The Genin

After the Intelligence Department ninja left to deliver the message, the Hokage Building was quiet for a moment.

Shuichi was pondering how many different changes the Chunin Ninja Exams might bring when Haku, who was working nearby, suddenly spoke up and asked, "You've agreed to co-host the Chunin Ninja Exams? This is really something to look forward to!"

"How many countries should we invite to participate? Especially since the Land of Water is our ally, should we inform Kirigakure?"

"Yeah..." Shuichi scratched his head.

If we really have to compare, Kirigakure is now more like an ally of Konoha than Sunagakure, so it would seem a bit unreasonable not to extend an invitation.

"If they agree, this exam will be quite exciting!" Shuichi remarked. "Kirigakure has changed a lot in recent years. Let's send them invitations. Whether they come or not doesn't really matter..."

Previously, Kirigakure's Chunin promotion system Taichi of other major powers, primarily relying on bloody methods such as high-difficulty missions and battle achievements for selection.

Although things are gradually becoming more open under Mei Terumi's leadership, it's hard to assess the likelihood of participation if the entire village doesn't accept the Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Okay." Haku carefully noted down his instructions, then said with a smile, "I've looked at the village records. You rose to fame in the Chunin Ninja Exams back then. I wonder who will be the star of the show this time."

Shuichi's words stirred up some memories. "I almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it. Actually, that exam didn't do me much good. After entering the sights of other countries, I ended up having a bounty on my head to hunt me down."

"The environment in the Shinobi World is better now than it was back then; there are basically no major wars, but the abilities of the new generation of ninjas are also much weaker. Even without war, we cannot afford to lack combat power reserves."

"This is a rare opportunity for the newcomers to get some good experience..."

"Understood," Bai said. "I will compile a list of the village's best Genin as soon as possible."

Splash--

Naruto poured a basin of water onto the edge of the sewer ditch, picked up a large brush, and scrubbed vigorously all the way down, finally cleaning the last spot after a long while.

"Damn it, how many more boring missions do we have to do?!" Naruto yelled impatiently.

"It's been a month, and I haven't accepted a single high-level quest. It's all just cleaning and finding pets; I've almost forgotten how to fight!"

"Well, this is a process that all Genin must go through." Kakashi leaned against a tree trunk, flipping through Shuichi's "Iga Ninjutsu Scroll" with one hand. "To become Hokage, experience in D-rank mission is also essential."

Naruto complained, "You promised to lead the team on missions, but you were just slacking off on the sidelines."

"Who told me to be the Jonin the team..." Kakashi without any emotional fluctuation, his dead fish eyes glancing downwards.

Sakura spat out a mouthful of water onto the ground, cleaning herself while simultaneously practicing her Water Release abilities.

Sasuke would occasionally use Lightning Release to stimulate cell activity, wielding his broom with flamboyant movements.

Although they didn't forget to train during the mission, their enthusiasm was indeed much lower than at the beginning. It seems that the two of them had similar thoughts to Naruto, but just didn't say it out loud.

"But you have a point." Kakashi stood up and said seriously, "The simple missions can be put on hold for now. Everyone, gather early tomorrow and see if there are any suitable C-rank missions."

"Yay!"

Naruto instantly regained his full strength, creating over a dozen Shadow Clone to work together, even taking over Sasuke and Sakura's tasks. "Soon it'll be my turn to shine!"

"..."

The next day, Team Kakashi did not go to the D-rank mission posting area, but went directly to the lobby on the first floor of the Hokage Building.

Besides Shuichi and Shiro, there are two other administrative staff members here.

Shuichi slowly and methodically typed on the keyboard, while the others had many Scroll piled up in front of them, clearly demonstrating that he had mastered the essence of leadership.

"It's Senior Kakashi!" Bai Zhanyan said with a smile. "You're the first team to receive a mission today. I remember you just became a Guiding Jonin, right?"

"Yes, that's right." Kakashi politely inquired, "Could you help me find a suitable C-rank mission for a beginner?"

"No problem, let me see..."

As Haku flipped through the mission sheets, Naruto, upon seeing his, was dumbfounded. "So... so cute! His smile is so gentle. Who is he?"

Comparing this long-haired "lady" to Sakura, Naruto suddenly realized that his former dream girl wasn't so beautiful after all...

Shuichi noticed Naruto's slightly flushed face and smiled inwardly; yet another innocent boy who had been "deceived."

"No need to look anymore, Bai. Someone just posted a C-rank mission yesterday, let's give that to them," Shuichi said.

"Huh?" Bai paused for a moment, then quickly found the mission sheet and handed it to Kakashi:

"The escort mission to the Land of Waves is with a client named Tazuna. He's waiting for you in the nearest reception room; he's a middle-aged man in his early fifties, dressed like a craftsman—easily recognizable."

"Alright, let's get going!" Naruto was clearly overly excited.

For some reason, he couldn't help but want to show off; that feeling... is indescribable.

To his delight, Bai Zhen looked over and raised his clenched fist at Team Kakashi, shouting, "Go for it, everyone!"

(*^▽^*)--

"Kakashi, wait a moment."

Shuichi, Naruto, and the other two went outside and called out to Kakashi, who was at the back, "The Chunin Ninja Exams are coming up soon, in about three months. I hope Team 7 can participate."

"Six years of the Ninja Academy training is far longer than the wartime period, and their foundation is already very solid. Therefore, you should train their abilities as much as possible in these three months. Teach them all the Ninjutsu you need to know."

"Next, I'll assign them C-rank or even B-rank tasks, ideally to unleash their potential before the exam..."

Kakashi was taken aback. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Because the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams are the largest ever," Shuichi explained. "The Land of Water and the Land of Wind have already agreed to send representatives, in addition to the four villages of Amegakure, Takigakure, Kusanagi, and Oto. Conservatively speaking, there will be over 50 teams, all of them top fighters from their respective villages!"

"This rare opportunity to showcase our abilities may not come again, so of course we must make use of our best reserves."

It's not just your class; I've given instructions to all the Jonin as well. I think you understand the importance of this matter.

"Even Kirigakure is participating?" Kakashi was quite surprised. "I see, but I have other missions..."

"Consider yourself lucky. The village Jonin plenty of Jonin, so I'll assign someone else to take over. Since I've given you a leave of absence, you'd better put some effort into training them."

"..." Kakashi wanted to argue, as carrying out a mission with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was no easy task, but since the Hokage had already spoken, he had no right to refuse.

The group emerged from the Hokage Building, and after taking only a few steps, Naruto suddenly asked tentatively, "Kakashi-sensei, who was that girl just now? Why was she there?"

Upon hearing this, Sasuke and Sakura also subtly pricked up their ears, curious about Kakashi's answer.

After all, that person's appearance was indeed quite impressive.

"Oh, you mean him..."

Kakashi, recalling Shuichi's request, thought that provoking the three students would motivate them to work even harder.

"His name is Haku, and he's actually the Lord Hokage's disciple, just like Itachi, Sasuke!"

"Although he doesn't look much older than you, he is one of the village's top Jonin, and his strength is no less than mine."

"What?!" Sasuke was shocked. Besides Itachi, Konoha actually had such a strong genius.

If his strength is similar to Kakashi's, wouldn't he be able to easily defeat him? He clearly looks... harmless.

"By the way, Naruto..." Kakashi turned around, "He's a guy, so don't make a fool of yourself next time you meet him."

"???"

Naruto felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his body stiffened, his face turned pale, and he felt as if something had suddenly cracked open, but he dared not reveal a single word to his teammates.

"Haha... that's really... unexpected!"

He could only hide his embarrassment with a slightly strange smile.

Time flies, and it's already the end of June.

Jonin Conference Room, the number of people was slightly less than at the beginning of the year, but all the individuals who could decide the changes in the village were present.

At this moment, an Anbu stood at the front of the formation and loudly reported the intelligence gathered, "Sunagakure appears normal, with no signs of large-scale troop movements."

"The same applies to other countries; all participants arriving from the village are monitored by designated personnel. That's all!"

"Thank you for your hard work." Shuichi spoke slowly, "The Chunin Ninja Exams are a stage to indirectly showcase a nation's strength, and Konoha is not afraid of any challenge. During this period, I urge everyone to remain vigilant."

"Now... regarding the recommendations for the participants, please have the Jonin the teams step forward. Kakashi, you begin."

"Yes!" Kakashi stepped forward.

"In the name of Kakashi, I recommend Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Haruno Sakura from Team 7 to participate in the Junior Exam..."

"In my name, Might Guy, I recommend..."

"In the name of Uchiha Shisui, I recommend Team 8..."

"..."

After doing the math, Shuichi discovered that six teams of graduating Genin from just the last two years had participated. He was astonished by the sheer number of participants, fearing it might be the highest in history.

"The recommended Genin can submit their application forms later. Since there are no limits on casualty targets, participation is entirely up to personal choice."

"If there's nothing else, meeting adjourned!"

July 1st is just around the corner.

That afternoon, in classroom 301 of the Ninja Academy.

The room was packed with people, most of them with serious expressions, looking quite intimidating.

In reality, Shuichi knew that these guys were just overly nervous and were deliberately putting on an air of great strength in an attempt to make their opponents wary.

Everyone was dressed differently; some sat shirtless with an arrogant posture, revealing their dark muscles, which looked quite intimidating.

Shuichi even spotted a female ninja wearing a low-cut, backless dress. It would have been perfectly plastered on her desk, as if she were using her beauty to seduce nearby Genin.

"This is a true seduction ninja!" Standing before the Crystal Ball, he thoroughly admired the woman's figure. "The Kusagakure team? Could they be using this as an assassination tactic? Looks like the other members of this team get quite a bit of perk up their sleeves, hehe..."

A total of 57 teams participated in this Chunin Ninja Exams.

Among them, the 30th team from Konoha, the 10th team from Sunagakure, the 3rd team from Kirigakure, the 7th team from Amegakure, the 3rd team from Kusagakure, the 3rd team from Takigakure, and the 1st team from Otogakure almost packed the exam hall to capacity.

The number of Kirigakure's team was surprisingly small, with only two Jonin leading them.

After observing, Shuichi was quite impressed by Mei Terumi's magnanimity.

All nine were young teenagers, not adults with a menacing aura. They were likely carefully selected individuals with potential, who could both demonstrate their abilities and broaden their horizons.

Logically, this should be a good opportunity for Kirigakure to showcase its hidden strength by acting Genin (low-ranking ninja), and no one would find fault with it, just like a certain country to the west that did something similar...