Chūnin Exams

Shita Genichi had no idea why Tsunade had decided to stay, and he had no desire to probe further. Besides, there was no way he could.

But without a doubt, this was to his benefit.

Whether it was because of Shizune or because Tsunade had come to appreciate him, it didn't matter.

As long as he could learn from Tsunade, or even get access to Konoha's resources, that was enough.

As for everything else, it wasn't important.

Without disturbing Tsunade at work, Shita Genichi took Shizune out of the hospital. "Lady Tsunade isn't leaving Konoha anymore?"

Shizune immediately cried out in surprise. "Y-you know?"

When she had first found out Tsunade was going to leave Konoha, she'd been heartbroken. She'd wanted to tell Shita Genichi many times, but without Tsunade's permission, she couldn't. It had left her in a constant dilemma.

Then, a few days ago, Tsunade told her she wasn't leaving after all.

Shizune had been so happy.

She couldn't believe Shita Genichi had seen right through the secret with a single remark.

For a moment, Shizune felt nervous, though she didn't know why.

Shita Genichi saw how nervous she was and smiled, patting her on the head. "Lady Tsunade wasn't in a good place before. She was very pessimistic, so I guessed."

Shizune stammered, "Um... y-you won't be mad at me for not telling you, will you?"

Shita Genichi chuckled. "Of course not."

"Come on. I'll help you train."

Shizune nodded, beaming. "Okay!"

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. It was July 12, Year 43 of Konoha, the official start of the Chunin Exams.

When Shita Genichi and Shizune arrived outside the Ninja Academy, Kakashi was already there, along with Nohara Rin.

Shita Genichi and Shizune went over to greet them.

Before long, Uchiha Namiichi and the others arrived, too. Kakashi's two teammates were already Chunin as well, but they'd come along to take the Chunin Exams this time.

At nine in the morning, Shita Genichi and the others entered the exam hall.

The first written test covered a broad range of subjects.

There were simple multiple-choice questions, essay questions, math problems, and all sorts of other topics.

The questions covered an enormous range, but all of them were closely connected to actual combat.

But for an all-around top student like Shita Genichi, none of it was a problem.

After half an hour, Shita Genichi put down his pen and handed in his test.

Kakashi finished at almost the same time.

They exchanged smiles, then left the academy together.

Shizune and Nohara Rin immediately came over.

"How did it go?"

Shizune asked.

Nohara Rin looked at Kakashi with wide eyes, too.

Shita Genichi smiled. "Don't worry. We definitely passed."

Kakashi nodded coolly.

Nohara Rin smiled. "I knew you two would be fine."

Shita Genichi invited them with a grin. "Come on. I'll treat you to dango. My family's recently added some new flavors to the menu. You can try them and fill out a survey while you're at it."

Everyone readily agreed.

The group set off for Shita Genichi's house.

After they left, Uchiha Obito emerged from behind a tree.

He'd wanted to go over earlier, but had been too embarrassed.

"I'd better go train..."

Uchiha Obito sighed, then looked toward the Ninja Academy and clenched his fist. "Next time, I'll pass the exam!"

Ever since Kakashi and Shita Genichi had graduated early, he'd wanted to do the same, but he'd failed again and again.

Most of the time, he'd been stopped at the first hurdle: the written test.

"Damn it, damn it! Why do they have to test us on paper...?"

Thinking about his previous failures, Uchiha Obito nearly lost it.

If it were only a test of the Three Body Technique, combat, shuriken throwing, and the like, he'd have no problem at all.

That afternoon, Shita Genichi and Shizune went to check the results of the first test.

As expected, he'd passed. He also saw Kakashi's name on the list.

The second test, a team battle, would be held the following day, starting at two in the afternoon.

The location was Training Ground 29.

After checking the results, Shita Genichi and Shizune went to Konoha Hospital again.

Over the past two days, Tsunade had poured money into the project, and the equipment needed for the new lab had arrived quickly. Shita Genichi occasionally went over to help, and while he was there, he got to try out the latest equipment.

Meanwhile.

At the Root Base.

Listening to his subordinate's report, Danzo furrowed his brow.

Tsunade's sudden change of heart gave him a bad feeling.

She'd clearly seemed like a lost cause before, but now she'd suddenly bounced back.

And she'd taken over Konoha Hospital.

Then there was that bone marrow transplant plan... Could she be planning to restart the Hashirama Cells transplant experiments?

Danzo mulled it over, then gave an order. "Keep a close watch on Tsunade's movements."

"Understood!"

The Root ninja accepted the order and left.

Danzo's brow remained furrowed.

Even if the Hashirama Cells experiments were restarted, that wouldn't necessarily hurt him.

The real issue was Tsunade herself.

Among the Konoha Sannin, there was no doubt that she was the most qualified to succeed Sarutobi Hiruzen and become the Fourth Hokage.

Their prestige was second only to Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha.

But they had an advantage Hatake Sakumo lacked: Sarutobi Hiruzen's full support.

And of the Konoha Sannin, Tsunade was undoubtedly the most renowned.

She was the granddaughter of the First and Second, the Princess Tsunade of the Land of Fire.

The Senju Clan might be gone, but its influence still ran deep among Konoha's ninja clans.

The clan's core members had been wiped out in the First Shinobi World War and in the earlier Hashirama Cells experiments.

Tsunade and Nawaki no longer used the Senju surname. This was a policy implemented by the Second, Senju Tobirama.

But that didn't mean every member of the Senju Clan had died.

In the past, many Senju women had married into other families, dissolving into Konoha like water into a lake.

Danzo knew Sarutobi Hiruzen too well.

If he had to choose between the Sannin and Hatake Sakumo, he would undoubtedly choose the former.

And if he had to choose among the Sannin, Tsunade would be his first choice.

Next would be Jiraiya, the wanderer.

Orochimaru, who was now working closely with him, would be the last.

With Tsunade seemingly a lost cause, drinking and gambling all day and neglecting her duties, she'd been even less reliable than Jiraiya, who was always wandering around outside.

That left Orochimaru as the only choice among the Sannin.

At that point, the threat posed by Hatake Sakumo had suddenly grown.

So, some time ago, Danzo had resorted to a few underhanded tricks to damage Hatake Sakumo's reputation.

Unfortunately, he'd failed.

He hadn't even gotten to make his next move when Tsunade's situation changed again.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't step down for at least another ten years, barring anything unforeseen, but Danzo still had to prepare in advance.

"Tsunade... White Fang..."

Danzo quickly reached a decision. "There's no need to consider White Fang anymore. With Tsunade in the picture, he won't have another chance."

"Tsunade. Hmph."

Danzo snorted softly, but deep down, he felt helpless.

He couldn't make a move against Tsunade.

"Let's hope the Wood Release experiment goes smoothly. Then I'll have another trump card in my hand."

Danzo rose, intending to go find Orochimaru.

The more power the Hokage had, the less he had.

He didn't want his own power to weaken when Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped down.

It couldn't just stay the same.

He had to make it stronger!