"What was that? If he had that kind of power, why didn't he show it sooner? Why did he let Yome beat him up so badly?" Chi complained, watching as a dazed Yome was carried away on a stretcher. "Are the Konoha ninja cheating?"
"Don't talk nonsense. With everyone watching, there's no room for cheating."
"What a shame! I'm going to check on Yome's injuries!"
***
Naruto, jubilant, had won. The victory was a bit strange, but it was a fair one.
That fleeting burst of Nine-Tails chakra did not go unnoticed.
The Konoha ninja who were in the know understood what had just happened. Though most of the adults kept it to themselves, quite a few were aware of Naruto's status as a Jinchuriki.
Baki, however, didn't dwell on Yome's defeat.
Whatever abnormality that Uzumaki Naruto possessed had nothing to do with the Sand.
But the next matchup gave Baki pause.
Saya versus Aburame Shino!
While he could be indifferent about the others, Saya and Sana's status made their continued participation in this Chunin Exam... inappropriate.
It wasn't that their noble lineage prevented them from being put in harm's way—the Fourth Kazekage's own three children were being used as bait, so who was truly indispensable?
Facing danger or even dying in battle was one thing. The problem was that they couldn't be allowed to die ambiguously as part of the Konoha Crush.
They could be ordered, but not deceived.
To do so would be seen as an insult to the factions behind them, and that would lead to internal strife more troublesome than any external enemy.
And with every additional person who knew the truth, the risk of the Konoha Crush being exposed grew.
*I hope the next few Konoha ninja don't prove to be too disappointing!* Baki sincerely wished.
Sunagakure hadn't expected much from its candidates this year, so their surprising strength was an unforeseen development.
With so many new variables, some details of the original plan might need to be adjusted.
The silent Aburame Shino showed no emotion.
Lady Saya, though confident, was not one to underestimate an opponent.
Seeing that the match didn't involve his teammates, Daigan took a step back from the prominent viewing area. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Baki, the Sand Ninja's supervisor, who had just withdrawn his gaze from a certain direction.
Over there, Yakushi Kabuto discreetly made a hand sign.
The two of them seemed to have exchanged information through some silent code.
*A request for help? Or is it that Konoha isn't the only one manipulating the matchups? Has Orochimaru's network also gotten involved?*
One of the legendary Sannin had operated in Konoha for years. Was it possible that his only hidden assets were Yakushi Kabuto, Akado Yoroi, and Tsurugi Misumi?
Daigan refused to believe it.
Orochimaru, who had a tacit understanding and possibly even contact with Shimura Danzo, could come and go from Konoha as he pleased, as if it were his own backyard? To think he could do that without deeper-seated collaborators would be to vastly underestimate the strongest hidden village.
*If Baki can use the forces behind Yakushi Kabuto to adjust the matchups, his goal must be to eliminate the Sand candidates who aren't part of the plan. This would not only preserve Sunagakure's talented Genin but also streamline the operation, increase its success rate, and avoid arousing Konoha's suspicion. In that case...*
The thought struck him, and Daigan suddenly looked down at the splints and bandages covering his body, at his own miserable appearance, like a mummy not yet fully dehydrated. A jolt went through him.
*I... I might be one of the ones they're setting up to send back to the village!*
He had talent, decent strength, and considerable potential. His background was clean. By all accounts, if he survived, he was destined to become one of the pillars of Sunagakure.
More importantly, his injuries were severe. It wouldn't be strange at all if he withdrew from the joint Chunin Exam right now.
It takes a hundred days for broken bones to heal. While the people of the ninja world were hardier, and ninja possessed astounding recovery abilities, even with medical ninjutsu, returning to peak condition in a month was a bit of a stretch.
Daigan glanced at Lady Saya on the floor below, then at her sister Sana, and finally at Chi beside him. He silently lowered his head.
"What's wrong? Did your wounds open up again?" Chi asked with concern.
"No, I was just thinking about something."
He retreated to a corner, leaned against the wall, and sat on the floor. He quietly took out his puppet and a few materials and began repairing the parts Rock Lee had damaged.
As he worked, he observed the remaining Genin candidates.
*If they're determined to eliminate me, which opponent would they choose?*
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro needed to keep a low profile, so it wouldn't be them. Kabuto, a spy, had no reason to draw attention to himself either.
None of the remaining Sand Ninja could guarantee a win against Daigan.
Konoha's Team 10 was too weak and not in good condition; it was questionable if they'd even make it to the winner's bracket.
Uchiha Sasuke was heavily injured, so he was a toss-up. Uzumaki Naruto was too unpredictable. Tsurugi Misumi wasn't strong. Aburame Shino was a possibility, if he could defeat Lady Saya.
But the one who could best counter Daigan in his current state was a member of the Hyuga clan.
The Polarizing Light Killing Formation couldn't fool a Byakugan that could see chakra, and the Gentle Fist could sever chakra threads.
In his current physical condition, if the operation of his Secret Technique: Puppet Theater was disrupted, Daigan would collapse without a fight.
*So, Hyuga Neji or Hyuga Hinata?*
Daigan looked toward the Konoha ninja again. Hyuga Neji had his Byakugan activated, observing Aburame Shino, seemingly surprised by the Aburame clan's secret insect techniques. Hyuga Hinata was quietly watching her teammate's match, occasionally stealing a glance at the oblivious Uzumaki Naruto.
"Byakugan, Gentle Fist... this could be tricky," Daigan muttered to himself.
A defeat by Gentle Fist would mean damage to his internal organs, maybe even his meridians and chakra points, affecting his ability to circulate chakra. If that happened, he wouldn't even be able to challenge the other, easier opponents in the winner's bracket.
If he were matched against Gaara, Daigan could just gracefully forfeit. Then he could challenge someone with a high chance of victory, like Nara Shikamaru, or Uchiha Sasuke who couldn't even use his chakra properly. He could still advance to the third exam's main tournament.
*Snap...*
Slightly frustrated and distracted, Daigan used a little too much force and accidentally twisted off the arm of his Temari puppet, the one holding the folding fan.
The sudden noise drew the attention of the nearby Sand Ninja.
Daigan, dumbly holding a tiny puppet arm, gave an awkward smile. "Lost control for a second. Broke it by accident."
"You just can't sit still even when you're injured!" Temari snorted. She looked at the puppet—a miniature, identical version of herself—now with a detached arm, and felt a strange flicker of empathy. "Broke your own arms and legs, so now you want to cripple your puppets too?"
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