"Heh heh, how could I not believe you, Naruto? I was just a little surprised. After all, you are entering the Chunin Exams rather early," Ueno Kei said with a smile when he saw Naruto sulking.
"What are you talking about, Kei? You're only one year older than me, yet you're already a jonin. And here I thought you were just a chunin all this time. Hmph!" Naruto said, looking thoroughly angry.
Ueno Kei froze briefly. He had not expected Naruto to know about that, but then he realized Kakashi had probably told them. Smiling, he said, "All right, all right, that's my fault. I believe Naruto will definitely pass the Chunin Exams and become a chunin!"
Ueno Kei spoke with absolute conviction. Of course, he was not merely humoring Naruto; he truly believed Naruto's team possessed that kind of strength.
A B-rank mission? A mission involving an elite jonin like Zabuza, along with helpers like Raiga and Haku—how could it possibly have been merely B-rank? At the very least, it should have been A-rank. Although Kakashi and Ueno Kei had been the main force, it had still clearly demonstrated Naruto and Sasuke's abilities.
As for that pink-haired girl, Ueno Kei subconsciously overlooked her. Judging by Naruto and Sasuke's strength alone, they had already begun to possess the capabilities of chunin. What they lacked was merely experience.
There was no harm in letting them take the Chunin Exams. Even if they failed, it would still serve as excellent training.
Ueno Kei's thoughts drifted back to the meeting several days ago.
Ueno Kei had leaned against a pillar in the Hokage's office, bored out of his mind as he watched Konoha's ninja gradually enter. From what he discreetly observed, nearly all of them were Konoha jonin, with the occasional chunin mixed