" Karin, Karin, Shiro, you've passed. The 11th squad will officially begin their mission tomorrow morning."
Gekko Hayate's face was full of complex emotions. As the successor of the Konoha-Style Dojo, and with the Kekkei Genkai Transparent Escape, he was, if not a dominant force, at least a top-ranking Jonin in Konoha.
However, the results of this test far exceeded his expectations. The reconnaissance ninjutsu that even the Transparent Escape couldn't evade, the Kekkei Genkai called Ice Release, and the Sealing Jutsu that was so excellent that it was far beyond the reach of ordinary ninjas.
'Even if two of them are of the Uzumaki Clan blood, that transfer student is still... Ice Release ninja. It's unbelievable that such Kekkei Genkai still exists in the world.'
With a pale face, Gekko Hayate coughed heavily twice. After explaining the details in a sickly manner, he prepared to go to the Hokage's Office immediately to report to the Third Hokage.
Kushina using the alias Karin, sighed inwardly, never imagining she would have to return to the Ninja Academy to take her graduation exam.
But how are Naruto and Sasuke? They should be fine, right?
I heard that Kakashi has been gone for a long time, and even his style of doing things has changed. It's a pity for Obito and Rin.
Kushina, a woman from a fallen nation, deeply understood the cruelty of war, and she never wanted her children to experience such a horrific war.
" Naruto and Sasuke will definitely pass; they're both very strong. So, Karin- neechan, you don't need to worry, right?"
Karin smiled, a knowing glint in her red eyes behind her glasses.
Karin and Kotoko are usually most concerned about Naruto and Sasuke, so this reaction didn't surprise Karin at all.
"It's time. Go back and report to Mr. Huayue. It's been a while since I last saw him. I've been quite lonely."
With hair reaching his waist, his handsome and delicate face resembled ice and snow, yet the warmth of his slight smile was enough to melt any ice and snow.
Hearing Bai's dangerous words, Karin lowered her head, her face blushing. Unlike the world she had experienced, Karin's personality was now quite resolute, but she still retained the gentleness of a girl.
"Wait, Bai, how can you say such things in public, at least not in... not in..."
"I really miss Mr. Huayue. I want to be his tool, to clear away all obstacles for him, to kill the enemies who stand in his way, to do everything for him..."
Before Kushina could utter any more dangerous remarks from Shiro, she quickly covered her mouth with a blanket.
Little did they know, a strange smile flickered in Bai's indifferent eyes, seemingly teasing and playful.
"You silly child, what's so great about that guy? He hasn't changed a bit after all these years, really..."
After some pulling and tugging, the three headed towards the Uchiha Clan's encampment.
At the same time, when Gekko Hayate arrived at the mission hall of the Hokage Office Building, he discovered that he was the last Jonin to arrive.
Am I the slowest?
"No, you should say that you were the only one who lasted the longest. The rest of us got a good beating."
Kakashi's tone was languid, and his eyes, almost like those of a dead fish, were full of helplessness.
"Mr. Kakashi also lost? You are an elite captain of the Anbu, and your students are Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. Could it be that..."
"I'm sorry, you guessed wrong. It's not because of the Nine-Tails. Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto are both at least at the level of a regular Jonin."
Gekko Hayate Kakashi worried about. He shook his head repeatedly, realizing that he had been deceived by a clever illusion, which led to his defeat, not the monster's power.
"Mr. Hayate also lost? The quality of this year's students is beyond imagination. Many of them are comparable to the genius ninja of the previous year, Hyuga Neji of the Hyuga Branch House."
Beside her, Yuhi Kurenai said softly that everyone in her Team 8 was quite capable, but what surprised her the most was Hyuga Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Main House.
Not only is the Byakugan's range of observation exceptionally vast, but the chakra contained in the Gentle Fist is also quite strange.
If we had to use the word "red" to describe it, the difference between it and ordinary chakra is like heaven and earth, both in terms of quality and quantity.
"Oh? You think so too? I'm very satisfied with my kids; they're very worth nurturing."
Asuma returned from the smoking room with a big smile on his face, as if he had encountered a disciple he cared about very much.
"It seems that the overall quality of this year's students is quite good. I am very pleased to see the tender buds of Konoha grow into towering trees step by step."
Amidst swirling smoke, the Third Hokage, pipe in hand, smiled kindly, like a true old neighbor.
" The Third Hokage!"
All the Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated in the main seat, nodded in satisfaction.
Logically, the ninja exam should only have nine people passing, but for some reason, the Third Hokage set no limit on the number of participants this year, thus raising the difficulty of the exam to its peak.
Now it seems that this clearly shows confidence in this year's ninja graduation exam, or a great deal of trust in someone's abilities.
"The class of students in that year was led by Uchiha Huayue. He deserves a lot of credit for cultivating so many outstanding young talents for Konoha."
No matter how strained things get behind the scenes, the necessary formalities still need to be said and done.
"From today onwards, you will officially become Jonin. Some of you may have already taught disciples, while for others this is your first time."
"Let me reiterate once again, my duty upon assuming office is to help Genin familiar with the mission and improve Genin skills, not simply to protect and take care of them."
He exhaled a heavy puff of smoke, then focused his attention on Kakashi and the others before dealing with the remaining matters one by one.
At the same time, inside the original Root Headquarters, Danzo sat at his old desk, glancing at the figure beside him.
"It's quite rare for Orochimaru to send a complete stranger."
"Mr. Orochimaru is unable to extricate himself and is unwilling to come to Konoha before the plan begins. I hope Mr. Danzo will not take offense at this."
The figure lowered his head and presented Orochimaru's secret letter with both hands. Danzo glanced at it, and after confirming that there was no trap, he read the contents.
After a long silence, a look of surprise flashed in his deep eyes. It seemed that his years of patience had finally paid off.
" The Yakumi, is that it? From today onwards, you are officially my subordinate. Orochimaru has already told you the rules of Root?"
"Yes, I understand."
With the Curse Mark that forbids the disclosure of all secrets being placed on him, Orochimaru Yakumi, who had gained Danzo's partial trust, officially joined the Anbu.
On the other hand, there's the allied nation of Konoha, Sunagakure.
After carefully examining the details and confirming that there were no loopholes in the terms of the treaty, Rasa nodded in agreement.
"Reporting to Orochimaru, since there are no problems with the plan, then let's do it this way. The monster that destroys Konoha will be welcomed into the village by Konoha itself."