Participating in the Chunin Exam, I Was Broadcast Live!

Even so, the Hokage's direct Anbu had a large number of members.

The minimum requirement was Chunin, while the Vice-Captain and Captains were Jonin.

They were divided into six squads, with nearly 20 people per squad, making it a force of over 100 Chunin-level or higher shinobi.

This would be intimidating in any village.

Kitahara Kaede calmly followed the female Anbu member who was handing off the task.

The female Anbu had purple hair. Although she wore a mask, her posture and gait suggested she was not unattractive.

If he had to guess her identity, it would be the beautiful Anbu member from the original story, Yugao Uzuki.

The reason was the twin swords she carried on her back.

Not many people in Konoha's Anbu used swords, and she was a woman, so it was highly likely this was Yugao Uzuki.

Yugao Uzuki was very attractive, likely second only to Kurenai Yuhi among Konoha's women in their early twenties.

"The Third Hokage is inside." Her voice was unadorned, carrying a hint of coolness.

"Mmm..." Kitahara Kaede nodded lightly, and Yugao Uzuki did not follow him in.

However, the [Kitahara Kaede Observation Chat Group] focused all its attention on him.

Mainly the people of Konoha.

Because...

The First Hokage, Second Hokage, and Fourth Hokage Minato were all... keenly watching the Third Hokage.

Now that Kitahara Kaede had been summoned by the Third, how could he not look at the Third?

Pushing the door open, one could see the Third Hokage diligently reviewing documents at his desk.

A stack on the left, and another stack pressed down under his hand.

As if just noticing him, he shifted his gaze to Kitahara Kaede.

"Ah, Kaede, you're here."

The Third Hokage straightened up, holding his lower back.

He seemed to be having some difficulty, but he smiled, his expression one of paternal affection.

He didn't possess the usual authority of a Hokage, instead resembling a kindly neighborly grandfather.

He seemed quite approachable.

However, Kitahara Kaede surmised that this was likely an act.

The reason was that he wasn't using a modern fountain pen for his Hokage approvals, but a quill.

And the inkwell on the Third Hokage's desk was empty.

Some dried ink stains around the empty inkwell indicated he hadn't actually been diligently reviewing documents; indeed, he couldn't have already reviewed one stack and have another one pressed down.

He was merely putting on a show of being diligent and kind.

Kitahara Kaede knew that the Third Hokage invested a great deal of emotional energy in him.

Not out of personal affection, but rather to pass on the Will of Fire.

Yes.

After all, he was the only successful test subject for Wood Release. Although Yamato existed before him, Yamato could only use basic structures and wasn't considered successful.

Wood Release was not only a weapon for Konoha but also a weapon capable of restraining the Nine-Tails.

If the Nine-Tails could be controlled well, it could become an absolute weapon for the village, much like the One-Tail.

However, given Konoha's history of the Nine-Tails being controlled by the Sharingan and the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, the Third Hokage had never considered using the Nine-Tails as a weapon; restraining it was sufficient.

In this context, the person he naturally focused on wasn't Naruto, but Kitahara Kaede.

Wood Release countered the Nine-Tails.

The Nine-Tails was a nuisance.

This was the general consensus among Konoha's leadership.

And how to master Wood Release?

That would be through... the Will of Fire.

The Will of Fire guides you to protect the village, to consider the village as the most important thing.

And even to dedicate everything to it.

Then... the Third Hokage's objective would be fulfilled.

Kitahara Kaede knew very well that the Third Hokage had been consistently showing goodwill and deliberately nurturing Kaede's feelings for Konoha.

However, some people are born that way – incapable of empathy.

People's joys and sorrows are not the same, so naturally, they won't be shared.

Therefore, no matter how much you brainwash them, it's no use.

And Kitahara Kaede was precisely that kind of person.

Kitahara Kaede calmly analyzed the Third Hokage's actions.

Meanwhile, there was movement in the small group chat.

[Kitahara Kaede Observes (^-^) Chat Group]

[Hashirama Senju]:Is this the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

[Hashirama Senju]:As expected, Danzō has black hair, but this Third Hokage… hmm, Sarutobi has gotten this old.

[Tobirama Senju]:……

[Tobirama Senju]:Even in his old age, I still want him to come see me.

[Tobirama Senju]:I want to ask him, how exactly did he manage Konoha to become like this!

[Hashirama Senju]:Ah, I want to ask too… forget it.

Hashirama Senju originally wanted to question him as well. He had heard a lot of his secrets in this group chat.

Things like the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan, how everyone was an orphan, and then Danzō actually installing a Sharingan and using his Hashirama Cells…

He truly had no confidence in this Konoha that he had once built with his own hands…

Ps: To those brothers and friends who give evaluation tickets, you'll grow 2 cm taller tonight!

Chapter 038: Chunin Exam, The Hokage's Request! (Seeking Data)

"Kaede, how was your experience leaving the village this time?"

The Third Hokage displayed a gentle expression, like a kindly old grandfather from next door.

"I found it quite novel," Kitahara Kaede replied. "But I also gained valuable experience."

"Teacher Kakashi said my creation, the 'Three Rooms and a Hall,' has great development potential."

"Three Rooms and a Hall, huh…" The Third Hokage smiled. "Well, your strength is more than that, but promoting it as 'Three Rooms and a Hall' is fine."

"This way, others won't pay as much attention to you."

"This is a form of protection," the Third Hokage stated.

What he said made sense.

But it also didn't.

Kitahara Kaede was a Wood Release user, and anyone with a brain in the ninja world knew what Wood Release signified.

It signified power.

If you are weak, others might not fear you, and therefore you are safe.

After all, if you are very strong, and your enemies are terrified, they'll be foolish enough to unite and attack you.

It's like the hero who defeats the dragon, only to be executed by the king upon returning to the kingdom.

You're too strong, the king fears you.

So… it doesn't make sense, if you are that weak, wouldn't it be better to abduct you?

Therefore, true safety was not guaranteed at all.

Kitahara Kaede simply ate the Third Hokage's meal and ordinarily completed the tasks assigned by him.

Then, he said, "During this mission, a rogue ninja from Kirigakure appeared."

"And the Fifth Mizukage also appeared."

"She took the rogue ninja Zabuza back," Kitahara Kaede said.

"How could the Fifth Mizukage appear?" the Third Hokage hesitated.

"It seems it truly is a time of many troubles."

"But I'm relieved that you all returned safely."

The Third Hokage continued, "I asked you to come here this time because there's a troublesome matter I need to ask for your help with."

"I know you've been working very hard accompanying Naruto."

"But there's another urgent matter now."

The Third Hokage placed his hands on his knees.

Kakashi should have already reported on the mission, so he was quite calm.

Internal Group Wu Yi Jiu Yi 2 Si (3)

"As you know, the Chunin Exam is in two weeks."

"Within the ninja world, the five great ninja villages take turns hosting the Chunin Exam every year."

"This is universally recognized by the ninja world."

"And this year, it's Konoha's turn."

"Our Chunin Exams always have the most participants."

"And this time, I've already received applications from other ninja villages."

"And I hope you can take a look at this document."

The Third Hokage drew a document from the files beside him and handed it to Kitahara Kaede.

The document was wrapped in a yellow envelope and bore a seal indicating it was classified.

This showed that only the Hokage was permitted to view it, so the Third Hokage's action was very popular.

Kitahara Kaede hesitated before opening the document.

Because if his guess was correct, this was bound to be troublesome.

But the Third Hokage was watching him, so he opened the document.

It was a document.

[Observing Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Chat Group]

[Minato Namikaze]: Otogakure? This ninja village didn't exist when I was the Fourth Hokage.

[Tobirama Senju]: At this point, I should @ Kakashi.