The Eve of the Great Battle

Konoha Village.

The mission in the Land of Hot Water was completed successfully, and its difficulty rating was adjusted to A-rank.

A few days after returning to the village, a notice for the Chunin Exams arrived, and the Third Hokage summoned all the village's jonin for a meeting.

Inside the conference room.

"I have gathered you all here to discuss this upcoming Chunin Exam, including the content and specific plans. We will also be nominating a group of outstanding genin to participate."

The words of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sparked a discussion among everyone as they deliberated on the format of the Chunin Exams.

It was then time for the jonin to nominate their own outstanding genin for the exams.

Namikaze Minato, wearing his green jonin flak jacket, stepped forward.

"I nominate Uchiha Obito, Hatake Kakashi, and Nohara Rin to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"I nominate Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu to participate in the Chunin Exams."

Li Yu also took the opportunity to step before the Hokage.

"I nominate Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yugao to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"I nominate..."

Everyone began nominating the genin from their respective squads, and the atmosphere grew heated.

In a daze, Li Yu saw Kakashi, Yuhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, and Might Guy—it felt just like the Chunin Exams of the "Konoha 12" generation.

The exam content was much the same: the first stage was a written test, the second was in the Forest of Death, and the third consisted of individual duels.

After leaving the Hokage's conference room, Li Yu met with his three students as planned.

"These are your recommendation forms. Take them to the Ninja Academy to register for the Chunin Exams."

"Teacher, the Chunin Exams!"

"That's great! We're finally going to become chunin!"

"No more tedious D-rank missions!"

Seeing how excited the three of them were, he offered a few words of advice. Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai were top students, while Sarutobi Asuma lagged slightly behind.

In terms of raw strength, Yuhi Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao were a bit behind the others.

"You have three days to register at the Ninja Academy. Return to your respective clans and prepare well for the exams."

"Yugao, come with me."

"Yes, Teacher."

Li Yu led Uzuki Yugao all the way to the Senju Clan compound, entering the ancestral home where he currently resided.

"Teacher, why did you bring me here?"

"The time is right. I'm taking you to see your sister, Uzuki Yuying."

"Really? My sister is usually busy with Anbu missions; she rarely has time to come home to see me."

Just then, a figure with long purple hair cascading to her waist, fair skin, and a graceful silhouette stepped out from the house with light, nimble footsteps.

"Sister!"

"Yugao, why are you here?"

As she spoke, Uzuki Yugao threw herself into Uzuki Yuying's arms. Seeing the two sisters together, they surely had plenty of private things to discuss.

Li Yu nodded to Uzuki Yuying and turned to leave.

In the Senju Clan's council hall, a group of the remaining Senju clansmen had already gathered, having waited for quite some time.

Seeing Li Yu walk in, they spoke in unison:

"Clan Head."

Li Yu walked to the head seat and sat down, gesturing for everyone to take their places.

At the head of the left side sat Senju Fenghua, the son of Senju Toka, followed by his wife, Senju Qinghua, and their son, Senju Lihua.

At the head of the right side sat the sons of Senju Lijian: the eldest, Senju Qijian; the second, Senju Qijian; and the third, Senju Zijian.

Senju Toka and Senju Lijian had been the capable subordinates of Senju Hashirama.

One excelled in genjutsu, while the other specialized in ninjutsu development. As for taijutsu, monstrous strength, and chakra reserves, those were the fundamental traits of the Senju Clan.

"I have summoned you all here in secret today so that the Senju Clan can once again unite."

"We no longer need to hide our names, skulk in the shadows, or be gradually marginalized by the village."

"This clan has produced two of the village's Hokage; we are a glorious lineage."

After hearing Li Yu's words, the eyes of the Senju clansmen present burned with fervor, their fists clenched tight.

Seeing their reaction, Li Yu thought smugly, Heh, it seems I also have the potential for the Hokage's strongest 'jutsu'.

"Perhaps you all feel that times have changed, because when the Third Hokage took office, his reputation wasn't enough, so he dispersed most of the power among the various clans to stabilize his own position."

"I am not here to consult with you all today, but to formally notify you and discuss the details."

"The Senju Clan's business development has been quite impressive lately; there are ten hot pot restaurants and five casinos across the Land of Fire."

The meeting lasted until late into the night. Although they had been in session all day, everyone left with high spirits, filled with anticipation for the future.

Land of Earth

Hidden Stone Village - Onoki

"Lord Tsuchikage, two ninjas from the Land of Wind have delivered a scroll."

Onoki read the scroll and clicked his tongue in exclamation.

"The Third Kazekage has gone missing, and they suspect Konoha is behind it? They want to form an alliance to attack Konoha?"

"Heh, their own Kage goes missing, so they try to shift the blame onto Konoha to divert internal conflict. That old hag Chiyo certainly has a way with things."

"As for an alliance, it is not out of the question."

"According to intelligence, Zi Yu of Konoha has left the village to gather information, and there has been no sign of him taking action even in Konoha's S-rank missions."

"I was careless last time, but this time, by uniting the four great nations, our village still has tens of thousands of elite ninjas."

Land of Lightning - Hidden Cloud Village

Third Raikage A held several intelligence reports in his hand, and after reading them, he slammed his palm heavily onto the table.

"Bang!"

"Hmph, Onoki actually proposed that we unite to attack Konoha."

"He claims there is an Anbu in Konoha codenamed Zi Yu who is incredibly powerful and capable of using Wood Release."

"I see it as nothing more than an excuse for their failed assassination attempt, deliberately exaggerated."

"An alliance?"

"Hmph, that shorty Onoki loves to play tricks, but they are all fragile in the face of true strength."

As he spoke, he slammed his fist onto the table again, shattering it to pieces.

The dark-skinned young man standing to the side spoke up.

"Father, two teams of ninjas sent out to probe Konoha a few days ago have lost contact. They must have been taken out by Konoha's people."

"Spies from the Land of Wind have sent word: the Third Kazekage has suddenly disappeared, and the Hidden Sand Village is in total chaos."

Third Raikage A glanced at his son and the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, Killer Bee, standing to the side, his eyes gleaming with a golden light.

"Pass down the order: prepare for war."

"Yes!"