### Chapter 29: Maki vs. Gang Tu!
A towering figure as strong as a mountain, with a square face.
Just by looking at his appearance, no one would dare to believe that the person standing before them, wearing the Iwagakure forehead protector, could be questioned as an adult, is the 14-year-old prodigy of Iwagakure.
Gang Tu!
A presence with an outstanding record.
Is this the ninja world version of "speak of the devil, and he shall appear"?
"Here."
Honda swiftly completed the transaction.
After receiving the intelligence manual, Gang Tu flipped to the rankings at the back.
He had heard about the intelligence manual while on the road, which prompted him to purchase it.
"Has my information been leaked?"
After reading the intelligence in the manual, this thought flashed through Gang Tu's mind.
Because his information was supposed to be classified.
He hadn't expected it to be leaked.
It must have been either the Sand Ninja or the people from Konoha!
Because it's not surprising that these two major ninja villages would know about this, and now they are just using non-village channels to release it.
As for why he was so sure?
Of course, it's because they did the same thing, releasing information about Konoha and Sand Ninja candidates.
Various ninja villages have released quite a bit of information, but the fastest-spreading and most influential is still this intelligence manual.
The evaluations in it allow people to directly understand a ninja's capabilities in various aspects.
In the past, you might have had to read through all the data to get a clear understanding of an unfamiliar ninja.
A talent!
Whoever came up with this evaluation system is truly talented.
"Captain, this time we must let the ninja world know that our Iwa ninja prodigies are not inferior to anyone!"
A very excited Iwa ninja exclaimed upon seeing the rankings in the intelligence.
Indeed, in the past, it was always the geniuses from other ninja villages who were in the spotlight, but now it's finally the turn of the Iwa ninja.
Iwa ninja have always been known for their unity and rock-like stubbornness, never associated with genius, but this time they finally have a prodigy that surpasses the others.
Pride and excitement filled all the Iwa ninja with glory.
The ninja world places great importance on reputation.
The major ninja villages have always spared no effort in promoting their own geniuses.
In the past, Iwa ninja emphasized unity because they had no geniuses. Now that they have one, they will praise him to the skies.
Reputation equals profit!
A genius can undoubtedly bring a lot of benefits to the village.
To put it more clearly:
The five great ninja villages are like the largest mercenary groups, and geniuses are the 'star mercenaries' of the company. Many clients choose to hire your group because of their fame.
Only by truly coming to the ninja world can one understand.
Why, even though the major ninja villages know that geniuses are easily targeted by other villages, they still promote them.
The benefits to the village are immense.
"Tch, it's just a random list, and you really think you're the strongest? How ignorant!"
A Sand Ninja with a forehead protector, followed by a male and female companion, walked over.
Oh, and he also had a copy of the intelligence manual in his hand.
If Uchiha Takashi remembers correctly, this person is the second-ranked genius of Sunagakure.
Hmm... when it comes to geniuses, the major ninja villages can naturally cultivate them continuously.
Whether it's resources or population, the major ninja villages are not something small ninja villages can compete with.
Not to mention, the fame of geniuses from major ninja villages spreads more easily. If it were a small ninja village, the same talent and strength would hardly gain any fame.
And events like the joint Chunin Exams are the best opportunities for these small ninja villages.
Once they can make a name for themselves in such an event, not only can the ninja themselves gain benefits, but the small ninja village behind them can also receive numerous commissions, making it a huge win.
So even though small ninja villages know that the joint Chunin Exams are like a meat grinder for them, they still send many teams to participate each time.
"Maki!"
Gang Tu spat out the name, releasing a murderous intent that seemed capable of crushing a person.
Note, in the ninja world, murderous intent is not just a figure of speech, but a real presence.
In the future, Orochimaru would use murderous intent to intimidate Kakashi, who was already a Jonin at the time, and later, it would render Sasuke Uchiha, who was still a Genin, unable to move.
### Chapter 29: Maki vs. Gang Tu!
At this moment, the killing intent emanating from Gang Tu was not as intense as that of a seasoned warrior, but it was certainly formidable.
This level of killing intent could only be cultivated by taking many lives.
It's clear that the Rock Ninjas were determined to produce a 'genius' this time.
There's nothing more fitting than making a name for oneself during the Joint Chunin Exams.
Perhaps the secrecy surrounding Gang Tu in Iwagakure was to ensure he would make a stunning debut at this exam.
Faced with this confrontation, everyone except the ninjas silently stepped back.
The villagers of the ninja villages were no strangers to ninjas.
In a village without ninjas, people would have fled at the first sign of trouble.
However, the three behind the stall remained, continuing to watch the drama unfold.
Uchiha Takashi's gaze was fixed on the Sand Ninja who had just arrived.
**Maki!**
He had some impression of this future leader of the Sand Village's 'main team.'
He hadn't expected Maki to be so famous in his youth, nor so flamboyant and arrogant, a far cry from the calm demeanor he would have in the future.
But it made sense.
To grow into an elite Jonin, one must have been someone of note in their youth.
Ninjas don't have a 'late bloom' phase.
Geniuses and strong individuals show their potential early on, only outliers like Obito and Naruto experience explosive growth after graduation.
"Gang Tu!"
Maki stepped forward, directly confronting the killing intent radiating from Gang Tu.
Both teams' members stood ready behind their leaders, the tension palpable.
Suddenly.
A cold killing intent cut through the air, interrupting the standoff between the two squads.
A white-haired, masked young boy was slowly approaching the stall.
Kakashi! He was here too.
Why such a coincidence?
Of course, it wasn't a coincidence.
With the Chunin Exams starting tomorrow, many candidates were here early to gather information, and this street was a necessary path, so it was quite normal for them to appear here.
"Now everyone's here!"
Honda murmured to himself.
Uchiha Takashi and Yamakawa Koji, having just finished reading the intelligence manual, understood that he was referring to the gathering of the top three geniuses on the list.
"Kakashi?" Gang Tu and Maki spoke simultaneously, their eyes glinting with a hint of killing intent.
They had heard of the 'super genius' from Konoha, the son of the White Fang.
One of their tasks in the Joint Chunin Exams was to eliminate geniuses from other villages, and Kakashi was naturally on that list.
Especially for Maki! The Sand Village harbored deep fear and hatred for Kakashi.
In the last ninja war, the White Fang's short blade had caused significant losses for the Sand Village.
Now, with Kakashi being such a prodigious 'son of the White Fang,' how could the Sand Village not be wary and resentful?
If given the chance, Maki would eliminate this threat for his village.
Unfortunately, they all knew that while releasing some killing intent was one thing, actually making a move was impossible.
Did they really think the Anbu and patrol units observing from the shadows were just for show?
If they dared to make a move.
The Uchiha patrol would not care who they were; they'd be arrested without question.
It must be said, the Uchiha clan truly knew how to maintain order.
"This time, the first place in the Chunin Exams will be ours, the Rock Ninjas!"
Gang Tu's voice was steady and confident.
"Hmph!" Maki retorted, displeased, "The champion will definitely be a Sand Ninja!"
"Pointless," Kakashi casually remarked, then turned to Uchiha Takashi and Yamakawa Koji, who were watching from behind the stall, "Minato-sensei asked me to call you!"
With that, he turned and left, as if completely indifferent to the situation.
His coolness was off the charts!
Future Sasuke Uchiha's penchant for dramatic exits seemed to have its origins.
With a teacher like that, it's no wonder the students followed suit.
(End of Chapter)
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