When One Finishes, Another Takes the Stage

Time slipped by unnoticed, and the day of the finals was fast approaching.

On this day, in the tavern.

"Jiraiya- senpai, when are you going to release a sequel to 'Icha Icha Paradise'? I've been waiting for it for ages!"

Kakashi looked at Jiraiya with anticipation, holding a copy of "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hand, which had Jiraiya's autograph on it!

Jiraiya took a swig of sake before slowly looking at his loyal fan and waving his hand.

"Ah! Writing a book requires inspiration, especially a good one, which doesn't come out so easily!"

Hearing this, Kakashi could only shut up in frustration. Jiraiya often traveled around in search of inspiration, and new works would be created soon after he returned to the village each time.

Just as I was about to ask about the next new book, I turned around and found that the person had already disappeared.

Then his lewd voice came from nearby.

"Hey beautiful, you're drinking here too! How about we come over to my place tonight? I have a three-legged Toad there!"

The two girls, who were already in a bad mood, immediately got angry when they heard Jiraiya's shameless flirting.

"Pah... you old lecher! Shameless!"

I'll beat you to death!

"Ah... have mercy..."

The two women pinned Jiraiya to the ground and then began punching and kicking him.

Jiraiya humiliated in front of his juniors after his initial setback, Jiraiya summoned a Toad.

"Hey... Kakashi, I'm going out of the village to look for some inspiration. Can you tell Naruto for me?"

After saying that, he didn't care what Kakashi thought, and disappeared in a flash.

After you finish singing, I take the stage!

Not long after Jiraiya left the village, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, arrived in Konoha.

"Kazekage Fengying, thank you for your trouble!"

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally came to the village entrance to greet him, accompanied by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, with several Jonin behind them.

The three of them sized up Rasa and his group. Kazekage Rasa was almost completely covered up from head to toe, wearing sunglasses and a veil underneath.

Behind him were also three or five Sunagakure. As for why there were three or five, it was because there were three on the surface, but two more were hidden.

This lineup is perfectly normal. Not to mention Rasa, who came all the way here, there are quite a few Anbu Ninja hiding in the shadows.

The group looked travel-worn, clearly having endured a long journey.

Feeling the other person's scrutinizing gaze, Rasa met their eyes. After so many years, his teacher had indeed aged!

Rasa smiled at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then said:

"Not at all, Lord Hokage 're too kind! The wind and sand on the road were so strong, I'm sorry you had to see me dressed like this."

The others didn't doubt the truth of his words, because they all knew the environment of the Land of Wind, and this kind of attire was perfectly normal there.

"It was my fault for being so negligent. Please come in, Lord Kazekage!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the two followed the Third Hokage into Konoha.

On the day Rasa arrived, the finalists for the Chunin Ninja Exams were announced a day early.

Whether it was fate or coincidence, Gaara's opponent was still Sasuke, and he was even placed in the first match!

When Rasa learned of this, he smiled slightly. He didn't expect Konoha to be so accommodating, arranging for his son to take the field right away.

Of course, he no longer cared about these things; he had more important things to do.

The Chunin Ninja Exams finals were held as scheduled the following day!

The ninjas who made it to the finals began to enter the venue one after another. Whether they had been specifically instructed or for some other reason, Sasuke and Kakashi were not late this time.

Kakashi appeared at the edge of the training ground with Naruto and Sasuke, while Guy was also with Rock Lee.

After a month of rest, although Rock Lee still has bandages wrapped around his body, he seems to be able to move around freely. It's just unknown how much of his strength he can unleash.

Facing the finals, even with old injuries not fully healed, it's unavoidable unless you voluntarily give up.

In the Original Work, Zaku, one of the Sound Ninja Trio, had to play even with his arm in a cast, which shows how strict the competition rules were.

The other teachers leading the teams, such as Asuma and Anko, had already arrived with their respective students.

Next up are the Konoha Anbu Ninja, followed by the Kazekage and the Third Hokage.

Besides these two heavyweight figures, someone unexpected yet reasonable also arrived: Shimura Danzō!

"I never expected you to be interested in this kind of thing!"

The speaker was Hiruzen Sarutobi, his words tinged with sarcasm.

It's understandable that he would care about such a major event concerning the village, but for someone like Danzo who wouldn't act without a profit motive, his arrival was unexpected by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hmph! I've only come to see how strong Konoha's new generation is, and whether their comfortable upbringing has turned them into good-for-nothings!"

Danzo said without any politeness. Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned upon hearing this, but since there were outsiders present, he didn't want to argue with him and make a fool of himself.

"Lord Hokage, who is this gentleman?"

Rasa, who was standing nearby, spoke up at the right moment to break the unpleasant conversation between the two.

Upon hearing the question, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately introduced Danzo Rasa.

"Please excuse my poor appearance. This is Elder Danzo of Konoha!"

Upon hearing this, Rasa seemed to suddenly understand and immediately nodded politely to Danzo.

Danzo stopped putting on a sour face and responded to him in the same way.

In fact, the two sides had already made contact. Danzo came here for two reasons: one was for Rasa, and the other was for the kid with the Uchiha pattern on his back, the Factory Manager.

Not long ago, Kabuto had already reported to him that the Kazekage of Sunagakure wanted to talk to him about in-depth cooperation between the two villages.

This Chunin Ninja Exams is just the beginning of cooperation between the two sides. As for deeper cooperation, Danzo is also very interested in that.

If he were to become Hokage one day, he would not only need the recognition of the villagers, but also international support, Rasa would be a good ally.

As for the other reason, it was that Kabuto told him that the Uchiha brats had the idea of joining Root, which reminded him of Itachi and Shisui. Putting aside other reasons, both of them were excellent swords.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi warned him not to lay a hand on Jinchuriki or Uchiha brats, if they volunteered to serve him, then it was none of his business.

At that point, even Hiruzen Sarutobi, or even Itachi, won't be able to say anything.

He never doubted that Dou would deceive him, because the consequences of deceiving him were obvious.

In addition, such matters can be easily clarified by asking the other party after the match.

He's also here to see how well Sasuke is performing, or rather, to see how far the other guy's Sharingan has developed.

If he were truly as extraordinary as Shisui, then he would have to make some plans, though these thoughts were unknown to others.

At this moment, the audience gradually took their seats, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions also found a seat near the front.

Coincidentally, Rasa was sitting right between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Upon noticing this, a slight smile appeared on the corner of Rasa's mouth beneath his veil...