Hokage's Office.
The Advisory Council, along with Kakashi and other elite jōnin, gathered in the Hokage's office, urgently discussing matters related to the Chūnin Exams.
Tsunade, seated in front of the Third Hokage's desk, reported, "In addition to our five great shinobi villages, the villages explicitly interested in participating in this Chūnin Exam include the Grass Village, Waterfall Village, Sound Village, Snow Village, Star Village, and… Rain Village."
Mitokado Homura frowned slightly. "Rain Village?"
Tsunade explained, "They're Hanzo the Salamander's subordinates. After the Akatsuki took over the Rain Village, Hanzo's followers defected. During our raid on the Rain Village, we detained all the shinobi who had joined the Akatsuki, allowing Hanzo's old faction to reclaim the village."
Utatane Koharu shook her head. "The Rain Village can no longer be trusted!"
Tsunade ignored Koharu and looked to the Third Hokage in the main seat.
After a moment's thought, the Third said, "Reject them."
"Alright, I'll respond to them," Tsunade nodded.
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "So, at least ten villages will participate in this Chūnin Exam? Heh, that's truly unprecedented!"
The others nodded in agreement.
Such a grand scale had never occurred in the shinobi world before and would likely be hard to replicate.
The Third said, "This Chūnin Exam carries the crucial task of selecting new talent to counter the Akatsuki, so there can be no mistakes. Have the participants been finalized?"
Tsunade handed him a list.
Glancing at it, the Third's brow furrowed. "What's going on? Why haven't Uchiha Shinji, Hyūga Neji, and Kimimaro registered?"
Tsunade replied, "They didn't sign up."
The room's occupants showed varied expressions.
By tradition, any genin could register for the Chūnin Exams, so past exams often involved careful selection among genin.
But the current situation was different. The ninja academy had produced a surge of geniuses, each capable of dominating the village's genin. Thus, the high-ranking officials placed their hopes on these academy students.
Homura said, "This Chūnin Exam concerns the village's reputation. What's wrong with them? Why didn't they register?"
Tsunade explained, "Since registration isn't mandatory, the academy didn't provide specific reasons."
Homura emphasized, "The other villages won't miss this chance to gain fame. They'll send their elites—we can't afford to be careless."
Asuma chuckled. "Don't we have Yakumo, Sasuke, and Naruto registered? With them, winning this Chūnin Exam shouldn't be an issue, right?"
Tsunade nodded slightly.
She had great confidence in Yakumo's strength. Aside from their village's geniuses, she didn't believe anyone from other villages could challenge her.
"That's settled then!" After a pause, the Third ordered, "Screen the registered list, eliminate those lacking strength, and select a few jōnin to conduct short-term special training for the participants."
Kakashi volunteered, "I'll take charge of the training!"
The Third waved his hand. "Go prepare. I don't want any surprises in this Chūnin Exam!"
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
With so many geniuses in the village and the home-field advantage, losing would be a massive embarrassment.
Soon, word spread that the village was hosting the Chūnin Exams, and with at least ten villages participating, the villagers' excitement surged. Street conversations shifted from the Five Kage Summit to the Chūnin Exams.
Meanwhile, the black market began circulating lists of participants from various villages, along with their intelligence.
Casinos capitalized on the event, opening various betting pools.
In just a few days, it seemed the entire shinobi world was focused on this Chūnin Exam.
…
Sound Village.
In a subterranean palace, Orochimaru strolled into a large hall.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Several figures flashed before him, kneeling in unison. "Lord Orochimaru!"
His cold gaze swept over them, a smile playing on his lips. "The time to test you has come!"
Kidōmaru, kneeling, asked, "Lord Orochimaru, what's the mission?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Your mission is to go to the Hidden Leaf and participate in the Chūnin Exams they're hosting."
"The Chūnin Exams!?"
Kidōmaru's expression showed disdain.
Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Jirōbō, also kneeling, looked puzzled.
They were survivors of Orochimaru's experimental enhancements derived from the 'Upper Moon Demons,' further empowered by the Cursed Seal. Their strength far surpassed that of chūnin.
In previous assassination missions, they had effortlessly taken down jōnin-level rogue shinobi, so they didn't take the so-called 'Chūnin Exams' seriously.
Orochimaru waved his hand. "This isn't an ordinary Chūnin Exam. You'll understand when you get to the Hidden Leaf!"
Kidōmaru asked, "What's our specific mission?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Do what you're best at—kill as many as you can within the rules!"
At this, Kidōmaru and the others grinned.
If it were any other mission, they might not be confident, but killing? That was their specialty.
Since being recruited by Orochimaru, they had been honed through constant slaughter. Their current strength and status were earned through relentless bloodshed.
Seeing their eyes gleam, Orochimaru ordered, "Prepare yourselves. Depart in three days!"
"Yes!"
Kidōmaru and the others respectfully withdrew.
After they left, Kabuto emerged from the shadows, smiling. "Lord Orochimaru, it seems you don't want the Third to have an easy time."
Orochimaru replied, "I want to see their limits."
The Sound Four had completed every mission, no matter how difficult, with ease, piquing even Orochimaru's curiosity about their true potential.
Kabuto glanced in the direction Kidōmaru had gone, nodding. "Indeed. They not only survived the enhancement elixir but also accepted the Cursed Seal. Even Kimimaro might not be their match now."
Adjusting his glasses, Kabuto continued, "I'm quite curious to see just how far they'll go this time!"