"Can we participate in the Chunin Exams for the entire ninja world?"
"The boss said it's for the entire ninja world, so of course we can participate."
Kimimaro hesitated for a moment and asked, "But our strength has long surpassed Chunin, won't that be unfair?"
"The champion gets a prize of one billion Ryo!"
"Fair! We're not even Genin yet, so we should be the weaker side!"
Upon hearing the prize money amount, the Hozuki brothers and Kimimaro's eyes turned into dollar signs. What was most important in the organization?
Connections? Strength?
Neither!
In this stingy boss's organization, money was everything!
Only with money could they consider connections and strength. Otherwise, it was all in vain!
While everyone else was lost in the fantasy of winning one billion Ryo, Gaara suddenly said, "But we're not even Genin, how can we participate in the Chunin Exams?"
"...That's true."
Suigetsu Hozuki suggested, "Why don't we go to the black market and pick up a ninja headband to impersonate Genin?"
"That's impossible, Suigetsu. The screening will definitely be strict, and we'll be exposed if we run into the real participants."
Mangetsu Hozuki rejected the idea, though he felt some regret. He had already been a Chunin when he left Kirigakure, so he couldn't help much in this exam, which was a shame.
"Mangetsu is right. Everything must follow the rules. Cheating is not allowed."
Lin Yu said, "Due to the sheer number of participants in the entire ninja world, there are specific requirements for participation."
"Genin under the age of 15 and their respective ninja villages can send up to two teams to participate in the Chunin Exams."
Suigetsu Hozuki exclaimed, "That's quite a few! Two teams mean six people, plus a Jonin leader. There are at least hundreds of ninja villages, big and small, in the ninja world. If we calculate that, won't there be over a thousand people participating in the exams?"
Lin Yu shook his head, "Suigetsu, you're thinking too simply. While the ninja world seems vast, besides the villages under the Five Great Nations, others are just small fries. At most, a few dozen villages can send one team to participate in the exams."
Everyone looked at each other and asked, "Boss, are we small fries too?"
"Uh..."
Lin Yu coughed a couple of times, conveniently ignoring the question. "However, considering balance, I don't plan for you all to form a team and participate together."
Suigetsu Hozuki counted the heads. "Me, Kimimaro, Gaara, and the four cleaners from Orochimaru's side. That makes seven people. Why don't I be the Jonin leader!"
"And me!" Shion poked her small head out from behind Lin Yu, indicating her presence.
"Girls shouldn't participate, it's too troublesome!"
A glint flashed in Shion's pale purple eyes, and she said with a mischievous smile, "You're finished! I predict you'll be beaten badly in the Chunin Exams!"
"How is that possible! How could I, the great me, be defeated by a mere brat!"
Suigetsu glanced at Kimimaro and whispered, "Except for Kimimaro... uh, and Toneri. It's a shame Toneri can't participate."
"Hey, listen to me finish first."
Lin Yu sighed helplessly. Why were these brats becoming less mature as they grew older?
"Because only ninja villages are allowed to participate according to the regulations, organizations like ours cannot. So, I've decided to arrange for you to join other teams."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood. However, a hint of bitterness flickered across Gaara's face. He wasn't keen on seeing his father again, but seeing his elder brother and sister would be alright.
"Of course, the choice is yours. I won't force you to participate."
Seeing everyone's silence, Lin Yu picked up Shion and walked out of the hall, leaving them with time to think.
"Let go of me! I'm not a little girl anymore, don't grab my collar!"
Shion struggled free from Lin Yu's grasp, her pale purple eyes fixed on him, "I want to participate too!"
Lin Yu smiled bitterly, "Shion, you're not a ninja, why would you participate in the Chunin Exams?"
"I don't care! I want to go to Konoha too!"
Lin Yu thought for a moment and said, "How about this? If Miroku agrees, I'll take you as a spectator."
Shion hugged Lin Yu's arm happily, "Mother will definitely agree, and she might even come with me!"
Heh, Miroku has always wanted to drag you back to inherit the title of shrine maiden!
The bell hanging on Shion's skirt jingled clearly. Her pale purple eyes seemed to see a scene, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
"Brother Lin Yu, why don't we go and invite Mother to stay with us for a few days?"
"Hmm?"
Lin Yu subconsciously asked, "How are you going to pay for the accommodation?"
...
A week later, by a blocked river in Konoha Village.
"Ugh! It stinks so bad! Why does Teacher Kakashi always take these kinds of missions? They're so tiring and smelly!"
Naruto's face turned pale as he smelled the foul odor from the river, as if he had fought Sasuke for a day and a night.
"Well, it can't be helped. We arrived too late, and the missions were already taken by other teams."
Kakashi lay on a nearby rock, basking in the sun, holding a small illustrated book with an exquisite cover, complete with someone's personal signature.
Naruto shouted loudly, "It's because Teacher Kakashi was late again!"
"Hmm! As expected of Jiraiya-sama's magnum opus, the depiction of the techniques is truly classic. It couldn't have been written without personal experience!"
Kakashi was completely engrossed in the world of the illustrated book, completely ignoring Naruto's shouting.
Seeing that Teacher Kakashi was ignoring him completely, Naruto grumbled a few times and then returned to the mission.
After a while, Sakura took off her gloves, looking tired. "I can't do it anymore, Naruto, hurry up and help with your Shadow Clones."
Naruto pouted, "I don't want to!"
"Tch, useless dead last!"
"What do you mean, Sasuke! Do you want to spar with me? Fine, I'll grant your wish!"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Sakura watched the Shadow Clones splash into the river, and couldn't help but wonder if the problem was with her, or with this world. Why did everyone seem so abnormal?
Kakashi glanced at the three out of the corner of his eye, a slight curve forming on his lips. It seemed the team atmosphere was quite good.
Just then, an eagle circling in the sky caught Kakashi's attention.
"Hmm? A message?"
Kakashi extended his arm, allowing the eagle to land on his shoulder, and took the letter from its leg.
"Chunin Joint Exams, for the entire ninja world?"
Kakashi couldn't help but exclaim, then looked at the text below.
"Let's train the students together, Kakashi! - Gai."
"Gai, that guy, is he preparing to let his students participate in the Chunin Exams already?"
Kakashi hesitated. Naruto and the others had just graduated from the Ninja Academy. According to the process, they should at least become familiar with ninja missions before considering promotion to Chunin. Moreover, this was an exam for the entire ninja world, and the difficulty was imaginable.
"Perhaps it would be good for them to experience it. I wonder who the planner is."
Kakashi thought of Lin Yu. "If it's Teacher Lin Yu, then perhaps Obito will also be involved."
"If they organize another fun competition among the Jonin leaders, that would be interesting!"