"The Ninja World has been anything but peaceful lately! It's been many years since the last Great Ninja War, and every nation has had time to recover. But the wolves licking their wounds in the shadows have finally bared their fangs! Sunagakure in particular has repeatedly provoked clashes along the Land of Fire's borders!"
The Third Hokage rose and gazed toward Kage Rock in the distance, his heart heavy with emotion. He knew his own teacher had died heroically in the Great Ninja War. Now it was his turn to face a new war.
"What does that have to do with Liuxia and Nawaki applying for early graduation?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"Everything," the Third Hokage said slowly. "I plan to join forces with the Five Great Nations' ninja villages and the smaller villages around us to hold a joint Chunin Exam. There are two reasons for doing this. First, it will show off Konoha's formidable military strength and deter the other great nations that are itching to make a move. It will be a particularly strong warning to Sunagakure, which has been making trouble so often lately. Second, it will also intimidate the smaller villages around us and keep them from easily throwing in their lot with another nation. At the very least..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took several deep pulls from his pipe before continuing, his voice grave and cold. "At the very least, it will make them think twice before acting. We must plan ahead and prepare thoroughly to face any crisis that may come. This will also keep the other great nations from immediately invading the Land of Fire, giving us a chance to hold the fighting beyond our borders, limit the damage to our land, and buy enough time to deploy our ninja forces and transport supplies. This joint Chunin Exam is an important opportunity to show the outside world our strength and solidify our position."
"But that means Nawaki, Liuxia, and the village's other future pillars will be targeted by the other ninja villages right away! If war really breaks out, those villages will surely try to snuff them out before they can grow! I won't agree to this. It goes against my grandfather's Will of Fire!" Tsunade said sternly, looking at the elders before her.
"Tsunade! Everything we do is for the village! We need this Chunin Exam to buy time! The village needs time to organize supplies and prepare for battle!" one of the elders replied just as sternly.
"Tsunade, you have to understand our predicament. There are plenty of Genin in these recent classes, but precious few can truly be called geniuses. If Liuxia hadn't come along, I never would have considered this. After all, without enough strength to suppress the geniuses from other villages, the exam wouldn't have much deterrent effect. And judging by how Liuxia performed when he fought you, he already has the strength of at least a Special Jōnin! Even if he can't do everything perfectly, given his age, he should still make quite an impression!"
Tsunade was about to argue again, but Liuxia quickly grabbed her and said softly, "Tsunade, sis."
Liuxia knew perfectly well that applying for early graduation was exactly what he had wanted lately. The Chunin Exam might involve some risks, but it wasn't all bad for him.
A tree that stood above the forest was bound to be battered by the wind, but he wasn't an ordinary tree. With his system and Wood Release, even if he was made of wood, he was a God Tree. After all his hard work, he was already beginning to master the power of Wood Release. Even a gale would be no match for him. What he lacked most right now was combat experience. If he could make up for that shortcoming in the Chunin Exam, he could transform himself—leaping over the Dragon Gate like a carp and emerging from the depths like a hidden dragon!
Besides, the life of a Chunin was worlds apart from that of a Genin! Once promoted to Chunin, he would have far more freedom to choose his missions. Genin, by contrast, were usually stuck with low-level, relatively safe errands, like taking out the trash or finding lost cats and dogs. For other Genin, that was undoubtedly a good thing; it was the village's way of looking after them. During this time, they could earn some money, receive basic instruction from their sensei, and even practice controlling their chakra by learning to Water Walk or climb trees.
But none of that mattered to him. He didn't lack for guidance. Setting aside Grandma Mito and Tsunade, even if he went to the Third Hokage for help with a training problem, Hiruzen would certainly teach him everything he knew, given his ties to Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade. And then there was Jiraiya. If Liuxia asked him for help, how could he not teach him properly?
As for earning the chance to exchange accumulated mission credits for jutsu, he didn't need that either. Grandma Mito had already given him free access to the Senju Clan's storehouse. Any ninjutsu or Sealing Jutsu he wanted to learn was his for the taking.
This wasn't just a chance to apply for early graduation. He could even skip the Genin stage entirely—the stage where he would otherwise waste a great deal of precious time on a string of trivial missions.
If this joint Chunin Exam went smoothly, then, as in previous years, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire would attend in person. The Daimyo of the other four great nations might not come themselves, but they would at least send trusted retainers to lead their delegations. For Liuxia, who was determined to become Hokage, this was an absolutely golden opportunity!
After all, Liuxia was a descendant of the Senju Clan, and the Senju Clan had always enjoyed a good relationship with the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire. Tsunade and Nawaki were even his biological grandchildren.
Though the Senju Clan no longer existed, the bonds between them remained as long as Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade were still around. So, if Liuxia performed well in this exam, he could make an excellent impression. Once he had enough strength and had earned enough merits, he wouldn't have to worry about failing to secure the Hokage Position!
"Uncle Third, and all of you elders, I'm willing to accept early graduation and take part in this Chunin Exam. I'm a Konoha ninja, and the village has nurtured and raised me. Now it's my turn to step forward and shoulder some of the risk for the village!"
"Excellent! You truly are a descendant of the Senju Clan. Your courage and resolve are heartening. I'll fully support your application and personally arrange the paperwork for your early graduation. However, the necessary procedures still have to be followed. I'll have someone notify you once I've set the date for your assessment. Remember, prepare thoroughly and face the challenge in your best condition!" the Third Hokage replied with an approving smile.
Just as Liuxia was about to offer a few words of thanks and courtesy, Tsunade could no longer contain her anger. She grabbed him without a word and turned to leave, leaving everyone present staring at one another in bewilderment.
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