Chapter 71: The Flattery Contest - The White Eyed Princess of Konoha

**Chapter 71: The Flattery Contest** On the fifth day after the start of the second round of the Chunin Exams, the examination was declared over. A total of 12 teams, comprising 36 individuals, passed the exam and gathered in the hall of the tower. They were awaiting the preliminaries of the third round of the exam. Hinata glanced around, and besides the iconic Twelve from the original story, Kabuto's team, Gaara's team, and the Sound Ninja's team were present as well. Additionally, there were three Konoha teams that, with the aid of 'always willing to help' Hinata—and after promising her a month's supply of treats—had fortunately passed the second round of the exam. As for the remaining two teams, they were random teams from Konoha and the Sand Village. The Third Hokage, along with several Jonin, stood on a high platform, his gaze sweeping across the 36 individuals below, feeling somewhat helpless. He had already heard of Hinata's spectacular achievements during this exam. In the first round of the exam, due to Hinata's interference, Ibiki's psychological interrogation failed to have any effect, allowing 36 teams, totaling 108 people, to pass the first test. Originally, this would have been enough. In the second round, Hinata, through her outstanding abilities, managed to capture a large number of scrolls and helped three teams of Konoha ninjas pass the exam. The direct result of this was that there were too many participants in the third round. This Chunin Exam was not hosted solely by Konoha but was a joint effort by multiple ninja villages. The purpose was to showcase their military prowess in front of the daimyo, nobles, officials, and wealthy patrons. A ninja village's strength determines the number of missions it receives. These spectators are very busy, with tight schedules, so the time for the third round must be compressed as much as possible. The Third Hokage quickly calculated and realized that the preliminaries could only have two matches... The Third Hokage raised his voice and said, "First, allow me to congratulate you all on passing the second round!" 'Clap, clap, clap...' In the quiet hall, the sound of applause rang out clearly. Hinata, standing below, was clapping vigorously, shouting, "Thank you, Hokage-sama!" The Third would be in position for at least another month; at times like these, it was crucial not to offend the Hokage, and flattery must be executed flawlessly. Instantly, countless eyes focused on Hinata. The people from Konoha felt speechless; Gaara's fierce gaze seemed as if he wanted to kill Hinata, while Kabuto and the Sound Ninja's overseer looked on with amusement. Seeing that the order below was somewhat disrupted, Anko shouted loudly, "Everyone, please listen carefully as the Hokage explains the details for the third round of the exam!" Hinata's sharp gaze instantly directed towards Anko. She's a formidable opponent! No, she couldn't allow all the flattery for the Hokage to be monopolized by Anko. 'Clap, clap, clap...' Hinata continued clapping seriously and solemnly as if waiting for a leadership review. For the first time in twelve years, she was uncharacteristically earnest, saying, "Please, Hokage-sama, give us your instructions. We shall listen to the Hokage-sama’s teachings with dedication, fulfilling our duties to the fullest, and adhere strictly to the Hokage’s directives, striving for the future of Konoha." "Everything for Konoha!" Anko's lips twitched slightly, suddenly finding the situation rather amusing. In kind, she also solemnly declared, "Now, let's welcome the speech of the strongest Hokage in history, the professor of ninjutsu, Konoha’s illustrious Third Hokage. Everyone, please clap!" "Hokage-sama, after you!" After speaking, Anko respectfully stepped back behind the Third Hokage, standing straight and disciplined. 'Clap, clap, clap...' Sparse applause came from below; apart from Hinata’s distinctively loud clapping, the others barely showed any enthusiasm, with some not even bothering to move. The Third Hokage: “...” At this moment, the Third Hokage felt extremely awkward. What on earth were these people doing? Disguised as the Sound Ninja’s overseer, Orochimaru looked at the Third Hokage with amusement. Previously, Orochimaru believed that only he had his intelligence insulted by Hinata, but it turned out Hinata behaved like this consistently. Seeing the Third Hokage standing awkwardly at the front of the platform, Orochimaru found his mood inexplicably brightened. Kakashi looked up at the sky, thinking, darn it! Once the preliminaries finish, he’d be in for a scolding from the Third Hokage. “Hmm!” The Third Hokage nodded slightly. Having been Hokage for so many years, he could withstand such situations. Clearing his throat, he began, "As I discuss the upcoming..." But now, Hinata’s attention was entirely focused on Anko. This person is impressive; no wonder she’s one of the esteemed sannin Orochimaru’s disciples. Even though her flattery was a bit oily, Anko was undoubtedly the most striking among the Jonin at that moment. 'Clap, clap, clap...' Hinata, unwilling to concede, continued clapping, declaring: “Good! Hokage-sama’s words were excellent!” “Hokage-sama’s single sentence encompasses a millennium of cultural history in the ninja world, seemingly covering all advanced ninjutsu knowledge. Listening to it just once leaves one in an endless aftertaste. Hokage-sama embraces the heavens and sees the cosmos and its wonders. In just a sentence, he has instilled in us the correct values of life and established the direction for our future endeavors.” “Truly, we all admire the Third Hokage-sama the most!” Everyone else: “...” Orochimaru, considering himself a genius — even praised by the Third Hokage as a once-in-decades prodigious talent — was baffled by how Hinata extracted so much meaning from the brief phrase “as I discuss the upcoming.” The Third Hokage’s forehead veins pulsed. Was Hinata here to provoke? Are you doing this on purpose? Hinata shook her head: I am indeed doing this on purpose, but it’s to flatter you! If it weren't for you being the Hokage, I wouldn't bother with anyone else. The Third Hokage looked at Hinata for a long time, seeing her serious and earnest face, with an upright and righteous gaze, showing not a hint of mischief. If Hinata wasn’t just a superb actor... Then it meant the words Hinata just spoke came from the heart... The awkward silence lingered for a while before the Third Hokage cleared his throat and said loudly: “As I discuss the upcoming...” He glanced once more at Hinata, who maintained that earnest, serious demeanor. Continuing, he said, “Before I explain the details of the third round, there are a couple of matters I must address… or rather, two matters!” “The first matter...” The Third Hokage turned his gaze to Hinata, expressionless, and said, “During my speech, I would appreciate it if everyone maintained silence and refrained from arbitrary applause.” Hinata responded with a sheepish grin, lowering her hands she intended to clap with, and loudly replied, “Understood, Hokage-sama!” With a faint sigh, the Third Hokage continued: “As for the second point, it's about why we are hosting this exam.” Involuntarily, the Third Hokage glanced again at Hinata. Seeing her not show any indication of speaking, he continued, “The allied nations have joined forces to host this exam...” “To enhance the bonds of friendship between each other...”