Am I the Akainu You Were Talking About?

As night deepened, the Hokage Building remained brightly lit.

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in a chair, a pipe dangling from his lips, slowly exhaling a smoke ring before looking at Kakashi Hatake was kneeling before him on one knee.

Kakashi recounted everything that Hiruzen Sarutobi, because no encounter with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could be taken lightly.

"A boy from Sunagakure, the Yuki Clan from Kirigakure, and the Shikotsumyaku)... Otogakure Village) seems like something special!"

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Kakashi, "Kakashi, in your opinion, how do the younger generation of Naruto compare in strength to the Sunagakure and the Sound Ninja?"

Kakashi shook his head with a wry smile. "The Kazekage's three children haven't made a move yet, so their strength is unknown. But Naruto and the others have no chance against that brat called Dōmeki."

As Kakashi approached, he added, "While I Zabuza have doubts about Zabuza's claim of single-handedly fighting the Fourth Mizukage, I personally witnessed that boy kill one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"Oh, so what's his attitude towards Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi of his cigarette and asked in a low voice.

The Otogakure was a small, unfamiliar ninja village to Konoha. Although it sent a friendly request for alliance immediately after its establishment, Konoha preferred to have as many close allies as possible.

A genius as outstanding as Dōmeki is rare in small ninja villages, and he is very likely to become a powerful figure or even the leader of Otogakure in the future. Therefore, his political leanings are worth paying attention to, especially since we know that he also has ties with Sunagakure. It is inevitable to worry that he will lead Sound Ninja to side with Sunagakure.

Kakashi for a moment but still shook his head with difficulty. Although Dōmeki had always shown a good attitude towards him and Konoha, Kakashi could sense that the man's thoughts were complicated, making it difficult for him to judge Dōmeki's intentions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Kakashi and said slowly, "It's alright. You can spend more time with him later. After all, the future of Konoha is in the hands of young people like you."

Kakashi lowered his eyes and remained silent. In fact, Konoha's younger generation was also facing a talent gap. All Sannin, who were capable of succeeding the three generations, had left. Among people his age, there were no Jonin who could catch up with the three of them.

After Kakashi took his leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up, walked to the window of the building, looked at the night view of the village, and said softly.

"It's time to let the children see the cruelty of the Genin world. Only through blood and fire can the great tree that supports Konoha be forged!"

At the same time, Dōmeki, also standing at the window, gazed at the night view of Konoha, stroking the old Kunai in his hand. It was the only souvenir the boy brought out of Sunagakure, a gift from a certain girl, and it was with it that he survived during the most difficult time.

After a long silence, he turned to Kimimaro with a smile and said, "The opportunity to cure your bloodline disease is coming soon!"

Before two days had passed, all the ninja villages participating in the exam had arrived, Chunin Ninja Exams finally began.

After leisurely finishing breakfast, Dōmeki led Kimimaro and Haku to the meeting point at the examination venue.

The Genin various villages who were participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams all gathered here, creating a noisy and lively atmosphere.

This is also the day when the Konoha Konoha 12 reunite, Team Might Guy, who graduated a year ago: Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee.

The newly graduated Team 7 Kakashi: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.

Kurenai Yuhi's Team 8: Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga.

Team 9 Asuma Sarutobi: Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka.

When Dōmeki and his companions arrived, they found the familiar little creatures gathered together.

Seemingly because it was their first time participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams, these newcomers were nervously talking to a kind and experienced senior, trying to glean some useful information.

However, the kind senior had a head of gray-white silver hair, and was none other than Kabuto Yakushi, the ace spy who traveled among various forces, the number one Orochimaru fanboy in the Shinobi World, and a well-known actor.

Dōmeki waved to Karin from afar, and Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo approached them with different expressions.

Dōmeki Jūgo to Karin, who was snorting in dissatisfaction, and Suigetsu, who was greeting Haku and Kimimaro.

"You bastard, you actually abandoned us! Do you know how hard it was for me to get along with this infatuated girl and this big oaf?"

Hozuki Suigetsu Dōmeki a face full of dissatisfaction, but was punched in the stomach by Karin and bent over.

"You idiot! It was Big Brother Shun who pleaded for us, giving us a chance to take the mission in place of Senior Zaku and the others. If you're unhappy, go back and pick up trash yourself!"

Karin reprimanded her incorrigible teammate before pretending to be a lady and quietly approaching Dōmeki.

Dōmeki narrowed his eyes and said to Suigetsu, "This is a test for you, and if you perform well in the Chunin Ninja Exams, I have a gift for you, Suigetsu -kun!"

"Tch, I don't care about your gift," Hozuki Suigetsu muttered, but before he could finish, he heard a familiar word and froze.

"The Kubikiribōchō!"

Dōmeki spoke slowly, and before Hozuki Suigetsu could react, he turned and walked towards Kabuto Yakushi.

Let me introduce you to some interesting kids!

At this moment, after Kabuto showed off his Ninja Info Card to the nine children, he piqued the interest of the nine newcomers.

"Are you Kabuto? Have you collected all the information on the Genin participated in this exam?"

Sasuke had been holding back for a long time, asked in a cold voice.

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, maintaining his ever-present harmless smile as he humbly spoke.

"I wouldn't say I've said everything, after all, I'm just Genin lost seven times in the Chunin Ninja Exams! But I can say a few words about most things."

"Gaara of Sunagakure and Dōmeki of Otogakure!"

Upon hearing the name of a familiar boy, Kabuto Yakushi paused for a moment, his smile almost imperceptibly brightening as he subconsciously lowered his head to conceal his expression.

"These two?"

Kabuto Yakushi pretended to ponder for a moment before saying quietly, "Unfortunately, because these two are so powerful, the information I can gather about them is very limited!"

"Just as I thought!"

Uchiha and Sakura exchanged a glance. They had learned from Kakashi-sensei that these two were likely their biggest rivals, especially the one named Dōmeki.

"Escape!"

Kakashi-sensei's warning stung Sasuke's pride, but unfortunately, he refused to reveal any further details.

Kabuto Yakushi subtly glanced at Sasuke's expression before continuing.

"Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, the youngest son of the Fourth Kazekage, is said to possess a natural ability to control sand and dust. I'm afraid I can't provide any further information."

As for that boy from the Otogakure...

"Dōmeki Shun, nicknamed 'Akainu,' is, as far as I know, powerful enough to wipe out everyone."

"Are you kidding me? This is even more exaggerated than what Kakashi-sensei said!" Sasuke was dumbfounded. Had that guy called Dōmeki already reached that man's level? He was clearly just a Genin!

Just then, footsteps reached the ears of the people around them. When they looked in the direction of the sound, they saw a red-haired boy wearing Otogakure Forehead Protector hugging Kabuto-senpai's shoulders from behind.

"Senior, the Akainu you're talking about isn't me, is it?"

"Kill everyone? Am I such a cruel person?"

The red-haired boy grinned, but a sinister glint appeared in his mouth.