"..."
Kakashi Hatake looked up at the sky and started to think. He really hadn't seen Karin fight, so he honestly spoke the truth: "I don't know, but her strength is definitely formidable..."
After Kakashi Hatake finished speaking, he mentioned another person: "But the name Maruboshi Kosuke sounds familiar, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before..."
"Kosuke is also going to participate in the Chunin Exam?"
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Maruboshi Kosuke, and he proactively said: "If Kosuke wants to be promoted, there's no need for him to take the exam, just promote him directly to Jonin..."
"Jonin... Jonin?"
The Instructor Jonins present were aware of the significance of Akihara Kagura's squad.
"He doesn't want to be promoted."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand dismissively, not caring much about his arrangement in the Chunin Exam: "Maruboshi Kosuke is just the cook for a squad of Genin, helping out with meals during the second exam, since I remember being hungry for a whole day during the second exam..."
"I see..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but chuckle, recalling his first encounter with this little guy, and nodded contentedly: "Kagura, you're really good to your subordinates..."
After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, he looked at the group of Instructor Jonins: "Does anyone else want to recommend their subordinates for this Chunin Exam?"
"Team 7, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Naruto Uzumaki, these three, I recommend them to participate in the Chunin Exam in the name of Kakashi Hatake!"
"Team 8, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, these three, I recommend them to participate in the Chunin Exam in the name of Yuhi Kurenai!"
"Team 10, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, these three, I recommend them to participate in the Chunin Exam in the name of Sarutobi Asuma!"
With Akihara Kagura being the first to recommend, other Instructor Jonins quickly followed suit, recommending their subordinates, which immediately sparked discussion.
"Has it been five years since anyone passed?"
"Are the newly graduated Genin directly participating in the Chunin Exam this year?"
"Won't this be too dangerous for them..."
"Please hold on!"
Umino Iruka stood amongst the Chunin ranks and hurriedly tried to stop them: "I might be overstepping, but all nine mentioned were once my students at the Ninja Academy..."
"If you think you're overstepping, then don't say anything."
Akihara Kagura interrupted Umino Iruka, chuckling lightly: "Iruka-sensei, have you forgotten that Karin was also your student..."
"Karin is different..."
Umino Iruka stammered a bit, trying to explain: "Karin graduated early, she's an extremely outstanding student from the Ninja Academy..."
"Are those nine little ones really that bad?"
Akihara Kagura curiously asked.
"That's not what I mean..."
Umino Iruka quickly explained, yet felt a bit lost in his words after being interrupted by Akihara Kagura: "After all, Naruto and the others..."
"They're no longer your students."
Kakashi Hatake interrupted Umino Iruka, softly stating a fact: "Now Naruto Uzumaki, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura are my subordinates, you can't keep them sheltered under your wings forever..."
"Iruka, I understand your feelings."
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted their conversation, speaking softly: "But give these newcomers a special preliminary Chunin Exam opportunity!"
While they were conversing, a member of the Dark Department rushed in, kneeling on one knee before Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Lord Hokage, a group of children in the village has had a conflict with Genin from the Hidden Sand Village!"
"Kill those Genin from the Hidden Sand Village."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand mercilessly, as if this matter was easy to resolve: "Then send a letter, asking Fourth Kazekage Rasa if their ninja from the Hidden Sand Village are senseless, causing trouble in Konoha, are they trying to incite war between Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village..."
"Huh?"
The member of the Dark Department was a bit dumbfounded.
Everyone present felt somewhat helpless, the way of handling it seemed like Akihara Kagura wanted to instigate war between Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village!
However...
They were already used to it.
"Just some kids messing around..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed, glanced at the crystal ball on the table, and waved his hand: "Alright, don't mind these minor matters, everyone go and inform your subordinates to prepare."
"Yes."
The member of the Dark Department could only bow their head.
Akihara Kagura was quite interested, standing up: "I'm quite curious, take me over to have a look."
"Kagura!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to Kagura, advising in a deep voice: "They're just kids, don't kill anyone."
"How would I do that?"
Akihara Kagura waved his hand, pushing open the door to the Hokage Office, leaving only one sentence behind: "I don't bully kids, I only kill the Kazekage..."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Akihara Kagura's back, furrowing his brows, and waved his hand: "Everyone, please leave now!"
"Yes."
A group of ninjas exited one by one.
After these people left, Utatane Koharu spoke: "Sarutobi Hiruzen, this child is somewhat unqualified, his mind is too focused on killing..."
Mitokado Homura also nodded, continuing: "Making him the leader of Root is very suitable, he can help deal with some troubles within the village."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent for a while before speaking: "Immediately send a message to Jiraiya, let him come back soon!"
"Jiraiya is very fitting."
The two Hokage Advisors nodded in satisfaction.
In the commercial street of Konoha.
A few teenagers stood there confronting each other.
Originally, a Genin from the Hidden Sand Village named Kankuro got bumped into by a group of Konoha Ninja Academy kids and wanted to bully them to showcase the strength of Hidden Sand ninjas, but was stopped by Uchiha Sasuke, leading to a small conflict between both sides.
A Genin named Gaara from the Hidden Sand Village manipulated yellow sand effortlessly to subdue Uchiha Sasuke, prompting Naruto Uzumaki to intervene, escalating the conflict further.
Then...
Karin happened to pass by.
No matter as a Konoha Ninja or a classmate who grew up together, Karin couldn't stand idly by and directly engaged in a move with Gaara, surprisingly resulting in a tie!
"You're quite interesting."
Gaara raised his hand, manipulating the sand into a giant claw, grinning: "Killing you would be very satisfying, and it would make it happy too..."
"Then try it!"
Karin adjusted her glasses, as Vajra Lock Chains slowly emerged from her back, activating the Curse Seal on her arm into ready mode.
Because this guy named Gaara... is very strong!
Just as the two red-haired young ones were about to clash, a voice stopped their conflict or perhaps intended to escalate it further.
"Killing me would be more satisfying, wouldn't it?"
Akihara Kagura stood beside Karin, looking at Gaara controlling the sand claw, with a mocking smile on his lips: "Let me see who this is, thinking he's the Kazekage's son, daring to cause trouble in Konoha, has it been too long since you've been beaten?"
"..."
Gaara's face turned suddenly ugly.
If Gaara were to assess his childhood psychological shadows, his uncle Yakshamaru's assassination ranked first, while Akihara Kagura's repeated beatings of him and Shukaku would undoubtedly rank second...
"Akihara Kagura..."
Kankuro and Temari, standing beside Gaara, also recognized Akihara Kagura, they hadn't seen him displaying cruelty, but knew he often beat up Shukaku.
"Hmm, let me see..."
"The Kazekage's three children are causing trouble in Konoha..."
Akihara Kagura recognized Kankuro and Temari, having seen them occasionally in the Hidden Sand Village: "Indeed, keeping Rasa alive seems redundant, teaching his children so carelessly, looks like I really need to find a chance to kill your useless father..."