Fugaku reached the door of the Hokage's Office and pushed it open. A white-haired figure was talking with Orochimaru. It was Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, it's been a long time."
Jiraiya turned and laughed. "It has. I was away a little longer this time. Now that Konoha stands unrivaled in the Shinobi World, I can travel with peace of mind, gather material, and keep writing. I heard about the Chunin Ninja Exams and hurried back, just in time for the exciting part."
"Haha, Konoha has produced plenty of outstanding ninja this time," Orochimaru said. "Many talented young ninja made it to the fourth round."
"Let me see the list," Fugaku said.
Orochimaru handed the list to Fugaku and Jiraiya. "These are the ninja competing in the Finals."
Fugaku looked it over. Kakashi, Obito, Asuma, and Might Guy of Konoha were all there, along with several Uchiha ninja.
Kurenai Yūhi, Rin, Ebisu, and the other less capable competitors had been eliminated in the third round.
The Four Great Ninja Villages, the Rain shinobi, and the Takigakure Ninja all had entrants in the fourth round.
"This ninja named Uchiha Fūto shows promise," Orochimaru said. "He's also in his fourth year. He hadn't stood out before and only had One Tomoe.
"But during one match, he suddenly awakened Two-Tomoe and defeated his opponent."
Fugaku nodded. He remembered Fūto now. Awakening Two-Tomoe just after graduation showed real promise.
It seemed the policy he'd introduced to encourage larger families was beginning to bear fruit. Fūto and Obito had been born in the same year, though Fūto was a few months younger.
"How is Tsunade doing?" Jiraiya asked suddenly.
"Very well," Orochimaru said. "Dan has almost recovered. I expect they'll marry as soon as he's fully healed.
"Tsunade changed a great deal after Dan was gravely wounded at