Hokage Building.
" Konoha's Team 3, led by Jonin Might Guy, recommends Konoha Genin Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Tenten, Naoki Senju to participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams."
Might Guy's bold words immediately intimidated the other Jonin the teams. It should be noted that this Chunin Ninja Exams was not comparable to previous ones. Not only were there Genin from Konoha participating, but also smaller ninja villages such as Kusagakure and Amegakure. Most importantly, the two major ninja villages, Sunagakure and Kirigakure, were also participating.
Chunin Ninja Exams will try to avoid accidental deaths, they cannot be completely avoided, nor can injuries be prevented. Moreover, the difficulty of this Chunin Ninja Exams will definitely be exceptionally high, so there's almost no hope of passing.
Therefore, apart from a few Genin teams with more than three years of experience and sufficient strength, most other teams were unwilling to participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams because the risks were too high and the rewards too low.
Might Guy's Team 3 is composed of Genin just graduated this year, which means they have the shortest training time. Although Team 3 has four Genin under the Lord Hokage's arrangement, this does not mean that Team 3 has any advantage.
Therefore, everyone joked, " Might Guy, don't put too much pressure on yourself as a Jonin instructor for the first time. It's not a big deal to postpone your Chunin Ninja Exams by a year."
"Yeah, yeah, the Chunin Ninja Exams aren't like regular D-rank missions. Let's think about it again; it's too dangerous to participate rashly."
The Jonin the team present all expressed their pessimism about Team 3. Although the team had a genius like Neji Hyuga, they had only been Genin for a short time and their training in Ninjutsu was not enough to qualify them for the Chunin Ninja Exams.
However, if they had bothered to learn more about the recent changes and intelligence in Konoha, they wouldn't have said such things. With Naoki Senju in Team 3, even if the others were to lie down, they could still easily make it to the final round of individual strength competition.
However, Might Guy clearly didn't think that way. He proudly gave a thumbs-up, flashing a set of gleaming White Fang, and said with pride and self-satisfaction:
"Because I believe in my students, their hard work and youthful training deserve reward. The entire Team 3 has signed up for the Chunin Ninja Exams!"
Might Guy's somewhat comical movements caused some Jonin to chuckle Jonin. Having never witnessed Might Guy's true strength, they naturally maintained their superior attitude.
What kind of ninja can someone be if they can't use Ninjutsu and only rely on brute Taijutsu?
Despite the whispers and mockery, Might Guy remained unmoved, maintaining what they considered a somewhat ridiculous posture. Ignoring the strange looks around him was Might Guy's first step on the path of youth.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe, exhaled a thick cloud of white smoke, and said:
"We agree that Team 3 will participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams. Are there any other participants?"
The group exchanged glances, but no Jonin were willing to volunteer. The Chunin Ninja Exams were far too difficult and dangerous for them to participate in. Apart from Might Guy, the other teams had already made their decisions.
The Third Hokage looked around, his brow furrowed. This was not the scene he wanted to see, but forcing participation would only cause more problems... After a moment's thought, the Third Hokage made a decision:
"That's settled then. Team 1, Team 3, Team 5, Team 6, Team 9 will be the five Genin teams participating in this Chunin Ninja Exams. Meeting adjourned."
This number is far from what the Third Hokage had envisioned, but currently there are no teams strong enough and willing to participate.
Apart from Might Guy, the other teams felt like they had been granted a pardon and bid farewell to the Third Hokage. If they stayed any longer and were called out, they would be at a huge loss.
" Might Guy, remember to tell your students not to stray too far from Naoki Senju during the Chunin Ninja Exams. This Chunin Ninja Exams might really see bloodshed."
The Third Hokage gave a worried instruction. Although there was no concrete evidence, he could sense that the Sunagakure and Kirigakure had ill intentions. The atmosphere was different from previous joint exams, and there must be some undiscovered conspiracy behind it.
Might Guy also had this concern, so he nodded quite readily:
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Hokage. I will remind Rock Lee and the others."
"Okay, go down."
No sooner had Might Guy left than someone who shouldn't have been there appeared silently, his wooden scepter striking the ground with a dull thud.
The Third Hokage looked up and, upon recognizing the person, was also surprised. He asked directly:
" Danzo? What are you doing here at this time?"
Shimura Danzō, his face ashen, slammed a piece of intelligence—obtained at great cost by Root spies—on the Hokage's desk.
See for yourself!
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the intelligence report and glanced at it. His face immediately turned ashen, just like Danzo's. His ominous premonition had come true.
" Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure are all starting to recall Jonin to their villages. What are they planning to do?!"
Having experienced three Shinobi World Wars, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō, who were older than Konoha, naturally knew what such an action meant.
This is preparation for a large-scale war! Recalling all the Jonin the border back to their respective ninja villages is a large-scale operation that usually only occurs during the Three Shinobi World Wars.
However, the fact that the Three Great Shinobi Villages did this simultaneously without Konoha receiving any prior intelligence is quite alarming. It's possible that the Three Great Shinobi Villages are targeting Konoha this time!
Hiruzen Sarutobi never doubted the authenticity of the information, even though Danzo's political methods were dirty and low-level, and he had even done something as unwise as assassinating the Hokage.
Danzo's loyalty to Konoha is beyond doubt, although he sometimes prioritizes his own interests over Konoha's, such as his obsession with the Hokage Position...
Regardless, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still willing to believe in his old teammate.
Slamming the intelligence report on the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a weary drag on his pipe and asked:
"Assuming their target is Konoha and they intend to start a Fourth Shinobi World War, what should we do?"
"Recall all Konoha Ninja stationed outside the village, including Jiraiya. Cancel the Chunin Ninja Exams. Konoha is to immediately enter a state of combat readiness. All ninja, regardless of rank, must obey the orders of their superiors. This is a true war!"
As soon as Danzo lifted his buttocks, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his purpose: he simply wanted to take advantage of absolute command during the war to avenge the previous incidents.
He took another puff of his pipe, exhaling a long plume of smoke. Hiruzen Sarutobi regained some of his Shinobi Hero aura and said:
" The Chunin Ninja Exams cannot be canceled. At the same time, secretly recall all Konoha Jonin elsewhere, including Jiraiya. Only a portion of the Chunin be recalled. Don't cause too much of a stir, and don't let the other Three Great Shinobi Villages notice anything amiss. Meanwhile, send an envoy to contact Ōnoki of Iwagakure. Kumogakure and Iwagakure won't cooperate so closely."