Winds from All Directions, Crows of the World!

"This..."

"Isn't that a bit too shameless?!"

A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's face as he said, "That is only because you do not yet understand the ninja world."

"..."

Uchiha Shingen froze for a moment. Once he grasped the implication behind Orochimaru's words, his expression immediately turned peculiar.

So, nobody follows the rules, is that it?

Even so, for Konoha to directly shove two Jonin-level ninjas into a Chunin Exam was still a bit too devoid of integrity.

However, after calming down, Uchiha Shingen felt a flicker of interest.

Promoting to Jonin was far more troublesome than promoting to Chunin.

The latter only required a recommendation from a supervising Jonin and passing a one-time exam set by Konoha.

But to promote to Jonin, aside from the requirements regarding one's own strength, there was a long probationary period—anywhere from half a year to several years.

Not only was the process tedious, but the requirements were also extremely strict.

If he could bypass this process and become a Jonin directly, it would naturally save Uchiha Shingen a great deal of trouble.

Yet, after pondering for a moment, Uchiha Shingen still voiced his concerns: "Relying on me alone..."

"Kakashi's process is also underway."

Before he could finish, Orochimaru spoke up, "The brat by your side is also going through the process."

"Shisui?!"

The corner of Uchiha Shingen's mouth twitched violently.

Orochimaru was right; he had indeed underestimated the ninja world... or, to put it bluntly, Konoha's integrity. This was practically rubbing their own faces into the dirt!

Still, as things stood, this only benefited him.

After all, it was just a Genin-level exam. With himself, Kakashi, and Shisui as an added bonus, there shouldn't be any accidents.

"Then I have no objections."

"Hmph."

Orochimaru chuckled softly. After giving Uchiha Shingen a deep look, he turned and left, quickly disappearing into the distant crowd.

In the heart of the Land of Lightning.

Above endless mountain peaks, clouds and mist dispersed, making the place look like a heavenly realm.

Buildings of various sizes were nestled among the mountains, all guarding the massive, fortress-like structure at the center.

In the middle of that building, a "Lightning" character was particularly eye-catching.

This was the location of Kumogakure, which stood on equal footing with Konoha.

Bang!

A boom echoed from the Kumogakure office building.

The Third Raikage, in the prime of his life, stood before his desk.

He was tall and powerfully built; just standing there, he was like an iron tower, making it hard for others to breathe.

"This joint Chunin Exam is the perfect time to restore the prestige of the Land of Lightning!"

"We must use absolute force to suppress all the powers in the ninja world."

Dodai stood beside the Third Raikage. He looked at the few figures standing before him, especially the capable young woman at the very front, and hesitated for a moment.

"Samui and Darui are one thing, but for even Yugito to be sent out, isn't that a bit too exaggerated?!"

"After all, she is..."

"Cast aside your moral bottom line, Dodai!"

The Third Raikage crossed his arms over his chest and sat back down in his chair.

His angry eyes gazed out the window, looking toward the location of Konoha.

It was as if he were peering through the vast sea of clouds to lock eyes with Sarutobi Hiruzen, who currently sat in command of Konoha and also bore the title of Third Hokage.

"I am one hundred percent certain!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely has no intention of playing by the rules, and even if he did, that black-gloved subordinate of his, Danzo, would never sit idly by."

"In other words."

"It's not that we aren't following the rules; we are simply engaging in defensive rule-breaking!"

"..."

Dodai was momentarily speechless.

Facing these power brokers of the ninja world, he sometimes couldn't help but wonder if his own moral bottom line was too high, or if these people simply had no moral bottom line at all.

Was that even something a human being should say, Lord Third?

However.

Though Dodai complained in his heart, he didn't let a single trace of it show on his face.

He was not like B, the partner of the Third Raikage, yet he had managed to become his right-hand man precisely because he was quick-witted and knew how to read the room.

Whatever the leader says must be right!

But the necessary warnings still had to be given.

"Yugito is a jinchuriki, after all. Sending her to Konoha like this, I worry that something might go wrong."

The Third Raikage thought for a moment and said:

"Let that brat A make the trip."

"It's a good chance for him to see just how much of Konoha's former prestige remains. If they really are just a lion that has lost its claws and teeth, then that will be our opportunity."

Having said that.

The Third Raikage looked toward the other three people in the office, the coldness on his face receding slightly as he said earnestly:

"The purpose of your deployment is not just for the so-called Chunin Exams. After all, you are all already chunin, and Yugito only recently passed the jonin examination."

"This time, you represent the face of Kumogakure!"

"I only want to see victory—a crushing, overwhelming victory!"

"Yes!"

The three bowed in salute, a flame seemingly burning in their eyes.

At the same time.

Kirigakure.

Low-hanging clouds filled the sky, and white mist drifted everywhere, leaving the entire village feeling oppressive and stifling.

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

Kisame, who had recently become a jonin, carried a broadsword on his back as he moved rapidly through the mist.

His appearance was strange, with fish gills on his face and shoulders; he looked less like a human and more like a monster born from the union of a man and a shark.

This bizarre appearance granted him a talent for Water Release that far exceeded ordinary people, but it also made him the target of constant discrimination.

"Hoh~!"

"Even a monster like you received the summons?!"

Kisame turned his head to the side to see a youth, also carrying a short blade and wrapped in bandages, catching up to him from the side.

Before the youth had even drawn near, his fierce, almost tangible killing intent made Kisame feel an instinctive discomfort.

Even Kisame was somewhat surprised.

This youth was several years younger than him, yet his killing intent was stronger than anything he had ever seen!

"Zabuza?!"

Kisame spoke the youth's name, his dead-fish eyes showing a rare spark of interest as he said:

"Aren't you also carrying the reputation of a monster?"

"If I recall correctly, you killed everyone in your graduating class, didn't you?!"

"Resisting the village's decisions in such a way..."

Kisame's voice cut off abruptly as the long sword on his back left its sheath, steadily blocking a vicious strike from Zabuza!

Clang!

Sparks flew in the damp air.

Two pairs of equally cold eyes locked onto each other, and killing intent instantly radiated into the surroundings!

"I wouldn't mind killing you before this mission even begins!"

Zabuza made no effort to hide his killing intent; in Kirigakure, there was no need to hide it at all.

After all, Kirigakure was an anomaly in the ninja world, a place that had carved slaughter and the law of the jungle into its very marrow!

"Heh heh heh~"

Kisame's hand held his blade with absolute steadiness, his posture casual:

"Yare yare~"

"Enough!"

A sharp rebuke exploded through the air. Kisame and Zabuza turned their heads in unison, their pupils shrinking to pinpricks the instant they saw who had arrived!