Meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Nighttime.

In the courtyard of Yuhi Shinku's home.

Akiyama Shun and Yuhi Shinku sat on a rocking chair with his daughter, bathed in moonlight and feeling the evening breeze.

"Are you in such a rush to take the Chunin Exams? Well, your strength has long been sufficient; there's no point in remaining a genin."

Yuhi Shinku took a sip of water and continued, "However, do not be careless. Your team with Kakashi only has two members, while other villages are different—they all have three-man squads. You and Kakashi are at an inherent disadvantage, and being in a foreign village, you will easily be targeted."

Yuhi Shinku's expression was very serious today as he patiently shared his own experiences from when he passed the Chunin Exams with Akiyama Shun.

He explained everything in great detail, from the procedures to solutions for various problems, covering everything with Akiyama Shun; he might as well have written a ten-thousand-word analysis.

"I understand, Uncle Shinku, but I believe in Kakashi's strength, and I believe in my own."

After listening, Akiyama Shun spoke with a sincere tone. He was truly grateful that Yuhi Shinku was willing to tell him so much.

"Haha~ Good. It's a good thing for a young man to have confidence. Keep that confidence, and I believe you and Kakashi can do it. Still, be careful and guard against accidents."

Every time he saw this kind of self-confidence in Akiyama Shun, Yuhi Shinku liked it very much.

"Don't worry, Uncle Shinku. Don't forget, I also know the Mystical Palm Technique. If any accidents happen, at least I can provide on-site treatment, right?"

After Akiyama Shun made the joke, the previously serious atmosphere lightened significantly.

"Shun, do you want to take some food with you when you leave? I heard that people in Sunagakure eat sand. You surely wouldn't like eating that, would you?"

After Yuhi Kurenai said this, both Akiyama Shun and Yuhi Shinku laughed.

"Alright, I will definitely bring food tomorrow. Then I'll have to trouble Kurenai to pack some for me."

Yuhi Kurenai stood in front of Akiyama Shun with her hands on her hips, her face full of pride: "Of course, no problem! Just leave it to me!"

As she spoke, she trotted toward the house, and soon, clattering sounds came from inside; she had likely already started packing the food.

Seeing this, Yuhi Shinku smiled and shook his head, then suddenly thought of something.

"By the way, you haven't met the Hokage yet, have you? You will definitely leave the village for the Chunin Exams, so you might have a chance to see the Hokage then."

The next day.

After Akiyama Shun woke up, he first went to Yuhi Shinku's house, took the parcel Yuhi Kurenai had prepared for him, and arrived at the meeting point on time.

To his surprise, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and some other teams participating in the Chunin Exams were already waiting there.

"Lord Hokage, I apologize for keeping you waiting!"

Akiyama Shun immediately bowed to greet him, his demeanor conveying two words: Loyalty.

The moment he saw Akiyama Shun, Sarutobi Hiruzen's originally stern, aged face immediately broke into a wrinkled, chrysanthemum-like smile.

Look at that!

What a fine child!

He had talent, manners, and a wonderful Will of Fire!

"It's no matter. We arrived early ourselves; you are not late."

As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he carefully observed Akiyama Shun, becoming more satisfied the more he looked.

"Come to think of it, this seems to be our first meeting, but I am very familiar with the name of a genius like you. I was deeply impressed by that article you wrote about the Will of Fire, and I even kept a copy of it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled the article titled The Third Hokage is the Sun; it was arguably the most satisfying thing he had read since becoming Hokage!

At this moment, a joyful smile appeared on Akiyama Shun's face.

"Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage. I simply wrote down my inner thoughts."

"It was very well written. I didn't expect you to possess the mindset of a Hokage at such a young age."

Is he cursing me?

Sarutobi Hiruzen's praise almost made Akiyama Shun lose his composure.

One had to know, in the original work, there was only one person who received this specific compliment.

That was the most filial person, the father most beloved by Kishimoto, Uchiha Itachi!

While Akiyama Shun was lost in his wild thoughts, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already walked to his side, patted his shoulder affectionately to show encouragement, and then walked toward several Anbu members nearby to give instructions.

At this time, Kakashi had also arrived. Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was busy, he didn't go over to greet him, but instead walked to Akiyama Shun's side.

"Akiyama Shun."

Ever since Hatake Sakumo died, Kakashi, who was already a man of few words, had become even quieter. If it weren't for the fact that this was Akiyama Shun, he wouldn't even bother speaking.

After the greeting, Kakashi glanced at Akiyama Shun while he had nothing to do.

Come to think of it, they had usually been rivals, but he hadn't expected that they would be teammates participating in the Chunin Exams this time.

Ever since he was taught a lesson by Akiyama Shun's Chidori during that heavy rain, Kakashi had been training like a madman over the past six months, constantly taking on missions. His strength was no longer what it used to be!

If given the chance, Kakashi really wanted to find an opportunity to spar with Akiyama Shun during these Chunin Exams.

He was genuinely curious to see just how much Akiyama Shun had grown by now.

"Kakashi."

Akiyama Shun returned the greeting politely.

He was already accustomed to Kakashi's gaze; back when they were in school, Kakashi and Might Guy had been exactly like this.

As the two exchanged greetings, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to finish giving instructions to the Anbu, who nodded and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Sarutobi Hiruzen scanned the crowd and said, "Next, we wait for the team leaders of Akiyama Shun and Kakashi."

Unlike Akiyama Shun, Kakashi's psychological state was far too closed off, and he essentially refused to communicate with others, which was why Sarutobi Hiruzen had not yet assigned him a team leader.

Regarding the arrangements for Kakashi, Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to give him some time to find peace of mind, planning to assign him a team leader only after the students at the Ninja Academy had graduated.

Since Akiyama Shun was participating in the Chunin Exams this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply decided to temporarily place Kakashi with Akiyama Shun's team.

The surrounding Jonin showed no signs of dissatisfaction upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.

There was no helping it; who didn't know who Akiyama Shun's team leader was?

Tsunade!

The granddaughter of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, a disciple of the Third Hokage, and one of the Sannin!

If a big shot like that was running late, it must be because she had important matters to attend to; waiting a little while was fine, as it wasn't like they were pressed for time.

Tsunade knew today was important and did not keep them waiting long; the group had waited less than five minutes before they caught sight of her.

However...

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he looked toward Tsunade.

Why did he see two other figures beside her?

Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato?

What were those two doing here?