Failure is nothing more than a shinobi's fate.
"Yes!"
Though surprised, Mabui still nodded at the Raikage's words.
"Great! I'll go prepare!"
Killer B cheered, overjoyed, and immediately left to get ready.
"Lord Raikage, please reconsider. This concerns the village's future. Deciding so hastily could doom us all."
Even after hearing his leader's decision, Darui still pressed. If they acted recklessly and failed, Kaede would surely eradicate every last soul in Kumogakure. To him, cutting grass by the root was Kaede's way.
"I know. That's why, Darui, I'll entrust you with leading some of the children away from the village to live elsewhere. If we fail, you'll be the final spark of Kumogakure. Don't seek revenge—just survive. That's all I ask."
The Raikage sighed, but his tone was resolute.
"But…"
Darui wanted to protest again.
"Execute the order."
"…Yes."
Helpless, Darui bowed his head and left.
"My lord, why burden yourself so?"
Mabui finally spoke up.
"I must take responsibility for everyone in this village. And Kumogakure will never bow its head to another."
The Raikage's eyes hardened. He had decided. They would join Danzo and Akatsuki under Obito to strike Kaede.
...
Meanwhile, in the Nation of Gods.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya sat feeding a rabbit in its cage, a vegetable leaf in hand.
Ever since her seal was undone, she'd lost all interest in battle. Her days were now spent tending rabbits or cooking.
Kaede had nearly thought she wanted to become a proper chef. But when asked, she'd said it was simply to pass the time—things she'd never tried before.
As for fighting? The only person she still wished to kill was the Sage of Six Paths, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.
Hamura was gone. Only Hagoromo remained.
"Mother… Lord Kaede, word just came from Obito. He plans to cooperate with Danzo and strike during the Chunin Exams. You must make arrangements quickly, before their scheme succeeds."
Black Zetsu emerged from the ground.
Granted life by Kaguya, he was not killed after her release. Instead, Kaede used him for tasks best kept in the shadows. None in the Nation of Gods, aside from Kaede and Kaguya, knew that the Akatsuki's former manipulator had defected.
Even Obito himself was unaware. If Kaede willed it, Black Zetsu could spy among Akatsuki freely. But Kaede didn't even bother. To him, they weren't strong enough to threaten him—only vermin stirring in the dark.
One-on-one they couldn't stand against him. So they clung to each other, forming coalitions just to face him.
It was laughable.
"What do you think, Kaede?"
Kaguya looked to him. She had learned not to assume victory, not to dismiss even the smallest seeds of rebellion. Better to snuff them out early than let them grow troublesome.
"No need. This is the perfect chance to lure the snakes from their holes. If they kept hiding, they'd still be an annoyance, like rats in the mountains. But now, they've come out. Why waste the opportunity to catch them all?"
Kaede refused without hesitation.
"Very well. Whatever you say is correct."
Kaguya accepted without argument, returning her attention to her book.
Seeing neither of them concerned, Black Zetsu said no more, slipping back into the earth.
...
As participants poured in, the Nation of Gods' gathering ground grew bustling.
Shinobi from many villages arrived, gawking like villagers entering a grand palace. Everything seemed new, wondrous.
Especially the Divine Tree at the center of the Nation of Gods—they all tried to get close, only to be blocked by guards.
...
"Ahem. Everyone, listen up. I am Uchiha Shinichi, the examiner for this Chunin Exam. You will be housed in designated quarters. Most of you have already arrived and been registered. Tomorrow, the selection begins."
"The exam will use a mixed group format. You will not fight strictly one-on-one. Instead, teams will be drawn by lot. That means luck will matter. You may be strong, but your teammates may not. Teamwork will decide it. More than half of you will be eliminated in this stage."
"Give it your all. I hope each of you can rise as chunin and become the finest shinobi."
Kaede, watching from above, smiled faintly.
The examinees below clenched their fists. Each resolved to pass the first trial.
Especially the clans who had defected from Konoha to him—the Hyūga, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara, Inuzuka, and more.
In Konoha, they had received the best training. Now, under Kaede's rule, their resources were tenfold greater.
If they still couldn't raise prodigies, they'd die of shame.
Kaede glanced at the board before him, covered in the names of every participant.
His eyes narrowed.
"My strength, huh…"
...
(End of Chapter)
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