CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168

Early the next morning.

*Riiing...*

Kakashi opened his eyes and slammed a hand down on the alarm clock above his head. Then he sat up from his futon.

The futon across the table from him was already empty.

Kakashi looked at the neatly folded blanket on it, a little puzzled—Satoru had clearly left a while ago.

"Left this early...?"

That didn’t feel like Satoru at all. Knowing his personality, if something didn’t involve him directly, he wouldn’t get up even a minute earlier than he had to.

Did he have something to do with the exam today?

Even if he was a little more interested in those guys from the Hidden Mist, their matches were all scheduled later. There wasn’t really a reason for him to wake up this early.

Kakashi had been busy training Sasuke this whole past month and hadn’t really paid much attention to what Satoru was doing.

Then again, "not paying attention" wasn’t really the issue. If Satoru didn’t want anyone to know what he was up to, no one could figure it out.

And Naruto didn’t seem to be with him either. So what had he been up to this month?

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. Even though they’d been around each other a lot, Hatake Satoru’s thought process was so out there that it was impossible to guess what he might be planning.

"Whatever... I’ll see him later anyway."

Kakashi scratched his head and looked over at the other two, who clearly weren’t planning to get up anytime soon.

He gave a quick shove to Naruto, who was drooling in his sleep, and to Sasuke, who had been pushed into the corner of the room and looked totally annoyed in every way.

"Hey, you two were in the first two rounds of the exams. Are you really planning to sleep until the afternoon?"

...

Hatake Satoru stood on the roof above the Chunin Exam’s main venue, right above the spectator seats.

It was the highest spot around, giving him a clear view of all the students and visitors arriving below.

From where he stood, small specks of light appeared one after another in his vision. Using these as markers, Satoru quickly locked onto the person he was looking for.

It was the Sunagakure jonin who had brought Gaara and his team.

Satoru pressed his lips together slightly and gave a small smile.

"As long as we make it inside the exam venue, we’re good to go... hmm?"

Temari was speaking as she turned her head, but Baki was already gone.

When did he leave?

Even if they weren’t super close, Baki was the one who brought them here and told them when the plan would begin. There’s no reason for him to leave at a time like this.

"Maybe something came up. Didn’t the Kazekage-sama already arrive?"

Kankuro glanced at Temari and said it casually, not sounding too surprised.

After all, with their plan in motion, Baki usually didn’t stick with them. He was more focused on exchanging information between the Sound and Sand villages.

It was rare for him to even show up with them at the venue, so leaving halfway wasn’t that strange.

Gaara quietly walked into the exam venue without saying a word, as if he didn’t care at all whether Baki was still there or not.

"Well, usually he would’ve at least said something..."

"Maybe he was in a rush. He’s a jonin, and the exam’s about to start anyway. Nothing big is likely to change now."

Kankuro looked around quickly, then pulled the hesitant Temari through the door into the exam venue.

If they went to look for Baki, who knew how long that would take? Either way, exam or not, they still had to take part.

And if the plan was going to happen as scheduled, Baki would probably show up again before long.

The three Sand siblings slowly made their way inside. The big door was still left slightly open, waiting for the next group of examinees.

Meanwhile, Baki had been pulled into a small, hidden alley not far from the venue.

Though "pulled" might not be the right word—he just suddenly felt someone appear next to him, and the next thing he knew, he was already here.

The moment he entered, Baki quickly pulled out a kunai and stabbed toward his side.

But just like how that person had suddenly appeared, they vanished just as fast and reappeared sitting calmly on a nearby wall.

With speed like that, they had to be at least a special jonin.

"...You?!"

"That kind of speed..."

Baki looked up at the man sitting so casually on top of the wall.

An eyepatch, silver hair, a smug smile—he looked down at Baki from above.

Someone from the Hidden Leaf Village.

Baki instantly became more alert, scanning the area around him. No market stalls had been set up nearby, and there weren’t any Anbu guards in sight.

It was a quiet spot. But even if it was quiet, that just made it perfect for an assassination.

A Hidden Leaf ninja coming to meet him like this in secret definitely wasn’t good news. He had to find a chance to get out of here fast.

Baki kept his eyes locked on Hatake Satoru, ready in case he made a sudden move.

His mind was racing, trying to figure out a way out and how long he could last in a fight against this man.

"Looks like you remember me. Good—that makes things easier."

"Let me say this first: don’t even think about running. Just like how I brought you here—"

"You don’t have the ability to stop me~!"

Hatake Satoru smiled down at Baki, like he already knew exactly what Baki was thinking.

"What do you want!?"

"Kazekage-sama is in Konohagakure right now!"

No matter how you look at it, Hatake Satoru showing up alone like this is strange.

If he already knew about their plan, he could’ve just used the Konohagakure Anbu to listen in—but there’s no one else around here.

And if he came just to kill him, doing that while the Kazekage is in Konohagakure would seem like he’s trying to start a war on purpose.

Hatake Satoru and Baki paused for a second, and the whole room suddenly went tense.

Then Hatake Satoru suddenly burst out laughing from above.

"Hahaha, seriously? You really believe that guy is still your Kazekage?"

"This is too funny, my eye mask’s gonna get soaked from laughing."

Hatake Satoru said while wiping at his mask with his finger.

With the mask on, it was impossible to read what he was thinking. His tone was playful, even creepy.

Being chosen as a written exam proctor, he’s definitely good at mind games.

"But playing mind games with me before the exam won’t work."

"I’m not gonna believe whatever nonsense you’re saying."

Baki’s face turned cold. This guy’s words were even weirder than if he had figured out their plan. And what does any of this have to do with Kazekage-sama?

The Sunagakure troops were already in position outside. Though they didn’t get too close because of the Anbu watching, they were ready to move in as soon as the plan started.

And now this guy is randomly bringing up Kazekage-sama like it’s some big secret? What’s he getting at?

Hatake Satoru still wore that odd smile, but the air around them was growing heavier.

"Your Kazekage is already dead."

"He was killed before the Chunin Exams even started."

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