Minato Namikaze's words immediately drew the attention of all the Genin. Everyone knew that the Chunin Exams were meant to select Chunin, but Minato's words revealed another message: this Chunin Exams had deeper reasons behind it.
Seeing all the Genin turn their eyes toward him, Minato paused before continuing:
"The fundamental purpose of this exam is to promote peaceful coexistence among allied nations and raise the standard of ninja."
"But if you misunderstand the true purpose of these Chunin Exams, then that will be troublesome."
Minato spoke in a clear voice. Some of the younger Genin did not understand and wore their confusion plainly on their faces. A few slightly older ninja, however, merely scoffed, looking utterly unconvinced.
"This exam can be seen as a miniature war between allied nations!"
Minato looked over the Genin's expressions, then lowered his head slightly as he spoke.
"War?"
"What does that mean?"
Minato's words clearly stirred up the Genin. It was only a Chunin Exams, yet it actually involved war—something none of them had realized.
"Historically speaking, the nations that are now allies were once neighboring countries that fought one another."
"To avoid both sides suffering devastating losses, they deliberately chose this form of warfare."
"And that is how the joint Chunin Exams came to be."
As Minato spoke, he glanced from the corner of his eye at Baki, the Jonin leading the Sunagakure team.
"W-why do that? Aren't the Chunin Exams meant to select Chunin?" Sakura Haruno asked from among the Genin, her hands clenched tightly. Everyone could hear the tension and fear in her voice.
"That is true. Selecting Chunin is indeed one of the purposes of the Chunin Exams."
"But on the other hand, this exam is also a place where ninja carrying their nations' prestige fight with their lives