Kakashi looked at the three students in front of him, panting with sweat beading on their foreheads, and nodded in satisfaction, raising a hand to pat them.
"Hoo... that's enough training for today," Kakashi's voice carried a hint of laziness, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Next, get some good rest. Recuperate your energy and prepare thoroughly for the Chunin Exams. That's the most important thing right now."
He deliberately emphasized the word "rest," his gaze sweeping over their slightly tired but still determined faces.
While high-intensity training was crucial, a refreshed and clear state of mind often determined life or death in the exam arena.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!" the three responded in unison, their breathing not yet fully calm.
Naruto wiped sweat from his wrist and suddenly asked, "Kakashi-sensei! Do you have any intelligence on the Shinobi from other Villages who are here to take the exam?"
Before he finished speaking, Sasuke immediately turned his head, and even the usually quiet Hinata slightly shifted her body, clearly very interested in the question as well.
As an experienced Jonin, Kakashi naturally knew the weight of intelligence in Shinobi combat; it was a factor that could overturn the course of a battle.
If a Chunin-level opponent could grasp all the weaknesses of a target Jonin, with carefully laid traps and advantageous terrain, they would not only have a chance of winning, but potentially a significant one.
However, what he didn't know was this.
This intelligence game continued throughout a Shinobi's career, until they climbed to the level of a Hokage.
However, when one's strength truly entered the almost inhuman realm of a Super Kage, while intelligence still existed, its decisive impact would be greatly diminished by the absolute power gap.
"Hmm... about that~" Kakashi deliberately drew out the end of his sentence, and under their focused gazes, he slowly shook his head.
Just as the three were starting to feel disappointed, Kakashi leisurely spoke, "Of course I know."
His tone was calm but carried an undeniable certainty.
As the Anbu Captain General of Konoha, in charge of the entire intelligence department, it would be a fantasy if he couldn't even grasp such basic information.
"Eh?" The few of them blinked, questioning.
"But," Kakashi's tone shifted, becoming serious, "I can't tell you."
"I see." Naruto wasn't disappointed.
"Intelligence is also an important part of battles between Shinobi, and how to obtain enemy intelligence is one of your assessments this time," Kakashi said.
"So didn't we ask Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said.
"That's true." Kakashi scratched his head and then said, "Unfortunately, if I help you, it would be considered cheating, so don't expect to get intelligence on Shinobi from other Villages from me."
"Hmph!"
Sasuke crossed his arms, a usual confident expression on his face.
"Even without your help, we can still figure out our opponents' true strength."
"Mm-hmm," Kakashi returned to his smiling demeanor, "Of course, I believe you can do it! Go for it!"
His narrowed eyes and lighthearted tone were full of trust and encouragement for his students.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched the shadows of the four long.
Kakashi waved his hand, and Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata also signaled to each other before dispersing.
After watching the three figures of Naruto disappear, the usual lazy expression on Kakashi's face instantly faded, replaced by sternness and gravity.
Almost without warning, his figure vanished from the spot, leaving only a few scattered fallen leaves.
When he reappeared, he was in the core shadow land of Konoha, the Anbu Headquarters.
Dark, specially made robes replaced his usual clothes, and a cold animal mask covered his iconic face mask and silver hair, revealing only one eye filled with grim determination and contemplation.
At this moment, he was no longer the late guiding Jonin, but the Anbu Captain General, bearing the heavy responsibility of the entire Village.
In the office, Itachi, the Anbu Deputy Commander, had already been waiting for a long time.
"Itachi," Kakashi's voice came through the mask, getting straight to the point, "How far along is the background check on the teams from other Villages participating in the Chunin Exams?"
"Commander," Itachi's voice was steady and clear, "A total of five Villages' Shinobi are participating this time. Four of them are small Shinobi Villages, whose strength and scale are not a concern; they can be monitored routinely. However..."
He paused slightly, his gaze briefly meeting Kakashi's exposed eye, conveying an unspoken message.
"Sunagakure from the Land of Wind, not only sent people to participate, but also..."
He deliberately emphasized his tone: "The number of people far exceeds expectations, and more importantly, it is confirmed that there is a direct descendant of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa in the team."
"Sunagakure..." Kakashi repeated the name in a low voice, his brows furrowed deeply under the mask.
The Chunin Exams, jointly held by the Five Great Shinobi Villages, had always been an excellent opportunity for other forces to gather intelligence.
Even though Konoha knew this, based on rules and diplomacy, they could not refuse the entry of envoys from other Villages.
However, for a Village like Sunagakure, not only sending people, but also sending such an important young generation directly into the heart of Konoha... this was by no means an ordinary move!
The relationship between Konoha and Sunagakure was also far from being intimately allied.
What exactly was their intention for this trip? Was it pure exchange and learning, or did they have other motives?
"Itachi," Kakashi made a swift decision, his voice firm and decisive.
"During the Chunin Exams, immediately recall all dispatched Anbu!
Concentrate forces to conduct the highest level of vigilance throughout the entire Village, especially in the areas where Sunagakure is staying and their personnel movements, but be extremely careful not to expose yourselves. Report any disturbances to Hokage-sama immediately!"
"Report any disturbances to Hokage-sama immediately!"
"Yes!"
After giving the order, Kakashi did not feel any relief, sighing silently.
A heavy sense of powerlessness washed over him.
The Anbu's manpower... was simply too scarce, stretched thin!
Currently, it was only the first and second stages of the Chunin Exams, and the situation was still within controllable limits.
The final selection, the third stage, would be the real test.
At that time, the respected Daimyo of the Five Great Nations—Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water—would all personally attend to watch the matches.
The arrival of each Daimyo meant a large and complex entourage, with a mix of personnel identities and backgrounds.
To rely solely on the limited strength of the Anbu to ensure the absolute safety of the important figures, while also monitoring all potential risk points and keeping all unstable factors firmly within sight... this was almost an impossible mission.
Kakashi's gaze pierced through the window frame, looking at the bustling scene in the Village, decorated for the exams.
Hopefully... this time, nothing will go wrong.
...
As the Konoha Anbu quietly increased the alert level inside and outside the Village, the highly anticipated Chunin Selection Exams finally began.
The first round of the assessment was a test of wisdom and insight, a theoretical examination.
The first assessment was a theoretical written exam, with only nine questions, each profound, obscure, and extremely challenging.
The exam rules strictly prohibited cheating by crude means; if caught five times by an invigilator, the examinee would be immediately disqualified.
This segment not only tested the Genin's knowledge reserves but also their practical abilities in intelligence gathering, counter-espionage, and criminal investigation.
For the trio of Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, this round was not a difficult one.
Thanks to their diligence and opportunities in this life, although the three of them were not the absolute best in theoretical aspects, they were firmly in the excellent category.
For this reason, the classic scene in the original work where Naruto submitted a blank paper but dramatically passed did not reoccur in this timeline.
However, the three did not slack off.
In the exam room, they fully utilized their advantages, quietly observing the various cheating methods used by the surrounding examinees.
Hinata's Byakugan observed minute details, Naruto relied on his keen perception, and Sasuke used his two-tomoe Sharingan to observe the various techniques used by others.
This was not only about following exam rules but also an opportunity to glean the true abilities or special tendencies of potential opponents, gathering valuable intelligence in advance for possible future confrontations, ensuring thorough preparation.
And in the final question of Ibiki Morino's assessment, due to the absence of Naruto's disruption, the number of people who withdrew this time was also higher than in the original story.
The second round of the assessment took place in the Forest of Death.
The teams that passed the theoretical stage were then thrown into the notoriously dangerous "Forest of Death" for a five-day extreme survival and combat assessment.
The rules were straightforward: twenty participating squads were randomly assigned ten "Heaven Scrolls" and ten "Earth Scrolls."
Each squad had to seize the opposing scroll from other teams—that is, those with a "Heaven" scroll needed to take an "Earth" scroll, and vice versa—and successfully traverse the perilous forest within five days with a complete pair of "Heaven and Earth Scrolls" to reach the central tower.
For Naruto's squad, whose average strength already surpassed that of ordinary Chunin, and with Hinata's reconnaissance ability approaching Jonin level, achieving the basic goal of acquiring a pair of scrolls and traversing the forest still seemed effortless.
With their solid strength, they successfully seized the required scrolls on the first day.
However, the trio did not rush to the finish line.
Knowing the role of intelligence in subsequent battles, they chose to actively patrol the dark forest, intending to further ascertain the true strength and movements of other powerful squads.
It was during this reconnaissance that they unexpectedly stumbled upon a horrifying scene.
Gaara, the "monster" of Sunagakure, was brutally slaughtering his opponents.
Blood mixed with sand, and the air was thick with the stench of death.
This gruesome sight instantly marked Gaara as an extremely dangerous presence in the minds of Naruto's squad.
His unfathomable terrifying strength, coupled with the coldness and brutality he displayed in his attacks, made the trio realize that he would be one of the most troublesome and highly vigilant enemies on their path to advancement.
What Naruto and the others didn't know was.
While they were gathering intelligence on Shinobi from other Villages, a certain gaze was also fixed on the three of them.
Not far from them, on the gnarled branch of an ancient tree, a figure stood still, as if merged with the tree's shadow.
She wore a forehead protector symbolizing Kusagakure, disguised as an inconspicuous female Shinobi.
However, her focused gaze was exceptionally sharp and greedy, like a venom-tipped snake's tongue, mostly fixed firmly on Sasuke's figure.
Especially when Sasuke's crimson Sharingan suddenly activated, the observer would uncontrollably extend an unusually slimy, long tongue.
Slowly and twistedly licking across her pale cheek, leaving a wet, cold trail, like a ritual mixed with extreme desire and morbid admiration.
This was none other than Orochimaru, one of the rogue "Sannin"!
He had already infiltrated this Chunin Exams, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, patiently selecting his prey.
His "optimal solution" had originally been the two dazzling and breathtaking gems of the Uchiha Clan.
Shisui of the Body Flicker and the genius Itachi.
However, Shisui of the Body Flicker's strength displayed in his battle with Minato had already surpassed him, and his elusive Body Flicker Technique made Orochimaru wary.
And Itachi, that genius who joined the Anbu at a young age, his whereabouts were so mysterious that even the Uchiha Clan itself found it hard to track, let alone an outsider like him.
Orochimaru had secretly evaluated Itachi's potential; that child's talent was terrifying, and his strength had probably reached a realm that Orochimaru couldn't easily defeat.
Therefore, he had to suppress his inner greed and turn his gaze to a more "realistic" target, Sasuke.
Although Sasuke was still young, his pure Sharingan and the Uchiha blood flowing within him were already rare treasures in the world.
Of course, there were other talented Uchiha youths on the list, but undoubtedly, this boy in front of him was the one with the most potential.
Orochimaru's golden snake eyes followed Sasuke's moving figure closely, his greed almost solidifying.
His fingertips trembled slightly; he truly wanted to rush down now and, in this forest, deeply brand the "Heaven Cursed Seal," which contained the power of forbidden jutsu and the hope of rebirth, onto the boy's neck!
However, reason instantly extinguished this impulse.
Konoha now... was too powerful!
The Fourth Hokage Minato was like an insurmountable peak, and his Anbu and Shinobi system were even more rigorous and efficient, with countless strong individuals.
Exposing his identity now? It would be tantamount to seeking death.
Moreover, Orochimaru also knew that even if he managed to successfully implant the Cursed Seal, with Minato's mastery of Sealing Jutsu, he would absolutely be able to completely seal away the unstable Cursed Seal power.
What's more...
His gaze swept over the blond boy, Naruto, next to Sasuke.
Orochimaru's mouth twisted into a cold arc.
He also didn't believe that as the Fourth Hokage's only son, Naruto wouldn't have his father's specially made flying thunder god kunai!
Once they encountered a true life-or-death crisis, Naruto would only need to activate that Kunai, and that 'Yellow Flash' that struck fear into the entire Shinobi World would instantly descend upon this place...
At that time, Orochimaru might have to consider how to escape before even accomplishing anything.