Chapter 36: Why Not Fear? Not Fear Is Just Not Fear

As the chief examiner, Gekkō Hayate noticed Uchiha Sasuke’s absence.

He furrowed his brow slightly and immediately sent someone to consult the Third Hokage seated at the highest row of the stands.

On the stands, the fake Fourth Kazekage, Orochimaru, seeing an Anbu rush to the Third Hokage’s side, asked: “Third Hokage, has something happened?”

His voice was low, like a venomous snake lurking in darkness.

Probably because he hadn’t seen his favorite student in a long time, and was unfamiliar with the Fourth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand.

The Third Hokage detected not the slightest anomaly.

They’ve been exchanging hollow compliments for half the day already.

This old man’s dementia is terminal—beyond saving.

But to be fair, Orochimaru’s cosplay skills are legit.

No wonder he’s the number one cross-dressing master of the ninja world.

Not a single flaw could be detected.

The Third Hokage smiled and replied: “Thank Itachi for your concern, Fourth Kazekage. The boy Uchiha Sasuke is late.”

Upon hearing the name Uchiha Sasuke, Orochimaru triggered a keyword—his eyes flickered with a barely perceptible greed.

He licked his lips with his tongue; had it not been for his mask, the Third Hokage might have noticed something amiss.

“Uchiha Sasuke? Is he the last survivor of the Uchiha clan?”

Orochimaru asked casually.

The Third Hokage felt no suspicion; after all, the Uchiha clan was famed throughout the ninja world, and their Sharingan struck fear into all who heard of it.

Not just ninja, but many spectators had come specifically because of the reputation of Uchiha Sasuke, the last Uchiha.

To him, it was perfectly normal for the Fourth Kazekage to know of Uchiha Sasuke.

“That boy, probably overslept.”

The Third Hokage replied with a smile.

Orochimaru was momentarily stunned.

What the hell kind of excuse is “overslept”?

Has his old teacher, now blind and deaf, stopped even pretending to think before lying?

To prevent his own teacher from disgracing himself in old age.

Orochimaru, being kind-hearted, planned to kill him in front of everyone shortly.

It would give him a noble reputation—dying for Konoha.

So he wouldn’t be remembered as a villain for eternity.

Orochimaru turned his gaze back to the contestants.

“In that case, perhaps we should postpone his match.”

“It would be a pity if the last Uchiha failed to appear.”

The Third Hokage nodded, finding the Fourth Kazekage’s suggestion entirely reasonable.

Besides, it was a good thing for Konoha.

Why not take the advantage?

So he whispered a few instructions to the Anbu beside him.

Moments later, Gekkō Hayate received the message.

He turned to face the crowd, cleared his throat, and announced loudly.

“Per the decision of the Hokage and the Kazekage, Uchiha Sasuke’s eligibility is preserved until his match begins.”

Then Gekkō Hayate raised his voice further.

“The third stage of the Chunin Exams is now officially underway.”

“Next, Shino Aburame versus Kankuro.”

“All unrelated personnel, please return to the stands.”

The undefeated god versus the Second Generation Kage of the Hidden Sand?

Luo Jie’s gaze swept back and forth between the two.

He had never seen that man lose.

Hey, which man?

Couldn’t remember his name.

Just as everyone awaited the first match, something unexpected happened.

Kankuro raised his hand high.

This is…

The Bianyi Hand!

No, this isn’t the Hidden Sand.

Then never mind.

“Referee, I forfeit.”

For the grand Konoha Collapse Plan, to avoid exposing the new abilities of his Crow Puppet.

Kankuro chose a strategic retreat.

Gekkō Hayate froze on the spot.

Holy shit, the Second Generation Kage of the Hidden Sand just gave up in the first round?

This is the very first match, and someone’s already forfeiting.

And it’s an outsider from another village.

Won’t people start whispering about some hidden scheme?

His mind immediately conjured up rumors:

Secret History of the Chunin Exams:

Why did the Second Generation Kage of the Hidden Sand forfeit? Who is the mysterious backer of the Konoha contestant? Why did the Fourth Kazekage cry bitterly at midnight? The Hokage’s shameless scheme…

Though puzzled, Gekkō Hayate still strictly followed protocol and declared Shino Aburame the winner.

The spectators on the stands knew nothing of the truth.

They only saw Konoha win a match within less than half a minute of the opening.

Instantly, cheers and shouts erupted, the entire stands bursting into chaos.

“Konoha is invincible!”

Sitting on the stands, the Third Hokage couldn’t help but feel strange.

He turned to the fake Fourth Kazekage beside him and asked: “Isn’t that your son? Why did he forfeit?”

Orochimaru’s eyes showed only indifference—he clearly didn’t care about Kankuro.

“He has his own thoughts. Don’t bother with him.”

After hearing this, the Third Hokage asked no more, but unconsciously imagined a family drama.

Shocking! Kage and Son Turn Against Each Other Over Puppet Collectibles?

Explosive! Fourth Kazekage’s Son Has Been Bewitched by Puppet Collectibles?

The Third Hokage could relate all too well.

After all, his own second son, Sarutobi Asuma, had been wildly rebellious in his youth.

He ran away from home for a long time.

And nearly got a beautiful female Jonin in the village pregnant.

Perhaps, whether Hokage or Kazekage, every village leader faces such family troubles.

As the leader of a village, one must make sacrifices—must abandon family for the village’s sake.

The Third Hokage sighed inwardly.

At that moment, Gekkō Hayate announced: “Next, Luo Jie versus Gaara.”

At these words, every eye in the arena snapped to the field like spotlights.

One: the undefeated Hidden Sand boy.

One: the fastest legend of the Death Forest.

Both were the strongest contestants from their respective villages.

Naturally, this match drew intense attention.

Luo Jie leapt down from the stands and landed on the field.

He looked at Gaara standing across the field, thinking to himself.

Didn’t expect to face this Hidden Sand’s “Gourd Boy” so soon.

Hope I don’t accidentally summon Shukaku by beating him too hard.

If that happens and I can’t contain it, will I trigger the Konoha Collapse Plan prematurely?

Meanwhile, Orochimaru on the stands noticed Luo Jie’s appearance.

That interesting little boy.

His eyes gleamed with unusual interest, deeply fascinated by Luo Jie.

Call it a collector’s obsession.

But Luo Jie’s technique is Senjutsu.

Compared to Senjutsu, Orochimaru was far more obsessed with the power of the Sharingan.

……

Soon, as both sides took their positions on the field, Gekkō Hayate announced the match had begun.

Almost at the same instant, the sand surrounding Gaara surged like a tidal wave, rushing toward Luo Jie.

The sand carried immense force, forming a sand wave that seemed ready to drown Luo Jie.

Yet Luo Jie stood firm, watching the golden sandstorm without moving a muscle, neither dodging nor retreating.

Why not dodge? Because he was not afraid.

Why was he not afraid? Because he simply wasn’t afraid.

The spectators, seeing this, cried out in shock; some even closed their eyes, unable to bear witnessing this seemingly brutal scene.

Just as everyone believed he would be swallowed by the golden sand,

A thunderous crash echoed as the sand wave rushing toward Luo Jie struck an invisible barrier and split violently in two.

The divided waves roared past him on either side, not touching him in the slightest.

(End of Chapter)