53. Curtain Falls

The final match.

Many had anticipated an evenly matched, thrilling duel, but it turned out to be utterly one-sided.

Before anyone could truly enjoy the spectacle, it was already over.

For the spectators from the Leaf Village in the stands, the outcome was especially hard to accept. After all, the Leaf was not only the foremost of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, but also the host of this Chunin Exam. Yet now, the Mist shinobi had claimed the crown, and did so by crushing their Leaf opponent.

“What a disgrace!”

A wave of grumbling rose as scores of Leaf spectators stood up and began to leave.

Within the arena.

“Examiner, what are you waiting for?” Kisame strode toward Minato as he spoke, “According to the rules, you should now take both mine and Obito’s hands, raise my arm, and declare the victor. The Leaf prides itself on its ceremonies—surely it won't lose all sense of decorum just because it lost the match?”

Minato’s expression darkened. Indeed, his concern for his student Obito had led him to focus on his injuries, leaving Kisame—the champion—neglected for a while.

“The winner: Kisame Hoshigaki!” Minato raised Kisame’s arm and announced the result to the audience, fulfilling his duties as chief examiner.

There was little applause from the stands.

“Kisame Hoshigaki, I lost. You... you're strong! But honestly, you're not the kind of guy anyone can really like,” Obito gritted his teeth, first admitting defeat, then letting slip a barbed remark.

“Who says that? My comrades from the Hidden Mist are all cheering for me,” Kisame pointed toward the stands, where the Mist's participating genin were indeed jubilant, cheering and celebrating.

His victory brought pride to the entire Mist Village; the others basked in his glory and could return home triumphant.

“Don't tell me you think only your comrades, only Leaf shinobi count as people? That Mist shinobi don't?” Kisame replied calmly, leaving Obito momentarily speechless.

In the stands.

Asuma was finally silent. Kisame’s Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave was the most terrifying water jutsu he had ever seen. It was hard to fathom how a genin could possess such vast reserves of chakra.

Kakashi shook his head, knowing that Kisame still had many tricks left unused.

He left his seat and departed without another word.

At the very top of the stands.

“Congratulations,” Hiruzen Sarutobi offered a smile to the Third Mizukage, though his words rang somewhat hollow.

“Hahaha.” The Third Mizukage laughed heartily, clearly in good spirits.

Since the end of the First Great Shinobi War, there had been over twenty years of relative peace between the three great villages—Leaf, Cloud, and Mist—with only occasional friction, but never large-scale conflict.

Over these years, cultural, economic, and military exchanges between the three villages had not only continued but grown more frequent.

This was why the Chunin Exam had become such a grand event, with all three villages sending participants.

It could be said that this Chunin Exam was the largest in the era of peace, and its prestige was considerable.

For this reason, the Third Mizukage had personally led his team to the Leaf, hoping his genin would seize first place, restore the Mist’s reputation, and give him leverage to request more funding from the Daimyo of the Land of Water.

With Mangetsu Hozuki, Mei Terumi, and Yagura Ringo absent, the Third Mizukage had placed most of his hopes on Kisame Hoshigaki before the exam began.

He hadn’t expected Kisame to exceed all expectations, sweeping all opponents and claiming the championship.

The Mizukage had already resolved to reward and promote Kisame once they returned.

In the VIP box below.

“What a tremendous amount of chakra. Obito’s loss was no injustice,” Jiraiya watched Kisame in the arena with astonishment.

In the entire shinobi world, Jiraiya was known for his vast chakra reserves; otherwise he could never have mastered the Senjutsu of Mount Myoboku. Yet Kisame’s chakra, even as a youth, surpassed Jiraiya’s own at that age.

“I don’t like that guy.” Tsunade wore an expression of displeasure—Kisame had cost her a wager.

“So, I’m the winner?” Orochimaru was delighted. In the village, he usually kept a cold, enigmatic demeanor, but only before his two closest friends did he sometimes reveal a pure and joyful side.

“Let’s go. First round’s on me. Tonight, we drink until we drop!” Jiraiya stood up, cheerful and bold, and led the way out of the box.

Before leaving.

Orochimaru lingered at the back, gazing through the box’s window at Kisame in the distance. A flash of light flickered in those golden serpent eyes.

It was as if... he had set his sights on prey.

Just as the Three Legendary Sannin of the Leaf stepped out of the box, they bumped into a short, middle-aged man—sporting a hat, glasses, and a black vest, exuding the air of an artist.

“Who are you?” Jiraiya paused, noticing that the man seemed to have been waiting outside the box intentionally.

Tsunade pushed Jiraiya aside, hands on her hips, and addressed the man:

“Director Yamamoto, didn’t I already say I’d report to the set as soon as I finished catching up with these two? I promise I won’t ditch you this time.”

“With your word, Lady Tsunade, I can finally rest easy,” the middle-aged man—Director Yamamoto—beamed, courteously stepping aside for the trio.

“Tsunade, what’s going on? Are you... making a movie?!” Jiraiya hurried after her, peppering her with questions. “Are you doing it just to get paid and settle your gambling debts? What kind of film is it? Let me see the script—you’re not starring in anything indecent, are you? Who’s the lead? Is it decided? Want me to play the male lead? That way I can protect you on set.”

He volunteered eagerly, hoping to play the knight in shining armor.

“Don’t make a fuss! My business is none of yours.” Tsunade responded with a swift elbow to his abdomen, doubling him over in pain.

Orochimaru approached, patting Jiraiya’s shoulder, and watched Tsunade’s retreating figure. “Don’t worry about Tsunade. She’s the one who bullies others—no one can take advantage of her. Have you forgotten how you peeped on her bathing, got several ribs broken, and nearly died from your injuries?”

“Not here! Don’t say that!” Jiraiya quickly stood up, scanning the crowd nervously, afraid his embarrassing past might be overheard and spread.

After the Three Sannin departed.

“Sigh.” Director Yamamoto heaved a sigh, praying inwardly that Tsunade wouldn’t run off. But when his gaze shifted to the arena and he spotted Kisame leaving, his eyes brightened.

He had caught only a fleeting glimpse of Kisame on Ichiraku Avenue that day, remembering only the Mist forehead protector. So today, he had come to the exam arena hoping to run into him, while also nudging Tsunade.

He hadn’t expected to find Kisame so easily.

Having witnessed Kisame’s formidable water jutsu and his ability to summon sharks, Director Yamamoto was certain: for the disaster film he was preparing, Kisame Hoshigaki had to play the second male villain.

With that thought, Yamamoto hurried down the stairs, chasing after Kisame’s departing figure.