In a narrow alley outside the Ninja Academy, Little Iceberg stood eyeing the young prodigy who had just returned.
"You're not thinking of using that third exam paper as someone else's fall guy, are you?"
"Cough, cough… How'd you figure that out?" Shen Uchiha nearly choked on his own saliva. He had thought his plan was air-tight—so why could someone see right through it like that?
"Based on what I know about you, you never do anything pointless. Since our goal is to participate in the Chunin Exams, how would two students who haven't graduated explain themselves? Although there's a chance no one would investigate further, knowing your personality, you'd definitely arrange everything perfectly to ensure safety. So finding someone to take the blame becomes the best choice."
Shen felt a chill run down his spine as he realized his thoughts had been completely read. He couldn't believe someone had figured out his entire plan based purely on his character and way of thinking.
Hyuga Nayou gazed at Shen, whose body remained frozen in place, with evident curiosity. "Also, I guess the selection for the next round will come from those who pass the written exam, right? That's why you asked me how many points I wanted to get on the test."
Shen inwardly screamed at how terrifying Hyuga Nayou's analysis was. Right now, he truly regretted getting too close to him. Suddenly recalling the saying, "A friend who knows you best can be your deadliest enemy," he blurted out, "Nayou, you wouldn't betray me, would you?"
Looking straight into his eyes, Hyuga Nayou seriously promised, "Never. I will never betray Shen Uchiha!"
With his worries relieved, Shen made the same promise. "Yes, I will always believe in Hyuga Nayou!"
Standing in a narrow alleyway where sunlight never reached, these two children made promises to each other—perhaps this moment would become their most precious memory for the rest of their lives.
Next door in the Hokage Tower office, Xiang reported back to the Third Hokage after returning from Amegakure.
"So you believe Hanzo has absolutely no intention of attacking Konoha?"
"That's correct, Hokage-sama. After all, even though 'Half-God of the Shinobi World' is powerful, he remains only one man. Numerically speaking, our ninja forces far outnumber those of Amegakure."
The Third Hokage fell silent in contemplation. "Given Amegakure's current strength, indeed no major nations would consider them a serious threat. Then are his targets those smaller countries instead? The only probable target nearby would be the Land of Iron. In that case, there's absolutely no need to ally with other villages."
After considerable thought, he drew up two possible conclusions—one being an alliance formed successfully among multiple villages to wage war against Konoha; the other possibility being Amegakure taking on a small country alone. Believing both options were equally plausible, he immediately instructed Xiang, "Warn all Anbu to remain vigilant along our borders with Amegakure. Also, once you've recovered from your injuries, lead a team to be stationed in the Land of Iron. Assist them immediately should Ame attempt an invasion—with my letter, cooperation from the Land of Iron shouldn't be an issue."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Xiang accepted the mission before leaping out the window.
Who even knows why all Anbu can leap over walls like it's nothing? Maybe practice just makes perfect? That would certainly explain why they often appear in such strange places.
Shortly after Xiang departed, another shadow also leapt over the wall and entered.
"Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his gaze. Wasn't that Qing, assigned to protect Shen? He looked at Qing with confusion. "Qing? Didn't I send you to secretly guard that child?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. There is a special matter I must report."
Qing's toneless voice made the Third Hokage frown slightly. He certainly hoped nothing had happened to the boy under Anbu's protection. "What's going on? Did he encounter any danger?"
"There was no danger to the boy. However, during today's written Chunin Exam, he and that little girl from the Hyūga clan were discussing something near the school grounds. Because of her Byakugan's range, I could only observe them from a distance beyond it." Qing briefly explained before continuing, "Then I noticed the boy seemed to enter that specific mode mentioned in our intelligence reports. In the end, he remained inside the school building for 10 minutes and 53 seconds. It appears he used the Byakugan's power to slip both their exam papers into the grading room."
A smile appeared on the face of the Third Hokage after listening. "Hahaha! That kid really dares to pull stunts during the Chunin Exam! Originally, I arranged so many Jonin specifically to watch him, yet he actually got the little princess of the Hyūga clan to help!"
"Lord Hokage, should we stop them? The next exam is the official competition. With that child's talent, he will definitely pass the written test."
Upon hearing Qing's reliable suggestion, the Third Hokage refused. "No need. Since he has the capability to infiltrate the exam hall, let us consider them as having successfully completed this stage. The original intention of the Chunin Exams is to discover promising children."
"But Lord Hokage, they're still only six years old. Isn't that against regulations?"
"It's fine. Just now Xiang returned from Amegakure, saying Hanzo..."
Qing's mood became increasingly somber as she listened to the Third Hokage's explanation. She never expected Amegakure would attempt to start a war.
The urgency in her voice revealed her inner unrest. "Lord Hokage, so you believe our village must begin focusing on cultivating promising children starting now? But a war hasn't necessarily—"
The Third Hokage immediately interrupted her. "Enough! I will discuss this matter with the higher-ups. If we wait until Amegakure launches an attack, it will be too late."
Qing resumed her usual calm tone. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
"Then continue with your mission. Also, recently don't let that child go back to Commercial Street to DJ again. My poor body can't handle these constant disturbances—small ones every three days, big ones every five days."
"Yes!"
As Qing vanished through the window, the Third Hokage didn't let his guard down at all. Although he didn't know what Amegakure's plans were, he had already prepared for all possibilities.
"The Semi-God of the shinobi world?" Silently reciting his opponent's name, his eyes gradually sharpened. "Then I must thoroughly research countermeasures against his Ninjutsu. Oh right, Tsunade and Orochimaru might be able to develop an antidote for his poison. Looks like I'll have to pay Commercial Street a visit."
Indeed, the Third Hokage's three apprentices spent all day long there: Tsunade was practically living inside casinos; Orochimaru voluntarily worked 24/7 at an underground laboratory; and Jiraiya, well, wherever there were hot girls, Jiraiya would show up without fail.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly as he recalled his three notorious disciples, "Tsk, why do all the talented kids have such weird personalities? Tsunade is addicted to gambling, Orochimaru obsesses over his research all day long, Jiraiya is a pervert, and even this new guy Shen loves causing trouble so much! Is there really not going to be a single decent talent in Konoha's future?"
(Minato Namikaze: "Master, I'm perfectly decent! Check out my [Spiral Flash Ultimate Combo]—"
The soon-to-be Third Hokage immediately muted Minato and blacklisted him.)
Thus, our Uchiha genius and Hyuga's Little Iceberg both smoothly advanced into the official tournament. Oh right, there was also that poor nameless fall guy.
Meanwhile, Hanzo from Amegakure seemed to successfully divert the Third Hokage's attention elsewhere.
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