A week later, with the arrival of the Hokage and Tsuchikage, the final tournament of the Chunin Exams was about to begin.
The match brackets were soon announced: Guy vs Hiruko, Setsuna vs Pain.
Outside the oval-shaped arena, Setsuna advised Guy: "Your opponent is not simple. Just go all out. If you can't win, admit defeat. Don't feel pressured."
Guy nodded vigorously. "I understand. I won't stubbornly push myself. I've never been able to defeat those geniuses on the first try, but I will keep chasing them until I surpass them!"
Just then, a girl with delicate features and a slender figure approached. "Setsuna-sama, thank you for your protection during the Chunin Exam."
"No need for thanks. You are from Hoshigakure, right?" Setsuna asked.
"Yes, my name is Natsuhi." Natsuhi wanted to say more but noticed her teammates seemed to be heading their way. She spoke quickly, "If possible, I would like to invite you to visit Hoshigakure in your spare time. This is a personal request."
After saying this, she returned to her team.
Obito nudged Setsuna with his elbow, a lecherous grin on his face. "Setsuna-san, a beauty is captivated by your charm! She even invited you to her home."
Setsuna laughed wryly. "Don't talk nonsense. She might have serious business."
"If it were serious business, why be so secretive? Clearly, she has something on her mind," Obito stood on his tiptoes to pat Setsuna's shoulder, speaking with a grave tone. "Setsuna-san, we boys need to protect ourselves too."
Setsuna shook his head slightly. He could roughly guess Natsuhi's purpose… most likely, she wanted him to take away the meteorite from Hoshigakure.
'Speaking of radioactive meteorites...' Setsuna rubbed his chin, deep in thought, "I recall the Nine-Tails has a life-draining move called [Baryon Mode]. The principle simulates the process of solar nuclear fusion. Next time, I'll find an opportunity to extort that trump card from the Nine-Tails and see if I can use that radioactive meteorite for training.'
Although it required sacrificing lifespan, having more debts didn't add more pressure. If he ever truly needed to open the Eight Gates Released Formation, stacking Baryon Mode on top wouldn't matter much. He wondered if Senzu Beans could save him then.
"The matches are about to start. Let's go in."
Although the name was Hiruko, the puppet Sasori chose was different from the monstrous form in the original work. After all, he needed to show the Land of Wind's Daimyo the potential of Sunagakure.
Choosing a 'Genin' who looked forty or fifty years old to participate in the Chunin Exam wouldn't make sense.
Therefore, Sasori chose his childhood appearance, with some modifications.
In the VIP seats, the portly Daimyo of the Land of Wind tugged at his beard and asked, "That boy who looks like a porcelain doll is our Land of Wind's examinee, Hiruko?"
An attendant nearby replied, "Yes, that's him."
"Such a lovely boy," The Daimyo's eyes gleamed with a certain light. "After the exam, go tell the Kazekage that I plan to form the Twelve Guardian Ninja, modeled after the Land of Fire, to absorb talented individuals. This boy named Hiruko seems excellent. Have him join the first generation of Guardian Ninja."
The attendant showed a meaningful smile. "Of course. I believe the Kazekage-sama will certainly agree. Otherwise, we can charge him with the crime of disrespect for missing this exam."
The Daimyo snorted lightly, "The Kazekage has gotten a bit too full of himself. Claiming he can't return because he's gathering gold dust... if other Daimyo hear about this, they'll think our Land of Wind is too poor to make ends meet."
On the main platform, three chairs were placed, but the central one remained empty. The Hokage and Tsuchikage sat on the left and right respectively.
"To be absent from such an important occasion... Do you know the Kazekage-sama's situation, Tsuchikage-dono?" The Third Hokage asked.
"How would I know? On the contrary, Hokage-dono, with the [Darkness of the Ninja World] assisting you, shouldn't you know more than us?" Onoki smiled slightly.
The Third Hokage was speechless, 'What's with Danzo's reputation? Why are there people sarcastically targeting him everywhere?'
But precisely because of this, it made him believe Danzo wasn't colluding with others.
Onoki teased further, "I heard your son also participated in this Chunin Exam, Hokage-dono. He didn't even make it to the final tournament?"
The Third Hokage could remain calm about Asuma's results. "He is only a genius among ordinary people. It's difficult for him to compete on the same stage as true geniuses."
Onoki raised an eyebrow. "From what you're saying, Hokage-dono, all four who entered the final tournament are true geniuses?"
"Why pretend you don't know, Tsuchikage-dono?" The Third Hokage was somewhat annoyed, "Before this Chunin Exam, I had never heard the names Hiruko or Pain."
Although Setsuna's presence was overpowered for this Chunin Exams, was that his fault? He hadn't deliberately hidden Setsuna. Meanwhile, Pain and Hiruko were clearly last-minute 'ringers' found by Iwagakure and Sunagakure… they simply couldn't play fair.
Onoki pretended not to understand and changed the subject. "Let's not waste our breath, us old folks. Let's watch the matches, watch the matches."
The oval arena of Sunagakure glittered under the midday sun. The tall surrounding stands were filled with Ninja and nobles from various countries.
Guy took a deep breath. He looked around and saw Obito and Shizune cheering for him in the audience.
"Match begin!" With the referee's call, Guy immediately assumed a fighting stance.
Sasori slowly raised his hand. Three puppets of varying designs unfolded from the scroll on his back.
"This number of puppets should be enough," Sasori's voice was terrifyingly calm, "I hope you can pique my interest slightly."
Guy grinned, showing his bright gums. "Youth is for challenging limits! First Gate, Gate of Opening, Open!"
A burst of energy erupted. Guy shot towards Sasori like an arrow.
"Naive." Sasori's fingers moved slightly. The three puppets attacked simultaneously.
The first puppet opened its mouth, shooting dozens of poisoned senbon towards Guy, the second puppet's arms popped out sharp blades, spinning as they sliced towards Guy's waist, the third puppet moved quickly on the ground, attempting to trip Guy's legs.
"Second Gate, Gate of Healing, Open!" Guy's speed increased again. He weaved through the senbon rain, his body twisting at incredible angles.
As the blade puppet approached, Guy performed a backflip, his feet accurately kicking the puppet's head, sending it back several meters.
"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!" Upon landing, Guy immediately spun his body, a roundhouse kick sending the ground puppet flying.
"Your Taijutsu is not bad," Sasori commented calmly, his fingers moving swiftly as if playing a melody.
The three damaged puppets reassembled, forming a larger combat machine with six arms, each holding a different weapon.