Naruto: Forbidden Arts and an Immortal Agenda

After leaning against a wall, Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed to Aozora's side immediately. 

With concern in his voice, Hiruzen asked, "Are you alright?" 

Although Hiruzen was still at or nearing the peak of his strength, his posture had begun to hunch slightly. His dark hair showed early streaks of gray, and wrinkles along with age spots were clearly visible on his face. 

Far from diminishing his authority, it gave him a warm, approachable air, making his concern feel deeply sincere. 

Hearing those earnest words, Aozora responded flatly, "I'm fine." 

Aozora knew he had signed the Chunin Consent Form—an official document clearly stating that all injuries or deaths during the exam were the examinee's own responsibility. 

Though the suicide attack using kunai had violated the rules of the Chunin selection exam, Aozora himself had suffered only minor wounds—nothing serious enough to justify confrontation. 

As he spoke, he tore away the ragged remains of his sleeve and began bandaging himself. 

Hiruzen called out urgently, "Where is the medical team? Hurry over here!" 

Upon hearing this, the medics who had been waiting nearby quickly moved in to surround Aozora. 

Once assured that Aozora bore no ill will, Hiruzen stepped onto the Training Ground and declared aloud, "Sorry everyone for the disturbance. 

Due to inadequate supervision, one examinee violated the exam regulations by secretly bringing excessive explosive tags into the Examination Venue. 

This nearly caused serious injuries among candidates and almost endangered our honored guests as well. 

On behalf of Konoha's leadership, I offer my sincere apology. 

I promise to investigate this thoroughly! I will provide an explanation to everyone!" 

Seeing the Third Hokage personally apologize and vow to investigate, the villagers on the Platform immediately felt their grumbles melt away. 

"Hokage, you're being too hard on yourself!" 

"If you hadn't stabilized that Stone Wall, we'd all have been crushed to death…" 

"It's not your fault at all—it's the examiners' mistake! If they had half your dedication…" 

"You've got so much on your plate; it's understandable if something slips past your attention…" 

"The Hokage really has a strong sense of responsibility—even when it's not his fault, he still takes the blame…" 

"…" 

Watching Hiruzen smoothly handle this crisis like a master conductor manipulating clouds, Aozora couldn't help but admire him internally. 

One had to admit—Hiruzen was born for politics. 

When faced with trouble, his first instinct wasn't evasion or shifting blame elsewhere; instead, he took initiative. 

His handling of problems was both courteous and precise—he focused on priorities while never neglecting finer details. 

The moment the explosion happened, he'd rushed directly onto the field and first stabilized the Stone Wall. 

Regardless of whether such a large wall missing part of its structure might collapse, wouldn't experienced Jonin standing around prevent such a disaster? 

One could call it genuine concern or clever theatrics—he acted first either way, letting his actions speak louder than words. 

Then, he personally checked on Aozora himself, asking about his injuries—a rare gesture of sincerity and leadership. 

He even called out urgently for the Medical Team, showing genuine concern for the young ninja. 

Since Aozora was the primary victim, so long as he didn't cause unrest, others would merely grumble slightly. 

With the biggest issue settled, he publicly acknowledged the mistake before the crowd and readily took full responsibility. 

He shouldered everything squarely—but truly, how many would actually hold him accountable?

Compared to the other Konoha elders and jonin still sitting in their seats, should they really blame the Hokage for stepping up to protect them without hesitation?

Hiss—

The burning sting of the ointment on his burns brought Aozora back to his senses.

Medic chick wore a mask that hid her face, and her nurse uniform didn't quite fit, but her voice was really pleasant.

"This Bingyu Ointment hurts a bit, but it works fast."

After applying the medicine, she quickly wrapped Aozora's wounds with bandages.

Then she held out her slender, jade-like hand, glowing with a soft green light.

Under her touch, Aozora's cuts from flying debris healed instantly, leaving no trace at all. Only the faint pinkness of newly regenerated skin showed where injuries had been.

Once finished treating Aozora's wounds, the medic ninja hurried away.

Aozora studied his healed hands closely, then looked in the direction the medic had disappeared.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen had already calmed the villagers' fears, but continuing the Chunin Exams now seemed impossible.

No one could be sure another kunai wouldn't come hurtling toward the audience in the next match.

Hiruzen considered this.

He'd originally planned to promote several more chunin through this selection. So under these circumstances, there was no point in holding the third round.

So he decisively announced, "We will now proceed with the final match of the second stage of the Chunin Selection Exam!

Villagers who wish to watch may stay—we will ensure your safety.

Those unwilling to continue watching may choose to leave.

In any case, two days from now everyone can return with their tickets to receive ten taels compensation per person."

His announcement received enthusiastic approval from the crowd, prompting cheers from the villagers.

Soon after, Jifeng and an unknown extra fighter entered the arena.

The unnamed fighter possessed decent ability but lacked any special skills. After briefly holding his ground against Jifeng, he was defeated when Jifeng used Konoha-style swordsmanship.

After winning, Jifeng leapt onto the platform to celebrate with Aozora.

But seeing Aozora standing alone at the platform's edge while the other Konoha ninjas clustered toward the center gave him pause.

Suddenly someone dropped down and perched on his shoulder.

"Jifeng, you've improved quite a bit!"

Turning slightly, Jifeng found his upperclassman Kotetsu Hagane leaning against his shoulder.

Scratching his head modestly, he replied, "Not really! You seniors are still much stronger than me!"

"Haha! Don't be so humble!" Kotetsu laughed. "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone else!"

Jifeng glanced once at Aozora before following the two toward the group gathered at the center of the south spectator platform.

Aozora watched everything unfold calmly.

He had originally decided to separate from Team Three after the Chunin Selection. Though the separation came differently than expected, the result remained the same.

The conflict between Uchiha and Konoha couldn't be resolved peacefully—a confrontation was inevitable. If they delayed separating until later, the three of them would suffer greatly.

Now, while feelings were still shallow and bonds weak, was the perfect time to cut those ties cleanly.

Even so, he felt a quiet sadness.

At this moment, Hiruzen had already declared the match concluded, and now approached.

"Erm hem!"

Coughing lightly twice, Sarutobi Hiruzen waited until everyone focused on him before turning serious. "You are all the finest Genin in the Village. As Hokage, I feel immense pride in your performances.

Your excellent performances today prove you possess the capability to shoulder greater responsibilities.

Wherever the leaves stir, fire will rise. That flame lights our Village, and new leaves will grow once more.

I am delighted to witness yet another generation of young saplings from Konoha. Hopefully one day you'll grow into towering trees that shelter our beloved Leaf from wind and storm..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi kept going on about his Will of Fire philosophy to these nineteen newly promoted Chunin.

The number was nineteen because Senbon had been called away for interrogation.

Aozora wasn't paying attention to the Third's speech, instead pondering where Senbon had gone.

In fact, it wasn't difficult to guess.

Only several individuals in Konoha possessed the capability to plant someone carrying large quantities of Explosive Tags into the Chunin Exams.

And only Shimura Danzo would accept someone as dangerous as that rogue Knife.

It was clear that both Senbon and Knife came from that secret organization — Root — that bore no name and knew no emotion.

What puzzled him was why Danzo, a full-fledged Kage, would turn on his own people?

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