Chapter 200: Joint Chunin Exam
After Takagi Shōban was left hanging by the Raikage, his face twitched slightly. However, this man's greatest virtue was his adaptability. Despite being humiliated by A in such a manner, Takagi Shōban merely chuckled to himself, retracted his hand, and followed.
While the leaders of the various ninja villages participating in the joint Chunin Exam were gathering, Konoha's genin were also preparing for this assessment.
Inside the Hatake residence, Naruto, who already knew that at most only one of the three of them could become a Chunin, had become uncharacteristically focused. He increased his daily training volume and also sought advice from the good big brother staying at his home about the secrets of the Chunin Exam.
In this regard, Deidara didn't have any good suggestions for Naruto. After all, Onoki, not wanting this fellow to bring shame to the village outside, had ensured that Deidara's Chunin promotion exam was not a joint one like this time. He had simply blasted his way through to the end and secured a Chunin spot. So, if it came to advice, he really couldn't offer Naruto anything reliable.
"How about you take some of the explosives I developed?" Deidara suggested after finishing his ramen and drinking all the soup, wiping his mouth.
"That doesn't seem like it would work, right?" Naruto was a bit smarter this time. "Old man Tsuchikage is in the village. If I use your explosives, wouldn't that expose you?"
"That's true. Then, big brother can only support you spiritually," Deidara patted his little brother's shoulder. "Good luck! Believe in yourself!"
"Alright! Surpassing Sasuke starts with becoming a Chunin before him!" Naruto declared, striking his palm with his fist, full of confidence.
Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku's residence.
After finishing his training, Sasuke returned home, greeted his mother Mikoto who was busy in the kitchen, and then went alone to the room where Uchiha Itachi's memorial photo was displayed. After offering three incense sticks for Uchiha Itachi, Sasuke gazed at his brother's picture for a moment, then slowly said, "Brother, in a few more days, I'll become a Chunin. Although it can't compare to you becoming a Jonin at my age, I am now on the right path. From the Pure Land, watch me carefully as I write my story."
After Sasuke left the room with Itachi's memorial photo, just as he stepped out, he saw Fū leaning against the wall of the corridor.
"The Chunin Exam is about to start. Haven't you done any special training?" Fū said with a smile.
"With my strength, securing that Chunin spot is a piece of cake," Sasuke stated.
"Is that so?" Fū said. "Since you're so confident, then I won't tell you the information Chomei told me about your teammate."
"What did your companion tell you?" Sasuke frowned slightly.
"Call me big sister and I'll tell you!" Fū said with a playful grin.
"Forget it then." Sasuke shrugged. The teammate information Fū was talking about was undoubtedly related to Naruto and the Nine-Tails. He knew that tailed beasts could communicate with each other across distances.
"You brat, you're really not cute!" Fū said, annoyed.
However, although Fū didn't achieve her goal of making Sasuke call her big sister, she still shared the information Chomei had given her with Sasuke.
"Fine, for Aunt Mikoto's sake, I'll tell you. Your teammate and his tailed beast companion have reached a certain understanding. So, he can use the Nine-Tails' power to some extent."
"So what? Our clan's Sharingan naturally suppresses the power of tailed beasts," Sasuke said. "Besides, my genjutsu was personally taught by Brother Shisui, and compared to Teacher..."
Sasuke stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had misspoken, and quickly shut his mouth.
"You were just about to belittle Lord Hokage's genjutsu skills, weren't you? I caught you red-handed," Fū chuckled.
"No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!" Sasuke immediately issued a three-part denial. Naruto had been beaten up quite a few times for this, and he didn't want to follow in his footsteps.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Although the Sharingan can suppress Jinchuriki, your three-tomoe Sharingan can at best deal with an imperfect Jinchuriki. When the tailed beast companion is willing to help, unless it's a Mangekyo Sharingan, the suppressive effect on the Jinchuriki is minimal," Fū reminded him. "So, you'd better prepare for a direct confrontation with him."
Hearing this, Sasuke took a deep breath and started to get a headache. A direct confrontation with Naruto was one thing; his and Naruto's taijutsu and ninjutsu skills were roughly on par. He had an edge over Naruto in shurikenjutsu and genjutsu. But now, with genjutsu being ineffective, Naruto also had an external power-up. It seemed he really needed to come up with a plan if he wanted to defeat him.
...
Hyuga Clan Compound.
After the Uchiha clan achieved their Hokage dream, their tradition of frequently holding clan meetings had become a thing of the past. Instead, it was the Hyuga clan's main and branch family elders who had taken to frequently convening clan meetings these past few years. The content of these meetings hadn't changed much over the years: the selection of the main family heir and the branch family heir. With Neji already being the de facto young clan leader, the intentions of these old folks were clear – to place the Caged Bird Seal on Hinata and Hanabi.
Basically, every so often, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Neji, the uncle and nephew pair, would be questioned by these elders. The old men had never given up on the idea of placing the Caged Bird Seal on Hinata and Hanabi, especially with the Chunin Exam approaching. After all, if someone from the main family, with the heir already decided, could avoid the Caged Bird Seal, the branch family members under their command would also become restless, which was detrimental to their management.
"Neji, after you become a Chunin, it will be time to place the Caged Bird Seal on your younger sisters."
Inside the Hyuga clan's shrine, Neji knelt beside Hyuga Hiashi, who was the head of the family. Both uncle and nephew remained silent.
"That's right. Their talents are not outstanding. The Caged Bird Seal is also a form of protection for them."
"Whether the Caged Bird Seal is protection or imprisonment, do you think I wouldn't know?" Neji raised his head and said with a cold smile.
"Neji, this is a family tradition. The Hyuga clan has been this way for so many years," a clan elder said with some impatience. If Neji didn't have the status of a Hokage's disciple, these people probably wouldn't even be willing to listen to him properly. But there was no helping it; after the last purge of the main and branch families, the remaining people clearly understood that although ninja clans had a certain degree of autonomy in this village, on some key issues, the Hokage had the final say.
Therefore, they didn't dare to push Neji too hard.
"Heh, let me tell you the truth. Hinata and my teammate, the Fourth Hokage's orphaned son, the head of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Naruto, are very close. My uncle and I have both agreed to this marriage. What this represents, I think I don't need to say more," Neji said.
Although he was usually annoyed that his younger sister was so close to that yellow-haired kid, at this moment, Neji felt that the kid's identity was quite useful as a shield.
Although Neji said this, he did not reveal Naruto's most important identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. However, these old men seemed to understand his meaning. What, were they planning to place the Caged Bird Seal on the future spouse of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Were they trying to emulate Danzo's past actions?
These old men decisively chose to shut up on the issue of Hinata. But then, another person turned their gaze to Hyuga Hiashi. Hyuga Hiashi, however, just snorted coldly, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes. What, they couldn't deal with his elder daughter, so now they were targeting his younger daughter? Did they really think he, Hyuga Hiashi, had no temper? Although the major purge within the Hyuga clan back then was instigated by Uchiha Douhuan, he was the one who had carried it out.
"Heh heh, Neji, I wish you success in your exam." After the group of clan elders backed down, they could only end this farcical clan meeting with a sheepish smile.
"Neji, during the Chunin Exam, if you can, protect your younger sister," Hyuga Hiashi sighed after the clan elders dispersed, then said to Neji.
"I will." Neji nodded. "However, Uncle, you should also have a little more faith in Hinata. After all, Hinata's Byakugan purity might even be higher than mine."
...
Konoha, Training Ground Five.
Rock Lee, Karin, and Haruno Sakura entered the training ground under the guidance of Might Guy.
The three of them had formed a temporary team to participate in this Chunin Exam.
The three of them knew each other quite well, so Rock Lee didn't pull any embarrassing stunts like a public confession as he might have originally. Mainly, the current Sakura didn't dress herself up as meticulously as in the original timeline. The faint dark circles under her eyes were always present, and her pink hair looked messy. Combing her bangs to cover her hairline was the girl's only remaining stubbornness.
Having received Tsunade's careful nurturing from a young age, she had already mastered the basics of monstrous strength, and the Yin Seal accumulation had begun several years earlier. Her current combat power could be said to far exceed her strength at this period in the original timeline. However, this time, she no longer needed to chase after anyone.
"My name is Rock Lee, I specialize in taijutsu, and my dream is to become a great ninja relying only on taijutsu!" Rock Lee, in his green jumpsuit, said full of spirit.
Ever since experiencing the "Three Purities Education Squad" period, where a whole team of people in green jumpsuits ran laps around the village, Konoha's tolerance for Might Guy and his disciple's eccentric attire had increased considerably.
"Everyone knows each other, so let's skip the self-introductions. I specialize in taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, yawn," Sakura said after a yawn.
"Exactly, I specialize in sealing techniques, you all know that," Karin also said at this time.
"For this Chunin Exam, if the three of us team up, making it to the final round shouldn't be a big problem. Then, reaching the top four would be a success. Lady Tsunade's mission for me is also just to reach the top four," Sakura said.
"You can still aim for the top four. For me, the top eight is probably about it. My Adamantine Sealing Chains aren't proficient yet, and Isobu isn't very willing to communicate with me. In a direct confrontation, I probably don't stand a chance. If I encounter Sasuke or my idiot clan leader early on, even the top eight might be difficult," Karin said.
"Young ladies, if you think you'll lose before you even start, that's not youthful at all!" At this moment, Might Guy descended from the sky, landed in front of the three, bared his teeth, gave a thumbs-up, and said, "You all have infinite potential hidden within you. I believe you will definitely shine in this Chunin Exam!"
"That's right, I will definitely strive for the championship! Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee suddenly became excited.
"This is youth! Lee!" Might Guy also became teary-eyed in an instant.
"Guy-sensei!"
"Lee!"
Karin and Sakura watched this master-disciple pair with dark lines on their foreheads, beginning to doubt whether teaming up with them was the right decision.
...
Nara Clan Compound, Clan Leader's house, late at night. Nara Shikaku and Nara Shikamaru set up a shogi board at home. After a bout, Shikaku looked at the board, where his position was gradually becoming disadvantageous, and shook his head. This son of his, in terms of intellect, was even above him. He was only 12, and he was already close to being outplayed on the shogi board.
"For this Chunin Exam, do you have any goals?" Shikaku asked after making a move.
"No. Ino, Choji, and I have discussed it. We don't plan to aim for a rank in this Chunin Exam. After entering the third round, we will all forfeit. Kakashi-sensei also agreed to this," Shikamaru said unhurriedly.
"The reason? Don't tell me it's because you're too lazy to compete. If that's the reason, even if I don't do anything to you, your mother won't let you off, and she'll lecture me along with you," Nara Shikaku said.
"It's not yet time for the Ino-Shika-Cho to officially return to the attention of the ninja world," Shikamaru said. "Currently, according to the intelligence of other powers in the ninja world, our three clans, Ino-Shika-Cho, have been out of favor in Konoha for a long time. After all, Dad, your work as Lord Hokage's advisor is also carried out in secret."
Shikaku looked at his son, signaling him to continue: "In the past, during the Third Hokage's era, other villages were extremely cautious when dealing with Konoha because of the existence of our Nara clan. Now, our apparent loss of power, in the eyes of other forces, is seen as Konoha crippling itself. This is a rare opportunity, a chance to undermine our opponents in the future. Therefore, it's just one Chunin Exam; it's not worth our three clans fully exposing our strength."
"Heh heh, as long as you have a plan, that's fine. The future belongs to you young people. We old folks won't worry about these things anymore."
...
Soon, the day of the first test of the joint Chunin Exam arrived.
Because all the participants in this exam were skilled, Uchiha Douhuan didn't bother with tricks like the second or third floor, which would make Konoha seem petty. The first test began directly.
(End of chapter)
---
Sorry, I forgot to upload the chapters tomorrow. I will upload the two extra chapters today. Enjoy!