The Hokage Building.
All the summoned jonin had gathered there, waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to speak as he sat before them, smoking his pipe.
"I've summoned you all here for one reason."
"With your powers of observation, I'm sure you've already guessed, seeing how many people from other villages have arrived."
Kakashi Hatake already knew all this. He even knew the exact date.
But that wasn't the point. The point was, what were they going to do about Orochimaru?
Kakashi knew the date, but that didn't mean everyone else did. A man with a blade of grass between his lips spoke up.
"When does it begin?"
"In one week!"
That was quite short notice. Many of the ninja summoned there were surprised.
"Why so soon?"
But the Hokage had spoken, and the people from the other villages had already arrived. They couldn't possibly postpone it just for their sake.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a cloud of white smoke.
"I now formally announce that the Chunin Ninja Exams will begin in seven days, on July first!"
"Now, would the instructors responsible for our rookie ninja step forward?"
Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi Hatake, and Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward.
"Well? Do any of you have candidates?"
"I, Kurenai, nominate Team 8's Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams under my name!"
"I, Asuma, nominate Team 10's Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, and Shikamaru Nara, under my..."
Both had chosen to enter their teams. All eyes turned to Kakashi to see how he would respond.
Kakashi chose to enter his team without hesitation as well.
"I, Kakashi, recommend Team 7's Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams under my name, Kakashi Hatake!"
"But..."
Just as Iruka was about to say something, Hiruzen Sarutobi