Pharmacist's Pocket
Half an hour later, an Anbu operative reported the conflict between Gaara and Sasuke to the Hokage's office.
After listening to the report, the two village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who were overseeing the Chunin Exams, frowned. Their gazes shifted toward Jiraiya, who stood before them, their eyes filled with concern.
Conflicts between Genin candidates were nothing unusual, but the fact that Sunagakure had sent a Jinchūriki to participate in the Chunin Exams was alarming.
The combination of Gaara, the One-Tail's Jinchūriki, and the Kazekage represented almost the entirety of Suna's military strength. If Sunagakure harbored ill intentions toward Konoha, even if Konoha managed to suppress them, the village would suffer unacceptable losses.
And this was only what was visible on the surface—who knew how many other hidden threats lurked in the shadows, waiting to exploit the event.
The Chunin Exams weren't just a test of young ninja talent; they were a stage for political maneuvering. Canceling the exams now would be the safest choice. However, for Konoha, the Chunin Exams weren't merely an arms race; they were an opportunity to solidify their influence over smaller Shinobi villages.
By demonstrating their strength, Konoha could convince the rulers of minor nations to align with them, forming a defensive coalition centered around the Land of Fire. This way, if war broke out, the battles would take place in these smaller territories, sparing the Fire Nation's heartland from devastation.
Despite their concerns, Homura and Koharu had long since retired from active decision-making. Sarutobi Hiruzen might have valued their opinions, but with Jiraiya as Hokage and Tsunade backing him, the old councilors no longer wielded the same influence.
In the end, they had neither the spirit nor the strength they once had. They simply wanted to live out their remaining days in peace.
After reporting their concerns, the two elders left the Hokage's office.
Tsunade skimmed through the report and then turned to Jiraiya. "Jiraiya, why did you invite Uzushiogakure to participate in the Chunin Exams? The Uchiha will undoubtedly cause trouble."
Tsunade wasn't particularly worried about Sunagakure, but the participation of Uzushiogakure concerned her.
Although Uzushiogakure had a complicated relationship with Konoha, it was fundamentally a village founded by former Konoha ninja. As a descendant of the Senju Clan, Tsunade remained cautious of the Uchiha, who now held influence in Uzushiogakure.
Jiraiya, understanding her concerns, chuckled lightly. "Even if I hadn't invited them, they would've found a way to sneak in. It's better to bring them in as guests and establish a deeper relationship sooner rather than later."
Two years into his tenure as Hokage, Jiraiya had noticeably matured. He had gradually consolidated power, viewing matters not just as a Sannin, but as the leader of the village. Passion alone might inspire young academy graduates, but it wouldn't sway the seasoned political players of Konoha.
Tsunade noticed the change in him the most.
She wasn't sure if it was a good thing. Among the three who once fought Hanzō of the Salamander and earned the title of the Sannin, she seemed to be the only one who had stagnated.
Even as a medical ninja, she still hadn't overcome her hemophobia, leaving her combat effectiveness diminished.
Sensing her unease, Jiraiya reassured her, "Don't worry, Tsunade. Everything is under control. There won't be any trouble in this Chunin Exam, and Konoha will only grow stronger."
Tsunade didn't dwell on it and returned to handling the village's daily affairs.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, moved to the window, gazing at the sprawling village below. His eyes darkened with contemplation—he was ready for whatever storm lay ahead.
---
Nightfall
After leaving a shadow clone behind in bed to fool the Anbu watching him, Naruto slipped out of the hotel and made his way toward the Uzumaki ancestral shrine.
Despite Uzushiogakure's destruction, the Uzumaki clan still had a presence in Konoha.
Two Konoha Chunin stood guard at the shrine entrance, but Naruto easily avoided their notice and slipped inside. His target: the Death Mask of the Uzumaki Clan, which held the key to breaking the Reaper Death Seal.
However, as he reached the underground chamber, Naruto frowned. The room was empty—every mask was gone.
"Did the Third Hokage already take them?" he wondered. If he had managed to obtain the mask that sealed Minato and Kushina's souls, he could have attempted to revive them and reclaim the other half of Kurama's chakra.
A complete Kurama was significantly stronger than a half, and with it, he could even activate Baryon Mode in a life-or-death situation.
As he turned to leave, Naruto suddenly sensed traces of space-time ninjutsu. Someone had used a teleportation technique here recently—within the past few days.
Besides him and Kakashi, only one other person had a space-time ability in the current ninja world: Uchiha Obito.
It seemed that Obito, too, was preparing for the Chunin Exams.
Leaving the Uzumaki Shrine, Naruto made his way to the Hyuga Compound. Inside the dojo, he found Hinata in the midst of training, practicing the Shikotsumyaku—evidence of her newly awakened Kaguya bloodline. Judging by her chakra reserves, she had already reached Jonin-level strength.
Rather than disturb her, Naruto left a note in Hiashi Hyuga's room and quietly left.
Moments later, Hiashi, who had been meditating, sensed a kunai embedded in the floor. Unfolding the note, his expression darkened. He gazed at the full moon outside his window, lost in thought.
---
Morning
As Haku and Karin stepped out of their rooms, they spotted Naruto and Shisui sitting on the sofa. After exchanging greetings, the two headed downstairs for breakfast.
They had no idea that Naruto and Shisui had spent the entire night outside, making preparations.
Shisui had gone to the Uchiha Compound, where he observed Sasuke training. However, due to the Anbu surveillance on Sasuke, he refrained from making direct contact or delivering Mikoto's gift.
Naruto had spent the night traversing Konoha, finalizing his plans.
After breakfast, Naruto led Haku and Karin to the assembly point for the Chunin Exams. Becoming a Chunin had been his goal for years—yet he knew he would never actually receive the title.
The Chunin Exams were always a stage for conflict, and this one would be no different. There would be a Kazekage assassination and Konoha's collapse—Suna's desperate gambit against the Leaf.
As Naruto scanned the crowd, he spotted familiar faces.
His gaze landed on a bespectacled young man surrounded by other Genin—Yakushi Kabuto.
Naruto remembered Kabuto well. In the future, he would become the mastermind behind Edo Tensei, capable of challenging even Mangekyō Sharingan users.
But that was far ahead.
For now, Kabuto was merely a spy left in Konoha by Orochimaru, possessing strength equivalent to an elite Jonin.
Yet with Jiraiya as Hokage, why was Kabuto still in Konoha?
Pushing aside his thoughts, Naruto approached.
At that moment, a Genin asked Kabuto, "Senpai, are there any candidates we should watch out for in this Chunin Exam?"
Adjusting his glasses, Kabuto replied, "This year's Chunin Exam is more dangerous than before. There are some competitors you'd best avoid. After all, you can always take the exam next year—but you only have one life."
Among the names listed, Naruto and Haku were mentioned.
Karin looked at Naruto expectantly, wondering how Kabuto would rank him.
Naruto, however, barely reacted. As he passed Kabuto, their shoulders brushed, and he thought to himself—I should have recruited Kabuto earlier.
For all his faults, Kabuto was a genius.
And in the coming storm, geniuses were a valuable resource.
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