- ...Be proud of your villages! - The Hokage finally concluded his speech and got down to business. - But before I get to the next part, I have to ask a question, is everyone here ready to continue with the exam?
- I am not ready to continue and wish to finish my participation, Hokage-sama," raised his hand, the last Sunovan to arrive and now barely standing on his feet, after a brief glance with his mentor.
- To be able to retreat when the situation allows it is also an important skill for a future chunin, even if not everyone accepts and understands it," Sakumo, who was standing next to me, muttered quietly to me.
- Or she doesn't want to lose her last student if the other two are killed," I said quietly, shrugging my shoulders.
- And that's a possibility," he grinned back.
- You'll be escorted to the infirmary and given the necessary treatment.
- Thank you, Hokage-sama," the wounded boy bowed his head and strode after the hopping chunin.
The jonin mentor left the small arena with him.
- Anyone else? - The elderly shinobi raised his eyebrow questioningly, but without hearing a reply he continued. - A total of sixteen people graduated from the second stage, but that's too many for the third stage.
The Genin murmured unhappily, discovering that there would be some more culling between stages, but they were afraid to shout anything, clearly timid in the presence of Konoha's elite.
- This year, the final exam will be attended by the Daimyo of the Fire Country and his entourage," Hiruzen raised his hand, reassuring the candidates, "he doesn't have time to watch you fight for a couple days, so based on the average length of a genin fight, it was decided to let fourteen people through, with two of you eliminated in the duel.
- And how will those who find themselves forced to fight for their place be chosen, Hokage-sama? - The Uchiha raised his hand impatiently.
- A game of chance that can choose anyone, because luck is an important part of any shinobi's life," Sarutobi said sternly, 'and for that we use the appropriate mechanism,' he waved his hand imperiously, and a decorative stone panel on the right side of the balcony slid aside, revealing a scoreboard with two names on it.
- On the drums are your names, and after spinning, the chance will choose the unlucky couple who will have to fight for a place in the finals," Hyuga stepped forward and explained to the candidates, adding, "If the same names appear on both scoreboards, that genin will advance to the finals and will be removed from the drums.
At his wave, the chunin next to the machine pulled a lever, and the boards flashed. Like everyone else present, I followed their movement to a stop with some impatience.
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