Five Kage Allied Chunin Exams?!

"Promotion to Chunin... and there's an exam?"

Looking at the perfectly ordinary form on the table, the skin on Jiraiya's face twitched uncontrollably.

His eyes widened, wearing an expression that screamed, "You've got to be kidding me," as he pointed at the title of the form, his voice cracking in disbelief.

He was the one who feared exams the most...

"Jiraiya! You idiot! Is that really the point?"

Tsunade, listening from the side, rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Didn't you see the words 'Joint' among the Five Great Ninja Villages? I've never heard of such a thing! This is completely abnormal!"

Tsunade furrowed her brows, casting her gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, clearly waiting for an explanation.

The Five Great Nations joining forces to host a Chunin Exam was a first in history...

"Hmm, Tsunade is right."

"It has only been about three years since the end of the First Shinobi World War. Theoretically, the new generation of ninjas in every village should still be in their foundational growth period."

"For the Five Great Ninja Villages to suddenly unite to hold a Chunin Exam at this time... it is clearly not normal..."

Orochimaru nodded as well, also looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"This matter, truth be told, has a little something to do with you, kid."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling a cloud of white smoke. Amidst the swirling haze, he tapped his pipe gently against the ashtray on the corner of the table and turned his gaze toward Orochimaru.

"Huh?"

Orochimaru was stunned, feeling somewhat confused.

He searched his mind for everything he had done over the years, but he couldn't figure out how this Joint Chunin Exams could possibly be related to him.

"Remember those skincare products you tinkered with earlier?"

"For over a year now, our skincare business has been booming, and the profits are extremely substantial."

"Through those cooperative distributors, the products have already flooded most of the major cities across the Five Great Nations."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru and explained slowly, pausing with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

"And this has brought about immense benefits."

"The other four ninja villages are, on one hand, green with envy over this massive windfall, and on the other, they are likely worried that our Konoha will use this vast wealth to rapidly strengthen our war potential and upset the existing balance."

"Consequently, they joined forces and used the diplomatic channels of their respective countries to exert pressure on the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire."

"The final result is that we, Konoha, will serve as the host to organize this Joint Chunin Qualification Exam for the Five Great Ninja Villages."

"Ah? Skincare products? Chunin Exam? What... what does any of this have to do with anything?"

Jiraiya was completely bewildered, his face full of confusion.

He scratched his head, failing to understand the logical connection between the two.

Isn't it a good thing to make money? Are the other villages just jealous that Konoha is making a fortune and want a piece of the pie?

But what does that have to do with holding a Chunin Exam?

"Because we're making money, the other villages are forcing us to hold a Chunin Exam?"

Tsunade, however, had her brows tightly locked. She was well aware of how popular Orochimaru's skincare business was; she even used some of it herself at times.

She instantly understood the chain reaction that economic interests could trigger. The other ninja villages were worried that Konoha would rapidly grow stronger thanks to this revenue, so they wanted to use the pretext of the Chunin Exam to probe their bottom line, or even... to exert pressure and divide their resources...

Orochimaru, the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, also grasped the key to the situation.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

War, at the end of the day, is fought with money.

This point holds true even in this ninja world, where people possess extraordinary power.

Whether it is the kunai, shuriken, or Explosive Tag that ninjas consume daily, or the Military Ration Pill and medical supplies essential for missions, which one doesn't require hard cash to procure?

Not to mention the resources and time required to cultivate a qualified ninja.

The massive profits from the cosmetics business would undoubtedly greatly enhance Konoha's fiscal revenue and war potential.

In the eyes of the other four ninja villages, this was as if Konoha had suddenly discovered an inexhaustible gold mine. Over time, as one side grew and the other waned, Konoha's strength would inevitably far surpass theirs.

This was what they were truly wary and anxious about.

The other four ninja villages naturally couldn't sit idly by and let Konoha make a fortune in silence.

The so-called Joint Chunin Exam was likely just a facade placed in plain sight.

Its fundamental purpose was nothing more than to use this opportunity to send their own young ninjas into Konoha, to openly probe the current state of Konoha, evaluate the strength of Konoha's new generation, and see just how far Konoha had developed thanks to this windfall...

The relationship between a ninja village and its respective Feudal Lord and nation has always been a complex one of cooperation and dependence.

The reason for this situation is naturally because, while ninjas possess power, they do not know how to manage or produce.

Initially, the relationship between the great nations and the ninja was one of employment, but after the First Shinobi World War, the ties between the major ninja villages and the state apparatus became much tighter.

While ninja villages gained more support in terms of national resources, their positioning gradually shifted from relatively free mercenary organizations to independent military forces that were exclusive to the state and subject to certain constraints.

From the perspective of the Third Hokage, facing the pressure jointly applied by the other four great nations through diplomatic channels, it would likely be difficult to directly refuse a diplomatic proposal cloaked in the guise of "friendly exchange" and "mutual progress"...

After all, a refusal could mean sending an unfriendly signal to the other four nations, potentially triggering the next round of friction, suspicion, or even war...

"So... Sensei, what is it that you want us to do?"

Thinking of this, Orochimaru raised his head and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Upon hearing this, a trace of gratification appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

His disciple was truly sharp...

"It's very simple."

"Let the other ninja villages get a good look at the power of the new generation of ninjas from Konohagakure!"

"Let them understand that Konoha's strength is not just because of its wealth, but because we possess the most outstanding ninjas!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone deepened, carrying an unquestionable sense of resolve.

"Ha! I thought it was some big deal!"

"Isn't it just beating those genin brats sent by the other villages into the dirt? I'm good at that!"

Jiraiya was delighted the moment he heard this, slapping his thigh hard as his previous confusion vanished.

He grinned, revealing a smile full of confidence, and even tilted his chin up triumphantly.

He was no longer the dead-last he had been at the beginning; after undergoing special training from Orochimaru, he was incredibly strong now!

He had been worrying about not having a place to show off the new power he had mastered!

"Heh, Jiraiya, you kid... you're not wrong."

Hearing Jiraiya's bold words, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but chuckle.

The seriousness on his face softened slightly, replaced by a smile.

It was indeed as simple and direct as Jiraiya had said...

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and walked slowly to the office window, casting his gaze toward the vibrant Konoha village basking in the sunlight outside.

People came and went on the streets, and the laughter of children could be faintly heard.

This peace and prosperity had not come easily.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his three prized disciples one by one.

"Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade..."

"This Joint Chunin Exams is of extraordinary significance to Konoha."

"I'm counting on you."