Chunin Ninja Exams Announcement, Kakashi-sensei's Former Glory

Before they knew it, more than half a month had passed since Team 7 completed their mission in the Land of Waves.

Although everyone on Team 7 had performed well on that C-rank mission in the Land of Waves,

while they were in the village, they could still only take low-level missions like digging up sweet potatoes and looking after children.

One day, the three members of Team 7 were waiting at the training ground for Kakashi-sensei to announce their mission for the day.

Naruto suddenly sidled up to Shinki with a mysterious air and asked, "Shinki, have you noticed how many unfamiliar faces there are in the village lately?"

Shinki nodded.

He had noticed it a while ago too.

He had also noticed that the sudden influx of people weren't merchants, but Ninja wearing Forehead Protectors from various villages!

"Showing up in Konoha all of a sudden at a time like this, could they be plotting some huge conspiracy to invade the Land of Fire and destroy Konoha or something..."

Naruto speculated.

Then a strange look of anticipation appeared on his face (◔◡◔). "When the time comes, I can swoop down like a divine warrior, turn the tide, and save the day... The whole village of Konoha will hail me as a hero, and that old man the Third will step down and make way for me of his own accord. Gahahaha..."

"What are you thinking? You'd better hope nothing like that happens. In a major war, a single Ninja can only do so much."

Sasuke came over just then, and after hearing Naruto's daydream, he criticized him mercilessly. "Unless you have Wood Release too, and you're a God of Shinobi like the First Hokage."

"Is Wood Release that amazing?" Naruto scratched his head.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at him. "I told you to pay attention in class. It's a Kekkei Genkai that only the First Hokage had!"

While they were talking, Kakashi finally arrived late.

As usual, Kakashi came up with an utterly ridiculous excuse. "Sorry, everyone, I'm late again. I just helped an old lady cross the road on my way here..."

Naruto curled his lip and exposed him without mercy. "You just overslept, didn't you, sensei? You always use excuses that not even a child would believe."

Kakashi showed no sign of embarrassment and said seriously, "This time, there really is something important."

"I imagine you've noticed that a lot of strange Ninja have appeared in Konoha lately."

"We noticed. They're so conspicuous that even an idiot could see them," Naruto said.

Kakashi said, "Don't interrupt me! Naruto! (눈益눈)"

Kakashi continued, "You all know about the Chunin Ninja Exams, right?"

"They're the exams for Genin to become Chunin. They're held twice a year, and this time they're scheduled for July 1st, one week from now."

"I've submitted all three of your names."

"The Chunin Ninja Exams are an important occasion for allied nations to gauge each other's strength, so don't you three go embarrassing me."

Hearing this, Naruto was already imagining himself as a Chunin. He jumped up excitedly. "Awesome! I can finally become a Chunin!"

Kakashi looked displeased. "Don't jump to conclusions, kid. The elimination rate for the Chunin Ninja Exams is extremely high!"

"Really?" Naruto calmed down and asked with a bewildered look.

"Yes. Under normal circumstances, the elimination rate for the Chunin Ninja Exams is around seventy percent," Sasuke explained calmly from the side.

"Sasuke's right." Kakashi nodded.

"Huh?"

Naruto scratched his head. "But there seem to be plenty of Chunin in the village."

Kakashi patiently began to explain. "That's because the Chunin Ninja Exams are held twice a year. If you don't pass once, you can keep taking them."

"So I'm not expecting much of you to pass this time. I just want you to see a major event for yourselves."

"But this time, I overruled everyone's objections and insisted on submitting the names of you three rookies, so don't let me down."

When Kakashi finished speaking, his gaze fell on Shinki.

Of the three of them, only Shinki was dependable.

It was no exaggeration to say that if Shinki performed as usual, he might even be able to attempt the more difficult Jonin exams, let alone the Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Kakashi-sensei, there's something I've always wanted to ask. When did you become a Chunin?" Naruto raised his hand and asked.

Kakashi's eyes grew thoughtful, and then he answered seriously, "Around... six years old?"

Naruto: ???

Shinki: ???

Sasuke: ???

⊙▽⊙

Was everyone in the older generation this strong?!

Six was how old Shinki had been when he entered the Ninja Academy!

Sure enough, there really was a huge gap between him and the truly powerful!

Kakashi-sensei was just a perfectly ordinary one of Konoha's many Jonin, yet he had such credentials!

It seemed Konoha's Ninja really did have hidden talents and unfathomable depths!

"Then, sensei, when did you become a Jonin?" Shinki asked next.

Kakashi's eyes grew thoughtful again. "Twelve, I think..."

Shinki, Sasuke, Naruto: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ

In other words, they had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy.

At the same age, Kakashi had already become a Jonin and could lead a squad into battle to kill enemies on his own!

How terrifying!

Seeing the shocked expressions on the young Ninja's faces, Kakashi smiled and explained, "It was wartime when I became a Jonin, so the circumstances were unusual. You can't compare yourselves to me back then."

Shinki took this as Kakashi-sensei being modest!

In fact, Kakashi had other credentials he hadn't mentioned.

For example, after becoming a Jonin and receiving a special Jonin gift from a certain comrade, he had joined the Anbu.

He had become an Anbu Captain in just three years.

It was a height others could never reach in their entire lives!

"All right, we won't be taking any village missions for the next few days. Make the most of your time and prepare for the Chunin Ninja Exams."

After informing them about the Chunin Ninja Exams, Kakashi disappeared again.

Sasuke left right after him.

He was going to train hard and shine in the Chunin Ninja Exams! He would prove his strength to everyone!

Meanwhile, Naruto and Shinki also began preparing in earnest.

At noon, Shinki bought groceries and cooked as usual.

He had just used the Flying Thunder God Formula when he ran into Konohamaru Sarutobi again!

Shinki realized that every time he ran into the little guy, he was either at the market or on his way there.

Could the market be Konohamaru's fixed spawn point?

As soon as Konohamaru saw Shinki, he rushed up and hugged his leg, pleading, "Big brother Shinki! You finally showed up. I've been waiting for you for ages!"

"What is it?" Shinki asked with a dark expression.

He had a feeling the kid was going to bring up something troublesome again.

"Teach me another Ninjutsu! The one you used to blast a huge crater with a boom last time! You only taught me the basics last time. You still haven't taught me the enhanced version!" Konohamaru begged.

Shinki realized that Konohamaru was probably talking about Wind Release: Shuriken.

After learning the Rasengan, the kid had dared to use it on the Third Hokage!

If he learned Wind Release: Shuriken and threw that at the Third Hokage too, they'd be in trouble!

That could really kill someone!

So Shinki found an excuse and refused outright. "No. I'm about to take the Chunin Ninja Exams, and teaching you would take up time. We'll talk after I become a Chunin."