Hit the gas!
There's no need to finagle, oh yeah!
We'll go all through the night.
I'll complain at the end,
the balance is zero, oh yeah!
We'll whittle the days away...
When you open your heart a little,
and pull someone close to you,
Your feelings will surely reach them deeper, yeah...
Hurry it up! Wring it out!
Though my legs are all tangled, they will surely take me far...
Even if I steal it and manage to grasp it,
If it isn't you, then what's the point?
So I'll go far into the distance...
The custom of wearing out one's life and fighting to maintain balance...
That is how we keep a good relationship in the world of ninja.
This is a life or death battle for your dream and your village's dignity.
I understand now.
I don't care.
Just hurry up and tell us the details of this life or death exam.
Then I will begin the explanation of the third exam, but...
I, Gekkou Hayate, the judge, will explain.
Please do.
Everyone, before the third exam...
There's something I want you to do...
Fight in some preliminary matches to see who gets to advance to the third exam's main battle.
Preliminary matches?
Preliminary matches? What do you mean?
Sensei, I don't understand what you mean by preliminary matches.
Why can't we just start the third exam with the remaining examinees?
In this case, it must have been because the first and second exam were too easy, I don't know...
But there are too many examinees left.
According to Chuunin regulations, we must decrease the number of participants for the third exam.
Oh, no!
As previously mentioned by Hokage-sama, there are many guests for the third exam, so...
We cannot just have a lot of matches.
We are limited on time, as well.
So, those who aren't feeling well...
Are you okay...?
You seem to be the one who's not feeling well, Sensei.
Excuse me. If anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation...
Please let me know.
The preliminary matches will begin immediately.
Immediately?!
But we just got through the second exam...
How troublesome.
What? What about my meal?
Those who pass cut down to half?
It's a fight without warning!!
Those who pass cut down to half? It's a fight without warning!!
All right, I'm going to give it my best.
I made that promise with Kabuto-san, too.
I forgot to mention this, but you will have one-on-one matches from here on out.
So please withdraw if you wish.
I'm not going to withdraw.
Sasuke-kun...
The time intervals between the pains are getting shorter.
Sasuke-kun, so you're...
Sasuke-kun, you should withdraw from the preliminary matches.
What?
Because you've been acting weird ever since that Orochimaru guy beat you.
That bruise hurts even now, right?
Bruise?
At this rate...
I gave him a farewell present.
Sasuke-kun will seek me. He will seek me for power.
That leaves just you.
Please...
Please... stop.
I'm afraid...
Sakura-chan...
Just as I thought.
What should we do?
We should take him out of the exams, and isolate him with ANBU escorts.
We need to advise him to withdraw immediately, and...
He's not the type that'll listen to you that easily.
He is part of the famous Uchiha clan, after all.
Stop fooling around! I'll make him quit even if I have to use force!
The cursed seal reacts when he tries to mold Chakra, and it will try to extract power out of him!
It's a forbidden jutsu that undermines the affected person!
It amazes me that he is able to withstand it.
A normal person would be dead.
Hokage-sama!
You're not in any condition to fight normally, Sasuke-kun.
Shut up.
I know it!
Be quiet.
You've been bearing with the pain all this time!
Just be quiet!
Whatever you say, I'm going to tell the teachers about that bruise.
Then...
What is it?
What?
I'll quit.
Kabuto-san...?
Let's see...
You are Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto-kun?
You may leave, then.
Yes.
Kabuto-san, why are you quitting?!
Why?!
He...
I'm sorry, Naruto-kun, but my body is completely worn out already.
Even before the first exam, after I had that quarrel with the Sound guys,
I couldn't hear anything in my left ear.
I can't fight right away, especially if it's a life or death battle...
I've seen him a few times.
I believe he retired during the main exam last time, too.
What is he thinking?
Anko.
Right away.
Yakushi Kabuto... According to our data, he has failed six times in a row.
What about his personal history?
He didn't stand out in his academy years, and his grades were normal.
He passed the graduation exam on his third try.
After that, he did two C-rank missions and 14 D-rank ones.
He doesn't have any outstanding accomplishments.
But...
But?
It's about before he entered the academy...
Yes?
Do you remember the story of the boy that was brought back from the Kikyo Pass battle?
Yes.
A Jounin from the medic squad took custody of an enemy's boy that was left on the battlefield.
Se he's that boy?
Don't act on your own.
Did you forget Orochimaru-sama's orders?
I'll leave it to you two.
Especially you, Yoroi-san... You will have no problems with your special ability.
It's your chance to show what you're capable of.
Since you're annoyed because I got ahead of you.
So you're Orochimaru-sama's favorite... Don't get cocky, kid.
Okay, Senpai.
Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun...
I wanted to play with you a little longer, but if I keep going on...
The old blood in me might awaken.
I'm a spy, even if I don't look like one.
I can't let you see my true face here.
Also, if you're going to watch it yourself, my information gathering job is done, right...
Orochimaru-sama?
Let's save the fun for the future...
Sasuke-kun, Naruto-kun, you two also.
May I assume there are no more people who wish to retire?
I need to let the teachers know about Sasuke-kun's bruise...
Be quiet about this bruise.
Why are you acting so tough?
I don't want to see you suffering anymore.
I...
It doesn't matter to you!
You're just being nosy.
I told you before...
I'm an avenger.
This isn't just an exam to me. I don't care about being a Chuunin, either.
Am I strong? I just want the answer to that.
I'm going to fight the strong guys, and...
Gaara of the Desert.
Hey, you there.
Identify yourself.
I will declare this now. You cannot defeat me.
If we are to fight each other in this exam for the second time...
We will not run or hide.
And those strong guys are here!
I will not allow even you to take away my path.
Sasuke-kun...
Stop acting cool, you idiot! Sakura-chan's worried about you...
Naruto.
I also want to fight you.
What Orochimaru said worries me a little.
Let's let Sasuke go on, and just observe him for now.
Hokage-sama!
However, if the cursed seal opens up and his powers become uncontrollable, stop him.
Yes.
But...!
I understand.
Then, let's begin the preliminary matches.
It will be a one-on-one match.
In other words, it will be like real combat.
Now that we have exactly 20 people, we will have 10 matches...
And the winners will be able to advance to the third exam.
There are no rules.
You will fight until the other person dies, is knocked out...
Or admits defeat.
If you do not want to die, please give up immediately.
However, if I judge that the match is over...
I may stop you to prevent any unnecessary deaths.
The thing that will hold your destiny...
Open it.
Will be this.
This electric bulletin board will randomly display the names of two fighters for each match.
Without further ado, I will now display the names for the first match.
Akadou Yoroi
Uchiha Sasuke
Right off the bat, eh?
Perfect chance.
Oh, no, why Sasuke-kun?
Those whose names were displayed, step up.
The first match's fighters are Akadou Yoroi and Uchiha Sasuke.
Are there any objections?
No!
All I can do now is watch...
Sasuke-kun...
Sasuke, if you want to fight me, don't lose.
Sasuke-kun's acting weird...
Is it the fault of the cursed seal?
Sasuke-kun, give it your best shot!
I will see how you do.
The pain won't go away...
Looks like the cursed seal hurts.
We will now begin the first match.
Everyone other than the two fighters, please move up there.
Hey, Kakashi-sensei!
Sasuke.
Don't use your Sharingan.
So you know?
If that cursed seal on your neck becomes uncontrollable, it may kill you.
That's what I figured.
If that happens, the match will be canceled. I'll stop you, so keep that in mind.
Canceled?!
This cursed seal seems to react to my chakra.
This is the last of my chakra!
Sharingan!
Sasuke-kun, don't use your Sharingan anymore!
If I try to mold Chakra...
It takes over my mind and will extract chakra out of me without limit.
In other words, using my Sharingan is out of the question, and I can't even use normal jutsu's.
But Yoroi's ability will turn out dreadful for you...
Sasuke-kun.
Now, how should I fight?
Don't push yourself, Sasuke.
Now then, begin.
Let's go!
Okay!
Shoot!
He did it!
My strength...
What happened...? My strength suddenly...
Sasuke-kun!
Sasuke.
Are you... my chakra...?
Did you just notice?
Can you hear me?
The sky is limitless and blue,
The sea is endlessly large
to you, please keep your smile or else I'll cry.
you don't have to look around now
because everyone are in these hands
wanting to cry
wanting to run
if you forget happiness then sing
light was born and dark was born
the two is together
feeling harmonia, telepathy
Can you hear me?