Chunin Exam?

In the 60th year of Konoha, late summer and early autumn.

The Kusagakure was robbed.

More than two-thirds of the Jonin in Kusagakure were killed, and a large number of Special Jonin and Chunin died suddenly.

It wasn't that no one resisted, but all the resisters were killed by Katsuki. Their bodies were stuck to the wall like murals, and it took a lot of effort to pry them off.

The once bustling village was turned into a scene of utter devastation after this ordeal, with hundreds of new graves added to the cemetery outside the village.

The tombstone makers have been incredibly busy these past few days, making a fortune.

The news spread like wildfire, dropping a bombshell on the Shinobi World that had been peaceful for fifteen years, leaving many people in a state of turmoil.

The Cloud Ninja, Stone Ninja, and Sand Village were all getting restless. They sent messengers and spies, using all sorts of methods, both overt and covert, just to figure out what kind of strange wind had caused the natural disaster in Konoha and how it had managed to kill their allies so severely.

The Grass Ninja in such a terrible state, it will probably take them twenty or thirty years to recover.

The Grass Ninja has had terrible luck, so who will be next?

This problem made the film crew very uneasy, yet they were helpless to solve it.

Katsuki's current status in the Shinobi World is similar to that of Hashirama Senju his prime; however, he is an absolute calamity, a far cry from the peace-loving First Hokage...

"Hey, what's with this natural disaster happening in Konoha?"

The Third Raikage stroked his long, white beard, his face filled with melancholy.

"... I don't know. Could it be that the Grass Ninja betrayed Konoha and defected to the Stone Ninja?" A guessed.

The Third Raikage nodded; the reason seemed quite reasonable.

The opportunistic behavior of the Kusagakure is well-known. Their allegiance to Konoha for the past decade or so is simply because Konoha is currently at its peak...

"Konoha at its peak!"

The Third Raikage was filled with emotion. With Uzumaki Katsuki around, Konoha in this era was not to be trifled with.

Ai's expression was equally complex. Being born in the same era as Konoha's natural disaster was a misfortune; their generation had no hope of competing with Konoha, and they could only place their hopes on the next generation...

However, the new generation of Konoha seems to be quite strong, with Jonin after another emerging.

Every time the Third Raikage saw this intelligence, he felt like he was about to have a heart attack.

"Ah, what do you think about us joining forces with Konoha to hold Chunin Ninja Exams? Let's find out what Konoha's strength is and assess Konoha future prospects..." the Third Raikage suddenly asked.

"Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Ai frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

"I'm afraid Konoha won't agree. Although we didn't participate in the Third Shinobi World War, we don't have any real relationship with them either! Why would they rashly send someone here?"

This is the truth. Ever since the incident with the Second Hokage, the relationship between Konoha and Cloud Ninja has been quite disharmonious. In recent years, Cloud Ninja has tried to improve relations with Konoha, but Konoha has completely ignored them. Orochimaru doesn't Cloud Ninja these mountain barbarians.

His attitude was even more resolute than that of the Third Hokage. If it were the Third Hokage, he might have considered whether it would lead to a conflict with the Cloud Ninja, and might have made some compromises for the sake of peace.

But Orochimaru is fearless.

"I know, but... why don't you give it a try, Ai? Why don't you go to Konoha yourself?"

The Third Raikage stared intently at A.

"Whether you succeed or not, it's good for you to go and see Konoha. Although there's been a lot of information about Konoha over the years, some things can only be understood by seeing them with your own eyes."

As he spoke, the old man sighed. His tall and robust body was now slightly thin. Even he could not resist the ravages of time. He didn't know when it started, but his body had slowly declined from its peak condition.

His current combat strength is only six or seven tenths of his peak.

"I see."

Ai nodded. He was also very curious about how outstanding Konoha's younger generation was, and he had read quite a bit of that mind-blowing information.

Konoha.

"What have you been Katsuki? I haven't seen her around."

Otoha sat on the sofa in the living room and looked at her younger sister across from her, asking a question.

"I got a scolding from the Lord Hokage, and lately I don't know what I've been messing around with at the training ground!" Otome said calmly.

Katsuki handled Orochimaru's actions in Kusagakure quite decisively, classifying it as an accidental injury. Konoha would provide the Grass Ninja with some compensation, but that would be all.

The punishment Katsuki received was merely a verbal reprimand and a three-month salary deduction.

To set an example for the other allies, Katsuki simply took leave and left all the work at the Ninja Academy to the vice Principal, while he stayed home and enjoyed his vacation.

"I see!" Otoha clicked her tongue. "What about Shuyuan? I heard from Shisui that Shuyuan has performed exceptionally well in the recent missions, and they're planning to recommend him for the Chunin Ninja Exams. In comparison, my idiot is far inferior. Kimimaro hasn't given me any definite answer yet."

"The Chunin Ninja Exams?" Otome looked at her carefree brother with surprise and asked in confusion, "Didn't the village just organize a Chunin Ninja Exams last year, in conjunction with Rain Ninja and Sunagakure? Why is there another one this year?"

The Chunin Ninja Exams are held every three years, according to the rules.

"This matter seems to be related to the Cloud Ninja envoy who came a couple of days ago."

"An envoy from the Cloud Ninja?"

It's no wonder that Otome was unaware; when she's immersed in her own world, she doesn't concern herself with these matters.

Even though the Uzumaki Clan had already gathered this intelligence.

"It seems the Cloud Ninja invited us to co-organize the Chunin Ninja Exams in Kumogakure, and they're even planning to invite the Sand and Rain Ninja to participate as well." Otoha said, his face filled with disbelief. "I really don't know what's gotten into the Cloud Ninja. Our bad relationship with Cloud Ninja isn't something new..."

"However, what's truly puzzling is that it seems the Lord Hokage has agreed to the Cloud Ninja's request and has already sent a message to all the Jonin Genin Chunin who are accompanied by Genin, requiring anyone who wants to participate in this additional Chunin Ninja Exams to submit a report."

"The village will organize people to go to Kumogakure."

At this point, Otoha shook his head, saying that the reputation of the Cloud Ninja was really not good.

The Second Hokage was attacked by the Cloud Ninja during their alliance ceremony, and those crazy Cloud Ninja even killed their own Raikage.

When he gets really crazy, he'll even attack his own people. Who wouldn't be afraid?

"I see!" Otome nodded, without much reaction, and simply said, "As long as Katsuki doesn't object, I have no problem with it. Kumogakure isn't some dangerous place; if something really happens, Shuyuan can handle it."

When Shuyuan is mentioned, Otome's eyes are filled with pride.

Otoha frowned. He had always been curious about what was so special about his nephew, Shuyuan. He always felt that Shuyuan possessed a secret he didn't know. (To be continued)