One year later, Konoha Year 63.
It was graduation season again. Nine of the Konoha 12 graduated from the Ninja Academy and were assigned to teams.
The exception was Karin, who had already been recruited by the Konoha Hospital and would begin her internship upon graduation.
Kageyama Kogetsu made minor modifications to the team assignment plan submitted by the Ministry of Education, preserving the original teams and supervising Jōnin that had such good chemistry.
Unlike in the original story, Naruto was no dead-last. With Kushina around, the Nine-Tails couldn't interfere at all.
Aside from his theory scores, Naruto excelled in all other areas, able to go toe-to-toe with Sasuke.
Even his theory scores, under Kushina's strict "rod of discipline" education, were passing. Of course, just barely passing.
The three of them went through the exact same test as in the original story, passing it more easily.
Kakashi nearly fumbled during the bell test, only saving face after getting completely serious.
Initially, Kakashi hadn't underestimated them much, because Sasuke and Naruto had been personally trained by Kageyama Kogetsu and had deep family legacies.
But their performance after unleashing their full power still exceeded Kakashi's expectations, forcing him to drop his condescension and treat them as ninja of the same level.
As for Sakura, she was currently just along for the ride.
With the team assignments complete, the young ninjas' paths as shinobi and cultivators officially began.
...
Another year passed. In Konoha Year 64, during the monthly high-level meeting.
As the Konoha leadership discussed matters, one government decision after another was finalized. At the end of the meeting, they discussed the final topic—the Chūnin Exams.
Normally, the Chūnin Exams weren't much to discuss; they would just follow the standard procedure. But this time, someone made a suggestion.
"Kogetsu, I think we need to change the Chūnin Exams this year."
"I agree."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu spoke one after the other, causing everyone to become more alert.
"We can change it, but what's the reason?" Kageyama Kogetsu asked, his expression calm.
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and spoke eloquently, "I'm sure you've noticed as well, Kogetsu. The number of conflicts between ninja from the major villages in Konoha has been increasing this past year."
"Koharu and I did a rough calculation. It's about double last year's number, and that's not even counting the conflicts outside the Land of Fire."
"Thirteen or fourteen years of recuperation have passed. The villages feel their strength has recovered and are getting restless."
"Konoha is at the center of the ninja world, so we face the most pressure. According to our intelligence, conflicts between other villages are also on the rise."
"Koharu and I believe it's necessary to find a way to intimidate the other villages."
"Changing the Chūnin Exams and holding a joint Chūnin Exam is an excellent way to do it."
Utatane Koharu continued, "Using an exam as a deterrent can both intimidate the other villages and control the scale of any conflict."
"In the last year or two, Konoha has produced quite a few skilled Genin, at least a tier stronger than those of previous years."
"Therefore, Homura and I believe they will bring honor to Konoha. It's unlikely that the Genin from other villages could be more outstanding than them."
Kageyama Kogetsu remained noncommittal, his gaze falling on Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Third, what are your thoughts?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment before saying, "Homura and Koharu have a point. The later the next Great Ninja War breaks out, the more advantageous it is for us."
"Besides deterring the other villages, we can also use this opportunity to gather intelligence on them and secure more mission contracts."
Kageyama Kogetsu nodded slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk in a relaxed and casual manner.
"In that case, let's hold a joint Chūnin Exam."
"The ninja world has been relatively peaceful for so many years; it's time to liven things up."
"If we're going to do it, let's do it big. Send invitations to all the major hidden villages."
"We can see if any village dares to disrespect the Konoha of today..."
The smaller villages didn't matter much; most of their participants would likely be non-factors. The major villages were a different story.
If any major village dared not to send anyone, it would mean they didn't respect him, and he would have to cause trouble.
Sunagakure was an exception. He was going to cause trouble for them whether they came or not.
"The organization of the joint Chūnin Exams will be led by Shikaku, with all other departments cooperating."
Nara Shikaku's heart sank. This was a pain. He was going to be busy for a long time, with no chance to slack off.
Ever since the Sixth Hokage took office, his free time had been dwindling year by year.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Nara Shikaku said, standing and bowing with a solemn expression.
Kageyama Kogetsu couldn't stand his subordinates slacking off.
Anyone who was lazy would be assigned more work, and Nara Shikaku was the laziest among Konoha's high-ranking officials.
How could he want to lie flat at such a young age?
He must strive!
He himself only slacked off a little. Did the work done by his shadow clones not count as his own?
That made no sense. Shadow clones were created using the main body's chakra; a price had been paid.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The five department heads, plus the assistant head Nonō, all stood and bowed in unison, their voices synchronized and their faces serious.
"Meeting adjourned."
Kageyama Kogetsu smiled at the three elders, then stood up and left.
...
Kageyama Kogetsu returned to the Hokage's office, which was styled similarly to his old office as the head of the Police Force but was much larger. He had a cup of tea, left a shadow clone behind, and then tore through space to depart.
In the central tower of Otogakure, in the leader's office, Kageyama Kogetsu suddenly appeared and immediately had an Otogakure ninja summon Orochimaru.
Less than half an hour later, Orochimaru pushed the door open and walked in.
"What's the matter, coming to see me so suddenly?"
"I have a plan that requires your help," Kageyama Kogetsu said with a smile, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.
Orochimaru's interest was piqued. He walked over and sat down in a single armchair, smiling. "What plan?"
"The Konoha Crush Plan."
"Huh?" Orochimaru was a bit stunned.
Wait, the Hokage of Konoha is proposing a Konoha Crush Plan to me? Are you some kind of enemy spy who managed to become Hokage?
"It's a fake. I want to set a trap for Sunagakure, turn them into a vassal village of Konoha, and get revenge for a woman of mine at the same time."
Now that made sense.
Orochimaru's expression returned to normal. "You want me to represent Otogakure and contact Rasa?"
"Correct," Kageyama Kogetsu nodded.
"I want Otogakure and Sunagakure to secretly form an alliance to launch a joint attack on me and Konoha's headquarters during the upcoming joint Chūnin Exams."
"Rasa has been making a lot of small moves over the years and has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the treaty made with Konoha after the Third Great Ninja War."
"The other Suna ninja are probably dissatisfied as well. If given the chance, I think they would be very willing to take a gamble."
"They don't need to truly crush Konoha. As long as they can abolish the treaty, Sunagakure will have achieved its goal."
"If they can take a bite out of Konoha in the process, they'll probably be overjoyed."
"I will provide you with some intelligence about the joint Chūnin Exams, partly to demonstrate your influence within Konoha, and partly as a show of good faith."
"Once you and Rasa reach an agreement and formulate a plan, you give the plan to me."
"In exchange, Rasa's body will be yours. That way, your Edo Tensei army will become even stronger."
Orochimaru nodded with a smile. "It's not impossible for me to help you, but isn't my reward a bit too small?"
Kageyama Kogetsu's brow furrowed in displeasure. "You're just going to talk and have your Otogakure ninja put on a show. I think that's more than enough."
"Did you think I didn't know about you tricking Guren into collecting material and personal intelligence on me?"
"Your current body, with its blend of softness and hardness, a perfect balance of yin and yang, must have come from my research, right?"
"Have I asked you for payment?"
Orochimaru's face froze, and he looked slightly embarrassed. "Fine, forget I said anything."
"My feelings have been hurt. Otogakure will work for me for free as compensation."
"Fine," Orochimaru said, somewhat speechless.
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