"By the way, do any of you know what format the final exam will take?" Hayato Ren asked.
Upon hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai showed a disdainful expression.
"Hmph, I've known about that for a long time. Don't underestimate my intelligence network. It's just drawing lots for group battles, right? And those who lose their matches won't necessarily fail to become Chunin - it mainly depends on their performance during the matches."
When Nohara Rin heard this, she lowered her head because she hadn't contributed much during the second exam.
The opponents they encountered were too weak, so neither Konan nor Yuhi Kurenai got injured.
Thus, Rin, being a Medical Ninja, found herself with exceptional skills but no opportunity to use them.
One-on-one combat undoubtedly maximized the weaknesses of a Medical Ninja.
Hayato Ren naturally noticed Rin's concerns and comforted her:
"It's fine, Rin. I'll be serving as a judge then. Just perform normally and don't carry any psychological burden."
Nohara Rin nodded, but her eyes still showed conflicted emotions.
"Huh? You're openly planning to cheat? I'm utterly disappointed by the darkness of the Leaf Village."
Yuhi Kurenai couldn't help but exclaim dramatically.
Hayato Ren immediately gave her a Head Flick.
"You'd better keep winning, otherwise I won't go easy on you."
Yuhi Kurenai covered her forehead with her hand while stepping back and responding:
"Aren't you going to be a judge? If I accidentally slip up, couldn't you cut me some slack?"
Hayato Ren put on an expression of strict impartiality and responded righteously:
"Rin is a special case - Medical Ninjas aren't naturally suited for one-on-one combat. If you lose and fail to become a Chunin, I'll expel you and find a new team member."
"Fine! I knew you had rebellious intentions all along. Now the fox has finally shown its tail! Let me tell you - you're not firing me, I'm firing you! We'll form a new Team 7 with Mikoto as our new teacher!"
Yuhi Kurenai pointed at Hayato Ren while declaring triumphantly.
Even though they were student and teacher, with three against one, the advantage was hers.
At that moment, Konan quietly walked to Hayato Ren's side and took his right hand, expressing her stance.
Yuhi Kurenai's forehead instantly broke out in a light sweat.
[Not a big problem. With two against two, it's just even.]
Then, Nohara Rin suddenly gave Yuhi Kurenai an apologetic look.
She walked to Hayato Ren's left side and took his left hand.
[I'm done for. Now it's one against three. Am I really going to be driven out?]
Hayato Ren knocked on Yuhi Kurenai's head several times, making her cry out in pain multiple times.
"You, trying to rebel? Do you want some seaweed egg drop soup? And Mikoto is also on my side. How do you plan to compete with me?"
In the end, the incident concluded with Yuhi Kurenai being punished to stand holding a water bucket in each hand and balancing a water basin on her head for three hours.
....
"So, how many of your students do you think will become Chunin?"
Hayato Ren placed his right hand on Namikaze Minato's shoulder as he asked this.
After a moment of contemplation, Minato responded:
"Probably only Kakashi. Obito and Shiki still need more training. What about you, Ren?"
Faced with Minato's question, Hayato Ren revealed a confident expression.
"Of course, all of them will pass. Don't you know I secured a judge's position? How about it, want me to pull some strings for your students?"
Seeing Hayato Ren's exaggerated winking expression, Minato showed an awkward look.
"Haha, no need."
As they chatted idly, the competition was finally about to begin.
Hayato Ren returned to the judges' seating area.
Since this Chunin Exam was conducted internally within the Leaf, there were no unrelated spectators present.
Only some bored Jonin and team leaders were watching from the sidelines.
"First match: Konan versus Sarutobi Asuma."
The ninjas present immediately became serious, their eyes fixed intently on the arena below.
Asuma needed no introduction - as the Third Hokage's biological son, he naturally attracted everyone's attention.
Meanwhile, Konan had been famous as a genius ninja since her Ninja Academy days. Had it not been for Hayato Ren's presence,
she would have been specially recruited into the Anbu immediately after graduation.
This match promised to be an intense battle between equals.
However, Hayato Ren in the judges' seating area showed a rather uninterested expression.
He poked the person next to him and whispered:
"Old man, do you have some grudge against Asuma? Arranging such a powerful opponent for him right from the start - is he not really your biological son?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen made a strange expression, glared at Hayato Ren, and responded in an extremely low voice:
"What nonsense are you talking about? Biwako would never betray me. Asuma is still too young - becoming a Chunin too early would do him no good."
After speaking, Hiruzen revealed a meaningful expression.
"Heh, having a father like you is truly Asuma's misfortune."
Although both Hayato Ren and Sarutobi Hiruzen kept their voices very low, everyone present was at least Jonin-level strength.
The others all showed peculiar expressions, as if wanting to laugh but not daring to.
They weren't like Hayato Ren - if any of them dared to laugh now,
they'd probably be assigned to pond-watching duty the very next day.
In the arena, Asuma stared intently at Konan before him, his muscles tensed like springs.
During their Ninja Academy days, Asuma had been thoroughly beaten by Konan numerous times.
Therefore, even now, facing Konan made him somewhat nervous.
However, when he remembered that his goddess would be watching this match...
Asuma felt infinite power surge within his heart.
If he could defeat Konan, wouldn't that make his goddess see him in a new light?
At this thought, Asuma's eyes filled with fighting spirit.
Seeing that Konan showed no intention of making a move, Asuma began forming hand seals and shouted:
"Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning."
Asuma spewed a massive cloud of high-temperature ash from his mouth, sweeping toward Konan.
After the ash settled on the ground, it would not only inflict continuous high-temperature burns on the enemy but would also explode after a certain period.
Overall, it was quite an impressive Ninjutsu.