Standing Ready

The reason he agreed was, on the one hand, sympathy for Neji and anger toward the Main Family.

More importantly, his time with Jiraiya, Kakashi, Naruto, and the others over the past few days had made Sasuke truly realize that a person could not live solely for hatred.

He really needed to find something to devote himself to after taking his revenge.

Besides, he had even deceived Toad Master with that nonsense about the so-called "Child of Prophecy."

If possible, he also wanted to do something for Jiraiya.

If he survived, that was.

"Good! Then let's start by passing tomorrow's Chunin Exams!"

Neji Hyuga extended a hand to Sasuke.

Under the sunlight, the two boys clasped hands tightly.

"Looks like there'll be plenty of work to do from now on."

Deceitful Monkey Kitsu smiled.

With a poof, he vanished.

At the same time, at the other end of Konoha, in the Council Hall of the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage was making the final deployment arrangements for all the elite shinobi.

"Tomorrow, we will welcome the grand finale—the final round of the Chunin Exams. Feudal lords and notable figures from various countries have already arrived in our village, all looking forward to this simulated military exercise.

"But! Based on the intelligence currently available, combined with the staff department's analysis, we believe Orochimaru is very likely to launch an attack tomorrow!"

"Can anyone tell me what the crisis response manual stipulates?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Phase One: eliminate the enemy's surprise attack force! If that cannot be accomplished, immediately proceed to Phase Two." Anko Mitarashi answered.

"Phase Two: lead all non-combatants into the Hokage Rock Secret Chamber for emergency shelter." Iruka continued.

"After evacuation is complete, Phase Three: mobilize the entire village's strength and wipe out the enemy!" Kakashi gave the final answer.

"Very good." The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction, then called out, "Sealing Team!"

"Here!"

A young Chunin, his face slick with sweat, stood there in extreme nervousness.

Ever since the Fourth Hokage had died in battle, Konoha's Sealing Team had steadily dwindled in talent. This Chunin was already the village's last remaining outstanding sealing shinobi.

Besides him, there were three Genin, who barely managed to form the Sealing Team together.

"How are your preparations for sealing Impure World Reincarnation coming along?"

"W-We'll complete the mission even if it kills us!"

During the few days of intensive training, the harder this Chunin worked, the more ashamed he became.

A seal designed for Impure World Reincarnation first required multiple shinobi to perform it jointly, while also demanding an extremely high degree of proficiency with Sealing Scrolls and the Cloth Binding Technique.

Furthermore, the sealed target's strength would directly affect whether the sealing succeeded. There were far too many variables.

Seeing the Chunin's performance, the Third Hokage secretly shook his head and continued:

"Barrier Team!"

"Here!"

A capable Tokubetsu Jonin snapped to attention, awaiting orders.

"Forty minutes after the event officially begins, at 9:10, lock down the entire village under the pretext of ensuring security! No one is permitted to enter or leave the village!"

"Yes!"

The Third Hokage turned and continued issuing new orders:

"Where is Ino-Shika-Cho?"

"Here!"

Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza responded in unison.

"Your three clans are to arm all your forces and defend the western perimeter tomorrow."

"Yes!"

"Anko Mitarashi, Inuzuka Tsume, Ibiki!"

"Your subordinates are here!"

"Lead your respective teams and cooperate with the Barrier Team to defend the village's southern entrance."

"Yes!"

"If the battle changes, the Inuzuka Clan is to make use of its superior mobility and immediately provide support to the nearest battlefield!"

"Yes!"

The wild and capable female clan head, Inuzuka Tsume, eagerly accepted the order.

"Aburame Clan, Hyuga Clan."

"Here!"

Aburame Shibi replied.

Hyuga Hiashi merely lifted his chin slightly to indicate that he was listening.

"I'll leave the eastern defenses to you."

The two acknowledged the order.

Earlier, during the staff meeting, Nara Shikaku had said:

"The eastern and western sides are surrounded by forests. Among them, the allied powers on land are all situated to the northwest, making the western side the most difficult to defend.

"Furthermore, the south is our village's main entrance. The roads are flat and convenient for marching, so it cannot be left unguarded.

"As for the east, it faces the sea in the distance. The land there is all territory of our Land of Fire, so the defensive pressure is lower."

Taking into account the strength and reliability of the village's major clans, the Third Hokage made the above arrangements.

At that thought, the Third Hokage gritted his teeth and continued his deployment:

"Genma Squad!"

"Here!"

Yamashiro Aoba, Namiashi Raidō, and Shiranui Genma answered together.

"Other than Shiranui Genma, the other two will each lead a team of Anbu to the western side and assist the Ino-Shika-Cho clans with the city defenses!"

Because Hayate Gekko had died, Shiranui Genma had no choice but to remain in the arena as a referee.

"But! We are your guards, Hokage! Your safety must—"

Namiashi Raidō protested, but before he could finish, the Third Hokage sternly cut him off:

"Follow orders!"

"Yes!"

As for the north, it was backed by towering mountains and dense forests, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Moreover, the arena for this grand event was located north of the village. He would personally stand guard over that direction!

"Kakashi, Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi."

"Here!"

The Jonin instructors responded in unison.

"As the teachers of the contestants, you will naturally remain inside the arena to observe the event. Should anything happen, your first priority is protecting the feudal lords and the other spectators.

"In addition, assign eight Anbu shinobi to work with you and ensure security at the venue."

"Eight—isn't that too few?" Kakashi frowned.

He was not worried about his own safety. Rather, that would mean the Hokage's own guard force would...

"Eight is already the greatest number we can spare after calculations."

At his side, Nara Shikaku answered calmly, without a trace of emotion in his voice.

"All right~~ then! Let me become the Hokage's guard!"

Might Guy flashed his gleaming white teeth and spoke with a sunny smile.

In his view, since the guard squad had already been divided up, he was also in the final-round arena, so naturally he should step up.

But how could a commoner-born man like him understand?

The moment he said that, the heads of the major clans all turned their gazes toward the Third Hokage.

Curious, probing, greedy eyes stared fixedly at the aging face of the alpha wolf, trying to catch even the slightest trace of fear or hesitation.

"Haha! So I've been underestimated." The Hokage laughed heartily. "Do I, who bear the title of the village's strongest fighter, the 'Shadow,' need to be protected like some old man?"

"That's right. This is the Hokage known as the Professor of Ninjutsu!"

Kakashi said at the right moment.

"Ah, right."

Might Guy awkwardly scratched his head.

Everyone broke into hearty laughter.

For a moment, the hall was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.