"Then you're not worried?" Sarutobi Asuma glanced at Kaede Kitahara. There were not many newly promoted Tokubetsu Jonin who could be raised this fast during peacetime.
"Not at all. I don't think they can answer the questions either, but that's fine. They won't just sit there and wait to fail." Kaede Kitahara smiled. "Besides, worst case, they take it again."
Kaede Kitahara really did not think it was a big deal. Once they avoided this most dangerous round, the next Chunin Exams would be an internal assessment hosted by Konoha itself. With their strength, passing would basically be a sure thing.
It was only a delay of half a year. At their age, they could afford to wait.
"You're pretty open-minded about it," Yuhi Kurenai said. "I heard from Kakashi that your strength is quite impressive?"
If someone who could almost be considered Konoha's second-strongest shinobi beneath the Third Hokage acknowledged his strength, then that explained why he had been promoted so quickly.
At the end of the day, the profession of ninja still respected strength above all else.
"Kakashi-senpai is flattering me."
A gentle smile appeared on Kaede Kitahara's face.
Hatake Kakashi silently grumbled in his heart. This was not how Kaede acted in the diary when he called him Hatake 50/50.
He really said one thing in person and another behind people's backs.
"If Kakashi acknowledges you, then that means you're someone I, Guy, should know too. We should spar sometime," Guy said from the side, clearly interested.
Kaede Kitahara smiled faintly. "Sure."
He had some interest in getting to know and sparring with this man too, the man who had nearly ended the original story with a single kick.
Aside from Hatake Kakashi, Kaede Kitahara was not especially familiar with the others. He had only just met them today, so he was not particularly talkative and simply watched them chat.
Another hour passed before Kaede Kitahara received word from someone Morino Ibiki had sent. Their subordinates had all successfully passed the first phase. Now, under the lead of the second phase Proctor, Anko Mitarashi, they had been taken into the Forest of Death.
The sun was setting, and the glow of evening shone into the waiting room.
Everyone rested with their eyes closed, waiting for further news.
Then, all of a sudden, the door to the waiting room was pushed open, and an Anbu rushed in.
"My lords, the Hokage urgently summons you!"
When everyone heard that, they were immediately confused and had no idea what had happened.
Only Kaede Kitahara raised an eyebrow, as if he understood.
"Have they discovered Orochimaru's presence?"
Kaede Kitahara remembered that according to the original plot, this should be about the time when Anko, as the chief examiner, discovered Orochimaru had secretly slipped into the Forest of Death.
When Kaede Kitahara and the others arrived at the Hokage's Office, they saw the Third Hokage with his brows deeply furrowed, looking weighed down with worry.
"Third Hokage-sama, may I ask why you summoned us so urgently?"
Hatake Kakashi stepped forward and asked on everyone's behalf.
"Orochimaru has come."
The Third Hokage did not hide it and spoke directly.
"What? Orochimaru?"
"That man?"
"How is that possible?"
Aside from Kaede Kitahara, who had already been prepared, and Hatake Kakashi, who also knew Orochimaru had secretly infiltrated the village, everyone froze.
Orochimaru.
What kind of terrifying existence was he? Konoha's Cold Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. Just hearing his name was enough to make these Konoha elites' faces change.
It could even be said that these people had grown up hearing Orochimaru's reputation and legends.
But he had defected from Konoha before. No one had expected him to appear again at a time like this.
"Although I don't know what his purpose is, he has indeed returned."
The Third Hokage sighed.
This rebellious disciple of his gave him a headache. And although Orochimaru was a traitor, there was no doubt about his strength. Now that he had suddenly appeared in Konoha, who could stop him? His old self?
Then he glanced at Hatake Kakashi. Fortunately, Konoha was not yet in a hopeless situation. There was still one ninja they could put forward with confidence.
Hatake Kakashi had crossed the most difficult threshold. The Third Hokage had only learned of that not long ago.
"Anko discovered three Genin from Kusagakure on the outskirts of the Forest of Death. They should have been ninja participating in this Chunin Exams, but they were already dead, and their faces had been stolen. It should be Orochimaru's Ninjutsu, the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique," the Third Hokage said. "He has now disguised himself as a Kusa-nin and infiltrated the Forest of Death. He may seriously interfere with the Chunin Exams. More importantly, if we do not find him and deal with him in time, all the examinees will be in danger. Not only will Konoha's future be cut short, but we will also be unable to give an explanation to the villages of our allied nations."
Everyone realized how serious the problem was. If Orochimaru killed all the examinees in the Forest of Death, it would not only wipe out the best batch of young prospects Konoha had produced in recent years, it could even trigger a diplomatic crisis with the other villages.
There was no doubt that this was an enormous matter.
"Although I don't know what his goal is, that no longer matters. This is not the time to worry about that. Based on Anko's request, I have already sent two Anbu squads to support her, but that is far from enough. I want you all to head to the Forest of Death as well. Find Orochimaru's trail. Once you do, immediately fire a signal flare, and everyone will move in to support. If you all take action, then even Orochimaru will not be able to do whatever he wants. Afterward, I will personally come to reinforce you. No matter what his goal is today, we will make sure he stays here."
The Third Hokage spoke with an extremely cold expression.
He had already prepared himself to settle this old grudge with Orochimaru. No matter what Orochimaru was planning, now that he had come to Konoha, they could not allow him to leave.
Even a Kage Level powerhouse would not be enough against Konoha's overall strength.
As long as they could hold Orochimaru down, he would then lead Konoha's Jonin to surround and kill him. At that point, Orochimaru would have no path to survival.
And he still had another trump card he had yet to reveal. Jiraiya was here too. If master and student joined forces, they would definitely be able to kill Orochimaru for good.
Jiraiya was usually away from the village year-round. Recently, for some unknown reason, he had suddenly chosen to return. Outsiders simply did not know about it.
This time, Orochimaru had to die.
They had to deal with Orochimaru before he caused too much trouble.
Last time, his soft heart had led to all of this. This time, he would not show mercy.
Before retiring, he would remove this potential threat for Konoha.
"Move out," the Third Hokage said.
Everyone accepted the order and rushed toward the Forest of Death. Only Kaede Kitahara's figure flickered once, and he had already appeared inside the Forest of Death, using a Flying Thunder God Mark he had left there in the past.