Although Naruto's new technique had been successfully developed and had greatly increased his power, allowing him to truly step into the realm of a Kage-level shinobi, he still had not fully mastered it.
His current task was to integrate everything he had learned into the Wind Release Chakra Mode, refine it completely, and make the power truly his own.
Over the past few days, Naruto had continued his training with relentless determination, never showing even the slightest sign of laziness.
At the same time, the various teams participating in the Chunin Exams gradually began arriving at the Hidden Sand Village.
Team 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi, included Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka.
Team 8, led by Kurenai Yuhi, consisted of Shino Aburame, who had already become a Chunin, along with Kiba Inuzuka and Sakura Haruno, who were still Genin.
Meanwhile, Guy Team, led by Might Guy, consisted of Rock Lee, who had already achieved the rank of Chunin, alongside Neji Hyuga and Tenten.
Of course, many other Genin from different villages had also arrived to participate in the exams.
However, Naruto noticed one important absence.
"Kakashi-sensei isn't here?" Naruto asked curiously.
Tsunade explained calmly, "Kakashi and Jiraiya went to investigate Orochimaru's remaining hideouts. Their goal is to completely wipe out the remnants of Orochimaru's forces and recover anything useful hidden there."
"That includes information about the Akatsuki Organization, evidence of Danzo Shimura's involvement with Orochimaru, and any valuable research materials."
Naruto nodded before suddenly asking, "Then why did Grandma Tsunade come here personally?"
Tsunade immediately glared at him.
"What kind of question is that? The Chunin Exams are being jointly organized by Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village. As Hokage, how could I not attend?"
She paused for a moment before sighing.
"During the last Chunin Exams, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, should have traveled to Konoha himself. Unfortunately, Orochimaru murdered him before he could even arrive."
At the mention of danger, Hinata Hyuga looked slightly worried.
"Master, Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-sensei are away on a mission, and now even you and many of Konoha's Jonin are here in the Hidden Sand Village. Won't Konoha be vulnerable?"
Tsunade smiled softly.
"Hinata, you really are thoughtful."
"But don't worry. With Sarutobi-sensei remaining behind, the Anbu forces protecting the village, and all of Konoha's great clans on alert, nothing serious will happen."
"Besides, Danzo has already lost his authority, and Root is currently being supervised by Yamato. Konoha will actually be more stable without that troublemaker causing problems."
She crossed her arms confidently.
"And even if the Akatsuki Organization decides to make a move, their primary target is Naruto. Attacking Konoha directly wouldn't benefit them."
"Jiraiya has already warned every major ninja village about Akatsuki's goal of capturing the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. Because of that, they can no longer act recklessly."
Hinata lowered her head slightly.
"You and Jiraiya-sama already considered everything. I guess I was worrying too much..."
Tsunade gently rubbed her head.
"No, that's not a bad thing. Being able to think about these issues means you're becoming more mature."
Meanwhile, the Hidden Sand Village had already made grand preparations for Konoha's arrival.
Deputy Kazekage Baki personally led several village elders, along with Gaara's siblings, to greet the Hokage's delegation at the entrance.
The current relationship between the Hidden Sand Village and Konoha could hardly even be called an equal alliance anymore. After the failed invasion of Konoha, the Sand Village's position had become extremely weak.
In truth, they resembled a subordinate state more than an ally.
Not only had the Hidden Sand Village betrayed Konoha during the previous Chunin Exams, but they had also suffered complete defeat afterward.
Furthermore, Konoha had later helped them take revenge on Orochimaru and avenge the death of the Fourth Kazekage, making Konoha a major benefactor to the Sand Village.
Most importantly, the Hidden Sand Village was currently struggling with both internal instability and external threats. They had no choice but to maintain close ties with Konoha.
Inside the Kazekage's office, Baki greeted Tsunade respectfully.
"Hokage-sama, your presence honors the Hidden Sand Village greatly."
"Our village was deceived by Orochimaru and committed the grave mistake of betraying the alliance. Even now, we deeply regret our actions and have paid a terrible price for them."
Looking back, his expression became bitter.
"We truly acted foolishly."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively.
"The past is already over."
"What matters now is the present and the future."
"As long as the Hidden Sand Village maintains strong relations with Konoha and strengthens our alliance, neither Akatsuki nor any other great nation will be able to exploit us."
Baki nodded repeatedly.
"Yes! These Chunin Exams are only the beginning."
"This event will not only display the strength of our villages to the entire ninja world, but it will also prove the close relationship between Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village."
However, his expression soon became serious.
"Still, Hokage-sama, I remain concerned that the Akatsuki Organization may take advantage of this opportunity to target the Tailed Beasts and their Jinchuriki."
Tsunade nodded slightly.
"Jiraiya and I already discussed this possibility. Akatsuki most likely will not act during the Chunin Exams."
"After all, during this period, the Hidden Sand Village will not only possess its own military strength, but also Konoha's forces. This is probably the most dangerous time for Akatsuki to attack."
"If I were them, I certainly wouldn't choose now."
She continued her analysis calmly.
"Besides, Akatsuki's goal is to capture all the Tailed Beasts. Since that's the case, they would probably prefer to move all at once."
"If they fail to act quickly, the Five Great Nations and the entire ninja world will become fully alert, making future operations far more difficult."
"Launching an attack during the Chunin Exams would attract too much attention and immediately alarm everyone."
Baki finally relaxed a little after hearing her explanation.
However, Tsunade's expression suddenly became more serious.
"That being said, Akatsuki is still a terrorist organization."
"Their members are all S-Class rogue ninja from various villages. They may not think rationally like we do."
"No one can truly predict what those people are capable of."
"Necessary defensive measures must still be taken."
"Especially along the travel routes connecting the villages. Those areas are the most vulnerable."
Baki nodded heavily.
"Hokage-sama is absolutely correct."
"We have already increased our security measures to the highest level possible."
"However, with the Hidden Sand Village's current manpower, we may not be able to fully protect every route."
He sighed quietly.
"For a major power like Konoha, especially with the Hokage personally present, Akatsuki would not dare attack carelessly."
"But smaller villages such as the Hidden Waterfall Village, the Hidden Grass Village, and the Hidden Rain Village are different."
"If Akatsuki suddenly ambushed them during their journey, they might not be able to resist at all."
"As the host village, we are responsible for ensuring everyone's safety, but our current capabilities simply aren't enough..."
Tsunade immediately understood what he meant.
The Hidden Sand Village was using the Chunin Exams to project strength to the outside world despite its weakened state. In reality, protecting every participating team was beyond their true capabilities.
"Don't worry," Tsunade replied firmly.
"Since Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village are allies and these Chunin Exams are jointly organized, we will naturally work together."
"Konoha will take responsibility for protecting the smaller villages."
Baki's eyes widened with relief.
"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama!"
The elders nearby also nodded in appreciation. Konoha's attitude was both responsible and trustworthy.
After thinking for a moment, Baki spoke again.
"Hokage-sama, among all the smaller villages, the most concerning one is Takigakure."
"Because the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fu, has confirmed her participation in the Chunin Exams."
"If Akatsuki makes a move, she will undoubtedly be their primary target."
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"I understand."
"In that case, we need to send our strongest team to protect Takigakure."
She glanced around the room.
Jiraiya and Kakashi were away investigating Orochimaru's hideouts.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in Konoha to guard the village.
Yamato was busy supervising Root and monitoring Danzo's remaining subordinates.
There were very few elite shinobi available.
Only the Jonin team leaders attending the Chunin Exams remained.
Among them, the strongest was undoubtedly Might Guy.
"Strong Guy!" Tsunade suddenly shouted.
"This mission is yours!"
Might Guy immediately burst into laughter and gave a dramatic thumbs-up.
"No problem at all, Lady Tsunade!"
"Even if the Akatsuki Organization appears, I'll smash them into pieces!"
"Youth must burn brightly!!!"
Tsunade silently held her forehead.
"Was assigning this mission to him really a good idea...?"
"His strength is unquestionable, but his intelligence..."
Still, she couldn't spare Asuma or Kurenai simply to escort Takigakure's team.
At that exact moment, another voice suddenly rang out.
"Grandma Tsunade, let me go too!"
Tsunade immediately knew who it was without even turning around.
"Naruto, stop being reckless!"
"This isn't a game."
Naruto stepped forward seriously and took a deep breath.
"I'm not fooling around."
"I want to go because I understand what a Jinchuriki feels like better than anyone else."
"When I heard that Takigakure also has a Jinchuriki around my age who's being hunted by Akatsuki, I wanted to help."
Tsunade frowned deeply.
"You know you're a Jinchuriki too."
"What if you end up falling into Akatsuki's hands?"
"Not only would Konoha lose you, but the Nine-Tails would also fall into their possession!"
Naruto clenched his fists tightly.
"I won't get captured."
"Grandma Tsunade, I already have the strength to protect myself!"
Tsunade shook her head helplessly.
"Naruto, I know you've become very strong, but those enemies aren't ordinary ninja."
"Every member of Akatsuki possesses terrifying and bizarre abilities."
"You should understand that people like Orochimaru and Itachi Uchiha are members of that organization."
Naruto smiled confidently.
"I know."
"But I still believe in myself."
"Because you still don't know how strong I've become!"
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"That's exactly what worries me..."
At that moment, Gaara suddenly spoke.
"No, Hokage-sama."
"Naruto is right."
Baki immediately panicked.
"Gaara!"
But Gaara calmly continued.
"Because you truly don't understand Naruto's strength."
"He already possesses power comparable to a Hokage or Kazekage."
Everyone in the room froze in shock.
Gaara looked directly at Tsunade.
"Because Naruto has already created his own unique ninjutsu."
Tsunade stared at Naruto in disbelief.
"Naruto... are you saying you really succeeded?"
Naruto grinned proudly.
"That's right!"
"I did it!"
"I created an unprecedented Wind Release Ninjutsu!"
Then, with absolute confidence, he declared:
"Wind Release Chakra Mode!"
The entire Kazekage office instantly erupted in shock.
"Wind Release Chakra Mode?!" Baki shouted in disbelief.
"What exactly is that?!"
Asuma's eyes widened with excitement.
After all, he had been the one who first introduced Naruto to the concept of advanced Wind Release techniques.
"Naruto..."
"Did you really accomplish it?"
"Have you truly mastered that legendary level of ninjutsu?"
Naruto laughed proudly.
"You're right, Asuma-sensei!"
"You were the first person to explain this concept to me, so I kept chasing after it."
"With the help of Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, the Pervy Sage, Grandma Tsunade, and everyone else..."
"I finally completed this jutsu!"
Asuma Sarutobi, himself a master of Wind Release, could no longer hide his excitement and joy.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)