Chapter 46
Chunin Exam Preparations
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long puff from his pipe, tapping it lightly with his index finger to flick away the ashes. He stretched his aged body, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
"The Chunin Exam is approaching... This new generation, having never truly experienced the battlefield like we did, may struggle to adapt," Hiruzen mused, his gaze distant. Even though he had rarely set foot on the battlefield himself in recent years, he understood that these young shinobi needed to witness the harsh realities of war firsthand.
Before that, an internal evaluation was necessary—to weed out those too weak to represent the village. The Chunin Exam wasn't just a promotion test; it was a show of strength, a way for allied nations to assess each other's military power. Konoha couldn't afford to embarrass itself.
"Let's arrange the details in advance. We need to tighten security... And as for the clues we've lost, we must continue investigating. Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei)... I truly hope it's not you..." A trace of sadness flickered across Hiruzen's deeply wrinkled face. After a long moment of contemplation, he rubbed his temples and drifted into a light sleep.
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Yamato had taken some time off today, knowing that the Third Hokage would be overseeing an internal test for the village. He figured it would be a good opportunity to introduce his students to their fellow Konoha shinobi.
"This is just an internal exam—a preliminary screening, really," Yamato explained as he walked ahead. "The real test will be when shinobi from other villages arrive. No need to get nervous, though. You guys should pass easily. Right now, the focus is on meeting your potential teammates and rivals."
He wasn't worried about his squad at all. More than their individual skills, he had faith in the powerful clans backing them.
Aburame Hatsuizumi came from the renowned Aburame clan, a lineage deeply embedded in both Anbu and Root. With Sarutobi Hiruzen leading the Anbu and Shimura Danzo overseeing Root, the Aburame had strong connections on both sides. That influence alone ensured Hatsuizumi's place in this exam.
Then there was Hyuga Chinano, a member of the Hyuga Branch Family. Even though the Main Family overshadowed her, she was still a Hyuga. While Hiruzen harbored concerns about the Hyuga Clan's growing power, he knew now wasn't the time to make a move against them. For now, maintaining good relations was essential.