Half an hour later, the ANBU reported the conflict between Gaara and Sasuke to the Hokage Building.
After listening to the report, the two advisors responsible for organizing the Chūnin Exams frowned and looked toward Jiraiya, their eyes filled with concern.
A clash between candidates wasn't a big issue.
But Sunagakure had actually sent a jinchūriki to participate.
The combination of a jinchūriki and the Kazekage represented nearly all of Sunagakure's current combat power. If they intended to cause trouble in Konoha, even if Konoha managed to suppress it, the losses would be unacceptable.
And this was only what was visible on the surface.
Who knew how many conspirators were lurking in the shadows?
All eyes were fixed on Konoha, waiting for the perfect moment to stir chaos during this grand event.
Canceling the Chūnin Exams now would undoubtedly be the safest choice.
But for Konoha, the exams weren't just a test—they were a disguised military demonstration.
It was an opportunity to display strength to the rulers of smaller nations and expand influence, forming a defensive alliance centered around the Land of Fire.
If war ever broke out, the battlefield would be pushed into those smaller countries rather than Konoha's homeland.
However, the two advisors had already stepped down from power. It wasn't appropriate for them to speak too much.
Hiruzen Sarutobi might have listened out of old friendship—but Jiraiya and Tsunade, who came to power through upheaval, would not.
In the end, they had long lost the vigor of their youth. Now, they only wished to retire quietly.
After reporting the exam preparations, the two advisors left the Hokage Building.
Tsunade glanced over the report and said to Jiraiya,
"Jiraiya, why did you invite Uzushio Village to participate? Those Uchiha will definitely stir up trouble during the exams."
She wasn't too worried about Sunagakure.
What concerned her more were the ninja from Uzushio Village.
Although their relationship with Konoha had improved in recent years, the village was still founded by rogue ninja from Konoha.
As a descendant of the Senju, Tsunade had always been wary of the Uchiha.
Jiraiya understood her concerns and smiled lightly.
"Even if we didn't invite them, they'd find a way to sneak in anyway. It's better to invite them openly as guests and build cooperation early."
After two years as Hokage, Jiraiya had grown much calmer, steadily consolidating power.
From the perspective of one of the Sannin, things were very different than from the Hokage's seat.
Passion alone might move freshly graduated genin—but it wouldn't sway the seasoned veterans of the village.
Tsunade felt Jiraiya's change more than anyone.
She didn't know if it was a good thing.
Of the three who once fought Hanzō of the Salamander and earned the title of Sannin, she felt like the only one who had stagnated.
Even as a medical ninja, she still couldn't overcome her hemophobia—and had yet to regain her full combat ability.
Noticing her concern, Jiraiya reassured her,
"Don't worry, Tsunade. Everything is under control. There won't be any trouble during these exams—and Konoha will only grow stronger."
Tsunade didn't dwell on it further and returned to handling the village's daily affairs.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya walked to the window, gazing out at Konoha.
His eyes grew deep and unreadable.
He was already prepared for turmoil.
...
Night fell.
After leaving a shadow clone asleep in his bed, Naruto slipped out of the hotel under ANBU surveillance and headed toward the Uzumaki clan's shrine.
As former allies of Konoha, the Uzumaki still had a small presence within the village.
Two chūnin guarded the shrine, but Naruto easily bypassed them and headed straight for where the Death Masks should have been stored.
After using the Technique of Inorganic Reincarnation to enter the underground chamber, Naruto frowned.
There wasn't a single mask.
Had the Third Hokage already taken them and used one for the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?
What a pity.
If he could obtain the mask containing the souls of Minato and Kushina, he might be able to revive them—and reclaim the other half of the Nine-Tails.
A complete Nine-Tails was far stronger than a half.
At its peak, it could even unleash Baryon Mode in desperate situations.
Just as Naruto was about to leave, he sensed traces of space-time ninjutsu.
Someone had used it here recently—within the past few days.
Besides himself and Kakashi, only one person in the ninja world possessed such ability.
Obito.
It seemed Obito had also joined this grand Chūnin Exam.
After leaving the Uzumaki shrine, Naruto headed toward the Hyūga clan.
There, he saw Hinata practicing her Bone Release techniques in the dojo.
Judging by her chakra, she had undoubtedly reached jōnin level.
Naruto didn't disturb her.
Instead, he left a note in Hiashi Hyūga's room and quietly departed.
Hiashi, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, noticed the kunai pinned to the ground. After reading the note, his expression changed.
After a moment of thought, he looked up at the full moon outside the window.
...
The next morning.
As Haku and Karin stepped out of their room, they saw Naruto and Shisui already seated on the sofa.
After greeting them, they went downstairs for breakfast.
What they didn't know was that Naruto and Shisui hadn't slept at all.
Shisui had gone to the Uchiha district and saw Sasuke training hard—but ANBU surveillance prevented him from approaching, so he couldn't deliver Mikoto's gift.
Naruto, meanwhile, had traversed most of Konoha, completing his initial preparations.
After breakfast, Naruto led Karin and Haku to the Chūnin Exam gathering point.
Becoming a chūnin had once been his dream back when he was a dropout from the ninja academy.
But now…
Unless something unexpected happened, he was destined not to earn that title.
The Chūnin Exams were never just exams.
No matter what, they would lead to the Kazekage's death and the Konoha Crush—a desperate counterattack by Sunagakure.
At the gathering point, Naruto scanned the crowd and spotted many familiar faces.
Setting aside the Konoha rookies he'd seen the day before, his gaze fell on a bespectacled young man.
Yakushi Kabuto.
Naruto remembered him well.
In the future, he would become the head of the Konoha Orphanage and a near-perfect Sage, capable of fighting against multiple Mangekyō Sharingan users.
But for now, Kabuto was just a spy planted in Konoha by Orochimaru, with strength at best comparable to an elite jōnin.
Still…
With Jiraiya now Hokage, why was Kabuto still operating in Konoha?
Pushing aside the thought, Naruto led Haku and Karin toward Kabuto, who was currently surrounded by ninja, selling information about the exam participants.
Intelligence was crucial in battle.
Knowing your opponent beforehand meant preparing the right strategy.
At that moment, a ninja asked,
"Senior Kabuto, are there any candidates we should be especially wary of?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses.
"This exam is far more intense than usual. There are several individuals you must pay attention to. If you encounter them, it's best to withdraw immediately. You can always take the exam again next year—but you only have one life."
"Menma-sama, he mentioned my name—and Haku's too…"
Karin said excitedly after hearing her name.
Then she glanced at Naruto, wondering silently what rank he would be given.
As if sensing her thoughts, Naruto smiled.
He walked past the crowd, brushing shoulders with Kabuto.
He didn't care how Kabuto evaluated him.
What he regretted slightly was not recruiting Kabuto earlier.
Even if Kabuto's research wasn't on Orochimaru's level, he was still a genius.
But back then, Naruto hadn't planned to leave Konoha and build his own ninja village.
At that moment, Kabuto suddenly turned his head, staring at Naruto's back with a serious expression.
Unlike the other rookie ninja, Kabuto possessed jōnin-level perception.
He could sense natural energy.
And yet…
Among the Chūnin Exam candidates—
There was someone whose natural energy far exceeded even that of Jūgo, who was born with a Sage body.
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