Kushina took everyone with her inside the house. Renji, Shamrock, Uta, and the other three—Ren, Aoi, and Haruki—followed her in, stepping into the warm interior of Kushina's home. The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air as Kushina smoothly settled into the role of a host, attending to all of them with ease.
She spoke with Renji, Shamrock and Uta at length, her tone calm and welcoming, and from time to time she turned toward the other three –– Ren, Aoi, and Haruki. She asked them simple things—introductions, how they were doing, how their studies were progressing, whether they had completed their first mission or not. Her questions were light, polite, and measured, never prying too deeply. After all, they were not members of her family. No need to overwhelm them on their first visit. It would have been more appropriate for them to roam around Konoha and get a feel for the village themselves.
However, Renji had stopped them earlier. They had to register for the Chunin Exam scheduled for tomorrow, and because of that, he had brought them along with him. Otherwise, he likely would have allowed them their freedom.
Time passed quietly, the occasional murmur of conversation filling the room, until after about half an hour, a knock sounded at the door.
Kushina glanced toward the entrance. The door was already wide open, and from where she sat, she could see who it was. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Asuma, please come inside," she called out.
Asuma stepped in, his footsteps steady against the floor. He bowed slightly, his posture respectful. "Lady Kushina, I was sent here by Hokage-sama to escort our guests from Uzushiogakure to register for the Chunin Exam."
As soon as Kushina heard this, she gave a small nod. "They have been waiting for your arrival."
Renji immediately stood up, his expression turning serious. He looked toward Shamrock, Uta, and the others—Ren, Aoi, and Haruki. "Let's go. We must register for tomorrow's Chunin Exam."
At his words, everyone rose to their feet, the earlier calm atmosphere shifting into quiet readiness. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as they prepared to leave.
Soon, without further delay, all of them stepped out of Kushina's house, heading toward their next destination.
…
Asuma led them through the village streets and toward the Ninja Academy. The building soon came into view, standing firm with its familiar structure. As they stepped inside the premises, the faint sounds of training echoed through the air—metal clinking, footsteps shifting, and the occasional sharp call of instruction.
Asuma gestured slightly as they entered and said, introducing the place, "This is Konoha's Ninja Academy."
After hearing this, Renji gave a small nod, his gaze steady. Behind him, the children—Shamrock, Uta, Ren, Aoi, and Haruki—looked around with quiet curiosity, their eyes scanning every corner of the academy. At first glance, it looked no different from their own. The structure, the layout, even the general atmosphere—it all felt familiar. It was almost of similar stature and quality.
Still, there were subtle differences.
Compared to their Uzushiogakure Ninja Academy, this one lacked some of the more modern equipment they were used to. So this is Konoha's standard... one of them silently thought, though none voiced it aloud.
They continued walking, their attention drawn to various training grounds within the academy. A few teachers were guiding their students—some practicing kunai throwing, others working on shuriken accuracy. Nearby, a group of younger students attempted basic ninjutsu, their hands forming seals as they practiced the Transformation Jutsu, occasionally faltering and earning mild corrections from their instructors.
The steady rhythm of training filled the surroundings, giving the place a disciplined yet lively atmosphere.
Soon, under Asuma's guidance, they arrived at a quieter section of the building. The noise of training faded behind them as they stopped in front of a wooden door. Mounted neatly beside it was a sign that read: "Principal's Office."
Asuma stepped forward and gave a firm but respectful knock.
After a brief pause, he pushed the door open and entered.
Inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen—currently acting as the principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy—sat behind his desk. Papers were neatly arranged before him, though his attention quickly shifted as the door opened. He looked up toward Asuma, his aged eyes calm yet sharp.
"Asuma, you are here," Hiruzen said, his voice steady. "Is there something you need?"
Asuma shook his head lightly and stepped forward. "By the instructions of Hokage-sama, I have brought the people from Uzushiogakure to register for tomorrow's Chunin Exam."
As soon as Hiruzen heard this, he gave a slow nod and said, "Bring them in."
Asuma turned his head slightly and gestured toward the door. Renji stepped forward at once, entering the office, followed closely by Shamrock, Uta, Ren, Aoi, and Haruki. Their footsteps were measured, quiet against the wooden floor as they came to a stop inside.
Renji's gaze settled on Sarutobi Hiruzen—the former Hokage. The man before him looked noticeably older now. The weight of years was visible in the lines on his face, in the slight heaviness of his posture. After all, he was close to seventy. Yet despite that, there was still a certain calm presence about him.
Looking at him, it truly felt as if Hiruzen had stepped away from the pursuit of power. So this is what retirement looks like for him... Renji thought. There was no longer that sharp edge of authority he once carried as Hokage. Instead, he seemed at ease, living a quieter life as the principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy.
Of course, Renji already had information about him.
According to the intelligence gathered by Uzushiogakure, after the night of the Nine-Tails, Minato had taken full administrative control into his own hands. Slowly but decisively, he had begun to marginalize the elders of Konoha, stripping away their influence and redistributing power to the younger generation.
The clan heads of Ino-Shika-Cho—who shared good relations with Minato—were among those who benefited. At the same time, Minato had also granted favorable positions to the Uchiha clan. Not only did this serve to appease them, but it also maintained balance within the village, ensuring they did not feel sidelined or alienated.
Through careful politics, Minato had consolidated control over Konoha in a way that even Hiruzen, despite holding power for more than two decades, had never truly achieved.
Hiruzen, meanwhile, sat behind his desk with an amiable smile on his face. His eyes moved over the group, observing them calmly before he spoke.
"I am glad that you all from Uzushiogakure came to participate in this joint Chunin Exam," he said, his voice warm yet measured. "This will definitely help to strengthen our relations and ease some of the tensions between us."
Renji gave a small nod in response, meeting his gaze. "I also hope so."
For a brief moment, the room fell into a quiet stillness, carrying with it the weight of both past conflicts and the possibility of something better ahead.
Then Hiruzen spoke again. Reaching to the side, he took out a neatly stacked set of papers and slid them across the table toward the front corner. The faint sound of paper brushing against wood echoed softly in the room.
"This is the form for the Chunin Exam," he said calmly. "Fill it out and give it to Asuma. He will have your names registered with all the necessary details."
Renji gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Shamrock stepped forward, his footsteps steady, and reached out to take the papers into his hands. The sheets felt crisp as he held them. He quickly counted—one, two, three, four, five. Five forms. One for each of them.
He gathered them properly in his grip, his expression focused.
From behind his desk, Hiruzen observed quietly. His eyes lingered on Shamrock for a brief moment. The resemblance was unmistakable. So this is Shanks' son... The structure of his face, the presence he carried—it aligned too well.
Hiruzen was already aware that the son of the Uzukage would be participating in this Chunin Exam. There was no doubt in his mind now.
Shamrock Uzumaki.
After Shamrock stepped back with the forms, Renji spoke, his tone respectful yet firm. "Now that we have the forms, we will submit them as soon as possible. We should take our leave."
As he finished, Renji gave a slight bow toward Hiruzen. The others followed immediately, bowing in unison, their movements disciplined and synchronized.
Hiruzen inclined his head gently in response, a faint, approving smile still on his face. "I hope that you all achieve good results in this Chunin Exam."
A quiet pause followed, carrying a sense of formal closure.
Soon after, they turned and made their way out of the principal's office, the door closing softly behind them as they stepped back into the academy's corridors.
----
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