pjbooks Chapter 372 Address
Chapter 372 Address
"Hello everyone."
The Third Hokage's voice was deep and gentle, carrying the weight of years.
"I'm very happy to be here with everyone to witness this final."
"In the past few days, we have seen many outstanding young people. They come from different villages and have different fighting styles. But they all demonstrate the qualities of ninjas: fearlessness in the face of difficulties and courage to move forward."
"The two players standing here today, Obito Uchiha and Might Guy, are representatives of Konoha's new generation."
The Third Hokage raised his voice slightly.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
"In this final, winning or losing is not the most important thing. I hope that both of you can put aside your concerns and all your competitive desires, and show your true level and the spirit of youth on this stage."
"Show your usual sweat and hard work without reservation."
In the front row of the audience, Kana Uzumaki sat on a chair, holding a bag of freshly peeled roasted chestnuts.
She popped a chestnut into her mouth, chewed it twice, and then let out a big yawn.
"I'm so sleepy."
Kana tossed a handful of chestnut shells into the paper bag beside her and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. She turned to look at Mei Terumi sitting next to her.
Mei Terumi was still wearing that light blue dress today, sitting upright with her back straight and her hands folded on her knees, maintaining the usual vigilance of a Kirigakure ninja.
"Xiao Ming".
Chanel lowered her voice and leaned closer.
"Is the Fourth Mizukage of your village always this talkative?"
Kana pointed at the Third Hokage on the high platform and pursed her lips.
"I'm almost falling asleep listening to this. How long are they going to keep going with this opening? Why don't they just have them come out and fight already?"
Mei Terumi's gaze was originally fixed on the ring, but upon hearing Kana's words, her shoulders trembled slightly, and her usually aloof expression became somewhat uncontrollable.
"Pfft."
A very soft laugh escaped from her lips.
Mei Terumi quickly raised her hand and covered her lips with the back of her hand, forcibly suppressing that smile.
She reached out her other hand and brushed a strand of reddish-brown bangs that was hanging by her ear behind her head.
Turning her head, she looked at Chanel's bored little face, and her eyes softened.
"That's how all leaders are," Mei Terumi replied calmly.
Hearing this, Hozuki An, who was standing next to him, shrank back in fright and glanced around, afraid that others would hear the Hidden Mist Village contestants gossiping about the Mizukage behind their backs.
Shizune, holding Tuntun, tugged at Kana's sleeve with a hint of helplessness.
"Kana, keep your voice down, the Hokage is almost finished."
On the high platform.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the final summary.
"Then let's hand this stage over to our young people."
He nodded slightly, and amidst thunderous applause, turned and walked down the platform, returning to the VIP seats.
Nishikawa Tetsu took the microphone back and walked to the front of the stage.
"Thank you for your wonderful speech, Hokage-sama!"
His tone instantly rose, waking up those who were almost asleep and reigniting the atmosphere that had just calmed down in the venue.
"Now, let's put everything aside and prepare for this final showdown!"
"Please welcome the finalists to the stage!"
"Konoha Village—Might Guy!"
The passageway door on the left slowly rose.
Matt Kay strode out, unusually quiet today.
He walked to the edge of the ring.
"Bang! Bang!"
With a few dull thuds, Kai untied the weights from his wrists and ankles and threw them to the ground.
The audience is used to this by now, but it still elicited a cheer.
He drew the nunchucks hanging from his waist and twirled them in his hands with fluid grace, the black steel chains making a slight clanging and whistling sound in the air.
He raised his head, his eyes beneath thick eyebrows fixed on the entrance to the passageway opposite.
"Konoha Village—Obito Uchiha!"
The metal passageway door on the right then opened.
Obito Uchiha stepped out of the shadows with his hands in his pockets, feigning aloofness.
He was still wearing the pure black goggles that had caused controversy among a certain Kage-level powerhouse, but he hadn't taken them down yet, and his eyes were still exposed.
Obito walked to the other end of the ring and stopped.
The shouts from the audience reached their peak.
There were cheers for Might Guy, and messages for Obito to teach the thick-browed guy a lesson; the atmosphere was lively.
On the commentary stage, Nishikawa Tetsu put down the microphone, placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and fixed his gaze on the center of the ring.
Might Guy and Obito Uchiha stood facing each other, and finally, Obito lost his composure first.
"Hey, thick eyebrows!" Obito crossed his arms and raised his chin.
"You've got some skill to get this far, but your good luck ends here. After I beat you down and win the championship today, the next person I'll deal with is that arrogant masked man, Kakashi!"
Upon hearing the name "Kakashi," Might Guy's originally serious eyes instantly ignited with a raging green flame.
He swung the nunchucks in front of him with a sharp whooshing sound, then gave a thumbs up.
"Obito Uchiha! Kakashi is my destined nemesis, my eternal rival! If you want to challenge him, you must first get past me!"
Might Guy's voice was loud and clear, full of energy, as if he were making a vow: "On the track of youth, I will absolutely not hand over the right to face him to you!"
Genma Shiranui, Asuma Sarutobi, and Ebisu sat in the stands. They weren't used to seeing Gai so quiet at first, but they're much more used to it now.
That's it! This is the Might Guy we're talking about!
"Tch, what do you mean by 'lifelong enemy'? Stop trying to flatter yourself!" Obito scoffed disdainfully.
"Kakashi is just a stepping stone on my path to becoming Hokage. I'll surpass him sooner or later! Today, I'll use you as a practice run!"
The bewildered audience whispered among themselves, wondering who this Kakashi was that made the two finalists chase after him.
Kakashi, watching from the stands, thought to himself: These two idiots!
"Then prove your determination with your blood and fists!" Kai bent his knees slightly, held his nunchucks horizontally in front of his chest, and assumed a very imposing fighting stance.
The chief examiner, Sakumo Hatake, leaped down from mid-air and landed steadily between Obito and Guy.
At Nishikawa Tetsu's request, he wore a kimono that didn't allow for much movement, and rested his right hand on the hilt of the white dagger behind his back.
He was speechless at this point. Why did you two have to bring up Kakashi in the final? But he was still very pleased. Kakashi had two very good friends!
Sakumo Hatake glanced at Might Guy on his left, the boy holding nunchucks, his muscles taut.
Then he glanced at Uchiha Obito on the right, where the Uchiha clansmen were striking a cool pose.
A gentle breeze swept across the arena, stirring up a cloud of fine dust.
Sakumo Hatake suddenly raised his right hand.
"The First Joint Chunin Exam of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Final Round."
His arm swung down heavily.
"The match begins!"