While Hyuga Kaze was diligently training on the moon, Naruto and his fellow newly graduated ninja academy students were also undergoing a series of missions.
From small tasks like catching cats and pulling weeds to initial bloodshed during bandit suppression patrols, and even some battles between ninjas, the new generation of Konoha's strength has grown rapidly.
Overall, the ninja world has been very peaceful these past two years, with no major conflicts between the various ninja villages. Although Konoha had experienced numerous upheavals, it had weathered them thanks to its deep-rooted resources and has since flourished once again.
In the past few years, Konoha had lost a lot of face and its image in the ninja world was somewhat poor. So after things settled down, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group wanted to show off their strength and let everyone see Konoha's power.
Once the external environment is more stable, we can then target the increasingly disobedient Hyuga clan and restore harmony to Konoha.
With this in mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane began planning as soon as this group of ninja academy students graduated, wanting to invite their ally, Sunagakure, to jointly host the Chunin Exams.
Normal village-level Chunin selection does not require such an exam; a small-scale internal Chunin exam is sufficient.
Especially during wartime, a ninja's promotion might be a matter of a single document. Holding the Chunin Exams in peacetime is actually to demonstrate one's strength to the outside world, dispel any unwarranted thoughts from other ninja villages, and reduce the risk of war.
At the same time, these large-scale joint Chunin Exams usually invite nobles, high-ranking officials, and wealthy merchants from various countries to watch, so that they can understand the strength of their own village's juniors, increase their trust in their village, and strive to take on more missions.
After several months of discussion and preparation, the joint hosting of the Chunin Exams has been basically decided. What remains are the arrangements for the participants from each ninja village.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the group of Jonin who were giving instructions and was secretly pleased that Konoha was producing so many talented young people.
"So, besides the genin who were already decided to participate, are there any other genin who will participate?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi. The other candidates had already been decided, but the new recruits leading the Jonin teams were still uncertain.
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, the Jonin leading the teams exchanged glances. Those who lacked confidence in their disciples hesitated, and seeing that the others made no move, they abandoned their plans.
After a moment of silence, the three Jonin teachers who had just taken charge of the team this year became more confident and stepped forward together to recommend their students to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The first to speak was Kakashi, who looked extremely cold and lonely. He opened one bewildered and lifeless eye, forced himself to muster some spirit, and formed a hand seal in front of his chest to bow to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I, Kakashi, as the Jonin leading the team, recommend that Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno of Team 7 participate in the Chunin Exams."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression didn't change much after hearing this, but Iruka Umino, who was representing the teachers at the Ninja Academy, looked a little off, though he managed to control himself.
Kakashi had just finished speaking when Sarutobi Asuma bowed and reported, "In my capacity as the Jonin leading the team, I, Asuma, recommend that Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi of Team 10 participate in the Chunin Exams."
After Asuma finished speaking, Kurenai Yuhi didn't wait for anyone else to react before continuing, "In my capacity as the Jonin leading the team, I, Kurenai Yuhi, recommend that Kyoko Shimura, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame of Team 8 participate in the Chunin Exams."
The recommendations of the three Jonin surprised the other ninjas. Some of their students had graduated for two years and had not yet registered for the Chunin Exams. They did not expect that these students who had just graduated this year would be so confident.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw that all the instructors for the three teams of genin had signed up this year, he hesitated slightly. He also hoped that Konoha would produce a lot of talented people and have successors, but these genin who had graduated less than a year ago might still be a bit dangerous.
Moreover, this group of genin includes special individuals such as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and an orphan of the Uchiha clan.
For now, Kurama seems to be relatively safe, but what about Sasuke Uchiha?
Ever since that damned Hyuga Kaze caused trouble and formed an alliance, I had no choice but to give him a lot of money and even paid for missions to arrange Jonin training for him.
Whether it's because this kid is exceptionally gifted or because those clueless Jonin were too diligent in their guidance, Uchiha Sasuke's strength has now reached that of an elite Chunin to a special Jonin. With his two-tomoe Sharingan, he can even put up a fight against a Jonin who is not quite there yet.
Having such strength to participate in the Chunin Exams would certainly bring great honor to Konoha, but the Uchiha clan has many problems.
The fact that "Uchiha Tajima" suddenly appeared back then, along with the dozens of Uchiha clan members who disappeared, has never been found. This is like a stone weighing on his and Danzo's hearts.
As disciples of the Second Hokage, they knew all too well how evil the Uchiha clan was. After Tajima Uchiha's outburst, the remaining Uchiha clan members must have hated them to the core.
If I don't find and eliminate them while I'm still in charge of Konoha, they will definitely become a major scourge for Konoha and the Sarutobi clan in the future.
Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind. There was no point in hiding Sasuke forever; it would be better to let him show his face more often and send more ANBU squads to guard him. This would also be a way to lure out the Uchiha clan!
With a sharp look in his eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to agree when Iruka, who had been hesitating for a long time, could no longer hold back and interrupted him.
"Please wait a moment, Hokage! I know this is very rude, but please allow me to say something."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Iruka couldn't help but lean on the table and plead with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Upon seeing that it was Iruka, Naruto's inner bond, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared very kind and asked with a smile, "Iruka, what's wrong?"
"Although it may be impolite to say this, I still have to say it."
The nine genin who were recommended by the three jonin just now are all my students.
I admit they are all excellent, but it's too early to have them participate in the Joint Chunin Exams!
I think they should be given more tasks to gain experience.
Let them clash with the elites from various ninja villages now; that will destroy them!
Iruka looked worried. In his mind, he still regarded Naruto and the others as his students rather than as independent ninjas, after all, they had only been out of school for a short time.
However, such concerns are a form of underestimation of the leader of the Jonin.
Kakashi then spoke with a cold expression, "I was six years younger than them when I became a Chunin, and if they fail, it would be quite interesting to destroy them!"
Kakashi's words left Iruka speechless for a moment, and the atmosphere became tense. In the end, it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who spoke up to ease the tension and confirmed the participants for the exam.
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