Inside the central tower, the Third Hokage observed the situation in the training area using the Telescope Jutsu. He was extremely concerned about Orochimaru's attack, and especially about Orochimaru's target – Uchiha Sasuke.
Watching the conversation between Sasuke and Sakura, the Third Hokage's brow furrowed.
Sakura had done well, but Sasuke's current state was very unstable. The Third Hokage, having served as Hokage for decades, was no less skilled than Orochimaru at understanding the human heart.
Sasuke had been seduced by Orochimaru's words. Even though he hadn't been marked with the Cursed Seal, as long as he continued to pursue power, the possibility of him seeking out Orochimaru remained.
The Uchiha clan... There is no ninja in the village who can match Orochimaru... Is it really going to come to that...?
The Third Hokage recalled the assurances he had given to the two advisors during their meeting the other day, and he sighed deeply.
"Kakashi, you're aware of the situation, correct? Orochimaru's target is Uchiha Sasuke. I want you to protect Sasuke as much as possible during the Chunin Exams, and prevent Orochimaru from having any opportunity to approach him," the Third Hokage instructed Kakashi, who was still in the room.
"I will, Lord Third," Kakashi replied.
"Good. Then, you're relieved from the search for Orochimaru. Leave that to others," the Third Hokage said.
"Understood. I'll take my leave then, Lord Third," Kakashi said.
"Yes."
Due to the intelligence Sakura had brought back, the Third Hokage was now short-staffed and couldn't spare additional personnel to protect Sasuke.
The Third Hokage could more or less deduce Orochimaru's intentions, but he hadn't anticipated that their ally, the Hidden Sand Village, would collaborate with him.
However, until the Sand Village actually violated their treaty, Konoha could only focus on surveillance. If Konoha initiated hostilities first, especially during the Chunin Exams, it would appear as though they were setting a trap to ambush the Sand's next generation.
Furthermore, there were genin from other smaller nations present. If Konoha eliminated the Sand ninjas now, the genin from the smaller countries might feel threatened and join forces with the Sand. This would lead to another war, and one in which Konoha would have no justification.
Even if it was explained that the Sand Village had broken the treaty first, once the fighting started, no one would care about who initiated the breach.
To prevent the situation from escalating to that point, they couldn't act first, even with prior knowledge. Surveillance was the only option.
When the Sand ninjas made their move, Konoha would capture them all. And besides the Sand ninjas, there was Orochimaru. Within all of Konoha, only the Third Hokage could stand against him.
By the third day in the central tower, other teams finally started to arrive.
The first to reach them was Team Guy.
"I didn't expect you to be faster than us," Neji said, looking at Sakura's team in the training area.
After the confrontation between Sakura and Sasuke the other day, Sasuke seemed to be doing much better. He was no longer arrogant, at least not outwardly. It seemed he had returned to his former self, although he might just be suppressing his thoughts deep down.
"I thought you would arrive on the final day. Not bad. You're worthy of being my opponent," Sasuke said haughtily to Neji.
Sakura covered her forehead with her hand at Sasuke's words. He was still a little arrogant, just not in front of her anymore. He wasn't even guaranteed to win against Lee right now; Lee's speed was nothing to scoff at.
Lee couldn't contain himself any longer. Before Neji could stop him, he leaped in front of Sasuke.
"Uchiha Sasuke, please fight me! I will use my full strength to gauge the difference between myself and a genius," Lee said earnestly, striking his signature pose.
Lee's actions weren't just to defend Team Guy's honor; he also wanted to validate his own ninja way, and what Guy-sensei had told him, that he was a genius through hard work.
"..." Sasuke silently pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Genius! No one is born a genius. I accept your challenge."
Sakura was slightly surprised by Sasuke's response. This was quite a rapid change. Had Sasuke taken her words to heart yesterday? She had thought he might only listen to their agreement at the end, but it seemed he had considered her earlier words as well.
Sasuke, more than anyone, could understand that strength had to be built step by step. He, himself, was a prime example. He understood everything Sakura had said the other day; he simply couldn't accept Naruto's rapid growth and the provocation from Orochimaru at the time.
Such slow progress was unacceptable to him. Sasuke wanted to kill that man immediately, and for that, he needed to obtain power quickly. After being brought back to his senses by Sakura, Sasuke temporarily suppressed his desire for rapid power gains.
When someone mentioned 'genius' again, he recalled Sakura's mocking words from yesterday, and couldn't help but feel that his previous complacency, basking in the glory of being called a genius, was ridiculous.
When Lee called him a genius, he gave a self-deprecating laugh, and the words slipped out unbidden.
"Let's begin then," Lee said seriously, although he didn't understand Sasuke's meaning. He knew Sasuke had accepted his challenge.
"Hey, wait a minute. Are you going to fight right here, right now? The Sand Village ninjas are still here," Sakura interjected, feeling the need to stop the impending match.
This wasn't an official match, and ninjas from other villages were present. It would be disadvantageous to reveal their abilities prematurely. If she remembered correctly, Gaara was supposed to fight Lee.
"And Lee, you just passed the second exam. Shouldn't you rest? Sasuke would have an unfair advantage," Sakura added.
"Sakura, are you worried about me?" Lee's eyes instantly lit up, burning with intense flames.
"Heh, Sasuke, fight him. Beat him to a pulp," Sakura said immediately, covered in goosebumps once again.
"I won't fight. You guys go rest. I don't want to take advantage of you," Sasuke said. With his pride, he naturally wouldn't stoop to such a thing.
"Sakura, if I can defeat Sasuke, please go out with me!" Lee finally blurted out.
Sakura's eyes widened, a shiver running down her spine. "That's impossible. Sasuke isn't even as strong as I am."
"Lee, it's time to go. Rest and prepare for the third exam," Tenten said wearily to Lee.
With the Sand ninjas nearby, it was best to keep the fact that Lee could only use taijutsu, and not ninjutsu, a secret. This could be a surprise tactic later on.
Thus, both sides calmed down. Team Guy went to rest and eat.
Meanwhile, Team 7 began their training. Sakura practiced the advanced version of her Water Wall jutsu. Inspired by her encounter in the Forest of Death, Sakura felt the need to further develop her Water Style ninjutsu.
If her development went smoothly, Sakura would gain a skill no less powerful than the Eight Trigrams Palms Rotation, and a potent offensive technique as well.
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