I Almost Wanted to Laugh

After saying goodbye to the Third Hokage, Tsukimi and Kakashi took the roster and left the Hokage Building together.

A little later, they returned to the courtyard. Asuma and the others were resting beneath a tree. When they saw Kakashi and Tsukimi return, they all looked up, curiosity and confusion in their eyes.

At such a crucial point in their preparations for the Chunin Ninja Exams, even Obito could guess that an Anbu summons meant something serious.

"The old man sent Anbu to summon you in person. What happened?" Asuma Sarutobi asked first, his expression grave.

Kurenai nodded slightly, looking between them. "Is it about the upcoming Joint Chunin Exams?"

Kakashi nodded. More solemn than usual, he gave them a concise account of the questions and answers in the office.

By the time he finished, the courtyard's easy atmosphere had vanished. Everyone looked serious.

Until now, they had seen the exams as nothing more than matches between their peers. They had not realized that every victory or defeat could affect the balance of the Shinobi World.

"So we absolutely can't lose these exams?" Asuma frowned. His background helped him grasp the stakes at once.

"That's right."

Kakashi looked around at them and said gravely, "If we lose on our own turf, the village's standing will collapse. The surrounding Small Shinobi Villages will start having second thoughts too. The consequences could last for years."

Tsukimi listened quietly, still wearing a relaxed smile as he toyed with the roster in his hands. It drew everyone's attention.

The others felt the pressure mounting. He alone remained unmoved. If anything, he almost wanted to laugh.

Orochimaru had stayed out of sight for eight straight months. Tsukimi had not dared run wild, so he had kept his head down and carried out ordinary missions. Progress