The Four-Man Cell!

In the Hokage Office.

The Advisor Elder Council, Kakashi, and a group of other elite Jonin had gathered in the Hokage Office to urgently discuss matters related to the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Tsunade sat before the Hokage's desk and reported to the Third, "Aside from our Five Great Shinobi Villages, the villages that have clearly expressed interest in participating in this Chunin Ninja Exam are Kusagakure, Takigakure, Otogakure, Yukigakure, Hoshigakure, and... Amegakure."

Mitokado Homura frowned slightly. "Amegakure?"

Tsunade explained, "They're Hanzo of the Salamander's subordinates. After the Akatsuki Organization took over Amegakure, Hanzo's followers fled the village. This time, after we raided Amegakure and arrested all the shinobi who'd sided with the Akatsuki Organization, Hanzo's former followers took control of the village again."

Utatane Koharu shook her head. "Amegakure can no longer be trusted!"

Tsunade ignored Utatane Koharu and looked instead toward the Third, who sat at the head of the table.

The Third pondered for a moment, then said, "Turn them down."

"Understood. I'll reply to them now!"

Tsunade nodded.

Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "So, at least ten villages will be taking part in this Chunin Ninja Exam? Heh, that's truly unprecedented!"

The others all nodded.

The Shinobi World had never seen an event on this scale before, and it would likely be difficult to bring together so many villages again.

The Third said, "This Chunin Ninja Exam carries the vital responsibility of selecting the next generation of talent to fight the Akatsuki Organization. We can't afford any mistakes. Have the participants been selected?"

Tsunade handed the Third a list.

He took it and scanned it. His brow immediately furrowed. "What's going on? Why haven't Shinji Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, Kimimaro, and the others signed up?"

Tsunade replied, "They didn't sign up."

The people in the office reacted in different