Uzumaki Aonagi, standing next to Chiba, immediately cried foul.

Because only three matches had started in the play-offs: the first match was between Uzumaki Aonagi and Kidōmaru, with Kidōmaru forfeiting; the third match was between Kimimaro and Jugo, with Jugo forfeiting.

Uzumaki Aonagi slapped the railing and shouted, "You Konoha are too shameless! You just want our village's Ninja to fight among themselves, don't you? If you can't play, then don't play! What's the point of rigging it?!"

Everyone's gaze turned to Uzumaki Aonagi.

Gekkō Hayate, the chief examiner of the play-offs, coughed twice and said, "Everything is random; there's no rigging. If you have any objections, feel free to inspect the electronic screen."

Uzumaki Aonagi actually wanted to go inspect the electronic screen, but Chiba grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up, then said to Gekkō Hayate, "Don't mind him, let's continue the Chunin Exams."

Gekkō Hayate nodded and continued the play-off Chunin Exams.

Uzumaki Aonagi grumbled, "Why are you stopping me? Isn't this blatant rigging?"

Chiba said helplessly, "So what if it's rigged? This Chunin Exams is hosted by Konoha, isn't it normal for them to tamper with it? Also, get your priorities straight, don't be willful!"

Uzumaki Aonagi pouted and said, "I'm just angry. We six all advanced, and now, without doing anything, two of us are directly eliminated."

Chiba reminded Uzumaki Aonagi, "Konoha is holding this joint Chunin Exams to showcase Konoha's strength, not our village's strength, so you should have expected them to do this.

Don't think that rules alone guarantee fairness. These rules are set by Konoha; they can change them however they want. Even if you find that the electronic screen has been tampered with, they'll have countless excuses to fob you off.

So don't make a fuss about such things. Either you break the rules directly, or if you can't, then endure it!

Our village still has four Genin, which is still too many. There will be fewer later. If nothing unexpected happens, either Sakon or Tayuya will also be eliminated, or even both. There will definitely be more Konoha Shinobi participating in the second round of the Chunin Exams."

Chiba did not lower his voice, and many people heard him.

Upon hearing this, the examiners present felt a little guilty. They couldn't refute Chiba's words because they had indeed tampered with it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was in the tower room watching the surveillance equipment, also heard Chiba's words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was also awkward. This Jonin leading the Hidden Sound Village team was so unreservedly exposing these things, not giving Konoha any face at all.

An examiner behind Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Hokage-sama, do we need to restore the electronic screen to normal?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then said, "No need, let's just continue like this."

Uzumaki Aonagi glared angrily at the Konoha examiners, feeling extremely indignant.

And the outcome was as Chiba expected: in the sixth match, Tayuya was pitted against Gaara of the Sunagakure.

Under Orochimaru's instruction, Tayuya forfeited.

Because Tayuya's genjutsu could very likely cause Gaara to lose control.

And in the eighth match, Sakon's opponent was Hyuga Neji.

Sakon knew that Hyuga Neji was Chiba's disciple and initially wanted to test him, but without activating his Cursed Seal, he couldn't even get close to Hyuga Neji. Sakon also didn't want to use the power of the Cursed Seal, so he chose to give up mid-battle.

Uzumaki Aonagi was almost fuming when he saw this scene.

Originally, six of them had advanced to the second round, but now, because of this play-off, only he and Kimimaro were left.

The subsequent battles were not very exciting; in Uzumaki Aonagi's words, it was a 'chicken pecking' contest.

This play-off Chunin Exams quickly ended.

Originally, there were 26 people. 14 people were eliminated through battles, and 2 people were eliminated simultaneously due to a draw. This means a total of 16 people were eliminated, leaving 10 people.

Uzumaki Aonagi, Kimimaro, Naruto Uzumaki, Hyuga Neji, Uchiha Sasuke, Shino Aburame, Lee, Nara Shikamaru, Gaara, and Temari.

This number perfectly met Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectations: 10 people, enough to form five groups for the second round of the Chunin Exams.

The qualified individuals now stood in the center of the arena, and Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, "Congratulations to all of you who passed the play-offs. Next is the second round, which is also the final official match. At that time, your battles will be showcased to all the spectators. As representatives of your respective countries, I hope you will give your all without regret. Therefore, the official matches will begin one month from now."

Uchiha Sasuke frowned and asked, "Still a month?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "Yes, this is the so-called preparation time. During this period, we will inform the feudal lords and Ninja leaders of each country that the preliminary rounds have ended, and at the same time, it's preparation time to invite them to watch. It's also preparation time for you, the examinees.

During this time, you can freely gather intelligence on your opponents and analyze the information you obtain about your enemies to increase your chances of winning.

Up until now, you have all fought against random opponents, but the official matches will not be like this. You will fully demonstrate your abilities in front of your respective opponents.

For fairness and impartiality, you can use this month to improve yourselves.

Before we dismiss, everyone needs to draw lots, Anko."

Anko Mitarashi held a box, and everyone took a lot from it.

After everyone had drawn their lots, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again, "Then, I will now announce the match-ups for the official Chunin Exams. Ibiki, show them the pairings."

Morino Ibiki displayed the pre-arranged pairings on the whiteboard for Uzumaki Aonagi and the others to see.

When Uzumaki Aonagi saw his opponent, a smile immediately appeared on his face: it was Hyuga Neji!

Kimimaro's opponent was Lee.

Naruto Uzumaki's opponent was Shino Aburame.

Uchiha Sasuke's opponent was Gaara.

Nara Shikamaru's opponent was Temari.

The second round of the Chunin Exams was also a one-on-one match.

Hiruzen Sarutobi reminded them, "This Chunin Exams will be observed by examiners, including myself, as well as the Kazekage, the feudal lords from various countries who commissioned us, and the Ninja leaders allied with us. Through observing the matches, you will be evaluated. Those deemed to possess sufficient Chunin qualifications, even if they lose in the first round, can still become Chunin.

Therefore, everyone here has the potential to become a Chunin, but it's also possible that none of you will. Everyone, use every method to showcase yourselves during the matches and strive for opportunities to perform!

Then, we'll see you in one month. Dismissed!"

Uzumaki Aonagi and Kimimaro left the tower, regrouped with Chiba and the others outside the tower, and then departed the Forest of Death.