At the same time.
Land of Whirlpools, Dragon Release Village.
The atmosphere in the reception room of the Dragon Shadow Building was peaceful.
Miyamoto Ichirō was now twenty-six and had grown increasingly adept at overseeing the Dragon Release Village's administration. Though he still had little combat ability, his composed bearing was enough to make people overlook his identity as a ninja.
Seated before him was the delegation sent by Konoha, headed by the Nara Clan's leader-Nara Suzaku.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams?"
Miyamoto Ichirō leafed through the invitation in his hands, his tone even.
"Yes, Lord Dragon Shadow."
Nara Suzaku spoke respectfully. "These are large-scale Joint Chunin Ninja Exams initiated by Lord Hokage, with all Five Great Nations participating. They aim to promote exchange and peace among the younger generations of the ninja villages. As the Dragon Release Village is a powerful emerging ninja village, Konoha sincerely invites your village to send teams of genin to participate."
Miyamoto Ichirō closed the invitation and pondered briefly.
Lin Ze had never paid much attention to matters like this. So long as they did not concern anything fundamental, the village's affairs, great and small, were essentially left entirely to him.
Participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams would both showcase the strength of the Dragon Release Village's younger generation and further consolidate relations with Konoha and the other major villages. It was hardly a bad thing.
Besides, those youngsters in the village really did need some "formal" experience and opportunities to make an appearance.
"Very well. The Dragon Release Village accepts the invitation."
Miyamoto Ichirō made his decision, then instructed the assistant beside him, "Go fetch Kimimaro, Haku, Karin, Jūgo, and Sasuke."
"Yes."
Before long, five figures entered the reception room.
Kimimaro, who led the way, was already sixteen. He was tall and slender, with