Everyone fell silent and looked at one another. At that moment, Might Guy was the first to step forward. "In the name of Might Guy, I recommend Team 3—Rock Lee, Tenten, and Hyuga Neji—for the Chunin Exams!"
As soon as Might Guy finished, Kakashi immediately followed. "In the name of Hatake Kakashi, I recommend Team 7—Uzumaki Naruto, Second Pillar, and Haruno Sakura—for the Chunin Exams!"
"In the name of Asuma Sarutobi, I recommend Team 10—Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Choji—for the Chunin Exams!"
Not to be outdone, Asuma recommended his own team as well.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in approval, then turned his gaze toward Yūhi Kurenai, who was still hesitating.
"Kurenai, do you have any concerns?"
Yūhi Kurenai opened her mouth, then helplessly spread her hands. "Lord Hokage, you know Team 8's situation... We have one extra member..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze when he heard that. He had genuinely forgotten about it. The Chunin Exams required teams of three, so this was somewhat troublesome.
"How about this? I happen to have two genin preparing to join the Anbu who will be taking the exam. Let Hyakawa Yamei form a team with them."
After thinking it over for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi made an entirely new decision. It was unprecedented.
He knew that Yamei absolutely possessed strength above that of a chunin!
In that case... he might as well go with the flow and arrange for Anbu members to coast along with him. Perhaps it could even earn some goodwill.
Yūhi Kurenai's expression brightened at his words. There was no need to question the abilities of genin qualified to join the Anbu. They had a high chance of becoming chunin!
Looking at it that way, could this be considered Hiruzen Sarutobi favoring Hyakawa Yamei?
With that, Yūhi Kurenai no longer