The Chunin Exams (Part 2)

Actually, no one is really attached to this thing, and anyone can ask for it. It's just that in this clan area, when people go out to buy groceries, they ask their relatives for them. They're all family, and no one can refuse. Everyone is carrying a bunch of requests for favors.

That performance just now was enough to get the job done.

Everyone knows that if your skills aren't exceptional, you shouldn't participate.

The Joint Chunin Exams is the official name used by the village. Internally, it's called the Chunin Selection Exam. Only the Jonin can truly understand that the Joint Chunin Exams are a microcosm of the Fourth Ninja World War and an important measure to balance the power between ninja villages.

In that case, of course people will die, and quite a few will die.

Since it's a comparison of a ninja's true strength, it can only be truly demonstrated in a life-or-death struggle.

"If we choose two children ourselves, how will the other four spots be allocated?" a Jonin asked.

"Let's push Hyuga Clan," Uchiha Shingen said. "Everyone knows how strong it is when we're with the Hyuga Clan. Just make sure each group has kids from both families. For the remaining two spots, let's push the Uzumaki Clan kids."

Uchiha Shisui nearby, immediately understood. This was exactly what Uchiha Shingen had planned with him beforehand.

"Uzumaki Clan? Their Sealing Jutsu are indeed powerful, but... Shingen, you know, the Uzumaki Clan's strength lies mainly in Genin, even among Chunin... no, even chunin."

"We can choose the better ones," Uchiha Shingen said. "Aren't the two children from the Hokage family perfect choices?"

"I see, then I have no problem." This Jonin wasn't stupid; having heard this much, he already knew who the six people Uchiha Shingen was referring to were.

He felt that this was indeed a good solution.

The Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan are highly compatible; two people per group is sufficient, and more would be excessive and not very meaningful. Building closer ties with the Uzumaki Clan is a good option.

After all, the Uzumaki Clan is known for its stubbornness. These people not only have bad tempers, but they are also very obstinate and inflexible. However, once they form an alliance, it is a sworn alliance.

The rebuilt Uzumaki Clan now has no allies, after all, they have only been allied with the Senju of the Forest. The Senju of the Forest were able to suppress the Uchiha Clan during the Warring States period, their own strength was indispensable, and the life-risking support of the Uzumaki Clan was also very important.

The family elders vividly remember those Uzumaki Clan that whipped people with huge chains.

Inuzuka Clan and Aburame Clan, with their established styles, make it difficult for the Uchiha Clan to form a truly powerful alliance with them, unless the Uchiha Clan produces a Hokage.

Given this, further efforts would only result in sunk costs; it would be better to save resources and stir up Uzumaki Clan.

Well, the term "sunk cost" is a bit of Shingen phrase these days; everyone knows a few lines.

"Hmm, it seems you've reached a consensus. So, what about the others? No other suggestions?"

The group of Jonin looked at each other, and one of them said:

"No, just like Shingen said, the casualty rate for this exam is very high, and the wind direction is strange too. If you don't have enough strength, it's best not to participate."

"So, who should recommend? Shingen is the Jonin leading Team 7, but a Jonin can only recommend one team. Who else wants to be the recommender?"

"I'll do it, clan leader," said Uchiha Shisui.

"Alright, which six people do you two recommend?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.

Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui didn't stand on ceremony and introduced themselves.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Hinata Hyuga, and Naruto Uzumaki."

"Uchiha Clan, Neji Hyuga, and Uzumaki Clan Karin."

The Uchiha Clan present were not surprised by this result.

Uchiha Sasuke is indeed the most outstanding child of this generation. Although Uchiha Clan joined the Uchiha Clan as an outsider, there are many such examples in history, and he would not be regarded as an outsider. Moreover, everyone has seen Uchiha Clan's strength.

Both of these children are geniuses who already possess Chunin -level strength.

Naruto Uzumaki and Uzumaki Clan Karin, needless to say, are the children of the Hokage, so their strength is bound to be considerable.

Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga are the children of Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga, respectively. Hinata Hyuga is unclear, but Neji Hyuga was the Genin of the previous generation. As is well known, Genin of the Hyuga Clan are basically the top genin Genin the Ninja World.

Both are suitable.

"That's settled then, meeting adjourned." Seeing that everyone had no objections, Uchiha Fugaku announced the end of the meeting, telling everyone to go about their business.

He still needs to fight for a spot; the results must be out today, as there's only one week left before the Chunin Ninja Exams officially begin.

The ninjas from neighboring villages, those who lived nearby and set off early, will probably arrive today.

Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui also bid farewell to the clan leader and left together.

Walking along the streets of their village, bathed in the blazing sun, the two chatted idly.

"Shisui, thank you for your help this time."

"No, Brother Shingen, it's nothing."

Uchiha Shisui responded first, then thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Shingen- nii, do you think there will be another war?"

"What do you mean?" Uchiha Shingen wanted to hear his younger brother's opinion.

He cannot stay in the ANBU forever, and the ANBU Chief has the authority to recommend a successor.

If the ANBU hadn't performed so poorly before, he wouldn't have had the chance to rise to the top.

Uchiha Shingen would definitely recommend someone from the Uchiha Clan; in his eyes, there were actually only two people who were suitable.

It could be Shisui or Weasel.

"It's really strange that several Kage have gathered for the Joint Chunin Exams."

Uchiha Shisui felt that unless there was something that required the Kage to discuss simultaneously, it would be impossible for them to gather together for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Which of the villagers doesn't have a mountain of things to deal with? They wouldn't leave the village unless absolutely necessary.

Moreover, the leaders of several small villages will also be coming.

He had heard of the leader of Amegakure, who was always busy in the Land of Rain and rarely seen. When he did appear, it was to eliminate foreign ninjas who had infiltrated the Land of Rain and whom the Rain Ninja were unable to deal with.

"Whether we fight or not is not up to us. Of course, it would be best if we could avoid fighting," said Uchiha Shingen. "We can only watch as things unfold."

"It's strange that Kumogakure hasn't chosen Fifth Raikage yet," Uchiha Shisui raised another question. "After all these years, haven't they found a suitable candidate?"

"The ANBU did find something about this." Uchiha Shingen recalled a document he had seen before. "Currently, there are three people in Kumogakure who are considered strong candidates for the next Raikage, but there can only be one Raikage, and the hard requirement is that everyone must be convinced of his abilities. It'll probably be quite a hassle."

Of the three, Uchiha Shingen knew about it.

The Fifth Raikage of the original timeline, Darui.

According to the intelligence, this person has also practiced Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but he prefers to solve problems with Ninjutsu and also possesses the Storm Release bloodline.

However, Uchiha Shingen knew that Darui had also inherited the Third Raikage's unique Lightning Release: Black Spot.

This person is quite strong; compared to the Fourth Raikage, who favored Nintaijutsu, he is more well-rounded.

The other two, however, were not found out by the ANBU service.

Uchiha Shingen hadn't paid attention to Cloud Village for a long time, and before he knew it, two more of their talents had emerged.

As expected of a village that surpassed Leaf Village in the original timeline.

However, Iwagakure is currently strong while Cloud Village is weak. Continuing to target Cloud Village would only make Iwagakure stronger, which is not in Leaf Village's interest.

Uchiha Shingen had no interest in helping Iwagakure develop from a great distance.

Shaking his head, Uchiha Shingen suppressed the impulse in his heart.

After leaving the clan compound together, the two parted ways. Uchiha Shisui was going to work his shift at the Jonin Council office that day.

However, Uchiha Shingen didn't have to work today, he decided to go for a stroll in the North District.

This also makes it easier to respond to mobilization orders at any time.

There's no time to delay any longer. The recommended Genin need time to complete the registration process, and the recommended Jonin need special training to keep them in good condition.

Walking on the streets of the northern part of the city, one can see people dressed in foreign styles everywhere.

As the area where the Hokage Rock is located, the North District is the preferred accommodation for dignitaries from various countries who come to Leaf Village.

However, since the northern part of Hidden Leaf Village is mostly home to village departments and institutions, while large hotels, inns, and better guesthouses are concentrated in the southern part, this area is truly a place where every inch of land is extremely valuable.

It's not expensive enough; I simply can't afford to live there.

Those who can live here, even if they are not powerful figures in the Daimyo's Court, must at least be major lords.

Otherwise, just obediently go to the South District.

For something even lower-end, you'll have to go to the West District.

This period is also the golden age for those working in Leaf Village's public transportation industry.

The area beneath the Hokage Rock is a favorite spot for these foreigners to take photos.

This is the right time to hold an ice and snow exhibition, otherwise it would be incredibly profitable.

Uchiha Shingen walked past Leaf Hospital, he could see that it was packed with people.

This place boasts the most advanced medical technology in the entire continent. Since they're already here, regardless of whether they have any health issues or not, wealthy people will still go in to experience it, get a check-up, and if they have any difficult or complicated illnesses, they'll also take a trip there with the idea of getting them sorted out at the same time.

This was tough on the medical ninja team, but they were both suffering and happy. As long as the recipients weren't residents of Leaf Village, accepting red envelopes from outside villages wasn't against the rules; it was legal income.

Uchiha Shingen thought this was a good rule, as it would help boost the pride of Leaf Village residents.

Furthermore, Leaf Hospital offers incredibly cheap medical care to its own villagers because they receive subsidies. This was one of the measures vigorously promoted by the Uchiha Clan after they became the Hokage.

In Uchiha Shingen's view, since Hidden Leaf Village was already exploiting the entire continent, it was simply devilish not to subsidize the people's livelihood.

Shimura Danzō could use power and money to turn Root into Root, then the Uchiha Clan could certainly use force and money to pave the way and enter the Hokage Building.

After wandering around the Hokage Rock area for a while, Uchiha Shingen turned towards the food street in the North District.

This place was also packed with people, with the queue stretching out onto the street.

Uchiha Shingen was a non-queue-loving person when it came to eating out, so he gave up on his plan to eat in the restaurant and went to the tavern where he had drunk with Jiraiya that day.

This tavern is a rare normal place these days, after all, it was a place exclusively for the Jonin Leaf Village.

Lifting the curtain at the door and stepping inside, Uchiha Shingen immediately saw Jiraiya sitting inside, drinking and looking quite pleased with himself.

"Lord Jiraiya, what are you doing here?"

That's not right. Shouldn't you be going to the bathhouse? Or at least a popular pub with lots of girls?

You went back to Leaf Village, and instead of gathering materials properly, you're just slacking off here?

"Oh, Shingen, come sit down, have a drink?"

Jiraiya turned his head, Uchiha Shingen saw the still-bright red handprint on the other side of his face.

I'm sorry, Lord Jiraiya, I misunderstood you!

"What a unique tattoo you have, so subtly visible?" Uchiha Shingen sat down next to him and teased him with a chuckle.

Although I can't write about Icha Icha Paradise, I've never been slapped in the face.

Of course, the first playthrough doesn't count.

"Don't laugh at me," Jiraiya sighed. "Sigh, the women in this village are still so domineering."

Are you sure it's not that you're being too provocative?

This usually happens when you try it for the first time, right?

"Lord Jiraiya, what happened to you?" Uchiha Shingen picked up the drink the bartender had brought him, took a sip, and asked, "Is there some misunderstanding? The girls I know are all very shy and gentle."

She is gentle, but perhaps not shy; it's just that saying it this way makes it more interesting.

"Sigh, never mind..." Jiraiya rubbed his face, the red mark fading a little. "Speaking of which, what if you miss the summons if you don't go to the streets?"

"No, I created a Shadow Clone on the street."

"You really know how to exploit your Shadow Clone," Jiraiya said proudly. "I'm different. I spy on things with my Shadow Clone, which gives me double the inspiration."

Uchiha Shingen: "... If you weren't so strong, you'd be dead."

Speaking of which, his love story with the girl from the Uzumaki Clan started with a chance encounter.

It was a beautiful day. He bumped into the girl with the Uzumaki Clan in her shower and was chased for over a hundred miles by her, who was swinging her around on a huge chain.

A beautiful romance thus began.

Of course, if it weren't for the wealthy dog taking him to apologize, he might have had to chase her for another thousand miles or so before he could even get to the point of flirting with her.

Uchiha Shingen took another sip, and the faces of those Uzumaki Clan from back then appeared one by one in his mind.

Why couldn't they have saved him back then...?

Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen overboard in targeting the Uchiha Clan, their stance was clear, so there was nothing wrong with it.

But they couldn't save Uzushiogakure...

That happened during the "two decades of peace."