Signing Up for the Chunin Exams

After Hayato left the Hokage Building, Sakumo walked forward at an unhurried pace, a hint of confusion in his eyes as he looked at Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage, is there anything else important you need to discuss?"

Hiruzen picked up the pipe on his desk and took an elegant puff. He slowly blew out one smoke ring after another, creating an air of composure and profundity.

"Sakumo, I asked you to stay because I wanted to discuss something crucial with you."

Sakumo's expression turned serious. He replied respectfully, "Please, give me your instructions, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words, then finally spoke. "The Chunin Exams are coming up. I'd like to hear what you think of Hayato. Do you believe he's ready to take on the challenge and participate in the Chunin Exams?"

Normally, this matter would have been discussed at a meeting of the guiding jonin, but Sakumo and Hayato had been away on a mission and missed it.

So Hiruzen had made a point of asking Sakumo for his opinion in private.

After listening, Sakumo felt a quiet sense of relief. He'd thought Lord Hokage was unhappy with Hayato for acting on his own.

So that was it—it was about the Chunin Exams.

He thought carefully about Hayato's recent performance, and a note of confidence flashed in his eyes. "Lord Hokage, I believe Hayato already has the strength and wisdom to become a Chunin."

Hiruzen looked surprised. "Are you sure? After all, he's been a Genin for less than two months."

Sakumo smiled and shook his head, his tone firm. "Time alone can't measure a person's growth. Hayato has shown such potential and ability that I believe he can meet the challenges of the Chunin Exams."

Silence briefly settled over the room. Hiruzen knew that Sakumo understood Hayato far better than he did. He gave a slight nod, as though weighing the pros and cons.

"Very well. Since you recommend him so strongly, let Hayato take the exam. You're responsible for informing him," Hiruzen finally decided.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I'll see to it." Sakumo nodded. After confirming there was nothing else to discuss, he left the Hokage's office.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Hokage Building, Hayato quickly found the Kazama brothers and brought them back to his home.

Of the five spacious rooms in his house, three were empty guest rooms—more than enough space for the brothers.

Hayato first discussed the matter with Shota and Misaki, and they supported his decision.

Since Hayato trusted the brothers, they had no reason to object.

After settling the brothers in, Hayato let his parents know and hurried to the Grand Elder's residence.

The clan's help would be needed to support the Kazama brothers' research.

Before long, Hayato arrived at the Grand Elder's home. When the Grand Elder saw him return, delight showed on his face.

"You're back. You look full of energy."

Hayato skipped the small talk and got straight to the point.

"Grandpa, I came today to ask for your help."

Seeing how serious Hayato was, the Grand Elder's smile faded. He sat upright. "Go ahead, Hayato."

Hayato then explained the whole situation to the Grand Elder in detail.

The Grand Elder listened with a slight frown, clearly not expecting Hayato to make such a request.

"But, given the current situation, those two brothers haven't made any real progress yet. This could all come to nothing," the Grand Elder said with some concern.

Besides, was it really necessary to invest so many resources in uncertain long-distance communication technology?

Hayato replied firmly, "Grandpa, I believe in them. Efficient intelligence transmission is crucial on the front lines, and improving it would have great strategic significance. Besides, if this technology is in the hands of our Uchiha Clan, our prestige will rise even further."

A glimmer appeared in the Grand Elder's eyes as he fell into thought. After a moment, he slowly said, "I'll need to discuss this with the clan head. After all, it involves conflicting interests within the clan."

Developing and maintaining a new technology was indeed beyond what the Grand Elder could decide on his own.

Hayato smiled expectantly. "I'm sure the clan head will support it."

The Grand Elder wasn't entirely certain, but he promised to do his best to talk to the clan head.

After speaking with the Grand Elder, Hayato left and headed straight home. He'd been away for over half a month, and all he wanted now was a good night's sleep.

Shota and Misaki looked at their sleeping son, their hearts full of pride. Misaki said softly, "Hayato has really grown into an excellent ninja."

Shota nodded with a smile. "Yes. We had a feeling this would happen from the moment he was born, didn't we?"

They couldn't help marveling at how quickly time had passed. Before they knew it, Hayato had become capable of standing on his own.

The next morning, gentle sunlight fell across Hayato's face, waking him from his sleep.

As he listened to the pleasant birdsong outside the window, Hayato got up, refreshed, and washed.

Then he headed to his usual training spot. His training had been put on hold while he was away on his mission.

Minato didn't show up today, and Hayato wasn't sure whether he'd gone on a mission or stayed home to rest.

Hayato still hadn't had a chance to tell him that he'd learned the Flying Thunder God Technique.

After training all morning, Hayato decided to visit Minato at home.

Just then, Sakumo's voice came from nearby. "I knew it. You really are here."

When he saw Sakumo, Hayato tensed. Was he going on another mission?

He said quietly, "Teacher Sakumo, I think we need to balance work and rest, too."

Even a donkey on a production team didn't work this hard.

He'd only just gotten back yesterday.

Sakumo laughed when he heard that. "I remember you were clamoring for high-level missions not long ago. Why are you backing out now?"

Hayato shook his head helplessly. He didn't mind taking on high-level missions; traveling was just so time-consuming.

All of a sudden, even low-level missions seemed pretty nice.

When Hayato didn't say anything, Sakumo waved a hand. "All right, I won't tease you. I didn't come to talk about missions."

With that, he took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Hayato.

Hayato took it with a puzzled look. It was an application form for the Chunin Exams.

"Teacher, what's this...?" Hayato asked in surprise.

Sakumo smiled. "I recommended you for this exam, but the final decision is yours. If you think you're ready, go sign up. Just remember, the deadline is before sunset today."

Hayato hadn't expected to earn Sakumo's approval after less than two months of going on missions with him.

Without hesitation, he took out a pen, found a place to squat, and started filling out the application.

He simply found a place to squat and began filling out the form.

Come to think of it, Sakumo had really done him a huge favor.

If he wanted to become a jonin, he first had to pass the Chunin Exams and be promoted to Chunin.

If he missed this chance, who knew how long it would be before Konoha held the next Chunin Exams?

Sakumo watched Hayato fill out the form with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He remembered how he'd spent ages hesitating when he had to make the same choice.

Before long, Hayato finished the application and capped his pen. "All done, Teacher," he said.

"You're certainly in a hurry," Sakumo teased. Then he took Hayato to the Hokage Building to register.

To sign up for the Chunin Exams, a Genin had to appear in person with their guiding jonin, who had to vouch for them.

With Sakumo accompanying him, the registration process went smoothly.

"The exam starts in a week. You won't be taking any missions during that time, so make sure you prepare," Sakumo said with a smile, patting Hayato on the shoulder.

"Mm, I will." Hayato nodded firmly.

As soon as the registration was done, Hayato waved goodbye to Sakumo and dashed off toward Minato's house, his feet practically flying.

The sunshine was lovely, and the breeze was gentle. His mood was as bright as the weather.

He knocked softly on the door, humming to himself as he looked forward to Minato's smiling face.

But behind the door, all was quiet, as if time itself had stopped.

"Did he go on a mission?"

Hayato wondered to himself, then decided to try his luck at Kushina's house. Maybe Minato was there.

He mainly wanted to share the joy of having learned the Flying Thunder God Technique with Minato, and also thank him for sharing his experience with the Rasengan.

Before long, he reached Kushina's front door.

The door opened, and Kushina's gentle face came into view.

"Oh, Hayato, what brings you here? Did you miss me?" Kushina teased.

"Kushina, do you know where Minato went?" Hayato asked innocently, blinking.

Of course, he wasn't going to ask outright whether Minato was at her house.

Kushina's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Oh, you're looking for Minato? As it happens, he's here. Come on in."

Just as he'd thought—Minato was here.

Minato really did come over to a girl's house every other day. Honestly... Hayato envied him.

Hayato followed Kushina inside.

"Minato, Hayato's here to see you!" Kushina called out, her voice as warm as a spring breeze.

Just then, a wet head appeared from the bathroom. It was Minato.

He was holding a wrench, water dripping from his body, and looked at Hayato in surprise. "Oh, Hayato, you're back?"

Wow, a plumber roleplay? Minato, you're something else.

"Mm, I got back yesterday, Minato," Hayato replied.

"Wait a moment. I'll finish what I'm doing first—it won't take long. Kushina, keep Hayato company." After exchanging a few words with Hayato, Minato ducked back into the bathroom.

"It's fine, I'm not in a hurry," Hayato said with a smile.

Kushina led him to the living room, where he sat and waited.

Before long, Minato came out of the bathroom, drying his hands as he asked, "What's up, Hayato? Did you need something?"

Hayato took a deep breath, pride shining in his smile. "Minato, I've got good news. I mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique!"

Minato's eyes lit up at once. "Really? You mastered it too? That's amazing!"

Too?

So Minato had mastered it as well. Hayato felt a little disappointed. He could only think, As expected of Minato.