Hokage Office Building.
An elderly man with a pipe in his mouth looked down at the crowd on the streets of Konoha. This was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konoha Village, who had been in office for the longest ti. He was silently observing a group of visiting ninja from other villages touring Konoha.
Undoubtedly.
The only foreign ninja who could appear so openly in Konoha must be here to participate in the Chunin Exams. Most of them were from smaller ninja villages, with only Konoha's ally, the Sand Village, attending from the major ninja villages.
Since the Third Great Ninja War, the Sand Village had been struggling financially, and hosting a Chunin Exam was a financial burden for their ninja. Therefore, the Sand Village was willing to participate in the Chunin Exam hosted by Konoha.
"Kakashi."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, exhaled a puff of smoke, lightly tapped his pipe, and softly inquired the man standing behind him, Hatake Kakashi, "The eting where the Jonin leaders submitted their candidates for the Chunin Exams has ended. Did you stay behind to report sothing important to ?"
In the Hokage's office, a high-level Konoha eting had just concluded. A group of Jonin leaders had submitted the lists of their subordinates who would participate in the Chunin Exams.
These Jonin had left to inform their subordinates about the details of the Chunin Exam. Only Kakashi, the leader of Team 7, had requested to stay behind, clearly having sothing to report to the Third Hokage.
"Yes."
Hatake Kakashi nodded, speaking casually, "Although I believe my subordinates are qualified to participate in the Chunin Exams and have just submitted their applications, one of them has a slightly special situation..."
"I know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, seeming to understand what Kakashi wanted to say, "You're referring to Naruto, aren't you? Although Naruto's identity is indeed..."
"No."
"I'm not worried about Naruto."
Kakashi shook his head again, his expression becoming serious, "I'm talking about Sasuke. I'm concerned that having Sasuke participate in the Chunin Exam might lead to unexpected incidents. His strength is sowhat too overwhelming for a Genin..."
"Sasuke's excellence is well-recognized by many..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who always paid special attention to the education of the Ninja Academy, was well aware of the village children's situations. He recalled his impression of Sasuke, "I rember Sasuke was always the top student in the Ninja Academy..."
"But..."
Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly, seemingly wanting to explain that Sasuke's combat ability was more than just that of an excellent ninja, "Sasuke now possesses at least the combat power of a Jonin. His mastery of the three-tomoe Sharingan, his overly powerful Fire Release ninjutsu, his swordsmanship that exceeds his peers, and the Body Flicker Technique left by Shisui..."
Given the combat power Sasuke had displayed recently, it would be reasonable to promote him to Jonin even in tis of peace. In tis of war, he would undoubtedly be considered a key ninja for special missions.
"Has he really beco that strong?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally showed a trace of surprise on his face.
The child who survived the Uchiha clan massacre had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and even learned Shisui's Body Flicker Technique!
It should be said...
As expected of Uchiha Itachi's younger brother.
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly ford a direct assessnt of Uchiha Sasuke's strength in his mind. After pondering for a second, he gave Kakashi a response, "Don't worry so much. Let Sasuke participate in the Chunin Exams as usual. The Chunin Exam is an opportunity for each village to showcase their strength. Having an excellent ninja in the village will also let others see Konoha's capabilities..."
Frankly speaking...
Konoha hadn't produced such an outstanding ninja in a long ti. The last ti was when Uchiha Itachi passed the Chunin Exam single-handedly.
"We also need Sasuke."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, recalling the defection of Uchiha Itachi, started to sound sowhat nostalgic, "The better Sasuke performs in this Chunin Exam, the better..."
In this way...
It could also reassure others.
Four years ago, Uchiha Itachi slaughtered the Uchiha clan.
However, the truth behind it was complex. Uchiha Itachi struck a deal with Konoha's higher-ups to eliminate the Uchiha clan's coup threat. He, along with a mysterious masked man, killed the entire Uchiha clan and then left the village to act as a covert spy to track the masked man and his organization, Akatsuki. In return, the village's higher-ups promised to protect his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.
If Uchiha Sasuke proved to be excellent, performing outstandingly in the Chunin Exam and gaining fa in the ninja world, it would certainly show the spy Itachi that Konoha's higher-ups had not betrayed his sacrifice.
Besides...
Konoha was indeed facing a talent gap.
Despite having excellent young Jonin like Kakashi, Might Guy, and Sarutobi Asuma, their power did not provide significant deterrence. At least, they couldn't inspire the sa fear in enemies as "Yellow Flash" Minato or "Shisui of the Body Flicker" Uchiha Shisui once did.
Even so, Konoha could have managed if such elite Jonin like Kakashi kept erging. However, talent had been dwindling in recent years, with only a few being promoted to Special Jonin...
Fortunately.
Konoha's situation had finally started to improve.
Recently, many outstanding graduates had erged from the Ninja Academy, with several promising children. Sarutobi Hiruzen had high hopes for this generation.
"They are all excellent kids..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long puff of smoke, looking at the group of ninja in the distance, exhaling a thick smoke ring, "I hope these youngsters can show their excellence in this Chunin Exam and bear the Will of Fire in the future..."
"There's one more thing…"
Hatake Kakashi scratched his head and brought up a sowhat uncertain topic: "I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I've always felt that Sasuke's actions seem a bit extre. His personality also seems overly mature and composed for his age..."
"Immature children often like to imitate adult maturity..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen responded noncommittally, sighed, and said, "When they truly grow up, they will miss their younger selves..."
As soone who had led Konoha for over thirty years, the Third Hokage had seen many children who were mature beyond their years. Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi, who left the village, were examples of such prematurely mature children.
And what happened later?
Both Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi carried the Will of Fire and resolved many crises for Konoha.
Moreover...
Given Uchiha Sasuke's strange background—having witnessed his parents and clan killed by his brother at a young age—it was normal for him to mature early.
Frankly speaking, considering all Uchiha Sasuke had been through, the fact that he remained ntally sound and even beca a ninja showed his remarkable strength of mind.
"Go and prepare."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand to dismiss Hatake Kakashi.
"Yes."
Hatake Kakashi's figure instantly disappeared from the spot. He was going to inform the mbers of Team 7 about their participation in the Chunin Exams.
However...
Uchiha Sasuke had anticipated this.
When Hatake Kakashi announced that they would be participating in the Chunin Exams, Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura were both full of enthusiasm.
"This exam will be lively..."
Uchiha Sasuke had to remind Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, especially ntioning two nas: "That guy nad Gaara we t this afternoon, and a Grass Village ninja with glasses..."
"Huh?"
Uzumaki Naruto looked confused.
"That..."
Haruno Sakura frowned, recalling how Uchiha Sasuke had ignored the obviously troubleso Sand Village ninjas that afternoon, focusing instead on a plainly dressed, slightly unkempt red-haired girl from a small ninja village...
Honestly...
Haruno Sakura felt a bit jealous.
Despite her own cuteness, Sasuke-kun had never looked at her properly, yet he kept staring at that red-haired girl with glasses, even after she was out of sight, as if reminiscing...
"That red-haired girl with glasses..."
Haruno Sakura thought of Karin, wanting to make a sarcastic remark. The girl had looked shabby, wearing an old, oversized Grass Village ninja outfit, probably soone else's cast-offs, with ssy red hair and black-rimd glasses. It was clear she wasn't well off...
"Sakura."
"Don't underestimate anyone."
Uchiha Sasuke's voice was firm, even giving an example: "I once heard there was an ally clan in the village called the Uzumaki Clan, all of whom had red hair..."
"That's correct."
Hatake Kakashi nodded, pointing to the whirlpool symbol on his ninja forehead protector: "The Konoha symbol is a tribute to our friendship with the Uzumaki Clan. Sasuke is right; do not underestimate any opponent..."
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded in agreent.
Honestly...
The image of Karin in this world was indeed poor.
However, Uchiha Sasuke rembered that Karin had a domineering deanor and was once considered a successor to Akihara Kagura. This world's Karin could be disguising herself as weak and harmless...
Disguising and hiding were instinctive for Root mbers.
Uchiha Sasuke could not imagine Karin being an ordinary person.
Sakura and Naruto in this world were too short-sighted. The real Karin was Akihara Kagura's most trusted subordinate, a woman who stood beside the most feared mastermind in the ninja world. How could she be an ordinary person in this illusion world?
"Uzumaki... Clan?"
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his ear, curiously asking, "My na is Uzumaki Naruto, does that an I am part of the Uzumaki Clan?"
"..."
Hatake Kakashi fell silent.
Uzumaki Naruto's lineage had always been a village secret, not to be disclosed as his father was a prominent figure.
"Probably..."
Uchiha Sasuke didn't care about these so-called secrets. His eyes darkened slightly: "Your mother was Aunt Kushina, who was good friends with my mother. When I was little, I heard my mother ntion that Aunt Kushina had striking red hair..."
"Eh?"
Uzumaki Naruto's eyes were filled with surprise and joy.
This is the first ti he heard about his mother! Ever since he could rember, no one had ever ntioned her in front of him!
"My mother is called Kushina?"
Uzumaki Naruto couldn't help but beco even more curious, imdiately feeling closer to Uchiha Sasuke. He instinctively wanted to ask more about his own background: "My mother was friends with Sasuke's mother? What about my father?"
"Uh..."
Uchiha Sasuke's expression suddenly beca puzzled.
To be honest...
Uchiha Sasuke had never seen Uzumaki Kushina. He only saw her soul during the final battle in the real world...
However...
He was quite familiar with Naruto's father...
"Alright, Sasuke."
Hatake Kakashi's eyes lowered as he interrupted their conversation in a deep voice: "I have sothing to tell you about the upcoming Chunin Exams..."
"Kakashi-sensei, I'm not finished talking to Sasuke yet!"
Uzumaki Naruto's face showed a flash of urgency because this was the first ti he had learned about his parents. He had always thought he didn't have any parents!
"Naruto..."
"Your father was an almost perfect ninja."
Hatake Kakashi looked at the blonde boy in front of him, unable to et Naruto's intense gaze. He instinctively reached up to remove his ninja forehead protector, speaking softly: "Everyone in the village admired your father. When you can beco a perfect ninja like him, then you will know who your father is..."
"..."
Uzumaki Naruto's curiosity grew even stronger.
Standing nearby, Haruno Sakura couldn't help but feel a bit curious as well, because no one had ever known about Naruto's background in ninja school. They only knew he was an orphan in the village, shunned by all the villagers as a demon fox...
Under a big tree.
Hatake Kakashi stood under the tree, feeling a headache as he watched Uchiha Sasuke with his hands in his pockets. He hadn't expected Uchiha Sasuke to know so much!
Uchiha Sasuke looked at his teacher and nonchalantly said: "Did you call over to tell to keep Naruto's father's identity a secret?"
"..."
This kid knows quite a lot!
Hatake Kakashi, feeling helpless, adjusted his forehead protector and said: "Keeping Naruto's background a secret is the Hokage's order. It's also for his protection..."
To be honest...
Hatake Kakashi never thought Naruto's orphan status was a problem because Kakashi himself was also an orphan when he was young. Many ninjas in the village were orphans who experienced the tragic loss of their parents. So even had it worse than Naruto.
For example, Uchiha Sasuke, who enjoyed the love of his parents and brother, only to have his gentle brother kill their parents and the entire clan, and even attempt to kill him...
For example, Hatake Kakashi himself, who witnessed his father's suicide at a young age and endured the deaths of his closest companions during his youth, and later experienced the tragic deaths of his ntor and his wife...
In the whole Team 7, there were four people.
Only Haruno Sakura still had living parents.
"Forget it..."
"Let's not talk about this..."
"I want to talk about the Chunin Exams..."
Hatake Kakashi waved his hand to dismiss his thoughts, seriously speaking about the important matter: "The Third Hokage is aware of your situation. The Hokage believes you can shine in the Chunin Exams, but Sasuke, I know your strength is far ahead of the other Genin. I don't think anyone can defeat you. However, there are participants from other villages in this exam, so I hope you can restrain yourself a bit and not make the joint Chunin Exams hosted by our village too embarrassing..."
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei."
Uchiha Sasuke opened his hand: "Even though I know none of these participants can defeat , I've already seen so interesting guys. This exam is not as simple as you think..."
"This exam..."
"Will have a lot of interesting things..."
"..."
Hatake Kakashi sighed and said softly: "I just hope there won't be any major incidents in the Chunin Exams, leaving only Team 7 standing in the end..."
"Kakashi-sensei..."
A confident smile appeared on Uchiha Sasuke's face: "You should know, I'm not a bloodthirsty person..."
"However..."
"Just like we don't intentionally step on tiny ants while walking..."
"But when we accidentally step on a group of ants, we certainly won't look back to see whether those ants are alive or dead…"
~~~
This familiar feeling… hmmm?
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