The next morning, Feng Zheng woke up very early.
Before heading to the stadium where the matches would be held, he ate a few ration bars and did some light stretching exercises.
When he arrived outside the stadium, he heard multiple announcements coming from the loudspeakers.
There were many stalls outside the stadium. It was very crowded. Feng Zheng thought to himself.
“This is exactly like a marketplace. It seems there aren't many good entertainment options in this world. So the Chunin Exams must be the biggest form of entertainment for ordinary people. No wonder it's so crowded and noisy here.”
After entering the stadium, a guard told him where all the participants for the exam needed to gather.
Feng Zheng arrived there and saw that the remaining Genin were already present. He walked towards Mieko and Hodaka and greeted them.
“Hello everyone!”
Both of them smiled and returned his greeting. Hodaka asked.
“How was your training?”
Feng Zheng sighed and was about to answer when Mieko spoke first.
“No need to say, we all know. Everyone's been talking about someone being carried to the Hospital every day.”
Hodaka and Mieko both laughed.
Feng Zheng gave them an expressionless look. He muttered softly, but loud enough for both of them to hear.
“At least I was defeated by a Jonin, not by a Genin teammate.”
This statement interrupted their laughter.
Hodaka replied.
“You caught me off guard last time. It won't happen again!”
Mieko snorted and said.
“Hmph, I was injured by Hodaka first, and you took advantage. This time, you'll face more opponents first, and I'll make sure you get carried back to the Hospital by a teacher again!”
Feng Zheng gave a wry smile and was about to respond when Inoichi Yamanaka called out to them, telling them to gather in the center of the field.
The broadcast began introducing all nine Genin to the audience.
As the broadcast was made, Feng Zheng noticed where Hiruzen was sitting. There were also several Anbu around him. But there were no Kage from other Villages. Feng Zheng analyzed.
“Hmm, no Genin from Sunagakure advanced. It's no wonder their Kage didn't show up. And while Hidden Mist did have Genin advance, they don't represent the Fourth Mizukage. I thought Mei Terumī might come, but it seems she's either busy or Hiruzen isn't willing to openly receive her before she wins.”
Next, he checked the important ministers sitting with the various Daimyo, but didn't see anyone interesting there. Finally, he looked towards a place with many familiar faces.
He noticed Ibiki, Shiranui Genma, and Raidō sitting together with some documents in front of them, and he thought.
“Are they the judges for the matches?”
He recalled his previous discussion with Renjiro.
A week ago, at the Training Grounds:
Feng Zheng had just finished fighting with Renjiro and was resting. Renjiro was also sitting nearby. Feng Zheng asked.
“Teacher, who decides who gets promoted to Chunin? Is it just the proctor of the third round, or do others also have a say?”
Renjiro replied.
“During the matches, there will be a judging panel that evaluates your performance, and their decision is crucial for promotion. The proctor of the third stage will also submit an evaluation report. Promotions will be based on a comprehensive assessment of these reports.”
“Their evaluations will first be sent to the Chunin Exams Supervisor, who will make the decision and send it to the Hokage for approval.”
Feng Zheng asked.
“The Chunin Exams Supervisor? Who is that person?”
Renjiro nodded and said.
“He is the decision-maker responsible for the Chunin Exams. The current Chunin Exams Supervisor is a retired Elite Jonin, a few years older than the Sannin.”
Feng Zheng thought for a moment and said.
“Alright. But do Jonin instructors or others not have a say?”
Renjiro replied.
“Jonin instructors can make recommendations, but this is rare because Genin are their own students, and it would be seen as favoritism. As for others, a few can make recommendations, such as the Jonin Commander, the Anbu Commander, the Village elders, and clan heads, but this is also rare. They are more involved in Jonin promotions.”
Feng Zheng nodded and said.
“That makes sense. But Teacher, you said we have thousands of Chunin, but aren't only a few Genin promoted each year?”
As Feng Zheng asked, he thought to himself.
“The Chunin Exams can't be the only way to get promoted. I wonder if there are any other promotion methods.”
Renjiro gave Feng Zheng a deep look, then replied.
“As the Hokage said, the Chunin Exams are more about showcasing your skills, talent, and potential to important figures like the Daimyo. Promoting Genin is not the main goal. If you observed carefully, you might have noticed that all Konoha Genin participating in the exam are no older than 15.”
Feng Zheng thought for a moment and said.
“Yes, I don't remember seeing any old Genin in our Village.”
Renjiro continued.
“Genin over fifteen years old, if capable, can be promoted without an exam. So about a hundred Genin can be promoted each year, and even more during wartime. However, Genin promoted outside of the Chunin Exams rarely become Jonin. Very few can become Jonin.”
Feng Zheng digested this information, nodding in confusion while thinking.
“Wasn't Kabuto much older during the Chunin Exams? Did Konoha relax the restrictions later?”
His thoughts were interrupted by Renjiro.
“Had enough rest? Let's continue.”
Feng Zheng stood up, ready to take another beating.
Back to the present:
Feng Zheng noticed Renjiro, Genshu, and dozens of Jonin and Chunin sitting behind the judges.
Mieko and Hodaka were looking for their parents in the crowd. Apparently, some of their classmates had also come to watch the matches.
None of the Genin paid attention to the broadcasts. However, one broadcast announcement suddenly caught their attention.
The announcer said.
“To make this competition even more exciting, the Kado Company has specially set up a gambling center for this competition, with the odds as follows:
Uchiha Mieko - 1.2
Satsuma Rentaro - 1.4
Hyuga Hodaka - 1.5
Sakai Yumi - 1.8
Yuuki Shinichi - 1.8
Suzuki Kazemasa - 4
Matsushita Satoru - 5
Kuhaku Rou - 5
Kido Kohaku - 9
Friends who haven't placed their bets yet can do so within 15 minutes before the start of the matches!”
Feng Zheng exclaimed.
“Really? Gambling can be so open? And the Kado Company?”
His gaze swept towards where Hiruzen and the Daimyo were seated, and he thought.
“How much benefit do these guys get by letting someone like Kado do this?”
He analyzed the odds and thought.
“Mieko and Hodaka both come from prominent families. So this is not surprising. As for the Hidden Mist Genin, it seems they want to show off their strength. I can understand Rintaro and Yuuki Shinichi, but why are Sakai Yumi's odds so high?”
“Anyway, I have about 800,000 ryo. Should I bet it all on myself? I believe I'm the strongest, but my battles are also the toughest. I'll be facing Yuuki Shinichi and Rintaro, whose strength I don't know much about. Then there's Mieko, who only has an easy match. Finally, I thought it would be Hodaka, but it looks like he might have a tough fight with Sakai Yumi.”
As Feng Zheng analyzed, Mieko couldn't hide her smugness due to having the highest odds.
The other Genin looked at her, realizing she would be the strongest opponent. Inoichi Yamanaka said.
“All announcements are over, please proceed to the waiting room. Feng Zheng, Shinichi, your match will begin in fifteen minutes, please prepare yourselves.”
The Genin began walking towards the waiting room. Feng Zheng thought to himself.
“Although 800,000 ryo is a considerable sum, it's still not enough for some of the things I want. So it's still worth betting. I can bet 600,000 ryo. 200,000 ryo is enough for my daily needs. And even if I lose, earning back that 600,000 won't be a big problem.”
“Speaking of which, the gambling is run by the Kado Company, so he must be very rich. Killing him wouldn't be a good idea, but I'll rob him later. Since he operates illegally, I might get some good stuff from him. Not to mention a lot of money.”
After making his decision, he said softly.
“See you later in the waiting room.”
He left using the Body Flicker Technique. The Genin had no idea where he went.
Feng Zheng flickered to the betting area. Surprisingly, there were very few people here, and he wondered.
“Why are there so few people? Wait, the previous announcement implied that many people have already placed their bets. So only those who don't know yet are betting now.”
Feng Zheng took out 600,000 ryo from a scroll and walked forward. The betting registrar was very surprised to see a participant approach. He greeted Feng Zheng.
“Hello, Feng Zheng-kun, how can I help you?”
Feng Zheng replied.
“I'd like to place a bet.”
He put down 600,000 ryo and said.
“600,000 ryo, on myself.”
When the betting registrar heard that Feng Zheng was betting on himself, he secretly sneered.
“This orphan civilian Ninja actually wants to bet on himself? The only reason his odds aren't the lowest is that he broke a record in the second round, but that was thanks to his two teammates.”
However, when he saw 600,000 ryo laid out in front of him, he was extremely surprised! He thought to himself.
“Are Konoha's Genin all so rich?”
He immediately took the cash and handed Feng Zheng six banknotes with his name printed on them. Each banknote represented 100,000 ryo. Feng Zheng checked them and then left.
After he left, the betting registrar burst into laughter.
“He just donated 600,000 ryo to us! Hahaha!”
Feng Zheng entered the waiting room and waited there. This room offered the best view of the arena below, which helped the Genin observe others' battles well.
A few minutes later, the announcement came for Feng Zheng and Shinichi to go down. Hodaka and Mieko said to Feng Zheng.
“Good luck!”
Meanwhile, the Hidden Mist Genin cheered for Shinichi.
Feng Zheng and Yuuki Shinichi jumped into the arena and walked towards Inoichi Yamanaka. Inoichi told them to take their positions. Feng Zheng and Shinichi stood facing each other, about five meters apart.
Feng Zheng thought to himself.
“Ice Release. This will be a tough fight.”
Yuuki Shinichi thought to himself.
“This guy is fast. And his sword is very strong. I absolutely cannot give him a chance to use his sword!”
Inoichi Yamanaka loudly announced.
“The first match now begins, take your positions, start!”