On the Hokage's Dais, the two central seats of honor were already occupied.
The moment Tejima Shinichi stepped into the arena, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered and his frame relaxed slightly.
'He finally made it…'
A quiet sigh of relief slipped through the old man's mind; the heavy weight on his heart finally lifted.
Whether or not Tejima Shinichi had mastered Senjutsu… to him, the fact the boy appeared safe was the best news possible.
Beside Hiruzen, the eyes of the "Fourth Kazekage," hidden beneath the shadow of his traveler's hat, blazed with a terrifying light the instant Shinichi appeared—along with greed that threatened to spill over.
'Shinichi-kun…'
Orochimaru silently rolled the name across his tongue.
'At that speed… you never disappoint. Every time you appear you bring a new surprise. How many more secrets are hidden inside you? That perfect body and the First's Wood Release…'
Forcing down the surging thoughts, Orochimaru tilted his head toward Hiruzen and "marveled" aloud:
"Third Hokage, your village is truly brimming with talent. That boy just now—he must be the disciple you recently took in, the one you place such hopes on, even groomed as the next 'Kage'—Tejima Shinichi, correct?"
"Lord Kazekage is well informed… indeed, that is my disciple, Tejima Shinichi."
"What frightening gifts. He has inherited the First Hokage's Wood Release and in the Forest of Death he suppressed Shukaku, the One-Tail head-on… With strength like that, when he one day leads Konoha… it will be something to behold!"
Hiruzen caught the veiled barb in those words; his gaze darkened, but he let the topic drop.
He rose unhurriedly and stepped to the front of the dais.
"Now that all examinees are present." His voice swept the stadium, instantly silencing every murmur. "I hereby declare—"
"The third stage of the Chunin Selection Exam, the official matches, now begin!"
"May every candidate show their utmost and give those gathered here a splendid display!"
The instant he finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the arena.
Head proctor Gekko Hayate stepped forward and announced solemnly,
"First match: Hyuga Neji versus Uzumaki Naruto! Both step forward; the rest withdraw to the contestants' lounge and await your turns!"
In the Kage seats, Hiruzen slowly sat back down, expression calm.
The false Kazekage—Orochimaru—let out a soft laugh and turned his gaze once more to the field below… After Hayate finished speaking, the participating Genin began filing toward the lounge.
Tejima Shinichi, at the tail of the group, paused just before entering the tunnel.
He turned, looked up, and fixed his eyes on the Hokage's Dais—on the figure wearing the Kazekage's hat.
Raising his right hand, he pressed it against the tunnel wall—Sensory Jutsu!!!
"Hmph, it really is you… no surprises."
A smirk tugged at Shinichi's lips as he let out a soft snort.
Having completed that small gesture, he walked away without a backward glance.
Several people right behind him noticed the move.
"Eh?" Akimichi Choji mumbled around a mouthful of chips. "Shinichi… isn't he coming to the lounge?"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and muttered, "What's that guy up to again? Lately everyone's acting fishy… even Dad!!"
Grumbling, Shikamaru kept walking, then stopped short when he saw Gaara staring blankly at Shinichi's retreating back.
'That one… isn't someone to mess with either!'
…Shinichi made his way through the quieter rear corridors of the stadium.
The instant he stopped in a shadowed corner, a figure knelt before him.
"Lord Shinichi," an Anbu spoke from behind his mask. "Command is ready; Lord Inoichi and Lord Shikaku are waiting."
"Lead the way."
"Yes, sir."
The Anbu rose and guided Shinichi into a hidden passage.
Moments later they reached a heavily guarded chamber.
The sound-proof door slid open to reveal the interior.
The room was spacious, lit by steady cold-white light.
Massive crystal screens set into the walls displayed live feeds of the arena, surrounding streets, and even districts farther out.
A long table in the center bore an enormous map of Konoha Village, color-coded with troop positions, surveillance priorities, and pre-planned response routes.
Nara Shikaku leaned over the map, finger stabbing at one sector, brows knitted tight.
Beside him Inoichi Yamanaka sat in a special chair, a mind-transmitting headset webbed with wires upon his head, hands sealed at his chest—clearly maintaining a wide-area intelligence sync or telepathy through his clan's secret art.
Several other intel analysts and comm-ninja attended their stations.
The moment Shinichi stepped in, Shikaku looked up sharply.
"Shinichi…"
Shinichi cut him off with a raised hand, walked straight to the main screen, glanced at the feed showing the "Kazekage" box, then turned to Inoichi.
"Inoichi, contact Lord Third immediately. Transmit highest-priority intel: the Kazekage in the VIP stands is Orochimaru in disguise—repeat, the Kazekage is Orochimaru!!!"
The words slammed a mute button onto the command center.
Every ninja at a console or clipboard froze, whipping round to stare at Shinichi in stunned disbelief behind masks and bare faces alike.
Shikaku's body snapped taut. "What?! The Kazekage is Orochimaru? Impossible! Then where is the real Fourth Kazekage, Rasa?!"
Shinichi kept his eyes on the monitors. "I fought him. I don't mistake his chakra. As for the real Kazekage…"
"I don't know."
Shinichi's verdict sent ice down every spine.
Shikaku's face went ashen, but he forced himself to steady his breathing.
He met Shinichi's gaze for a heartbeat and gave a sharp nod—he chose to believe. Doubt now was worse than useless.
"Inoichi!"
"Understood!"
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