The Beginning

Just as Yichen's disciples and the Konoha group were engaging in round after round of sparring, the second round of the Joint Chunin Exams finally came to an end.

This year's candidates didn't have any exceptionally outstanding abilities. Among the ninjas who made it to the finals, there were those from Iwa ninja, Sunagakure, and Konoha, and even some from smaller ninja villages made it to the finals.

Shikaisen Nara found it unbelievable Konoha three teams from Konoha had made it to the finals, considering that Iwa ninja had gone to great lengths to eliminate Iwa ninja teams early on when they participated in the Joint Chunin Exams hosted by Konoha.

"Aren't the Iwa ninja afraid that Konoha will win the Chunin Ninja Exams they're holding? Aren't they afraid of losing face?" Shikaisen Nara said.

Kakashi thought for a moment and said, "I heard that during the last Joint Chunin Exams held by Iwa ninja, the winner was a Sunagakure. That Sunagakure not only stole the show, but also won the ultimate prize offered by Iwa ninja."

Shikaisen Nara thought for a moment and said, "Let's leave that aside for now. Apart from the three teams, the other teams need to return to the village. Have the personnel arrangements been made?"

Kakashi nodded and said, "It's all arranged. They'll set off tomorrow."

"Yes, tell them to be careful and not to linger on the road. Although we've lost contact with the village, they should send someone to wait for us at the border. By the way, don't go through the Land of Grass or the Land of the Falls; just go through the passage between the two countries, the one that now belongs to the Land of Earth." After thinking for a moment, Shikaisen Nara still said with some concern.

"Don't give the Iwa ninja a chance. Leaving the Land of Earth will only make it easier for them to attack and frame you. Staying within the Land of Earth is much safer."

Kakashi thought for a moment and understood what Shikaisen Nara meant, then nodded in agreement. "Then you rest first, I'll go make the arrangements."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Kakashi," Shikaisen Nara said. He was quite helpless; this was something he was usually the one who had to do.

However, Shikaisen Nara was clearly overthinking things. Yichen didn't take these departing ninjas seriously. If Yichen really wanted to disregard his reputation and attack a foreign delegation, his target would only be Kakashi, not anyone else.

The day after the second exam ended, Yichen and Ikura arrived at the arena where they had agreed to meet Kakashi.

"Although a contest between two people can increase combat experience, this kind of thing is obviously more effective for geniuses. Aren't you afraid that Kakashi will end up like Kawakita?" Ikura didn't understand why Yichen agreed to Kakashi's challenge.

Yichen said, "Do you think Kakashi would intervene if we infiltrated Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi to the death?"

Ikura thought for a moment and said, "Probably. If I don't take action, I'll become missing-nin."

"That's true, but what if we give Kakashi an excuse, like setting up a barrier or something?" Yichen asked again.

Ikura hesitated for a moment, then said, "You mean, because of his father, White Fang? He'll stand by Hiruzen Sarutobi die?"

"Perhaps his teacher, Minato Namikaze, was also a factor. Of course, his father was the biggest reason. Minato Namikaze didn't want Hiruzen Sarutobi to die either, and at least he died as a hero. But his father was different; not only did he commit suicide, but he didn't even qualify for a place in Konoha Memorial Stone," Yichen said.

"Regardless of how much Hiruzen Sarutobi brainwashed Kakashi afterward, Kakashi definitely harbored resentment towards the Konoha High-ranking officials. I suspect that in Kakashi's heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi's Danzo was probably more resentful than Danzo, the mastermind behind it all."

"Even if we cultivate a Kage Level fighter for Konoha, he will be one who is alienated from Konoha High-ranking officials's Kage Level. As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi is alive, Kakashi will never accept Konoha High-ranking officials."

"Furthermore, don't we still have Danzo as an ally among Konoha High-ranking officials? Kakashi is the one most anxious about Kage Level becoming Danzo."

"The reason why White Fang was forced to his death was because he threatened Danzo. Danzo originally intended to inherit the position of Fourth Hokage, and White Fang was the biggest obstacle on his path to Hokage."

"Do you really think Danzo would target Kakashi Hatake? No way, Konoha's already facing a talent shortage. If Danzo eliminates all the geniuses among the younger Danzo, what good will it do him to become Hokage?" Ikura, somewhat skeptical.

Yichen laughed, "Hehe, you don't know Danzo well enough. He's a very interesting person. Years ago, he thought his greatest threat was White Fang, so he forced White Fang to his death."

"After that, he thought his biggest rival was Orochimaru, so he forced Orochimaru to leave."

"Then, Minato Namikaze suddenly stole his victory, so he stood by and watched as the enemy invaded, and Minato Namikaze died in battle."

"I reckon Danzo probably understands by now that all the talented junior ninjas in Konoha are potential enemies of his. He probably even has a strong desire to eliminate them all."

Ikura thought for a moment and said, "So you mean, to give him all the guidance you can?"

"No need for that. Just deal with him. Don't put too much pressure on him. Don't think you can defeat him in a few moves. Just wear him down. Over the past few days, I've gotten to know Kakashi a bit. He's the kind of person who performs better under pressure," Yichen said.

"If you think you can defeat him in ten moves, I'm sure he'll still be jumping around after twenty. If you send in a weaker ninja, do you think he can finish the fight in ten moves? Perhaps, after twenty moves, his opponent will still be jumping around just as much."

Ikura couldn't understand it, but at least he understood what Yichen had asked him to do. He should try to wear Kakashi down and let the hidden scorpion observe for a while longer. It would be even better if he could get something good from the other party.

Outside the door, Kakashi, with one hand on the door as if about to push it open, was caught in a dilemma: whether to go in or leave.

Kakashi didn't think that an Elite Jonin himself could fool the two Kage Level ninjas inside. Besides, there hadn't been any movement from the hidden room when he arrived.

Clearly, the conversation between the two was meant for him, but he had unconsciously stopped in his tracks when he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's name. He wanted to know how the Iwa ninja leadership viewed the Konoha High-ranking officials.

Kakashi waited until the two inside finished their conversation before pushing the door open and going in.

"Yo, Captain Kakashi's here? This is Advisor Ikura from Iwagakure. You've met him before. Come on, I'll be your referee." Yichen casually invited Kakashi and Ikura to start their match.

While Yichen was arranging a sparring match between Kakashi and Ikura, the first rebellion broke out in Kirigakure.

This rebellion was in response to some policies recently implemented by Karatachi Yagura that suppressed Bloodline Limit families. The main force behind the rebellion was the Kaguya Clan, and the rebellion was secretly authorized by some high-ranking members of Kirigakure, while other advisors chose to tacitly approve it.

Therefore, this rebellion Obito, who controlled Karatachi Yagura, somewhat off guard. The subordinates he had recruited over the years through Yagura's Mizukage Karatachi Yagura suffered heavy casualties.

Kaguya Clan was only discovered by Karatachi Yagura when they rushed to the vicinity of the Mizukage Building.

Although Karatachi Yagura was the ultimate victor in this rebellion, Obito suffered heavy losses among his trusted followers. As a result, although he eliminated the Kaguya Clan, his control over Kirigakure actually weakened.

If Kirigakure weren't currently lacking a true Kage Level, the Mist ninja's advisors and higher-ups might already be discussing joining forces to overthrow Karatachi Yagura.

"Earth Release: Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet"

"Earth Release, Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall."

In the indoor Training Ground of Iwagakure, Ikura and Kakashi had been fighting for two hours. However, they were still locked in a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Ikura was surprised. He now understood what Yichen meant. This Kakashi really was strong against strong opponents and weak against weak ones. No matter how high I increased my attack frequency, he could handle it. No matter how much I held back, he had a hard time winning.

In the two-hour battle, Ikura used almost every technique at his disposal. Apart from some large-scale Ninjutsu that could alter the terrain, he used all other Ninjutsu an average of more than three times each.

Kakashi, on the other hand, uses far more types of Ninjutsu than him. Apart from the Earth Release: Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall with a dog's head carved on it, which he uses quite frequently, he uses other Ninjutsu a maximum of twice.

Kakashi seems to always have the right Ninjutsu to choose from. That's incredible.

Ikura admired Kakashi greatly. Although he hadn't used his full strength, he believed that no one in Iwagakure could last two hours against an Elite Jonin in this state.

But Kakashi did it, and with ease, showing no sign of strain.

At this point, there's really no point in continuing the competition, unless Area of Effect Ninjutsu is used, it won't be of much help to Kakashi.

However, considering that Hu was spying on them from another room, Ikura felt she had to continue.

Therefore, Ikura began to increase the speed at which he executed Ninjutsu, increase the amount of Chakra produced, and enhance the power of each Ninjutsu.

This put even more pressure on Kakashi, forcing him to adapt his tactics to Ikura's rhythm.

This continued for another hour. Finally, Kakashi, who was completely on the defensive, raised the shield around his left eye.

"Three Tomoe already?" Yichen thought to himself as he watched the battle from the sidelines.

With the Sharingan obstacles, Kakashi's predictions about Ikura became more accurate, making it easier for him to deal with her.

Soon, Kakashi gradually leveled the advantage that Ikura had accumulated. The two were back to their initial back-and-forth battle.

Just as Ikura was considering whether to add more power to the Ninjutsu, Kakashi conceded defeat.

The reason is simple: there isn't enough Chakra.

Kakashi pulled down his Forehead Protector the moment he conceded defeat.

Ikura blinked, then subconsciously looked at Yichen.

Yichen glared at him. His Chakra reserves were increasing Tenten, and he was about to get rid of the embarrassing situation of running out of chakra.