There are not many red tapes in the New Year in the ninja world. In the days leading up to the transition from the old year to the new year, most people in the village start their vacations. Only a few necessary positions for maintaining safety are still busy. Most ninjas no longer go out or perform missions.

The same goes for the Security Department. Apart from a few people staying behind to take turns on duty, there isn't a lot to deal with. During this rare relaxing day of the year, no one would seek trouble and be taken to the Security Department to spend the New Year.

As for Mizuki, as the only two senior cadres of the Security Department, he had to play a leading role and sit for half a day on the last day of the old year. The rest of the time was left to Kakashi, who had no family affairs to burden him. He couldn't be as justified as Mizuki in being lazy.

Besides, Nara Shikamaru, his assistant, was still busy at this time, so it wasn't too lonely having someone to chat with.

In fact, Shuimu would stop occasionally to experience the feelings and memories of his several clones. This was also a routine task that Shuimu had to do every once in a while.

Sitting in Kakashi's office chair, Mizuki was about to fall asleep in a short while.

"This chair seems to be much more comfortable than mine. Does it mean that being half a level higher means getting treated so much better?"

Mizuki was killing time while daydreaming when he suddenly heard a question coming from the side.

"Hey, Mr. Mizuki..."

"What's up?"

Mizuki opened his squinting eyes and glanced at Nara Shikamaru who was working at his desk not far away.

"Chunin Exam, I have some questions that I can't figure out..."

"Why, are you feeling stressed?"

Among the new generation of ninjas, the first genius to be promoted to Chunin, with his unparalleled intelligence, has become a rising new force in the village.

In the Chunin Exams the following year, Shikamaru Nara had already been chosen as the examiner for the first exam. This was the first time that a new generation of ninja had taken on such a leading role, which was enough to prove how highly Konoha valued him.

Nara Shikamaru hesitated.

"It's not really stressful. There are some doubts that I just can't figure out."

He organized his words and spoke carefully.

"Regarding the criteria for selecting Chunin, is there anything I should pay attention to? I just can't seem to figure it out!"

“That’s the question!”

Shuimu forced himself to sit up, picked up the slightly cold teacup on the table, took a sip, and cleared his throat.

"It's normal that you don't understand. This is not something that can be understood by intelligence alone. Only by truly understanding the connotation of the ninja profession and knowing what the ninja way is, can you understand the significance of these methods. This requires sufficient life experience!"

"Ninja way, experience?"

Shikamaru was a little confused and didn't understand what Mizuki wanted to say!

"So, you think that the Ninja Way that is spoken of in Ninja education is just empty talk, or that the Ninja Manual is just a simple set of rules and regulations?"

There are some things that a simple-minded person like Uzumaki Naruto may understand more thoroughly, but a very smart guy like Nara Shikamaru may not be able to grasp the key points because he thinks too much.

"Well, let me ask you a question first. Do you think that those who were eliminated in the first round of the Chunin Exam are not qualified to be Chunin? Think about it carefully before you answer!"

Morino Ibiki said what kind of people were not qualified to be promoted to Chunin, and Ebisu directly announced that those who committed certain behaviors would be eliminated.

Although the selection rules of the two are different, the connotations are actually similar. In essence, their ninja ways are similar. This is not difficult to understand. They are classmates of similar age, received similar ninja education, and were promoted to Chunin at almost the same time, resulting in similar outlooks on life.

After thinking for a while, Nara Shikamaru said, "The Genin who are sent to take the Chunin Exam must be the best in each village for a period of time. Their strength and character must not be too bad. It's not that they are not qualified to be promoted to Chunin. The real reason is that they are not the Chunin we want."

"You are very smart and you understand things immediately. If my students could be as smart as you, I would save a lot of trouble."

No wonder Asuma often complains about the huge pressure of being Nara Shikamaru's teacher. After a long time, he feels that there is nothing to teach. It is easy, but his sense of accomplishment as a teacher will be greatly reduced.

"Ninja has never been a profession that follows rules. The requirements for ninjas are different in different periods."

Shuimu paused, as if recalling some past events.

"Let me tell you a story. Do you know Hatake Sakumo, the father of Hatake Kakashi?"

Shikamaru nodded.

"The famous White Fang of Konoha."

"It's good to know. I'll keep some things simple. The famous hero of Konoha lost his integrity in his later years. He gave up the mission to save his companions, which led to the failure of the mission and heavy losses to the village. His superiors complained, his subordinates didn't understand, and there was a lot of discussion outside. Even the companion who was saved didn't agree with this choice. In the end, Hatake Sakumo couldn't stand the huge pressure and committed suicide in anger!"

"This was a special requirement for a ninja during the years of war. It seems a bit out of date now. Candidates who agree and hold this concept will not even pass the Chunin Exam under Morino Ibiki and Ebisu."

"After Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, the Third-Kami regretted not supporting and encouraging him when he needed support, which led to this tragic result. In fact, apart from the unpredictable and disastrous consequences that may result from mission failure, Hatake Sakumo's behavior has nothing to do with right or wrong, it is just a choice of human nature. Although ninjas keep saying that they are tools to complete missions, no matter what, we are also flesh and blood people."

"The actions of Konoha White Fang were not wrong, and those who used words to force him to death were not evil. To save one person or a group of people, this dilemma has always been happening to ninjas. So how the future will develop is up to you to decide."

After listening to Mizuki's words, Nara Shikamaru pondered for a while and then said:

"The standards and methods are irrelevant. What's important is to select the ninjas that I approve of. I understand."

Why are the examiners of the Chunin Exam generally young? Because they are the key to determining the future direction of ninja ideology.

"I understand!"

After talking for a long time, Shuimu lost all sleepiness, stretched and stood up.

"I have something else to do, so I'll leave first. When Kakashi comes, please say hello for me!"

"I see. Mizuki-sensei is teaching by example. Ninjas cannot be judged by common sense. No rules are as important as human nature."

With this embarrassing comment, Mizuki left the security department with a depressed look on his face.