blogombal Chapter 197 The One-Tailed Jinchuriki, the Third Hokage is Confident
Chapter 197 The One-Tailed Jinchuriki, the Third Hokage is Confident
"Hello! My two senior brothers and Karin, how are you?!" Just as Karin was speechless and about to call Tarojiro to leave, a familiar loud voice suddenly came from behind her.
Karin subconsciously turned her head and saw Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura walking quickly towards her from the other end of the corridor...
"It's Naruto and the others. I didn't expect Kakashi-sensei to recommend you for the Chunin Exams." Taro replied with a smile, expressing only his admiration and not surprise.
They were also recent graduates who participated in the Chunin Exams last year.
Jiro nodded and turned to look at Neji and the other two, "These are Kakashi-sensei's new students, and also our junior brothers and sisters."
"I see!" Neji glanced at Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura before paying no further attention. Even if Sasuke was an Uchiha, he was nothing special in his eyes.
His only goal now is to catch up with Ishikawa!
"Karin, I have something to ask you." As he spoke, Sasuke had already come up to the three of them with a serious look in his eyes. "Gaara of Sunagakure, do you remember him? We encountered them before, and he seemed to be very hostile towards Ishikawa-senpai."
He had originally intended to ask Ishikawa directly these past few days, but after searching for several days without success, he could only ask here.
Upon hearing that the Sand Village ninjas were hostile towards Ishikawa, Neji instinctively glanced at Tarojiro, his gaze sharpening! Ishikawa's enemies? Sand Village ninjas…
"Gaara of Sunagakure?" Taro scratched his head in confusion, completely unaware of who Sasuke was referring to.
He had never heard of this name before. Why would this person be hostile to his older brother, Ishikawa?
"He's a red-haired Sand Ninja who looks fierce, carrying a gourd on his back. His two teammates are a man with his face covered in paint and carrying bandages, and a woman carrying a black iron fan." Seeing Taro's somewhat confused expression, Sakura quickly added.
Upon hearing this information, Karin and the other two gasped, their faces turning pale and covered in cold sweat...
"It's him!!"
They vividly remembered the experience of that red-haired Sand Ninja who went berserk and transformed into a monster back in the Land of Rivers. That guy named Gaara was the Jinchuriki of the One-Tailed Beast, as mentioned by the Third Hokage.
"I can't believe that kind of guy actually came to participate in the Chunin Exams, this is terrible!!" Jiro said subconsciously, feeling a sense of unease as he thought of the terror of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast.
Although Taro didn't speak, his slightly trembling pupils betrayed him.
Instantly, seeing the two so tense, Neji, Sasuke, and the other six opened their mouths wide, somewhat astonished at who this person was who could frighten them like this!
"Gulp..." Karin swallowed hard, then suddenly her eyes lit up as she thought of something. "Actually, we don't need to worry about him. Ishikawa and the village should already know about this! If he goes berserk again, the village definitely won't ignore it."
Remembering Ishikawa's earlier instructions and reminders, Karin felt reassured and comforted the two. If he told them to be cautious, given their Chunin-level strength, Ishikawa wouldn't be making baseless accusations.
If that's the case, then the village must have already made contingency plans! After all, that's the One-Tailed Shukaku, something that these genin (lower-ranking ninja) simply can't resist.
"Karin, is that guy really that strong?" Naruto asked with a puzzled look, arms crossed, seeing Karin's reaction.
This caused Neji, Sasuke, and the others who were about to speak to shut up and look at Karin with searching eyes.
“Yeah, that guy is an incredibly dangerous and terrifying opponent! If you run into him, don’t hesitate to run away immediately, as far away as possible,” Taro added, while also quickly calming himself down.
Karin is right. If they all know who the other is, how could Ishikawa not know? And how could the Third Hokage not have contingency plans?
"Just run away??" Neji and Sasuke frowned subconsciously; retreating without a fight wasn't their style. But Karin and the others spoke with such conviction that it made them hesitant.
"That guy's strength is definitely no weaker than a Jonin. Even our current leader might not be able to defeat him. You guys better be careful..." Jiro reminded him again, then looked at the time and exhaled a breath of stale air. "Let's go, we're going to be late!"
"Jonin!!" Neji and Sasuke were shocked, but their anxiety was mixed with their eagerness to try.
Even Ishikawa might not be able to defeat this opponent. If I can defeat him, it will definitely prove my strength.
"Hmph, I don't care how strong that guy is! Anyway, I, Naruto, will definitely not lose to him. Let's go, Sasuke, Sakura." Watching Karin and the others break the genjutsu and enter the second floor, Naruto raised his arm and shouted immediately.
"Of course." Sasuke smiled confidently, thinking of his own strength. He now believed that he was not much weaker than his senior brother Ishikawa.
"The pride of being the top student? I've long since discarded that vanity! I wonder if you've truly come to terms with yourself now, Uchiha Sasuke." Neji smiled calmly, beckoning Rock Lee to follow.
This makes the Chunin Exams much more challenging! He has worked hard to integrate his superhuman strength techniques into Gentle Fist, and now he considers himself a Jonin who is no weaker than others.
"Um, Miss Sakura..." Just as the three entered the stairs, Xiao Li, who was standing next to him, finally couldn't hold back and quickly followed.
A moment later, "No way! I don't want to date someone with thick eyebrows like you!!"
As Sakura's piercing scream echoed down the corridor, Neji and Tenten caught up to find Lee leaning against the wall, looking utterly dejected and lifeless...
Because of Tarojiro's presence and Ishikawa's influence, Lee did not challenge Sasuke this time.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
"Oh? Are you sure that Sand Village boy is the One-Tailed Jinchuriki you encountered in the Land of Rivers?" Looking at the exam scene in the crystal ball, the Third Hokage frowned and exhaled a puff of smoke.
In the crystal ball's image, Karin and her two companions, who had just entered the examination room, were locked in a fierce stare-down with Gaara! The bloodlust and excitement in Gaara's eyes were palpable even through the crystal ball's reflection.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Ishikawa glanced at it and nodded in affirmation. This matter could not be kept secret, and he did not intend to hide it any longer.
That might backfire after the Konoha Crush plan, and it wouldn't fit his current image as a passionate hero!
After a pause, Ishikawa, seeing Gaara holding back, spoke again, "Hokage-sama, although we don't yet understand why Sunagakure is sending a Jinchuriki to participate in this Chunin Exam, we must be on guard. Not to mention anything else, just the appearance of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, in the village would have unimaginable consequences."
"Yes, you're right to worry! Ishikawa." The Third Hokage nodded in agreement. The second match was alright, but the third Chunin Tournament was taking place inside the village. If Shukaku went berserk, the damage to Konoha would be no less than another Nine-Tails attack.
Moreover, who knows what Sunagakure is thinking or what kind of schemes they have up their sleeves!
This joint exam, in particular, brings together ninjas from various villages and powerful merchants; if not handled properly, it will definitely have a huge impact on Konoha…
"Ishikawa, inform Kakashi to keep a close eye on the One-Tailed Jinchuriki. If he shows any signs of going berserk, stop and control him immediately." Suddenly, the Third Hokage's eyes sharpened as he gave the order.
With Kakashi's Mangekyou Sharingan, any conspiracy that Sunagakure may have will be nipped in the bud.
If Sunagakure wants to show its face, then let them know the absolute authority of the elder brother of Konoha!