Kazeka: Hokage, Do You Know What You Did Wrong?

Although Kazeka had acted very amiably, Naruto, who still had a psychological shadow of him, refused.

Though they had fought several battles in a row, they had still held back a lot of their strength.

Seeing this, Kazeka said nothing more and left with Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata.

The exam rules stated that candidates had to obtain a scroll within five days, cross the Forest of Death, and reach the central tower.

Kazeka's team had met the scroll requirement in just one day, leaving only the journey ahead.

For the rest of the time, Kiba and Hinata had expected Kazeka to seek out more ninjas for experiments.

But to Kiba and Hinata's surprise, Kazeka gave up on taking further action and instead carved out an underground space.

He took out a scroll and unsealed a huge pile of bottles, jars, and scientific instruments, then began conducting all sorts of experiments they couldn't understand!

When Kiba Inuzuka asked what he was doing, Kazeka explained:

"You don't understand. During that battle just now, I suddenly got some new inspiration.

That kind of inspiration is a rare treasure for anyone doing research.

Since I have the time and the means, of course I have to record it and test it out!"

Kiba Inuzuka had thought that the "recording" Kazeka mentioned would take only a few hours, but he never imagined Kazeka would experiment for five whole days.

If Kiba hadn't tugged on Kazeka's ear and told him they were running out of time, Kazeka wouldn't have been willing to put down his experiment!

"It's just some insignificant Chunin selection exam. How could it matter more than my experiments?"

Even so, after thinking it over, Kazeka finally put down the experiment.

After resealing the instruments, he rushed toward the central tower with Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata!

"Boom!"

Inside the tower, after they opened the Heaven and Earth Scrolls together, the figure of Kurenai Yuhi appeared before the three of them.

Seeing all three members of the team arrive safe and sound, Kurenai's face showed approval. But then she looked at them with displeasure:

"With your abilities, even if you didn't get here on the first day, you should've arrived at the tower pretty quickly. Why did you wait until almost the end of the time limit?"

"It's all Kazeka's fault. We got the scrolls on the first day, but he insisted on doing experiments and dragged things out until now.

If I hadn't pulled him along, he might not have come at all!"

"That really is just like you..."

Kurenai gave Kazeka a wry look.

"Do you know how much trouble your fight with Orochimaru caused?

The Hokage wants to hear new information from you and keeps asking me why you haven't arrived yet.

Kazeka spent five days experimenting, and the Hokage spent all five days pestering me. I feel like my skin's going to start getting worse..."

Kurenai vented her complaints to Kazeka and the others.

She went on about how annoying noises gave people wrinkles, and how even though she was at the age when she'd started taking care of her skin, she was still stuck working herself to the bone...

After talking for a while, she looked at the three before her and smiled brightly.

"Still, congratulations on passing the second exam!"

Kiba Inuzuka began cheering. Hinata, proud as ever, couldn't help but smile, and Kazeka's expression softened a little. Seeing this, Kurenai spoke again:

"By convention, I should take this opportunity to tell you about the principles of the Konoha Ninja.

But first, let me hear what you think. Why do you want to become Chunin?"

"Why? Of course it's so I can create a world where Akamaru and I can be happy forever!"

Kiba Inuzuka spoke up first.

"To reach that goal, I'll keep getting stronger!"

"I want to reform my useless clan!"

Hinata's words sounded a little dangerous.

"I want the Hyuga to become the real backbone of Konoha, the top dogs! Anyone who objects can be beaten into submission—and that kind of reform takes strength!"

"Becoming Chunin means I can take on higher-ranking missions and get access to more ninja materials..."

Kazeka's words were even more frightening.

"It'll be a bit of a hassle, but I won't have to beg the Hokage for research funding or let him hold it over me anymore.

Then I can find whatever ninja materials I want and whatever resources I'm missing on my own!"

"Sure enough, you're still the Team 8 I know!"

Hearing such outrageous answers, the Hokage would have flown into a rage. But Kurenai only smiled.

"In that case, I won't bore you with the Ninja Way, which gives people a headache just to hear about. Take two steps forward and stand in my formation..."

Kurenai pointed to a formation on the ground. Once they had all stepped onto it, she formed a hand seal.

As space shifted rapidly, the group found themselves in a spacious building.

It was like a sports arena, with the second floor hollowed out and only a small ring of spectator seats remaining.

"Since there are still too many candidates, the higher-ups decided that the elimination rounds would be held on the same day the Forest of Death selection ends—which is today.

The final eight will advance to the finals a month from now..."

Kurenai pointed out the others sitting and resting in the spectator seats.

"They're the candidates who passed earlier. The Forest of Death exam ends in half an hour, so they came here early to wait for the next test.

Normally, since you've just arrived, you should get some time to rest too.

But ninjas have to face all kinds of dangerous situations. Since the elimination rounds are scheduled for today, those who arrive late just have to accept it.

Still..."

Kurenai looked at Kazeka and the others.

"You all seem to be in pretty good shape!"

"We're doing great..."

Kiba Inuzuka replied.

"Hinata and I spent the last five days doing nothing but keeping Kazeka company while he experimented.

We were afraid it'd be dangerous to split up, so we stayed in that underground space for five days. I'm practically getting fat!"

"That's good."

Kiba's words made Kurenai smile. She turned and walked toward the Third Hokage, who had just appeared.

They had only exchanged a few words when Kazeka felt a blazing gaze fixed on him.

He looked in the direction it came from and, sure enough, saw the Third Hokage's eyes blazing with anger.

Clearly, the Hokage was furious that Kazeka hadn't finished the exam promptly after encountering Orochimaru, hadn't personally reported the important information, and had instead devoted himself to experiments.

His behavior was so outrageous—and he had nearly missed the exam altogether—that the Hokage felt ready to explode!

"Kazeka..."

The Hokage hurried over to Kazeka, about to say something, when Iruka arrived and asked whether the exam should begin now that the time was up.

This was an important selection, and ninjas from other villages were present.

The Hokage could only suppress his displeasure with Kazeka, walk to the center of the arena, and deliver a long speech full of formalities.

Fortunately, Kazeka wasn't in the first match drawn by lot, so the Hokage was able to come over and vent his frustration.

But before he could say a word to Kazeka, Kazeka spoke first:

"Hokage, do you know what you did wrong?"

Hokage: "???"