The Question of Candidates

The courtyard of the Uzumaki Clan.

The long corridor winds its way through the ancient trees, and the strange rocks in the pond are covered with moss, making it a truly pleasing sight.

A dark shadow swept past, creating a strong gust of wind that shook the branches and leaves, rushing across the green tiles and white walls.

"Too slow, Shuyuan!"

"Bang!"

As the sound faded, the fleeing black shadow flew back like a cannonball, crashing headfirst into the ornamental pool, causing the three-meter-high strange rock in the pool to sway wildly.

"Ptooey! Ptooey!!"

Shuyuan poked her head out of the pond and quickly climbed out.

"Father, couldn't you have gone a little easier? I'm your own son!"

Rubbing her numb shoulder, Shuyuan complained to Katsuki who was walking over. Her arm was numb from the impact, and her elbow, which had been used to block Katsuki's kick, was also sore.

"Don't try to act tough with me, you brat. I learned your Hardening Technique by hand, and I know exactly how much effort I put in."

Katsuki ruffled her son's wet hair with a hint of annoyance.

Shuyuan's eyes started to wander, and she stopped pretending to rub her shoulders.

"Your movement speed still needs to be a bit faster, but your reaction time is quicker than before. You definitely need more practical experience..." Looking at the silent Shuyuan, Katsuki shook her head and smiled, stopping her lecture. "Don't just stand there daydreaming, go back and change your clothes!"

After taking a shower and changing into dry clothes, Shuyuan went to the corridor and sat down.

Shuyuan, have you filled out your application form?

"It's already been handed over to Shisui- sensei... Father, what's the general process for the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Shuyuan asked.

"Well! How should I put it? I didn't participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams. I was promoted through meritorious service on the battlefield. As for the Chunin Ninja Exams... I did help organize them twice, but we organized them ourselves. This time, the organizer is the Cloud Ninja, so I don't know the specific format."

Seeing the slight disappointment in her son's eyes, Katsuki couldn't help but smile.

"Is it necessary to be so disappointed? Although I don't know how the Cloud Ninja will operate, I imagine it won't be much different in general."

"I don't know if the Cloud Ninja will value the written test, but given Cloud Ninja temperament, practical combat will definitely be the main focus. I guess there will be team battles and individual battles! How they plan things out will depend on the Cloud Ninja."

The Cloud Ninja are notoriously combative. Even a fool could guess that the Chunin Ninja Exams are all about real combat.

"No written test? That's for the best!"

Shuyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"What? I didn't know you were afraid of the written exam at Shuyuan?" Katsuki asked curiously.

"I'm not worried. It's that idiot Naruto's in trouble. If there's a written test, that would be a huge problem."

When Shuyuan mentioned Naruto, Katsuki immediately understood.

"Haha! Naruto's personality isn't really suited for written tests. Luckily, this time it's hosted by the Cloud Ninja, so the chances of a written test are slim."

Hokage Building.

Orochimaru is processing the application forms submitted by the Jonin.

Unlike previous events which were held in the village itself, this time the event will be held in Kumogakure, so appropriate preparations need to be made.

"There are more people than expected!"

Looking at the tall stack of application forms beside him, Orochimaru stroked his chin and began to ponder.

There are over a hundred people in this group. Such a large team needs a leader to manage it. As the saying goes, a snake can't function without a head!

The team Jonin, many of whom were highly skilled, but they were all too young...

"Kimimaro, what do you think is the best course of action? There are over a hundred people, including more than twenty Chunin and Jonin leading the teams. Let's not even talk about the Chunin; just the dozen or so Jonin among them are too much for the average person to handle!"

Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, looking at his apprentice who was standing in front of the filing cabinet organizing old documents, and asked for his opinion.

"If ordinary people can't manage it, then we'll find extraordinary people to manage it!" Kimimaro replied without turning his head, arranging the documents according to their time, importance, and other criteria.

"Well said!"

Orochimaru tapped his fingers on the wooden armrest, beginning to ponder who would be the best leader.

First, Katsuki?

No, no, Katsuki- kun must be the first to pass. The tragedy of Kusagakure must never be repeated. Although he would be happy to see Cloud Ninja suffer, Cloud Ninja is different from Grass Ninja.

If Katsuki- kun were to lose his temper again, a new round of the Shinobi World War would break out.

The second candidate is Sakumo... but that won't work either. Sakumo- senpai retired a long time ago, and it's uncertain how much of his strength he still retains. Besides, inviting a retired old man would make Konoha seem like it has no one else to rely on...

"If Jiraiya that idiot Jiraiya hadn't left."

Orochimaru muttered to himself.

Jiraiya a very reliable candidate, but he only returned for a short while before embarking on a new journey again.

"How long are that idiot and Tsunade going to drag this out?!"

Orochimaru sighed, then continued to ponder over suitable candidates to lead the team.

"Nawaki... Nawaki, that's also a bit troublesome."

Nawaki is the head of the Senju Clan, and it's fine for him to also serve as the Hokage's Assistant, since he's still in the village. However, leading a team to Kumogakure for an extended period of time might not be feasible, as the Uzumaki Clan Senju Clan is not as small and insignificant as the Uzumaki clan.

The clan chief, Nawaki, has the obligation to manage the daily lives of thousands of clan members, from their food and drink to their births, aging, illnesses, and deaths.

"If we calculate it this way, only Shui is suitable... Mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique would be enough to avoid any unexpected events..."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up; as expected, Minato was the most suitable candidate.

As for the Root matters, they can be left to the Deputy Chief to manage. If that's not possible, either Katsuki or Nawaki can help out for ten days or half a month, no problem.

"In that case, we might as well have Kakashi join in and assist Minato as well."

Orochimaru thought it over and over and over again. Minato was the chief envoy, and Kakashi was the deputy envoy. After all, Kakashi was the Deputy Chief of the Anbu, which was one level below Minato. Moreover, he was a student who was trained by Team Minato.

"Kimimaro, stop sorting through those old documents. Go to Root and Anbu and fetch Minato and Kakashi for me."

"Okay, teacher."

Kimimaro put down the folder, pushed open the door, and left.

Orochimaru sat in the chair, continuing to ponder.

Having served Hokage for so many years, Orochimaru's influence has grown increasingly stronger. In the past, he would sometimes convene the elders to discuss matters, but in the last two years, unless absolutely necessary, he has mostly made decisions on his own.

"... Cloud Ninja, you want to see the true strength of Konoha? Hmph, this time you'll see enough! Open your dog eyes wide and watch carefully, the future of the Shinobi World will still be decided by Konoha."

At the top of the stack of application forms was a handwritten note, easily recognizable as the Lord Hokage's handwriting to anyone working in the building.

The text above is a string of names: Uzumaki Shuyuan, Sasuke Uchiha Naruto Uzumaki, Neji Hyuga, Senju Sayuri, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Yuki Haku, Kimimaro Kaguya...

Among these names, the oldest was only fifteen years old, while the others were all twelve or thirteen-year-old boys and girls—very young children, the future hope of Konoha. (To be continued)