Team Seven rescued Anko Mitarashi, who had been about to physically test the veracity of a certain rumor by sliding towards a tiger.
While Sasuke couldn't remove the cursed seal on her body, using medical ninjutsu to alleviate her pain was effortless.
Upon realizing she could refine Chakra again, Anko gave the young shinobi a complex look, warned him to be wary of Orochimaru, and hurriedly departed to report the situation to the Third Hokage.
With this detour behind them, Team Seven's journey to the Central Tower proceeded smoothly.
At dawn, after dispatching a team attempting to ambush them with Genjutsu and traps near the tower, they had gathered both Heaven and Earth Scrolls, successfully passing the second stage of the Chūnin Exams.
"Truly remarkable!" A middle-aged Konoha ninja with a leaf forehead protector muttered in admiration as he watched Team Seven depart from outside the tower entrance. "To pass the exam in just one day."
"Not entirely surprising," his companion replied with a slight shake of his head. "After all, they're the legendary Team Seven. We can't measure them by ordinary shinobi standards."
"Indeed," the middle-aged ninja nodded thoughtfully, sighing. "The newcomers to the village are absurdly strong these days. Guy's students are incredibly talented, and I've heard there's a formidable team from Sunagakure as well. Heh, this year's Chūnin Exams are going to be interesting."
The second stage of the Chūnin Exams required each team to obtain a pair of Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reach the designated destination in the Forest of Death within five days to pass.
To account for teams arriving at the Central Tower early and completing the second stage ahead of schedule, Konoha had prepared resting rooms for such contingencies.
Since Team Seven completed the assessment on the first day, they were sent to one of these resting rooms to await the arrival of the other teams.
Five days later, the second stage of the Chūnin Exams concluded, with seven teams totaling twenty-one participants advancing.
Led by several unnamed Konoha Chūnin, the teams were guided through a long corridor to a spacious arena reserved for the preliminary rounds of the third stage.
Standing on a high platform overlooking the arena was the Third Hokage, looking as vigorous and composed as ever.
Behind him stood Konoha's elite Jōnin: Hatake Kakashi, Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and others.
Among the onlookers were Maki, a Jonin from the Sand Village, and Orochimaru, disguised as a Jonin from the Hidden Sound Village, his gaunt frame concealed beneath the guise.
"Sasuke... heheh..."
Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips when Sasuke entered the arena. Sasuke, as if sensing Orochimaru's gaze, glanced over briefly before turning his attention to the other examinees emerging from the tunnel.
"Such keen perception... heheh..."
In truth, Orochimaru already knew that Sasuke's combat prowess, as demonstrated in the Forest of Death, far surpassed that of any other examinee present.
His primary motive for posing as a team-leading Jonin—a spur-of-the-moment decision—was simply to observe his long-estranged mentor, the Third Hokage.
"Such spirited young talents!" On the high platform, Might Guy, clad in his signature green jumpsuit, nodded approvingly as Team Seven took the lead in entering.
He turned to Kakashi beside him and exclaimed, "Kakashi, these are your three delightful students? They seem quite formidable! Especially that blond-haired brat—judging by his demeanor, he's a highly skilled taijutsu specialist!"
Might Guy crossed his arms, a look of approval on his face.
Kakashi sighed, "Yeah, my three students are really something. If they team up, even I wouldn't stand a chance against them."
"Huh? Are you exaggerating?" Might Guy asked, surprised.
"Not at all," Kakashi replied with a shake of his head. "So if your students run into them later, they'd better watch out."
"Looks like you really believe in your students, Kakashi," Might Guy chuckled.
"Even though you say that, I also have unwavering faith in my three adorable students. In the next round, it'll all come down to skill—trash talk won't get you anywhere. Heh heh."
Might Guy's gaze at Kakashi burned with competitive fire as he challenged, "Youth is sometimes bitter, sometimes harsh, Kakashi!"
"Hmm?" Kakashi seemed to snap out of a daze, his lifeless fish-like eyes glancing weakly at Guy. "What did you say?"
"Damn it! You completely ignored my passionate youth-fueled speech!"
Might Guy instantly deflated into a gray, lifeless heap. Kakashi paid him no mind, strolling over to Team Seven with a warm smile. "Nice work, you guys."
Naruto grinned, wiped his nose, and declared proudly, "This kind of thing is a piece of cake for me! It's no match for the genius ninja Naruto, hehe!"
Kakashi's lips curved slightly upward as he shifted his gaze to Sasuke beside him. "I've heard about your encounter with Orochimaru during the exam," he said gravely.
"Thankfully, you're all safe. Rest assured, the village will protect you. We've taken every precaution to prevent him from disrupting the Chūnin Exams again."
'That's what you think,' Sasuke scoffed inwardly.
'Didn't Konoha know Orochimaru had infiltrated the Chūnin Exams in the original timeline?'
'Yes!'
'Didn't Konoha know Orochimaru was the leader of the Hidden Sound Village?'
'Yes!'
'Orochimaru himself had even confessed this directly to Anko Mitarashi.'
'But Konoha was too arrogant, confident that even Orochimaru couldn't cause trouble within their walls. That arrogance led to their downfall, and the Hokage's death.'
"Don't worry, Teacher Kakashi!" Naruto clenched his fist, brimming with confidence. "If that guy dares show his face again, I'll beat him to a pulp!"
Hearing this, Kakashi chuckled softly.
Naruto, young and fearless like a newborn calf, had no idea of Orochimaru's true power. Kakashi, having faced Orochimaru multiple times, knew all too well the danger he posed.
Kakashi shook his head slightly, saying nothing more. Just then, Naruto's curious voice piped up again.
"Teacher Kakashi, that bushy-eyebrowed teacher beside you earlier—is he Might Gay, your eternal lover?"
'Might Gay?'
'Probably he might!!!'
Kakashi blinked in surprise, his lips twitching before he corrected, "His name is Might Guy. And its rival, not lover!"
"Hmm," Naruto murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Judging by his muscles, physique, and joints, he's definitely an incredibly powerful taijutsu ninja. An excellent taijutsu master would excel in all aspects—Chakra, strength, explosive power, endurance, speed... I can't believe Teacher Kakashi manages to hold his own against him."
___
This Sasuke Is Strange 300 advanced chapters: (5 ch updates everyday)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can also read:
1. 345 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto (Completed)
2. 487 adv ch of This Danzo Is Weird
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Completed)
5. 560 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
6. 274 adv ch of I'm Huo Yuhao's System
7. Adv chapters of Naruto: Galgame System (Upcoming)