Naruto: The Teaching System - 215

Chapter 215: Power Players and Political Games

The next day.

The weather was unexpectedly clear and pleasant.

Hiruzen wore his Hokage robes, his entire presence radiating authority and power. This made Sawada glance sideways. After all, how long had it been since he'd seen the old man like this?

This time, besides Shisui and Kakashi, only Sawada accompanied Hiruzen. The three of them formed a temporary "Hokage Guard," and this configuration wasn't low-level at all.

From what he understood, among the Kazekage's entourage, only Baki was relatively familiar, while the other two barely reached jonin level.

The genin participating in the elimination tournament had already departed earlier.

They walked along the wooden walkway toward the venue. Almost there now.

Bang Bang Bang.

Countless aerial cannons fired in unison, and colorful confetti scattered everywhere.

"Kumogakure is invincible!"

"Long live the Raikage!"

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd, but Hiruzen and the others approaching the entrance paid no attention. This was their home field. Everything was expected.

Halfway up the mountain, several stone chairs were positioned with large characters carved on them, bearing the names of the Kage from various great nations.

As for the smaller ninja villages, they were positioned below, with at most some high officials sitting.

"Hahaha, isn't this our Hokage? How's your health holding up?" The Raikage, already present at the scene, heard the sound and turned around. Seeing Hiruzen and the others, he called out loudly.

Hiruzen paid no attention to the Fourth Raikage's words and walked over with a diplomatic smile.

He had no interest in trading barbs with someone who acted like a brute in the ninja world. If someone took advantage later, although he wouldn't mind, it'd still be annoying.

"Is this your disciple, Hokage?" Fourth Raikage A ignored Hiruzen's non-response and looked at Sawada on Hiruzen's left.

His tall figure slowly approached, his aura spreading outward like a wave. Kakashi and Shisui became secretly vigilant.

In contrast, Sawada, who was directly receiving the Raikage's pressure, showed no change in expression. His gaze curiously examined the Fourth Raikage before him, who was like an iron tower. The guy's height was truly amazing.

The Fourth Raikage seemed not to notice Kakashi and Shisui's gradually vigilant attitudes nearby. He only looked at Sawada.

For a long moment...

"Hahaha, not bad, Hokage. You've taken on quite the disciple." Fourth Raikage A turned to Hiruzen.

"Oh? Hokage-sama, do you still have the energy to cultivate disciples?" came an elderly voice from nearby.

Onoki was being carried on his son Kitsuchi's shoulders, slowly approaching them.

Hiruzen glanced sideways at Onoki. "At least better than Tsuchikage-sama. At least I can still move around on my own."

The Tsuchikage was visibly choked by Hiruzen's words, his expression darkening slightly. He raised his hand to pat Kitsuchi, signaling him to stop.

Onoki leaped up, steadily hovering in midair. He countered Hiruzen this way to show he wasn't truly too old to move.

The Fourth Raikage watched this scene without speaking, instead looking toward the entrance.

Rasa led his Kazekage guard and appeared there. Seeing that the other three Kage had already arrived, he quickly said, "Sorry, I'm late."

"You know you're late? Today's young people really don't understand proper etiquette." Onoki immediately retorted.

The Kazekage guards behind Rasa immediately assumed attack stances, while Onoki watched with obvious interest.

"What? Want to fight?" he asked mockingly.

Rasa waved his hand, signaling Baki and the others not to act rashly. His gaze toward the Third Tsuchikage was full of barely contained irritation.

"Onoki, elders should have the bearing of elders," Hiruzen chuckled lightly.

Then he paid no more attention and walked toward his seat. It wasn't that Hiruzen wanted to help Rasa, but Konoha and Sunagakure were allies after all. Saying a word or two wouldn't cost anything.

Rasa quickly passed by Onoki, completely ignoring the staring old man. If it weren't inappropriate to be enemies with Iwagakure right now, he might really want to build a grave for this guy.

The Fourth Raikage also ignored everything in the venue. Seeing no show to watch, he turned and returned to his main seat.

Sawada stood behind Hiruzen and couldn't help but sigh. This ninja world was nothing more than a large temporary theater troupe.

Their words were full of sarcasm. If things became intense, they'd have no choice but to fight.

Hmm?

Sensing a gaze from the side, Sawada turned to look. Samui, standing behind the Raikage, was staring at him, her expression still extremely cold.

Sawada just nodded, then paid her no more attention. Let her look if she wanted. He wouldn't lose anything.

Almost all gazes from where the various Kage were positioned focused on Sawada. Not just from Kumogakure, but even Onoki was the same.

Only Hiruzen and his group were completely unconcerned, having prepared for this before coming. Now, the most important thing was to see what Kumogakure wanted to do, or what purpose they wanted to achieve.

The next moment, the entire venue built halfway up the mountain erupted in huge waves of sound.

The reason was that the screen set up in the venue was broadcasting Kumogakure's genin directly defeating Sand Village ninja.

The digital scoreboard there immediately deducted one team from Sand Village's examination roster.

"Heh, still young after all," Onoki sneered and took the opportunity to mock Rasa.

Rasa sat in his seat as if he hadn't heard anything, calmly accompanying Hiruzen for tea.

The next moment, one of Iwagakure's participating teams was also eliminated. The nearby screen was replaying the battle footage from moments before.

In the footage, one person and one beast restrained Iwagakure's genin, while teammates on the side used Fire Release for containment. Finally, overwhelming swarms of insects directly pounced toward Iwagakure's genin.

After the insects dispersed, the exposed Iwagakure genin, having lost their chakra, were lying on the ground unconscious.

"Hokage-sama, it seems Konoha's Academy teaching is excellent. We might have to visit your village in the future to learn more," Rasa said from the side.

He completely ignored Onoki, whose face was getting darker across several rows of seats.

"No problem. Konoha's doors are always open," Hiruzen said with a smile.

The participating teams this time were all disciples from major families, still genin level. Some might've graduated years ago but just hadn't participated in Chunin Exams yet.

In the venue, cheers continued constantly. Initially, Kumogakure villagers might've been more interested in their own genin's matches, but watching the dazzling jutsu and battles on screen, everyone applauded and cheered.

This was truly a spectacular elimination tournament. Even genin from enemy villages had to be said to have quite good strength.

The disparity in strength made the elimination tournament brutal.

On the electronic screen, teams from various villages were steadily reduced. Sunagakure and Iwagakure were the fastest to lose teams, until Sunagakure had only one team left.

A loud bell rang. The elimination tournament was over!