The Chunin Exam Participant, Me, Was Broadcast Live!

"Don't you want to become the top student?" Hinata felt that Kitahara Kaede was comforting her.

"Yes," Kitahara Kaede said. "Because that would probably make me sought after by a lot of people."

"Everyone likes to chase after the first place."

"But they never consider how the first place feels, or whether they find it annoying."

In his previous life, Kitahara Kaede had been just like that—constantly pursued by others.

Then his time was forcibly spent dealing with them.

In the end, he couldn't even finish his own homework, so he stayed up late writing it... and then he was gone.

Hinata sensed Kitahara Kaede's emotions.

But she didn't quite understand.

Then Kitahara Kaede continued, "When that happens, the girls will line up at the door asking for guidance..."

"They'll only come over at night, and then while writing, they'll end up in bed."

"They just won't let you do your homework."

"By the time you can finally write it, you have no energy left."

"Huh? Huh-huh-huh!?"

"Th-then, it's better not to become the top student."

Hinata quickly said in a fluster.

Kitahara Kaede watched Hinata's nervous, flushed little face. At this rate, with just a little push, Hinata would be devoted to him, wouldn't she?

Add to that his identity as the only successful Wood Release Experiment Subject, even the proud Hyuga Clan wouldn't stop him from interacting with Hinata.

Or maybe this was the peaceful life he wanted. Then let it be even more peaceful.

Ding!

Just as Kitahara Kaede was escorting Hinata back to the Hyuga Clan residence, a huge change occurred across the entire ninja world.

A voice exploded in the minds of the chosen ones.

"Kakashi—"

"What's wrong with you?"

Might Guy had been on a joint mission with Kakashi when he found his teammate suddenly passing out.

Kakashi felt like his head was splitting open, as if his consciousness had entered a unique space.

[Welcome to the Myriad Realms Chat System. This group is also known as the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group]

Kitahara Kaede?

Kakashi was bewildered, because he knew that name.

While carrying out the Third Hokage's Anbu orders, he had investigated Orochimaru's research facility and discovered Tenzo, who could use Wood Release. From Tenzo, he learned there was another successful experiment subject.

So with the Third Hokage's support, they had taken Kitahara Kaede back from Orochimaru.

As Kakashi was stunned, his eyes widened.

Because a new message appeared on the void screen before him.

[Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group successfully created. Welcome, Sixth Hokage, to the small group. Starting to screen candidates. Preliminary extraction range: all past Hokage of Konoha. This round, 3 past Hokage will be selected to join.]

[Ding!]

[Welcome, Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, to the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group]

Minato Namikaze: Huh? Didn't I die? Where is this?

Minato Namikaze: Kakashi! Is that you? Did you die too?

[Welcome, First Hokage Hashirama Senju, to the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group]

Minato Namikaze, Kakashi: Lord First Hokage! Am I dreaming?!

Hashirama Senju: ? Who are you?

Minato Namikaze: Lord First Hokage, I'm the Fourth, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze!

Hashirama Senju: Ah, Konoha already has a Fourth, how nice~ So how is Konoha now?

Minato Namikaze: Uh, sorry, I'm already dead, so I'm not too sure.

Hashirama Senju: ??? Did Konoha fall?

[Welcome, Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, to the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group]

Tobirama Senju: What is this place?

Hashirama Senju: "Tobirama, I missed you so much... You're here too!"

Tobirama Senju: "Big brother, don't get too excited. Anyway, where is this? I remember dying to protect Hiruzen and the others during the treaty signing with the Second Raikage. Could this be the Impure World Reincarnation?"

Kakashi: "Lord First, Lord Second, Teacher Minato, this probably isn't the Impure World Reincarnation, because I'm not dead yet."

Everyone: "And who are you?"

Kakashi: "I'm Kakashi."

Hashirama Senju: "Never heard of you, but since you called me Lord First, you must be a brat from Konoha."

Minato Namikaze: "Kakashi is my student. Allow me to reintroduce myself—I am the Fourth Hokage."

Tobirama Senju: "The Fourth, huh. So Hiruzen is dead?"

Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat.

Why do both Lord First and Lord Second start their greetings with 'Are you dead?'

Kakashi: "It seems our souls have all come to this space, but I don't know exactly what happened. What I am sure of is that I'm not dead yet, because I can sense changes in my body. For example, right now I'm being carried by Might Guy. But I can still feel myself breathing on my own."

Tobirama Senju: "I see. So this is some kind of higher-level jutsu? Still, being able to connect the living and the dead is impressive."

"Ding!"

A sound like magnetic interference rang through everyone's minds.

Code
[Let me reintroduce this once and only once. Welcome, all of you, to the Myriad Realms Chat System.]
[This group is also known as the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group.]
[Current members: 4. Completing the daily Observe Kitahara Kaede mini-task will unlock the ability to invite new members.]
[Note: You come from different eras. This small group has specially gathered you together—partly to show you the truth of your times, and partly to hope you all meet a good end.]

Chapter 004: So This Kid Can Use Wood Style—Wait, Big Brother, Did You Cheat?!

Code
[Note: You come from different eras. This small group has specially gathered you together—partly to show you the truth of your times, and partly to hope you all meet a good end.]

Kakashi, Minato, the First Hokage, and Tobirama Senju examined the information displayed on the void screen before them.

Among these people, aside from the First Hokage, the rest were the brains of the group.

Tobirama Senju: "Heh. If it's about the truth of the times, that's fine. But saying 'meet a good end'—aside from Kakashi, we're all dead. Do dead people still need to worry about a bad end?"

Minato Namikaze: "Even the dead aren't safe."

Hashirama Senju: "?? What do you mean?"

Minato Namikaze: "Lord Second created the Impure World Reincarnation. That jutsu can summon the dead back. It can even erase their will and use them as tools."

Tobirama Senju: "So what? I created that jutsu for Konoha's victory. There's nothing shameful about it! And a key requirement is having a piece of the target's flesh."

Kakashi: "Well, Lord Second, about three years ago, the Senju Clan's graves were robbed. Your body and Lord First's body both went missing."

Hashirama Senju: "..."

Tobirama Senju: "What the hell? So someone wants to toy with me? That's a grave disrespect! Can't even guard my tomb—what was Hiruzen thinking!"

Minato Namikaze: "In any case, Lord Second, please calm down. Let's focus on figuring out how to use this chat group. We can't change the past, but we can try to salvage the future, can't we?"

Hashirama Senju: "You're a good kid. Sharp mind."

Minato Namikaze: "Thank you for the compliment."

Tobirama Senju: "Then let's study this Myriad Realms Chat System—no, the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group. The screen earlier said we need to observe Kitahara Kaede every day, right? So who is this Kitahara Kaede kid?"

Minato Namikaze: "I don't recognize the name either. Is he from Konoha?"

Kakashi: "I know him. He's the one who can use Wood Style."

Hashirama Senju: "Whoa! Finally, someone from the Senju Clan has awakened Wood Style again! Little brother, now you can't say I've been hogging it all to myself. The Senju Clan is awesome!"

Kakashi: "Um... Lord First, Lord Second, this Kitahara Kaede isn't from the Senju Clan."

Hashirama Senju: "..."

Tobirama Senju: "That's impossible. I ran so many experiments—none of the Senju Clan could awaken big brother's Wood Style. Why would an outsider awaken it?"

Tobirama Senju: "Wait... Big brother, did you cheat? Do you have an illegitimate child?"

Hashirama Senju: Huh? No, that's not it, I'm devoted to Mito with all my heart. If you say that, I'll get killed.

Tobirama Senju: Big brother, you blockhead, aren't you already dead? How could you still get killed!

Hashirama Senju: That's true too.

[Ding, the observation time for Kitahara Kaede has arrived. If group members don't start observing, one person will be randomly selected and granted a special title.]

The system's prompt suddenly rang out.

[The selected target is Hashirama Senju, granted the special title—Hashirama Senju. Hashirama Senju's title has been equipped.]

Hashirama Senju: Huh? I've been picked... Wait, what is this? I don't want it!

Hashirama Senju suddenly shouted.

He was known as the God of Shinobi, not some "Hashirama Senju" nonsense.

[Titles cannot be canceled, only stacked.]

Tobirama Senju: This little group is kind of interesting. Big brother, you were already a blockhead—back then, you wanted to give away all the tailed beasts. No smart guy would ever do something like that. I think this title fits you perfectly.

Hashirama Senju: Boohoo... Tobirama, you're my little brother, and even you say that about me.

Tobirama Senju: That's a different matter. Now, let's get to the point. Big brother got that title just now because we hadn't started observing this kid named [Kitahara Kaede]. So let's begin the observation.

Then the four people in the group found a unified option appearing before their eyes.

[Start observing Kitahara Kaede?]

There were options for yes and no.

All four of them tapped the [Yes] option.

Everyone saw the interface change, and a scene appeared in their field of vision.

The evening lights were on, a desk lamp was lit, and a young man sat at the table. Clear tea was brewed to the side, and he was quietly reading a book.

Everyone focused on the young man's appearance.