A large number of invitations were sent out from Konoha, delivered to every corner of the Shinobi World.
The small nations surrounding Konoha, as well as every major ninja village, received invitations.
The leaders of each village wore subtle expressions the moment they saw them.
"Konoha is actually organizing the Joint Chūnin Exams? What are they plotting?"
"It has only been three years since Konoha and Kumogakure signed their peace treaty, officially ending the Third Shinobi World War. For Konoha to make such a move..."
"Are they trying to probe the new generation of geniuses from every village, so they can prepare for the Fourth Shinobi World War? Hmph, they can't hide such petty schemes from me!"
The expressions of the village leaders shifted unpredictably.
The small countries around the Land of Fire, places like the Land of Grass, had no ability to refuse. Once Konoha sent an invitation, they had no choice but to accept it.
They immediately began selecting their more outstanding genin teams, intending to send them to Konoha.
"This is an opportunity to display our strength. Though we are a small nation and a Konoha subsidiary, we must show our strength all the more! We must make Konoha properly value and respect us."
"Therefore, I've decided to gather up the village's young chūnin first, then..."
"Demote all of these chūnin back to genin and send them to Konoha to compete! We absolutely cannot let Konoha look down on our village!"
Many small ninja villages immediately found an excellent method that could both satisfy Konoha and improve their own image.
Thus, in many small ninja villages, young chūnin who had painstakingly risen through the ranks by crazily taking missions and working themselves to the bone were bafflingly demoted back to genin and sent far away to the