The Final Day

Kazan passed the second round of the exam.

A day later, the final sixteen would face off at Konoha's Largest Training Arena.

In truth, most of the Genin who had made it this far were already qualified for promotion.

But this year's Chunin Ninja Exams were different. Promotion was not the Shinobi Villages' main goal.

Showing off their strength and winning allies came first.

The final day of the Chunin Ninja Exams was bound to be a spectacle.

"Where the hell have you been these past few days?"

All three members of the team were in high spirits after passing the exam.

Put it this way.

Ninja were divided into three ranks. Genin were widely regarded as cannon fodder: those without real Ninja talent, stuck at the bottom of their Shinobi Villages.

They could only take on simple, harmless jobs, like carrying bags for a wealthy woman on a shopping trip or finding lost cats.

Once they became Chunin, though...

Things changed. They might not be the backbone of a village, but Chunin were qualified to teach the next generation. They were no longer cannon fodder.

And Jonin?

They were each Shinobi Village's elite, the core of its fighting strength.

"I was training."

"Training?"

"Yeah."

Kazan offered no details, but the other two still envied him.

That was what it meant to be the Hokage's student. He had even been called away to train during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Clearly, great things were expected of him.

"Hmph. If we meet in the next round, I won't hold back, Kazan."

"Suit yourself."

Kazan remained unruffled. He had only one opponent in mind for this exam.

The Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii!

The day passed quickly.

Konoha was as lively as it was during New Year's celebrations.

Meanwhile, ANBU and Root Ninja were out in force, keeping watch over every corner of Konoha.

It was the final day of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and far too many important figures had come to Konoha.

The Chiefs of the other Shinobi Villages had not come in person, but each had sent senior officials. With dignitaries like the Land of Fire's daimyo also present, there was no room for even the slightest mistake.

Besides them...

The villagers happily set aside their work and headed to the Training Ground to watch.

Kurenai Yuhi was there too, along with students from Kazan's class.

"Over here, Kurenai!"

"Anko, you're here early!"

"Of course! Uncle Moriaki told me Kazan's been doing great in the exams. If he gets promoted this time, he'll be the second Chunin from our class."

"I'm so jealous..."

Longing colored Rin Nohara's voice.

She wondered when she would become a Chunin herself.

"You'll become a Chunin soon, Rin. And so will I, of course."

Wearing his trademark goggles, Obito Uchiha raised his right arm and pointed a thumb at himself.

"Quit bragging, you Shame of the Uchiha!"

It was Jing Uchiha who had spoken.

He was not in a particularly good mood.

Kazan, his sworn rival, was about to become a Chunin, while he, a proud Uchiha, had not even graduated.

"Who are you calling the Shame of the Uchiha? You haven't graduated either!"

"You..."

Jing Uchiha's expression darkened.

It was not that he lacked the ability to graduate. His Parents had simply made him stay at the Ninja Academy.

When he learned Kazan was taking the Chunin Ninja Exams, he had even wanted to graduate immediately and enter alongside him.

But his Parents had ruled, "You're not ready for the Chunin Ninja Exams."

It stung!

"Come on, Obito, stop arguing. Let's get inside before all the seats are taken."

Rin Nohara hurried over to stop their quarrel.

"Hmph."

Jing Uchiha had no desire to waste any more words on the Shame of the Uchiha.

He wanted to see for himself just how far behind Kazan he was.

Was he really unqualified to take the Chunin Ninja Exams?

"Hurry up, Minato!"

"Slow down, Kushina. The exam hasn't started yet."

Kushina Uzumaki, her hair a brilliant red, pulled a blond man toward the Training Ground.

They were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

The two were married now. They had known each other since childhood, and they were as much in love as ever.

"Come on, come on! Let's go cheer for that little troublemaker Kazan."

"Hahaha! Who would've thought Kazan would take the Chunin Ninja Exams so soon, let alone make it to the final round?"

"Tell me about it. That little rascal trains in Taijutsu instead of Ninjutsu. I was worried he'd end up like Might Duy, the eternal Genin."

"If that little scamp Kazan gets promoted, drinks are half price at my tavern tonight!"

"Ooh!"

The villagers chattered as they streamed into the Training Ground.

Kazan's Parents had died young, and the villagers had practically watched him grow up.

They all knew what a big appetite he had. When he was little, they had often made excuses to bring him food. Even if a dog went missing from their homes, they could only pretend not to notice, tears in their eyes.

They called him a little rascal and a little troublemaker.

But everyone was fond of Kazan.

"Kazan? You mean that little brat who rode a Tiger through the village?"

The moment Kushina heard Kazan's name, she bristled. Her crimson hair stirred without a breeze.

As luck would have it, Kazan's antics had caused her trouble more than once.

"Haha..." Minato Namikaze could only laugh awkwardly. "Don't get worked up, Kushina. Kazan is the Third Hokage's Fourth Disciple."

"So what if he's the Fourth Disciple? How many decent students could that shameless old man possibly raise?"

Just look at the Sannin. Between them, they had mastered every vice: womanizing, gambling, and drinking. The Fourth Disciple could hardly be much better.

He was already causing trouble everywhere at such a young age.

He was bound to be a menace when he grew up!

Minato Namikaze could only smile along.

He had a feeling Kushina and Kazan would get along. There weren't many people left who dared call the Third Hokage an old man!

"Achoo!"

Kazan suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose.

"Which bastard's talking behind my back? I'd better not find out, or they'll regret it!"

Kazan cracked his knuckles, eager for the fight.

Today would be his first step toward making a name for himself across the Shinobi World.

"My opponent is a Jinchūriki who's mastered her Tailed Beast. Surely beating her will earn me an achievement?"

The night before, it had suddenly occurred to him that there were Nine Tailed Beasts in the Shinobi World.

If he beat up all the Nine Tails, would that unlock a Hidden Achievement too?

Now he had one more reason to send Yugito Nii flying.

"It's time. Let's go!"