Chapter 224: Before the Chūnin Exams
Konoha’s main gate was bustling with activity.
Dozens of Konoha shinobi stood at the entrance, maintaining order as ninja from various countries—each dressed in their own distinctive styles—entered the village one after another.
“What a spectacle.”
“This year’s Chūnin Exams are on a completely different scale from the ones we took.”
“Yeah.”
“Just this morning alone, over a hundred people have already arrived.”
“It’s an even bigger event than I imagined.”
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—the famous “gate guardians” of Konoha—were finally off gate duty for once.
After all…
They would also be serving as exam proctors.
Their usual responsibilities had temporarily been handed over to other shinobi.
Since the section they oversaw would be the very first obstacle the participating genin encountered…
The two of them were currently observing from the shadows, carefully watching the visiting ninja to get a sense of what kind of competitors had come.
“It’s not just Sunagakure and Kirigakure.”
Kotetsu stroked his chin as he scanned the crowd.
“Kusagakure is here too.”
“And even the newly established Otogakure has sent participants.”
He narrowed his eyes knowingly.
“…I also suspect there are people from Iwagakure or Kumogakure mixed in among them.”
“After all…”
“This is the first joint Chūnin Exam ever held by three major villages.”
“And Konoha is hosting it.”
“That sends quite a message to the entire shinobi world.”
Izumo nodded.
“Exactly.”
“Look.”
“Even some of the smaller villages have sent teams.”
“They’re probably taking this opportunity to gauge Konoha’s strength.”
“Heh.”
“Iwagakure and Kumogakure must be getting pretty nervous.”
“If Konoha, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure truly become close allies…”
“The pressure on the remaining Great Villages will be enormous.”
“Hahaha…”
Kotetsu laughed.
“When you think about it…”
“Three of the Five Great Shinobi Villages joining forces is downright unfair.”
“Fortunately…”
“We’re the unfair side.”
Just as the Konoha shinobi were observing the visitors…
The visiting ninja were also studying Konoha.
One detail immediately caught many people’s attention.
Konoha’s flak jackets were famous throughout the shinobi world.
They symbolized the wearer’s status as a chūnin or jōnin.
The red Uzumaki crest on the back was said to represent Konoha’s historic alliance with the Uzumaki Clan.
In short…
They were iconic.
Yet today…
Every Konoha shinobi stationed at the gate wore something extra over the traditional flak jacket.
A specially designed suit of armor protecting their vital areas.
Almost everyone had one.
“…What’s with those outfits?”
“Only samurai from the Land of Iron wear armor.”
“What use does something like that have for ninja?”
Most outsiders were puzzled.
Still…
No one thought much of it.
Konoha had always been the most famous of the Five Great Villages.
Perhaps they had simply updated their uniforms.
Only a handful of particularly perceptive team leaders narrowed their eyes.
They could vaguely sense chakra flowing through the armor.
…Could this be some kind of new ninja tool?
“Heh…”
Among the Otogakure delegation…
A thin, ordinary-looking man also fixed his gaze upon the armor.
A faint, snake-like chuckle escaped him.
“…Interesting.”
“When did Konoha develop something like this?”
It was none other than Orochimaru, wearing yet another borrowed face.
Because of Shisui…
Konoha had completely replaced its barrier system.
Sneaking into the village had become dramatically more difficult for him.
So instead…
He simply changed his appearance and openly entered Konoha as the leader of Otogakure’s team.
Even now…
The chakra armor had already piqued his interest.
With his discerning eye…
There was no way he couldn’t recognize how unusual it was.
“…Sir?”
One of the members of his team noticed him stop.
“…Wrong title.”
Orochimaru replied without looking back.
“…Ah…”
“I’m sorry…”
“…Sensei.”
The young shinobi quickly corrected himself.
Following Orochimaru’s earlier instructions…
For the duration of the Chūnin Exams…
He was merely their jōnin instructor.
Although Otogakure didn’t actually use Konoha’s ninja ranking system…
Security for this joint examination was exceptionally tight.
One careless mistake could expose them.
“…Mm.”
“Ignore it.”
“Let’s complete registration first.”
“…Hm?”
Just as Orochimaru prepared to leave…
His eyes shifted toward another group entering the village.
“…Interesting.”
“It seems…”
“I’m not the only one who snuck in under a false identity.”
Meanwhile…
Inside the temporary meeting hall for the Chūnin Exams…
The Third Hokage addressed the gathered Konoha jōnin.
“We will now confirm the list of participants for this year’s Chūnin Exams.”
“First…”
“The newly graduated genin.”
“Who wishes to recommend their team?”
As his gaze swept across the front row…
Only one person stepped forward.
“Asuma Sarutobi.”
He saluted formally.
“On behalf of Team Ten…”
“Yamanaka Ino.”
“Nara Shikamaru.”
“Akimichi Chōji.”
“As their jōnin instructor…”
“I recommend all three to participate in this joint Chūnin Selection Exam.”
“…Fresh graduates?”
Someone murmured quietly.
“Asuma really has confidence in his students.”
“Well…”
“They’re the heirs of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans.”
“That’s hardly surprising.”
Soft whispers spread through the room.
Being experienced shinobi…
Everyone kept their voices low enough not to interrupt the proceedings.
The Third Hokage nodded.
Then turned toward Kurenai Yūhi.
“Kurenai.”
“What about your team?”
Kurenai hesitated briefly.
Then she slowly shook her head.
Hiruzen immediately understood.
He turned toward the next row.
“Very well.”
“With the new graduates confirmed…”
“Next…”
“The genin who graduated last year.”
“Which teams are applying?”
Might Guy immediately leapt forward.
“Team Guy!”
“Hyūga Neji.”
“Rock Lee.”
“Tenten.”
“As their jōnin instructor…”
“I recommend all three for the Joint Chūnin Selection Exam!”
One by one…
The participating teams from within Konoha were confirmed.
After returning to the line…
Asuma looked curiously toward Kurenai.
“Your team isn’t participating?”
Kurenai sighed.
“Originally…”
“I believed they were strong enough.”
“But…”
“The Land of Waves mission hit them harder than I expected.”
“Sakura and Shino both feel…”
“If even Kakashi’s team waited an entire year before taking the Chūnin Exams…”
“Then they should spend a little more time maturing as well.”
She smiled helplessly.
“Only Kiba refused to accept it.”
“He even wanted to register by himself.”
“I see.”
Asuma nodded understandingly.
“It’s good for young people to have ambition.”
“My own team needed me to push them before they finally made up their minds.”
During the Land of Waves incident…
Asuma’s squad had actually been assigned as Kurenai’s second support team.
However…
Before they could even depart…
Kakashi’s team had already resolved the crisis.
Because of that…
Asuma was fairly familiar with what had happened there.
Based on the reports afterward…
Simply surviving an encounter against an enemy powerful enough to defeat a Konoha jōnin like Kurenai…
While successfully organizing a rescue request and buying time…
Was already an outstanding performance.
It proved that Team Eight was fully qualified to participate in the Chūnin Exams.
Especially considering how exceptionally Shino had performed.
Still…
He respected their decision.
Besides…
Waiting another year wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
After experiencing such a major mission…
It was only natural that it had affected their mindset.