"rule?"
In response to some questions from the candidates below, Markey nodded and continued:
"That's right, like the first two exams, the third exam is also a knockout competition. The difference is that the third exam is not a knockout match based on groups, but an individual versus individual knockout."
"You mean, even people in the same group can be hostile, right?"
Shikamaru was the first to react.
"Yes, because it is an individual competition, even people in the same group will become opponents. But the only thing is that you are not allowed to kill your opponents in the third test."
Ma Ji said with a solemn expression.
Ma Ji’s words made all the candidates feel awe-inspiring.
You are not allowed to kill candidates, which is completely different from the rules for the second exam.
Although the scope and rules of the second exam are divided, the rule is that the means do not count. As long as the test can be passed, any means will be considered reasonable.
However, the third exam, which was the finale, abandoned such rules, which puzzled most of the candidates.
Ma Ji did not embarrass these immature candidates, but said: "That's because the third exam is different from the first two exams. It is an open competition between individuals. In other words, your battle will be fought by people other than ninjas. The audience sees it.”
The audience other than ninjas are ordinary people, big businessmen, officials, ninja leaders and other figures from various countries...
The composition of the audience is very mixed. Although ninja battles are often bloody, if someone is killed in an open competition, it will inevitably cause adverse social reactions.
"But once the fight actually breaks out, it will be difficult to control this kind of thing, right?"
Temari asked dissatisfied.
Her eyes briefly glanced at Gaara next to her.
Gaara never strikes lightly or harshly. If he is not allowed to kill people, then it will be difficult for Gaara to grasp the power of it.
"When a candidate's life is in danger, the examiner as a Jonin will stop him."
"Then what's the point of such a battle? Isn't it difficult to determine the outcome?"
Kankuro snorted.
Ma Ji glanced at him and said: "Don't worry about this kind of thing. Once the examiner has to stop it, it means that the examinee is already a loser."
Markey's explanation made the candidates slightly relieved. If this is the case, it is indeed a solution.
If life is in danger, the examiner will come to stop it, which can easily disrupt the rhythm of the examinee's battle.
But when the examiner comes to stop it, it means that the rescued party is eliminated, and the candidates' dissatisfaction is greatly reduced.
"As for the rest of the rules, after you go to the Kingdom of Ghosts, specialized personnel will explain it to you. So before you arrive in the Kingdom of Ghosts, you must think about what kind of fighting style you want to adopt before the third exam. .After all, you are not allowed to kill your opponent, but it does not mean that you need to completely restrain your hands."
If this joint chuunin exam is an internal digestion, then naturally there is no such rule as not killing the opponent.
Because the scale of battle between ninjas is difficult to grasp, and a little carelessness can cause life-threatening danger.
But this time is different. It is an open competition for audiences other than ninjas. If it causes death, it will undoubtedly promote the bloody and crazy side of ninjas, which is not conducive to the positive image of ninjas.
The key to this exam is to eliminate the opponent as much as possible without killing the opponent.
The reason why it is so early is that Markey wants the candidates to make these preparations before the official individual elimination round, which can be regarded as a vaccination in advance, so as not to be tied up and unable to show the strength that the candidates should have.
"Okay, I'm done. Miss Yiji, it's your turn to speak."
When Marki saw that the candidates understood what he said very well, he turned around and handed the microphone in his hand to Yiji.
Yiji nodded, took the microphone, walked to where Ma Ji was, and faced all the candidates.
"Hello, I am Chiba Kazuhime, a Jonin from the Kingdom of Demons. I will arrange your next trip to the Kingdom of Demons. I have only one request for you. No fighting is allowed on the way. I I know that you have accumulated a lot of personal grievances during the second exam, but before the official start of the individual competition, please all of you restrain yourself a little. If you don't obey the command, I will beat you up first, and then cancel your second exam. Eligibility for three exams.”
Tsk, it doesn’t look like much, is this guy really a Jonin? Kankuro stared at Kazuhime, who was not much older than him, doubting his ability as a jounin.
But due to the occasion, Kankuro could only think about it in his mind.
Ignoring the candidates with different thoughts below, Yiji continued:
"Now I'll give you half an hour to pack your things. In half an hour, everyone will gather in front of the main entrance of the central control tower."
Yi Ji finished, handed the microphone to Ma Ji, and then left the venue without looking back, which also meant the end of this short meeting.
Ma Ji shook his head helplessly. Originally, he wanted to show off his dignity as the examiner of the second exam, but after Yiji's words, there was not much time left for him to speak.
"That's it. Congratulations on your successful advancement in the third exam. We will disband now and gather at the main entrance in half an hour."
After finishing the exam, the candidates looked at each other in confusion, and then they all walked out of the hall, returned to their lounges, and began to pack their things.
When Asuka and others walked to the rest area where the Demon Country was, they saw Ichiki standing alone in the center of the corridor. The expression on his face seemed a bit cold. Seeing Ichiki in this state, Asuka and others felt great pressure. .
But they finally resisted the pressure and walked up to Yiji, waiting for a lecture.
"Come in first."
Yi Ji saw that behind Asuka and the others, there were candidates from other countries who were passing by. She also knew that this was not a suitable place for conversation, so she opened the room next to her and walked in first.
Asuka and other six genin from the Demon Country who passed the second exam also entered the room and closed the door tightly.
I saw Yi Ji sitting on a chair, with her arms folded across her chest and her legs crossed. Although her face did not show much dissatisfaction, the cold aura emanating from her body made it known that she was in a very unhappy mood.
"Well, why did only six of you pass the test?"
"Maybe it's just bad luck."
Thinking of what happened in the second exam, Asuka couldn't help feeling depressed.
The six or seven scrolls their group had obtained in succession were all the same Heaven Scrolls. It was not until the eighth that they successfully obtained the Earth Scrolls. As a result, two days had passed since the exam, and their group was left with Time is running out to act.
"The three failed teams were reportedly besieged by Konoha ninjas... Two of them were seriously injured and are being rescued in the infirmary. The remaining seven people have varying degrees of injuries."
Cai replied.
"Konoha?"
"Yes, there are a total of sixteen Konoha groups participating in the second exam. Some of these groups obviously came with some special missions. They don't care about the outcome."
As for what the special mission is, everyone present knows it without even thinking.
The conflict between Konoha and the Kingdom of Demons is not just a day or two. This kind of conflict is particularly intense in international diplomacy.
"Relying on the strength of numbers?"
Yiji sneered.
Because the Kingdom of Ghosts has always followed an elite route, paying great attention to the quality of ninjas rather than quantity.
So after several months of selection, fifteen people were finally determined to participate in the Joint Chuunin Examination.
Compared to the twenty-seven genin teams that Konoha invested at once, the five team members from the Kingdom of Demons were indeed at a numerical disadvantage.
"In addition, it seems that the Sunagakure ninjas are also secretly assisting."
Asuka talked too much.
On one of these occasions, he encountered a joint attack by a group of Konoha genin and Sunagakure genin.
Fortunately, their group was very strong and they were able to swallow two groups in one go, but the rest of the Demon Country groups did not have this ability.
Once they are besieged by two or more groups, even if they are strong, they may not be able to gain an advantage in the battle when they are outnumbered.
"No wonder Sunagakure's Maki dared to show off in front of me. Is this the intention? It turns out that Konoha and Sunagakure began to consider wearing a pair of pants before the exam."
Yi Ji nodded thoughtfully.
Although I know this is Konoha and Sunagakure's plan, strictly speaking, this cannot be a violation of the exam rules.
The so-called examination is free action under rules.
As long as it does not exceed the limits of the rules themselves, then all actions are allowed by the rules, such as strategic alliances.
"It seems that the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure is closer than imagined. They can even share the resources for the Chunin Exam."
Should the shadows of the two ninja villages have reached a deeper strategic cooperation, or has the Kingdom of Demons forced both parties too hard?
In Kazuhime's view, it was probably because of the latter that the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure became tighter.
So much so that he wanted to take advantage of this joint chuunin exam to deal a heavy blow to the reputation of the Kingdom of Demons.
Neither Iwagakure nor Kumogakure made the cut, and the behind-the-scenes confrontation in this exam was more exciting than Kagakure imagined.
"I have roughly understood what happened. Although the circumstances are excusable, it shows that you are still slacking off in your usual training. Tell those who failed that after returning, all of them will double their training volume. In addition, in the third game Don’t make any more mistakes for me in the exam.”
Yi Ji stood up from the chair, put down her arms, and her expression softened.
Unlike the first two exams, the third exam is a real individual competition.
The so-called teamwork ability becomes useless by the third exam.
What will be really useful at that time is the strength of the ninja itself.
"yes."
Asuka and others responded solemnly.
◎
"Then let's say goodbye here."
Kabuto said goodbye to the other genin companions in Konoha, and entered his own lounge with the same group of red copper armor and sword Micheng.
After entering the lounge, Kabuto and the others immediately felt an eerie aura that filled the entire room.
In the center of the room, a figure stood with his back to the three of them.
"Lord Orochimaru."
When Kabuto saw this familiar figure, he knelt down on one knee without hesitation, the respectful look on his face undisguised.
After being stunned for a moment, Red Copper Kai and Kenmeicheng who were following Kabuto knelt down on one knee and called out "Orochimaru-sama" to express their respect.
Like Kabuto, Red Copper Armor and Kenmizumi are also Otogakure spies placed by Orochimaru in Konoha, and are tasked with the important task of collecting Konoha's confidential information.
"You are back. It looks like you had a great time in the previous exam."
Orochimaru turned around and glanced at Kabuto with a faint smile.
"Lord Orochimaru smiled. Those candidates are not a group of cute children. Even if I were to face the monsters inside, I might not be able to get any benefits."
Kabuto smiled slightly, stood up from the ground, and said to Orochimaru.
"You are still so humble, Kabuto. With your strength, even serving as a squad leader in ANBU is more than enough in my opinion."
Orochimaru praised Kabuto without hesitation.
Kabuto still smiled slightly and did not comment on this. He just remembered something and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Get up, I felt the presence of Orochimaru-sama in the Demon Desert. It seems that you finally did it, Orochimaru-sama." That choice was made.”
Orochimaru did not answer, but glanced at Red Copper Armor and Jian Meicheng.
Red Copper Armor and Kenmeicheng understood and silently exited the room, leaving the space for Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Although they are both spies, Kabuto's ability is undoubtedly much greater than theirs.
Even their strength was at the genuine Jonin level, which was vastly different from those who only had Chuunin level strength.
Seeing Red Copper Armor and Kenmeicheng leave the room, Orochimaru suddenly sighed and said to Kabuto: "Itachi is stronger than me, and I am not sure of winning when fighting him. As a person, I am a serial gambler. When he has none, the only thing he can bet on is his own life."
In Orochimaru's view, Itachi was now a man with no way out.
He seemed to be alone and helpless, but this also revealed Itachi's extremely dangerous nature at this moment.
Such a Weasel, once provoked, can do any crazy and terrifying things.
Reason and madness are just a matter of thought.
"It can be seen that Lord Orochimaru cherishes his own life."
Kabuto joked.
"Haha, the only meaningful thing in this world is to live. You who have experienced the war should be able to relate to it. No matter how lofty ideals and sacred missions we had in the past, there is nothing at the moment of death. remain."
"Can humans...really be immortal?"
"If you don't do anything, of course you can't do anything. It's like that fool Jiraiya who has been chasing meaningless peace prophecies all his life."
Orochimaru scoffed.
"Yeah?"
Kabuto refused to comment on this. He didn't know Jiraiya, who was also a Sannin, and didn't know him well.
"What about you? Aren't you tempted by eternal life, Kabuto?"
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto.
"I don't think anyone would be unmoved by eternal life, but for me, there is a weight heavier than eternal life on the other end of the scale. I have always wanted to know who I am. I follow you, Lord Orochimaru, just for the sake of Just figure this out.”
Kabuto told the truth and did not hide Orochimaru's thoughts.
"Living in the past will never end well, Kabuto."
Orochimaru glanced at Kabuto with regret.
"Maybe. But if I can't understand this problem, then eternal life has no meaning to me. As you said, Lord Orochimaru, I am a person living in the past. The future and the present are too far away, and I never consider this. Something far away.”
Kabuto smiled helplessly.
"You're such a parasite."
Orochimaru commented like this.
Kabuto was silent.
Parasite?
If you think about it carefully, you are indeed no different from a parasite.
He cannot give his own life the meaning, he can only let others give his personality and life value, so that he has the motivation to live.
Once the 'master' is lost, as a parasite, oneself will also usher in the end of life.
"I'll leave it to you and Kakashi to take care of Sasuke's affairs. Don't let any accidents happen to him before I welcome him back. By then, the meaning of your existence will also be realized."
Orochimaru patted Kabuto's shoulder and said seriously.
"Yes, I understand, Orochimaru-sama. I will take good care of Sasuke-kun."
Kabuto lowered his head slightly, and the white light reflected on his lenses made it impossible to see the look in his eyes at this moment.
Meaning? Can you really find this kind of thing? Kabuto was filled with unconfidence.
Faced with this situation, how would Kakashi respond? Kabuto's thoughts became very confused.
Soon, Orochimaru's breath disappeared from the room, and Kabuto knew that Orochimaru had left.
At this time, Red Copper Kai and Kenmeicheng walked into the room. Seeing that Kabuto was the only one in the room, they asked, "Kabuto, where is Lord Orochimaru?"
Kabuto replied calmly: "Sir, he has already left."
"No new orders?"
Red Copper Armor and Ken Meicheng looked at Kabuto expectantly.
They were looking forward to being reused by Orochimaru, and their respect for Orochimaru was crazy and blazing in their eyes.
Kabuto ignored the two people's questions and prepared to go aside to pack his things.
"Kabuto, what are we asking you? What is Orochimaru-sama's order?"
Seeing Kabuto packing his things without saying a word, Red Copper Kai and Ken Meicheng became dissatisfied.
"Hurry up and pack your things, we are going to the Kingdom of Ghosts soon."
Kabuto is minding his own business.
"You bastard--"
boom!
Before Red Copper Armor could finish speaking, he hit the wall directly, vomited a mouthful of blood, then knelt down with his hands on his stomach, the muscles on his face twisted together, he reluctantly raised his finger to point at his pocket, and finally said No words came out.
"Sorry, I am the captain. If you go against my wishes, you should know what will happen, right?"
Kabuto casually spread his palms, looking innocent as if he didn't do it himself, and smiled in a teasing tone.
"Kabuto, you-"
Kenmei Chengye raised her finger and pointed at her pocket, about to scold him.
"What, do you want your fingers? I can chop them off for you for free."
A very gentle smile appeared on Kabuto's face.
Jian Meicheng stiffened. Under Kabuto's threat, he obediently put down his fingers, but the unwillingness and resentment in his eyes were about to burst out.
"You are really useless. You just retreated from such a threat. It's not that I look down on you. Guys like you will never be able to enter the eyes of Lord Orochimaru in your lifetime. Just fulfill your responsibilities as cannon fodder honestly. By the way. Please determine your value positioning for me."
Kabuto looked helpless and had a headache, and shook his head.
The red copper armored man who was helped up by Jian Meicheng had a dissatisfied expression on his face, and his malicious eyes were fixed on Kabuto's harmless smiling face.
"Sir Orochimaru will realize our value sooner or later. It must be you, a villain, who speaks ill of us around Orochimaru, so that Orochimaru-sama keeps ignoring us. Only Orochimaru-sama will miss us if a guy like you exists. So much talent!”
Kabuto glanced at the red copper armor silently.
How did this guy figure out that he had this idea?
If Orochimaru was so easy to fool, would he still be one of the Den Sannin?
"It's up to you. If you really want to prove that you are talented, then you should perform well in the third exam. At that time, Lord Orochimaru will watch the battle from the audience as the Otogakure Murjonin."
Kabuto said.
Red Copper Armor and Jian Meicheng looked at each other, both seeing the excitement and joy in each other's eyes.
"However, if you lose, you will be completely marginalized, and you may even be treated as defective products. Don't blame me for not reminding you if you lose."
Kabuto added, but the two of them were so excited that they completely ignored Kabuto's advice.
As the best experimental subjects under Orochimaru, how could they not even be able to defeat the genin?
Therefore, Kabuto's advice seemed to them to be unnecessary.
◎
Soon, half an hour of preparation time passed.
When the candidates packed up their things and came to the main entrance of the control tower, Yiji was already standing here waiting for their arrival.
After seeing all ten groups of candidates, a total of thirty people, Yiji just glanced at them without any greetings and said directly: "Everyone is here, let's go now."
After that, Yiji turned around and left without any sloppiness.
The candidates didn't have the slightest objection, and followed quickly so as not to fall behind.
Ichiki's speed was kept at a level that these genin could keep up with, and he tried his best to take care of some genin who were not good at physical strength.
Among the accompanying ninjas, not only were the thirty genin candidates from various countries who had passed the second exam, but also their mentoring jounin, who also all arrived and headed to the Kingdom of Demons together.
"Get up, Kakashi-sensei, what kind of country is the Ghost Country?"
The team's speed was maintained at a moderate level, not too fast, but not too slow either. Even genin who were not good at speed could keep up.
While on the way, Sakura asked curiously.
They have already seen the scenery of the Kingdom of Wind.
The endless desert, although very desolate, gives people a strange sense of magnificence.
This is an exotic scenery not seen in the Land of Fire.
"The country of ghosts...what's wrong? The development of civilization in this country is different from many countries on the mainland."
Facing Sakura's question, Kakashi touched his chin and began to think about how to answer this question.
"how?"
"In the past, the Kingdom of Ghosts has always been a mysterious country dominated by belief in witches. The humanistic atmosphere of witches is very strong, just like our country of fire, which believes in temple culture."
"Temple culture?"
"That is the Fire Temple. However, with the establishment of the Ninja Village era, the Fire Temple has long declined in this era. Only during important festivals of the year can the monks of the Fire Temple be seen and invited to the Daimyo Mansion."
The monks and temple culture of the Land of Fire have long been replaced by ninjas.
The proportion of monks in cultural transmission is also getting smaller and smaller.
Just like the samurai in the past, they are increasingly declining under the impact of the ninja market.
That's how Kakashi sees it.
"What about the Kingdom of Ghosts?"
"The culture of witches in the Kingdom of Demons is different. Although this country currently has a large number of ninjas, it has not been impacted by foreign ninja culture and has retained a very complete inheritance. Many times, witches can be seen in the Kingdom of Demons. It is active within the territory under the jurisdiction of the country, exorcising demons and warding off evil spirits. According to statistics, most of the citizens of the Ghost Country are loyal believers of shrine maidens, so it is not an exaggeration to call it the 'state religion'."
Sakura seemed to understand.
She knows about the witch culture.
This kind of culture also exists in the Country of Fire, but it is not mainstream. It only spreads in a small area and has not developed many believers.
"Not only that, in recent years, due to the rapid industrial development of the Ghost Country, in addition to witches, a culture called Ke has also begun to prevail in the country. The current Ghost Country has gradually transformed from a country that believes in witches, goddesses and ghosts. A bicultural country that combines the mysteries of witches and science.”
It is incredible to many people that two cultures with completely opposite natures can be compatible together.
From the perspective of keeping pace with the times, the Kingdom of Ghosts has indeed accomplished things that many countries cannot.
On the contrary, although the ninjas in the Kingdom of Ghosts are very powerful, ninjas are not the mainstream in terms of cultural communication.
During the chat, time passed quickly, the temperature of the air began to drop, and the dusk scenery of the setting sun sinking to the other side of the horizon made many people immersed in such beautiful scenery and unable to return to their senses for a long time.
"Sir Examiner, I think we'll camp here for the night today. The cold air is coming."
At this time, Temari, who often lives in the desert, spoke very experiencedly.
Yi Ji looked back at her and said: "I am not an examiner, I am just responsible for taking you to the Kingdom of Ghosts. In addition, there is no need to stay out tonight, the destination is ahead. This is already the territory governed by the Kingdom of Ghosts. ”
Yiji turned her head and pointed forward.
Everyone looked up and saw a huge white building rising from the ground among the vast sand that blocked their sight, standing on the dunes in the distance, attracting everyone's attention.
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