111 Chapter 110 Vicious

The next day, in a large square.

Those who passed the second stage of the exam were already waiting here in advance.

Just like the last time, Genin from the same villages gathered together and discussed the next stage with excitement.

There is only one exception - Iwagakure.

In the area where Iwagakure is located, Murakado stood alone, which is worse than those in the small Shinobi Villages. Moreover, if it were not for fact that there is no need for the entire team to pass, Iwagakure would have been wiped out by now!

Seeing this situation, many people are taking pleasure in Iwagakure's misfortune.

"Pfft, is this the Iwagakure which is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages? It's really funny!"

"Tsk tsk, I heard they were ambushing Shimizu Sōseki with Kirigakure's Zabuza, but they were killed instead!"

"Alas, isn't it good to be alive?"

"However, Konoha's Shimizu Sōseki is too powerful! With so many people lying in ambush, and are also powerful Genin like Zabuza and Murakado among them, he defeated them all by himself!"

"It seems that he will definitely be the champion of the Chunin Exams this time!"

At this moment, Sōseki suddenly walked towards where Baki is.

Seeing Sōseki approaching, the Sunagakure's area suddenly became chaotic.

"You, what do you want to do?"

"Don't come here!"

"Wait, the exam hasn't started yet!"

They had been frightened by the information about Sōseki last night. And today, the first thing they heard was that Iwagakure's Shinobi and Zabuza was killed by him. Because of that, when they saw Sōseki, they had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sōseki is confused by their overreaction. 'I didn't seem to have done anything strange to them, right?'

Sōseki said helplessly, "Although I don't know why you guys are so agitated, but I actually came here to apologize."

"I lost the previous bet..."

Baki shook his head slightly. After he truly understood the gap between them, he also realized the ridiculousness of his previous thoughts. This kind of "victory" has no meaning other than to make himself unable to see the situation clearly.

"Don't worry, that bet..."

But before he finished speaking, his voice was drowned out by the others.

"Haha, don't say that, what are winners and losers in the friendly competition?"

"That's right, even after Baki-senpai lost to Nii Yugito, we didn't even see him apologize!"

"Although some people have won, they have also lost, and some people have already won even though they have lost!"

Seeing their embarrassing behavior, Nakayo, who is on the side, almost vomited blood. 'Are you guys really not sent by the other villages to ruin our Sunagakure's reputation?'

Sōseki was also at a loss, and didn't know whether to cry or laugh, "Everyone from Sunagakure is so friendly!"

Baki's expression turned stiff, 'You can just lick his feet if you want, but why do you all have to step on me?'

"Then I'll go back first/ I hope to see everyone in the official match."

Seeing Sōseki leave, all of Sunagakure's Genin let out a sigh of relief.

"Hah, it's fortunate we're smart!"

"Fuhh, the crisis is over. Baki-senpai, you can thank us well after you go back this time!"

"That's right, Baki-senpai, you are too slow to react!"

"Yeah, if we hadn't helped you cover up, in case you encounter him in the exam, maybe you would have been killed like Zabuza!"

Baki :(╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴

...

A few minutes later, Sandaime walked to the front of the stage.

"I am very happy to see the excellent Shinobi from all Great Shinōbi Villages gathered together. Although everyone is from different countries..."

After a long tirade, Sandaime ended his speech, and entered the main topic, "In the official match, there will be Daimyō and leaders of the Shinobi Villages coming to watch the match. Therefore, the time for the matches cannot be too long. This time, the number of people who passed the second stage exam is unprecedented. The total number is as high as 217 people..."

Everyone on the field looked around after hearing this. Compared with the past, the scale of the joint Chunin Exams this time, which joined by the Five Great Shinobi Villages and eleven small Shinōbi Villages, is indeed too grand!

'There are 60 people from Konoha, 51 people from Kumogakure, 21 people from Sunagakure, 17 people from Kirigakure, 1 person from Iwagakure, and the remaining who passed are from the small Shinōbi Villages which ranged between 3-9 people...' Sōseki couldn't help but sigh after thinking about it, "The average strength of Kumogakure is really strong. If it weren't for me threatening Manda, their passing numbers might be higher than that of Konoha."

On the front, Sandaime continued, "The official match limited to 32 candidates, so today's qualifiers will use the ring mode! There will be 16 ring matches in total, with 13 to 14 candidates in each ring, and each match will have two winner who will enter the official match. "

"If you understand everything, get ready for the exam. As for the grouping arrangement, I will let someone post it on the bulletin board!"

As soon as Sandaime finished speaking, the field instantly became lively.

"Why was it divided to 16 matches? Isn't it better to go straight to 32 matches?"

"It may be because 32 matches took too long, and the gap between 13 or 14 people is also relatively smaller than the gap between 6 or 7 people. "

"As for why it's not 8 matches, they are mostly worried that the advantage in numbers will offset the gap in strength! "

"The ring is only so big, so there is no way to open up some distance. If they are too late to form hand seals, even the strong may be defeated by the weak. "

"Indeed, the gap of number of people right now is just too much."

"With this, Konoha and Kumogakure would be too dominant! "

"It's not as exaggerated as you think. On average, there would be only 3 to 4 people from the same village in each arena. Not to mention that they don't have an absolute advantage, they may even be targeted by the others. "

When the discussion was in full swing, Asuma came over and asked, "Sōseki, how is your group?" "

Sōseki's gaze swept across the bulletin board and then he said, "I am in the fifth group. If you count me, there would be two people from Konoha, five from Kumogakure, three from Sunagakure, one from Kirigakure, and the other three people are from Hoshigakure, Yugakure, and Amegakure respectively. "

Asuma scanned the names of these people, and then nodded, "Except for you, Sōseki, there is not a single powerful person in this group. It seems that old man really arranged it deliberately to let us experts to not meet in advance. "

"Well, Hokage-sama must ensure that the battle in the official match is exciting enough after all. "Sōseki said, and then warned with solemn expression, "However, it does not mean that the stronger they are, the more likely they will pass. The more famous they are, the easier it is for them to be targeted by the others and defeated!"

Asuma waved his hand indifferently, "Don't worry, there are six people from Konoha including me in my group."

Sōseki's eyes twitched upon hearing this, 'Why does it sounds really shady?'

After saying that, Asuma pointed towards a certain direction and said with a smile, "What I have to worry about is Iwagakur, who is famous and only one person left. If he is targeted by the others, then maybe the last lone seedling will even be pulled out!"

Looking at the lineup of Murakado's group, Sōseki's expression became more and more weird.

Although there are no strong people in that group, they are not weak. If they cooperate well, it is entirely possible to defeat Murakado.

The most important thing is that none of these villages seem to have a good relationship with Iwagakure.

'Hokage-sama, you are really vicious'