Recruiting Teammates-Join Now (Revised)

The midday sun blazed over the quiet courtyard.

"We leave at once."

At the Anbu summons, Tsukimi and Kakashi exchanged a glance. They rose, straightened their clothes and forehead protectors, then followed the two Anbu toward the Hokage Building without delay.

They passed through Konoha's bustling streets and reached the village's heart, where the Hokage Building stood imposing and solid.

They pushed open the door to the Hokage Office and stepped into a solemn atmosphere.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the principal seat, his expression grave. Days spent weighing the situation and managing village affairs had left a weariness between his brows that would not fade. Beside him sat the Two Advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, both looking stern. They had clearly been waiting for some time.

With both advisors present, today's summons was plainly no ordinary matter. Tsukimi could think of only one thing important enough: the upcoming Five Great Nations Joint Exams.

"Lord Hokage. Honored advisors."

Tsukimi and Kakashi bowed together. Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand to dispense with the formalities and went straight to his question.

"I summoned you today because of the approaching Joint Chunin Exams. Both of you possess exceptional talent, unmatched among your peers. Tell me: do you know why I insisted on joining with Sunagakure and the Small Shinobi Villages around us to hold these exams?"

The question went straight to the balance of power in the Shinobi World. It tested whether they could see the larger picture.

The office fell quiet. Kakashi thought for a moment before answering first.

"Lord Hokage, I believe it was to deter Sunagakure."

"Sunagakure lies in the desert and has the fewest resources of the Five Great Nations, but its ambitions have not diminished. Since the Battle of Mount Tenmoku, it has grown bolder rather