After thinking for a while, Naruto did not refuse Konoha's invitation and decided to participate in the Chūnin Exams.
The Chūnin Exams were not just a test for genin to be promoted to chūnin—they were, in essence, a disguised military competition. They showcased the strength of the next generation of ninja to the politicians of various countries and demonstrated the future potential of each hidden village.
Naruto had no reason to miss such a grand event. Besides, he had long been looking forward to returning to Konoha one day.
After hearing Naruto's decision, Shisui pondered for a moment and said, "Menma-sama, will you personally lead the team to the Chūnin Exams, or appoint another jōnin to go to Konoha?"
Naruto glanced at Shisui, then chuckled.
"This time, I'll leave the Chūnin Exam mission to you. You probably want to return to Konoha as well. As for the genin participating, I've already made arrangements."
"Yes." Shisui's emotions were complicated, but he still accepted the order.
Participating in the Chūnin Exams held by Konoha was no small matter for Uzushio Village. The Uchiha who had settled there also learned of it and began discussing it within the clan.
Uchiha Mikoto even prepared a gift and asked Shisui to find a way to deliver it to Sasuke.
Naturally, Shisui did not delay. Itachi was still considered part of the clan, but Sasuke was not. In some ways, Sasuke had suffered even more than those Uchiha who had relocated to Uzushio Village. Shisui could only hope that Sasuke would not be completely consumed by hatred.
Early the next morning, when Shisui arrived at Uzumaki Port, he was stunned.
There were three Uzushio genin under his charge for this mission—Karin and Haku among them. Although their strength was already close to jōnin level, they had not yet officially been promoted to chūnin. However… the masked ninja among them was clearly their leader.
Was it really necessary for the dignified leader of a village to disguise himself as a genin and participate in the Chūnin Exams?
Naruto saw through Shisui's thoughts and stepped forward with a grin.
"Senior Shisui, I'm a genuine genin. I've never taken the Chūnin Exam, and I don't even have a chūnin or jōnin certification."
Shisui fell silent.
Naruto was indeed neither chūnin nor jōnin—no one could even issue him such a certificate.
But if Lord Menma concealed his identity and joined the exam… this Chūnin Exam would likely become the most chaotic one ever. Without at least jōnin-level strength, no one would even qualify to pass.
Naruto, on the other hand, was clearly looking forward to it.
Under Konoha's long-term economic pressure and exploitation, Sunagakure's finances had long been on the verge of collapse.
Whether Orochimaru would intercept and assassinate the Fourth Kazekage or not, Sunagakure would still proceed with the Konoha Crush Plan—gambling everything for a chance at survival. Either way, they had nothing left to lose.
After boarding the ship at the port, Karin pointed at Naruto's back and asked Haku curiously,
"Haku, do you know who he is?"
Haku shook his head lightly.
"I don't. Maybe he's a ninja secretly trained by Lord Menma. He seems to be on good terms with Lord Shisui."
Karin smiled.
She knew more than Haku—but as long as she played dumb, she could get closer to Lord Menma.
Thinking of Menma's figure, her face couldn't help but flush red. Besides, he was around her age… maybe she still had a chance in the future.
Shisui looked at his three subordinates with a complicated expression.
Not a single one of them gave him peace of mind.
This trip to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams was destined to be anything but easy—it would be a long and exhausting ordeal.
...
The journey to Konoha went surprisingly smoothly.
In just a few days, they arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village. There were no ninja ambushes along the way, and even bandits were rare.
It seemed that Jiraiya and Tsunade's reforms over the past two years had produced some results.
But without bandits or rogue ninja, would the nobles of the Land of Fire still need the protection of ninja villages?
Naruto shook his head, then stepped through Konoha's gates. His gaze drifted toward the distant Hokage Rock, where Jiraiya's carved face stood prominently. For a moment, he felt a strange sense of time distortion.
After all, this was partly his doing—he had pushed Jiraiya to stand against the Third Hokage and become the Fifth.
As they walked into Konoha, the familiar streets stirred countless memories within Naruto.
He still recognized many of the villagers.
But they clearly didn't recognize him.
After all, a troublesome little boy wasn't worth remembering—unless that boy had become Konoha's hero.
Shisui, now wearing a mask, also felt a surge of emotion.
After six years, he had finally returned to Konoha.
Though he now belonged to Uzushio Village, his past was rooted in the Konoha Police Force. Those same police were still being marginalized by villagers and even cursed behind their backs.
It was enough to prove that a major source of hostility toward the Uchiha clan came from the existence of the police force.
Back then, Konoha's leadership had never explained this properly to the villagers. Instead, they had subtly fueled resentment, deepening the divide. Under such pressure, it was no wonder the Uchiha had once considered a coup.
Compared to Shisui's heavy thoughts, Haku and Karin were much more excited—like country kids entering a bustling city for the first time.
But soon, they noticed something was off.
Although Konoha was more prosperous than Uzushio Village, there was a hidden hostility in the villagers' eyes—as if it could erupt at any moment.
At that moment, Shisui looked into the distance.
Naruto and the others followed his gaze.
As they wandered the streets, teams from other villages participating in the Chūnin Exams began appearing one after another. Among them, Konoha and Sunagakure had the largest presence.
Sunagakure's team was led by Baki, an elite jōnin of considerable strength.
But it was Gaara, walking beside him, who caught Shisui's attention.
That boy carried the aura of a tailed beast.
Sunagakure had actually sent a jinchūriki to participate in the Chūnin Exams… were they really planning something?
At that moment, Karin seemed to notice something. She pointed toward a group of Sound ninja in the distance and whispered,
"Lord Shisui—uh, I mean, Senior… that person's chakra feels really strange."
Following her gaze, Naruto saw Orochimaru—disguised as a woman.
Naruto wasn't surprised.
Orochimaru wouldn't dare target the Uchiha of Uzushio Village, but Uchiha Sasuke was a different story. He had clearly come for Sasuke's body.
Still, neither Gaara nor Orochimaru truly interested Naruto.
What really caught his attention were the ninja from Amegakure.
Although they appeared ordinary and unremarkable, their lack of ambition in such a high-profile event only hinted at something deeper.
Nagato might not be simple…
But Black Zetsu and Obito were definitely not the type to sit quietly.
They would stir up trouble.
And because of that—
This Chūnin Exam was about to become far more interesting.
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