As long as one could make it to the main arena, they would attract the attention of the Third Hokage.
No one was concerned with securing first place; just making it to the main arena and being noticed by Hiruzen Sarutobi was considered an honor among the students.
Amid the clamor of the third arena, Yoru left, heading toward the main arena!
Kushina wanted to give up her own match and follow Yoru to the main arena, but since she was already participating, she had to go through each match, even if it meant forfeiting every time, until a full ranking was determined.
With a hopeful look in her eyes, she watched Yoru leave, her heart full of support.
The third arena was filled with a deafening noise.
Even from other directions—first, second, and fourth arenas, as well as the main arena—people couldn't help but glance over.
In the first arena:
The fourth match was about to begin for Minato Namikaze, who was slightly surprised when he glanced toward the ruckus of the third arena.
"It looks like someone already claimed victory... faster than me, huh?"
His eyes glimmered for a moment before he dismissed it with a carefree smile.
It didn't matter if someone got there first; after all, the final ranking in the main arena would still be determined by battle.
He wouldn't let first place slip through his fingers.
A sense of easy confidence danced in Minato's eyes.
In the main arena:
Having finished his preparations and seated himself on the main stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, smiled faintly when he heard the noise from the direction of the third arena.
"It seems we have some outstanding children already... Who could it be?"
"It must be that genius boy Minato Namikaze, who surpassed Orochimaru!"
Behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood Jiraiya, now an elite jonin and one of the future Legendary Three Ninjas.
In the ninja academy, Minato was unquestionably the number one in every aspect, almost crushing the competition, even more so than the young Orochimaru!
It was no surprise that Minato's genius had already attracted the attention of Konoha's higher-ups.
Listening to Jiraiya's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement, thinking it would probably be Minato.
However, at that moment, Orochimaru quietly approached, his lips curving into an inscrutable smile.
"Tsk, tsk… that's not necessarily the case."
"What? Orochimaru, are you jealous? You weren't as impressive as Minato at this age, were you?" Jiraiya said, teasing Orochimaru.
Orochimaru lazily shrugged, indifferent, and replied, "That's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?"
"See for yourself."
Orochimaru casually gestured toward a direction.
Both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya turned to look.
And then, both of them were taken aback.
Because the first victor to approach the main arena was not Minato, but Yoru!
"This is impossible, someone managed to get here faster than Minato?!"
Jiraiya nearly shouted in disbelief.
The first victor wasn't Minato Namikaze?!
Orochimaru, wearing a slightly sinister smile, said coolly, "What's impossible about that…"
"How interesting. I thought this era would only have one genius, and that was Minato."
Tsunade, walking in from behind with a somewhat lazy expression, her beautiful eyes flashing with an odd gleam, said, "He's the one who's supposed to duel Uchiha Han to the death, right?"
"That's right, it's him." Orochimaru nodded.
Jiraiya, who had once been the most confident in Minato, now wore an expression of clear dissatisfaction as the conversation shifted entirely to Yoru.
"Even if he's here, so what? He'll never be able to beat Minato. Minato's talent is even greater than yours, Orochimaru!"
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru didn't get angry at Jiraiya's words. Instead, he gave a faint, almost eerie smile, and said calmly, "With his unique bloodline limit and remarkable composure in crisis, I believe that boy may be even more outstanding than Minato in the future."
His words caused everyone present to gasp in surprise.
While most people didn't believe that Yoru could surpass a genius like Minato, the conviction in Orochimaru's voice made it clear that Yoru's potential shouldn't be underestimated!
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to pause and reflect for a moment.
He had heard of Yoru's story, of course.
Faced with a deadlock, Yoru had chosen to challenge Uchiha Han to a life-or-death duel to break the deadlock, gaining three months' time—but it still seemed like a hopeless path.
However, after thinking it over, it seemed that, given the circumstances, Yoru's decision had been the best one possible!
That child was certainly not simple.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed thoughtfully.
If Yoru truly had that kind of talent, then such a good seed shouldn't be destroyed by the Uchiha clan.
In that case, he would wait and see how Yoru performed next.
Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, full of quiet anticipation, Yoru finally arrived at the main arena, quietly standing at the bottom, waiting.
As he waited, Yoru also observed the main arena closely.
The main arena was far more formal than the sub-arenas.
It was situated in a large space resembling the Chuunin Exams from the original series.
At the very top, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat, his Hokage robes flowing.
Behind him and to the side stood three figures that Yoru was very familiar with.
Looking up, a faint glimmer of light flickered in Yoru's eyes.
Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya!
The future Legendary Three Ninjas—he hadn't expected to see them here.
But now that he looked at them, they appeared far younger than in the original story, and all were dressed in official jonin uniforms.
Seeing so many familiar faces at once, Yoru felt a slight ripple in his heart.
As Yoru looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, they were also observing him.
Sometimes, you can tell a lot from a person's eyes.
Too calm, and it may raise suspicion, but Yoru, while calm, also exuded a faint, almost excited gleam in his gaze, with no cracks in his mental state.
"Good eyes."
Tsunade gave Yoru a brief look and quietly offered her evaluation.
Walking up with the first-place rank, and still managing to stay composed in front of the Hokage and these elite jonin, holding back any sign of excitement—this was the attitude of a qualified ninja.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also nodded. Although Yoru came from another village, it had been when he was very young.
There was no need to question Yoru's identity; to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Yoru was no different from any other child born in Konoha.
In his mind, Yoru had previously been unable to practice ninjutsu, his potential hidden. But now, with his bloodline limit awakened, he was starting to shine with the brilliance of a genius.
While everyone was still observing Yoru, the second victor finally arrived. No surprises here—it was Minato Namikaze!
When Minato reached the main arena, his expression was just as calm as Yoru's.
And Jiraiya, who had seemed uninterested before, was once again filled with excitement.
"See, Minato's eyes are the same! No matter how excellent Yoru is, he can't compare to Minato."
"Hehehe, let's wait and see."
Orochimaru leaned back against the wall, his expression one of faint amusement, as he fell silent.