socalfunplaces Chapter 258 Orochimaru's Plan
Chapter 258 Orochimaru's Plan
Chapter 258 Orochimaru's Plan
First, Rock Lee's attacks were blocked by Gaara's sand, then he removed his weights, and then he used the Eight Gates.
In the end, Gaara narrowly won.
However, thanks to Baiyun Qingye's reminder, he held back his strength at the last moment.
Rock Lee simply lost consciousness and passed out.
Apart from a few minor fractures, the rest of the injuries were mostly caused by Rock Lee opening the Eight Gates.
In short, both sides were safe and sound.
However, the battle between Rock Lee and Gaara still sparked a lot of discussion.
After all, the strength they displayed during their battle far exceeded the level of a genin.
Even battles between ordinary Jonin wouldn't have such a large scale.
As a result, the onlookers felt that the following matches were rather unremarkable.
Ino, Tenten, and the others also successfully passed the preliminary rounds.
Soon, the preliminary rounds came to an end, and the next step was the draw for the third exam, a one-on-one duel.
After all the ninjas who failed in the preliminary rounds left, the winners stood once again in the center of the already dilapidated plaza.
Tsunade stood on the high platform, surveying the many ninjas still remaining on the field, and was quite satisfied.
Because Konoha had the most people who passed the preliminary rounds among all the ninja villages.
"The third round of the Chunin Exams will be held in three days. These three days are for you to adjust your bodies and gather information about your opponents."
"Next, each of you will draw a slip of paper from the box that Red Bean is holding to determine your opponent."
Compared to the more than one-month rest period in the original work, Tsunade only gave everyone three days to adjust.
It's impossible for her to give the Sand Village so much time to prepare when she knew they harbored malicious intentions.
"I'll bring it over; you can draw lots in order."
With her eyes half-closed, Hongdou walked up to the crowd with the lottery box in her hand.
"The number plates inside are exactly the same as the number of you."
Hongdou explained, "From low to high, the person who draws an adjacent number is the opponent, and the last person will have a bye."
After saying that, she walked straight up to Bai Yunqingye and winked at him.
You can only take one at a time.
"..."
Baiyun Qingye didn't ask any questions and simply reached out and took out a card.
Then Red Bean walked toward the next one.
"The draw is over. Now stand in the order I called out your numbers."
Ibihi glanced at the crowd and spoke loudly.
"Number One and Number Two!"
Baiyun Qingye was the first to walk over and stand at the front.
He drew number one.
Immediately afterwards, Gaara walked to his side.
The two exchanged a glance, and Shirokumo Aoba greeted him with a smile, while Gaara looked away.
"You are the first group of opponents."
Ibihi nodded, then began to write and draw on the tactics board in his hand.
"Number three and number four!"
Sasuke and Naruto walked over at the same time, and after a brief eye contact, they both paused in surprise.
"Sasuke, I never expected my opponent would be you!"
Naruto flashed his teeth, "But in the end, I will definitely be the one to win!"
Sasuke twitched the corner of his mouth.
He didn't expect his first opponent to be Naruto.
If he doesn't show some real skill, he might actually lose.
However, he still said calmly, "I will be the only one to win."
"I will defeat you this time and become a Chunin!"
The bickering between the two did not affect Ibihi, who continued calling out numbers.
"..."
"Number nine and number ten!"
As the voice faded, Temari confidently stepped forward.
She had been praying in her heart that she would never run into Gaara and Shirakumo Aoba.
Her prayers did indeed work.
She's confident against Shirokumo Aoba and Gaara, even without facing those two massive opponents.
The next moment, the girl with her hair in a bun walked to her side.
Temari paused for a moment.
Tian Tian's expression was solemn.
She had witnessed the opponent's previous battle; the opponent was skilled in Wind Release, especially the attacks released using that fan, which were very effective against her.
Temari snapped out of her daze and couldn't help but glance in the direction of Shirokumo Aoba.
If she hurts this little girl, I wonder if the girl will hate her?
Baiyun Qingye was also somewhat surprised, not expecting that the two of them, who hadn't met in the preliminaries, would meet in the third exam.
"Number seven and number eight."
"Sakura?"
"Ino?"
Ino and Sakura, who were walking over with the note, both widened their eyes at the same time.
This battle between best friends was ultimately unavoidable.
"Sakura".
Yamanaka Ino took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but I have a reason why I must win."
"I see."
Sakura nodded, her expression firm, and said, "Me too."
The two have been best friends since childhood and have never even argued. I never expected that they would become rivals now.
However, winning or losing won't affect their relationship.
No civil war occurred in the subsequent groups.
……
at the same time.
Konoha Hospital.
In a hospital room, Qin, who had been captured by Baiyun Qingye, was placed here to rest.
(Regarding the "Jin" mentioned earlier, I feel this translation sounds better.)
Because the other party readily provided information about Orochimaru and cooperated very actively, their treatment was slightly improved.
However, the other party was not actually injured; it seems that they had some minor mental issues.
He is currently under observation in the hospital.
Two people were standing in front of her hospital bed.
Orochimaru's golden eyes were filled with longing. "Kabuto, what have you thought about my previous suggestion?"
"Lord Orochimaru, what would you do if I chose to refuse?"
Kabuto lowered his head, his eyes behind his round-framed glasses dark and unfathomable.
His words were, in effect, a rejection.
Orochimaru wasn't angry at Kabuto's refusal; he just said with a hint of regret, "Kabuto, your weakness is too obvious. You care too much about those orphans."
The pharmacist adjusted his glasses. "Director Nono and the children are my bottom line."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin. "If I threaten you with those children, will you agree to come with me?"
Yakushi Kabuto remained silent.
Orochimaru shook his head and said frankly, "Don't worry, I made a big deal with someone and I won't take action against the people of Konoha."
Although he was never sincere about such verbal deals, if the material for immortality were lost, he wouldn't even have a chance to regret it.
Moreover, he now needs something from Bai Yunqingye.
"what do you mean……"
"I won't threaten you, but I also hope you won't waste your talent."
After saying that, Orochimaru looked at Koto on the hospital bed and raised his hand to dispel her genjutsu.
"Qin, I have a task for you..."