Hidden Sand and Konoha's Joint Chunin Exams (Part 1)

Land of Wind

Sunagakure is the most powerful village located in the desert of the Land of Wind, occupying the most advantageous oasis in the desert. The oasis is surrounded by desert and has a not-so-high earthen wall that connects to the hills to the east of the village. The natural hills to the east are the key defensive point of Sunagakure.

This eastern defensive outpost hill has only one narrow gap, allowing people to pass through. It is known in the Shinobi World as the "One Line Sky" and is also the path connecting Sunagakure to the outside world, linking the oasis and vegetation.

The Sunagakure ensure its safety simply by deploying defensive forces on the eastern hills. The desert on the other three sides is impassable for ordinary ninjas.

The Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, Fourth Kazekage Rasa, wore a blue Kazekage hat, a blue robe, and a white Kazekage robe over it. Behind him stood two Jonin Hidden Sand. The three of them were waiting for something at the entrance to the narrow passage on the hill.

"Lord Kazekage! The sky!"

The Rasa guarding Rasa Jonin reminded the Kazekage Rasa in front of him.

Rasa looked up at the huge flying machine slowly descending in the sky. As the Kazekage of one of the Five Great Nations ninja villages, Rasa had a resilient mind and was not panicked by the unknown. He focused intently on the slowly descending Sky Fortress.

Today, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Uchiha Nara, will be personally visiting for the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams. Rasa timed it perfectly and waited for him at the entrance of Sunagakure. After waiting for a long time, he didn't see the Hokage and his party. Instead, a strange, huge flying machine appeared.

Boom!

The Konoha Airspace Carrier stirred up a cloud of dust during its descent, before finally landing steadily at the entrance of the Sunagakure's defense base.

The hatch of the space carrier opened, and Naraku led Tsunade and two guards dressed as Anbu out.

"The fact that the Kazekage personally came to greet me truly makes me feel ashamed."

Naraku stepped out of the cabin, he immediately noticed the man dressed in Kage attire and guessed that he was Rasa Kazekage Rasa of Sunagakure.

Naraku somewhat surprised by the Kazekage's humble manner in personally greeting him; he hadn't received this treatment during his last visit to Kumogakure.

"The Sunagakure is deeply honored by the Hokage's visit."

Kazekage wore Kazekage hat and a white mask over his face, revealing only a pair of somewhat fierce and ferocious eyes. He looked somewhat ruthless, but his behavior was very humble.

As Naraku approached, he extended his right hand, and the shadows from the two villages clasped hands, creating a harmonious and friendly scene.

Click!

The Kazekage Rasa Jonin a picture of this scene with a camera, and two photos were quickly developed.

After the two photos were developed, the Hidden Sand Jonin glanced at them and then handed them to the Kazekage Rasa.

After the handshake ceremony, Kazekage Rasa took the photos from the Jonin, glanced at them, and then handed one to Naraku, saying softly:

"The Hokage's visit is a testament to the friendship between Konoha Hidden Sand. Let's take a photo as a memento."

Naraku reached out and took the photo, glanced at it, and although it was a side profile, he could still see his dashing face. He smiled and said:

"That's how it should be."

"Hokage, please come in!"

Rasa turned and waved, signaling Naraku to enter Sunagakure. Naraku stepped forward, and the two walked side by side.

"The defenses of Hidden Sand are truly impregnable."

The gap in the middle of the hill is estimated to be less than ten meters wide, with layer upon layer of hill defense outposts on both sides, each guarded by ninjas.

If it were a regular ninja battle between villages, attempting to force their way in from this spot would be a real disaster.

"It is precisely because of its uniquely favorable environment that Sunagakure has been able to survive to this day."

Rasa did not mince words when it came to this defensive outpost.

Aside from Konoha, most of the other villages were established when a powerful clan seized a prime location. After Konoha Ninja was established in the Land of Fire, other powerful ninja clans followed Konoha's example, recruiting other clans to form alliances and becoming ninja villages. These ninja villages already had their own locations and expanded after recruiting others, unlike Konoha, which was built from scratch by the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara choosing its location.

Naraku nodded, and after some polite greetings, they arrived at the reception building of Sunagakure. Kazekage Rasa escorted Naraku and his group to their rest area, gave instructions to the ninjas at the reception desk, and then left.

Guided by the welcoming ninja, Naraku and his companions checked into their rooms in the reception building. Naraku marveled at the exotic atmosphere of Sunagakure.

Upon arriving at the room, he stood in front of the round window, observing the environment of Sunagakure.

"Even in an oasis, sandstorms still rage. Not to mention compared to Konoha, even any random town in the Land of Fire has a much better environment than here."

After observing the environment of Sunagakure, Naraku let out a sigh.

If Naraku had been born in Sunagakure, he would surely have strived to seize the land of the Land of Fire and Konoha to the bitter end.

The desert was far too barren. It was uncertain whether the few arable fields on the oasis could produce enough food to feed the Sunagakure.

"The environment of the Land of Wind forged the indomitable ninjas of Sunagakure. The Sunagakure Ninja are the elite of the elite, and this situation is also due to this environment."

Tsunade fought against the Sunagakure Ninja Village multiple times, and her understanding of the Hidden Sand was greater than Naraku's.

"This is a product of unavoidable circumstances. The so-called elite among elites are both shaped by their environment and a result of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind's policy of cutting military spending and implementing a lean and efficient military."

Naraku was unimpressed by the so-called elite policy, which targeted the elite of the elite ninjas.

At the Genin and Chunin levels, Konoha's ninjas may not be as well-trained as those from Hidden Sand or Hidden Mist, but in terms of Jonin quality, Konoha's Jonin are the most disciplined and the most outstanding.

Bang! Bang!

A knock sounded at the door, and Naraku and Tsunade turned to look, saying softly:

"Please come in."

A ninja dressed Anbu led three ninjas who appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old and wore Konoha Headband into the room.

"Lord Hokage!" X3

The three genin Genin both excited and reserved upon receiving news of the Hokage's arrival in Sunagakure, especially after being summoned by the Hokage, which made them even more nervous.

Of the three Konoha Genin teams, two were eliminated in the second round, leaving only these three to advance to the third round of the Hidden Sand Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Ibuse Hangetsu, Kawaguchi Shio, Murayama Tomonobu, the three of you passed the first two rounds of the Chunin Ninja Exams. You did well."

Naraku knew the names of all three squad members by heart, and this Ibuse Hangetsu was a key candidate he was paying close attention to.

"Effort can also surpass genius."

"It's all part of my job, hahaha..."

Kawaguchi Shio Murayama Tomonobu are commoner-type ninjas, possessing all the passion and cheerfulness of Konoha Ninja, while Ibuse Hangetsu has a cold face and never utters a word.

"Hard work can indeed surpass genius."

Naraku smiled in agreement, glancing at Murayama Tomonobu with surprise at the man's words. His smile grew even warmer as he continued:

"It seems that the reputation of Konoha depends on the three of you. If you three can pass this Chunin Ninja Exams and gain the approval of Sunagakure, I will give you a special reward."

Murayama Tomonobu, you're skilled in Fire Style, right? Kawaguchi Shio, you have a talent for Genjutsu. Ibuse Hangetsu, a genius of the Ibuse Clan.

Tomorrow is the Duel Exam, and there's not enough time for special training today. Do your best! If you can promote the strength and spirit of Konoha, the reward will be very generous!

"Advanced Fire Style Ninjutsu, Advanced Genjutsu Knowledge, Ibuse Hangetsu, I've heard you wish to restore the glory of the Ibuse Clan. The Ibuse Summoning Scroll is right here in my hands."

Naraku's smiling enticement stirred up the fighting spirit of the group.