Due to the strong requests from the Village Hidden in the Grass and the Village Hidden in the Leaves, two more countries were added to the Joint Chunin Exams, and the date was set for one month later.
During this month, the Land of Rain made thorough preparations for the exams.
Time flew by, and soon it was the day before the event. The participants from Konoha, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, Kusagakure, and the Silver River Village had all arrived in the Village Hidden in the Rain one after another. The once somewhat quiet Amegakure instantly became noisy, filled with many unfamiliar faces. This also led to a great deal of friction, and the Amegakure Anbu were swamped with work.
In the main conference room, the representatives were all present: Danzo from Konoha, the Third Tsuchikage from Iwagakure, the Third Kazekage from Sunagakure, Souta from Kusagakure, Ruri from the Silver River Village, and the leader of Amegakure, the Ice-Fire Clone. Besides them, their two guards each also participated in the meeting.
The meeting began. The Ice-Fire Clone cleared his throat twice and said, "Welcome, everyone, to the Village Hidden in the Rain. On behalf of all the people of Amegakure, I extend our warmest welcome."
"Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point," Onoki, who considered himself the most senior, said bluntly, not giving any face at all.
Across from him, Danzo narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Onoki, don't tell me you think this is still your Iwagakure? It's best to be a little more restrained when you're in someone else's territory."
"Oh, how rare." Onoki's gaze shifted back and forth between the Ice-Fire Clone and Danzo. He said pointedly, "The Darkness of the Shinobi is actually speaking up for someone else. Under normal circumstances, wouldn't you just be hiding in a corner, watching from the shadows? I've heard that Leader Kaito has a deep relationship with Konoha. It seems to be true."
"Heh, Konoha has a good relationship with everyone present, doesn't it? I only spoke up because I can't stand seeing someone flaunt their seniority."
"Hmph, are you looking to die?"
The atmosphere instantly became tense. The other national representatives were happy to watch the show unfold. However, as the host, the Ice-Fire Clone had no choice but to intervene. "Gentlemen, please calm down. If you still feel wronged and can't let it go, how about we add a performance to the opening ceremony of the Chunin Exams? You two can go up and have a little spar to set an example for the younger generation. What do you think?"
The somewhat teasing suggestion made Ruri's lips curl into a smile.
Naturally, neither Onoki nor Danzo wanted to lower themselves to perform, so they took the offered way out.
As the atmosphere eased, the Ice-Fire Clone said with a smile, "The Chunin Exams will open tomorrow. Based on everyone's opinions, we will follow Konoha's model. It will be divided into three rounds: the first is a written test, the second is a group battle, and the third is a one-on-one elimination tournament. The first two rounds will last for one day and one night, followed by a day of rest, and then the third round. The entire event will last for three days."
These details had already been discussed, and everyone had agreed.
"You will all be attending the third round of the exams. The first two rounds will be broadcast live for us to watch together."
After announcing the arrangements for the next few days, the meeting was declared over. However, the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Kazekage, who were supposed to leave, quickly returned. Their private meeting was the main reason they had personally attended the Chunin Exams.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Onoki said in a low voice, looking at the composed Ice-Fire Clone. "You said you could improve the climates of the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind. You should show us some proof!"
"That's right. For such a momentous matter, we can't just take your word for it. Who knows if you have some other ulterior motive," the Third Kazekage added.
"My apologies, but I cannot prove it." The Ice-Fire Clone wagged a finger. "If I told you the method beforehand and you learned it, wouldn't that just be letting you profit for free? Therefore, you can only choose to believe me."
"If that's really not acceptable, I can allow you to pay only a one-fifth deposit. The rest can be paid after the matter is concluded and you've confirmed the results."
"No!" Onoki flatly refused. "Even one-tenth would be too large a sum. What if you're just running a scam? Wouldn't we have lost all that money for nothing?"
"I agree. I can only pay one percent of the deposit in advance," the Third Kazekage said.
"One percent? Are you kidding me?" The Ice-Fire Clone almost laughed in anger. To think he'd meet someone even more shameless than himself. "When have you ever heard of a deal where only one percent is paid? What if you back out afterwards? Wouldn't I suffer a huge loss?"
"Then one-fiftieth. No more."
"No. I will only accept one-tenth."
The three could not reach an agreement. After continuous haggling, the meeting ended on a sour note.
Onoki returned to his guesthouse room, fuming. But as soon as he closed the door, the anger on his face vanished.
"Heh, the Tsuchikage's acting skills are as good as ever."
Unexpectedly, Danzo emerged from the shadows of the room.
"But of course. The older the ginger, the spicier it is." Onoki sat down on the sofa with a smug look, shot Danzo a sideways glance, and said, "That kid still thinks the two of us are at odds."
Danzo looked around and gave him an inquisitive look.
"Don't worry, you can speak freely. The Amegakure ninja can't possibly be listening in."
"Fine." Danzo nodded. "Then we will proceed according to the original plan. I will deal with the boy Kaito. Hanzo and the Kazekage are yours."
"That Kaito kid is even more difficult to deal with than Hanzo. Are you sure you can handle him?"
"You don't need to worry about that," Danzo said with a smile. "No matter how strong a person is, they are still flesh and blood. A kunai to the heart will kill them all the same."
"Fine, if you're so confident."
"Then let me be the first to congratulate you on taking down the Kazekage and marching into the Land of Wind."
With that, Danzo dissipated into a puff of smoke.
"Hmph, that guy is truly detestable," Onoki sneered. "Thinking you can resolve Konoha's crisis so easily... there's no such thing as a free lunch. When the time comes, you can stay here too."
In his smugness, he didn't notice the shadow under his feet ripple slightly.
...
In the guesthouse of the Silver River Village delegation, Ruri stared with her beautiful, wide eyes, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Kaito and the Ice-Fire Clone. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "What an amazing clone technique. Even face-to-face, I can't tell you two are the same person."
"But of course. This is my unique secret technique," Kaito said with a smile. "Want to learn it?"
"If I could, I'd love to. It would make handling official business so much faster."
"Haha, sorry, but you can't learn it."
"...I think you're asking for a beating."
As they joked, Tetsuren, whom Kaito had sent out to eavesdrop, returned. After years of training, she could now move nearly a hundred meters away from Kaito, and her abilities were becoming more and more like a Gengar's, easily evading ninjutsu detection.
Hearing the news Tetsuren brought back, Kaito's face broke into a wide smile. "Those two old schemers... I'm going to make them lose both the wife and forfeit the soldiers!"