to take care of Sasuke. You'll need to be in peak condition for the next round."
"I'm fine," Morkel replied confidently. "I'm staying."
Sasuke was his teammate, and Morkel wanted to ensure his sealing technique worked properly. If there were any changes overnight, he needed to react immediately.
Seeing his determination, Anko didn't argue. After a few more words of advice, she left. Soon after, Kakashi arrived.
After a brief discussion, Kakashi told Naruto to go home and rest while he and Morkel stayed to monitor Sasuke.
Naruto, understanding the situation, left without protest. He knew staying would only cause trouble, so he obediently went home to shower and sleep.
Once Naruto was gone, Kakashi examined Sasuke's curse mark and the sealing technique Morkel had applied. He was astonished—the curse mark was completely sealed!
The Hokage had informed him about what had happened in the Forest of Death. Learning that Morkel had created his own sealing jutsu, Kakashi had come to verify it himself. To his amazement, Morkel's casually developed technique was powerful enough to suppress the curse.
A Wood Style user with remarkable learning ability and now a sealing master as well? Kakashi marveled. He had never encountered such a genius student before.
---
The Next Day
Sasuke woke up after passing the critical period. He took a sharp breath, wincing as he touched the back of his neck. "My neck hurts…"
Kakashi, still looking drowsy from the long night, shrugged. "You're lucky to be alive."
He then explained the nature of the curse mark, concluding, "If Morkel hadn't sealed it in time, you might not have woken up at all."
Sasuke's gaze softened as he looked at Morkel, who was still sleeping beside him. He was touched by Kakashi's words.
Kakashi glanced at Morkel, his single eye flashing with admiration. Morkel's dedication to his teammates was undeniable.
"The exams in the Forest of Death are almost over. You two should get ready." With those words, Kakashi vanished.
Sasuke walked over and gently shook Morkel awake. Realizing it was time to leave, Morkel grabbed Sasuke's sleeve and, in an instant, used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
---
Outside the Forest of Death
Naruto, just arriving, was stunned to see Morkel and Sasuke suddenly appear beside him.
"Sasuke! You're okay!" Naruto cheered, slapping Sasuke on the shoulder. "You don't know how terrible you looked yesterday. You were rolling on the ground in pain—it was awful!"
Since Sasuke had lost consciousness during the curse mark implantation, he had no memory of his suffering. Hearing Naruto describe it, he felt deeply embarrassed.
"Shut up, Naruto…" Sasuke muttered, covering his face.
The three exchanged a few words before other teams started emerging from the forest. In the end, seven teams passed the exam, most of them from Konoha—thanks to Morkel.
When Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji approached, Ino spoke first. "Thank you so much, Morkel! If not for the scroll you gave us, we never would have made it."
"Yeah," Choji added. "We barely survived for five days, let alone stealing someone else's scroll."
Even Neji, usually arrogant, approached Morkel and whispered, "I'm grateful. But don't expect me to go easy on you in the next round."
Morkel smirked. "No need. Even if you try your best, you still won't beat us."
At that moment, Tenten pulled Neji aside, then grasped Morkel's hand earnestly. "Don't mind what Neji said. Anyway, thank you so much!"
Ino's face darkened. She poked Tenten. "Why are you holding Morkel's hand?!"
Tenten grinned mischievously. "Why not? Morkel's not your boyfriend. Besides, he didn't pull away…"
Ino blushed. "No! You can't—"
Tenten smirked. "Oh? Are you jealous?"
Ino's face turned beet red. "W-Weave…"
Everyone around them: "..."
Even Naruto noticed and nudged Morkel. "Hey, you're pretty popular."
Morkel blinked. "What?"
Naruto sighed. "Never mind."
At that moment, Sasuke pointed ahead. "Look! The Third Hokage is coming!"
The crowd fell silent as the Hokage spoke. "Congratulations to those who passed the second exam. The Chūnin Exams are not just for you but a competition between villages. The third exam, in a month, will be witnessed by the Daimyo and Kage of many nations."
"But why gather us today?" Naruto asked.
Moonlight Hayate, the next examiner, stepped forward. "Because too many candidates passed. We must hold preliminary matches to cut the number in half."
Each participant drew lots. Morkel received "Heaven One." Sasuke and Naruto received "Earth Five" and "Heaven Nine," respectively. It was a one-on-one elimination round.
---
The First Match: Morkel vs. Kankuro
Morkel stepped forward as Kankuro, the Sand Village puppeteer, approached.
"I won't hold back this time," Kankuro said coldly.
Morkel smirked. "Like you did last time?"
Angered, Kankuro quickly formed hand seals, but Morkel threw a Flying Thunder God kunai. In an instant, he teleported beside Kankuro and slammed a Rasengan into his chest!
However, Kankuro's body shattered—revealing his puppet, Crow!
From behind the puppet, the real Kankuro emerged, kunai in hand. "If you weren't so fast, this kunai would've ended the match."
Morkel narrowed his eyes. "Hiding in the puppet's case to launch a surprise attack? Clever, but useless."
Before Kankuro could react, Morkel teleported behind him, gripping his throat.
"I give up," Kankuro admitted.
Naruto cheered. "Morkel is amazing!"
Moonlight Hayate sighed. "He truly is the second coming of the Yellow Flash."
The first match was over. Morkel had won effortlessly!
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