Hokage Office
"Hokage-sama, this is the list of candidates from the Hidden Sand Village who will be participating in the Joint Chunin Exams."
A special jōnin of Konoha handed the document to Minato with a respectful bow. His formal demeanor reflected the seriousness with which Konoha was treating these exams—the first joint venture with Sand since the tentative peace treaty had been established.
"Thank you," Minato replied, accepting the list with a nod.
After receiving confirmation that his report was complete, the special jōnin bowed once more and quietly left the office.
Minato's eyes scanned the document methodically, but his expression changed subtly when they landed on a particular name. His brow furrowed slightly, creating barely perceptible lines on his otherwise youthful face.
"It's him," he murmured to himself.
At that precise moment, a familiar voice drifted in from the direction of the office window.
"Son of the Fourth Kazekage. The One-Tail's Jinchūriki!"
Jiraiya sat cross-legged on the windowsill, his imposing figure framed by the view of Konoha spreading out behind him. The Toad Sage had apparently been there for some time, though Minato hadn't detected his arrival—a testament to the Sannin's stealth when he chose to exercise it.
In recent years, Jiraiya had dedicated himself to gathering intelligence independently across the ninja world. His network of informants had grown so extensive that sometimes his reports reached Minato even before those from Uchiha Yoruki's elite ANBU division.
"Unlike Kushina and Naruto, Gaara's status as the One-Tail's Jinchūriki is common knowledge in the Sand Village," Jiraiya continued, his arms folded across his broad chest. "They've made no attempt to keep it secret."
"The Sand Village is actually sending him to participate in this Chunin Exam," Jiraiya noted, his voice deepening with concern. According to long-established protocol among the Five Great Nations, a Jinchūriki was not permitted to leave their village without explicit authorization from both their own Kage and the leader of the destination village. Such movements were typically preceded by extensive diplomatic negotiations.
"Not only him," Minato responded, his eyes still fixed on the document, "but the other two children of the Fourth Kazekage—Kankuro and Temari—are also on the examination list."
He leaned back in his chair, the thoughtful expression never leaving his face. "From what our intelligence indicates, with their abilities, they should have been promoted to Chunin long ago. Yet they remain Genin even now."
Although neither Kankuro nor Temari were considered exceptionally powerful ninjas by Kage standards, their lineage as children of the Fourth Kazekage meant that comprehensive intelligence on their abilities had been compiled and shared among the Five Great Shinobi Nations.
This was standard procedure for the children of village leaders—just as detailed dossiers existed for Naruto and Chiharu. What the younger generation often didn't realize was that their names and capabilities had been known to high-ranking officials across the continent since they were old enough to enter the Academy.
"From what I've gathered," Jiraiya said grimly, "Rasa assigned them specifically as Gaara's handlers. He's quite the ruthless father."
The Sannin shifted his position on the windowsill, his expression darkening. "I've heard that although this Gaara is roughly Naruto's age, he's already killed a jōnin from the Sand Village—one who was sent by Rasa himself to assassinate the boy."
Minato's eyes widened slightly at this information.
"Rasa used this assassination attempt as a test to determine whether Gaara could truly suppress the One-Tail sealed within him," Jiraiya continued. "If the tailed beast inside Gaara were to rampage, Kankuro and Temari would have absolutely no chance of survival." He shook his head. "This can only be interpreted as another of Rasa's cruel tests for his youngest son."
"That man has always employed such methods," Minato replied with uncharacteristic coldness.
During one particularly brutal confrontation in the Third Shinobi World War, Rasa had attempted to trap Minato in a technique that would have resulted in the deaths of both Sand and Leaf forces. It was only through Minato's extraordinary speed that a catastrophic loss of life had been averted.
"The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, will be attending the Chunin Exams in person this time," Jiraiya said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "When that guy sees you again, his expression will certainly be worth witnessing."
The Sannin couldn't suppress a low chuckle. Rasa had found himself at Minato's mercy on multiple occasions during the war, so despite the diplomatic relations and temporary alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure, the Fourth Kazekage undoubtedly still harbored a deep-seated fear of the Yellow Flash.
Minato smiled awkwardly at his former teacher's amusement. "Regarding Gaara's participation," he redirected, "the Sand Village has included special provisions in the documentation accompanying the candidate list."
He turned the page to reveal additional notes. "They've explicitly agreed to Konoha placing Gaara under surveillance throughout the duration of the exams."
"That's prudent," Jiraiya replied, "but with that kid's abilities, an ordinary jōnin wouldn't stand a chance if things went sideways." He shrugged his broad shoulders, implying that such surveillance might be merely symbolic.
"I plan to assign Tenzō to monitor him," Minato said, referring to the ANBU operative also known as Yamato. "His Wood Style techniques have inherent suppressive effects on Tailed Beast chakra, which should provide some containment capability against the One-Tail's influence."
"You've faced Shukaku before," Jiraiya acknowledged with a nod, "so you understand better than most how to counter its abilities."
The Sannin's eyes took on a more serious glint. "This time, Naruto and Chiharu will also be participating in the Chunin Exam. Rasa was thoroughly defeated by you during the war—perhaps he sees this as an opportunity for revenge by proxy."
A note of concern entered Jiraiya's voice. Gaara was unquestionably dangerous, and if he deliberately targeted Minato's children during the examination, both Naruto and Chiharu could find themselves in mortal danger.
Even though this was technically just an examination, it had evolved into an implicit competition between the rising generation of Sand and Leaf shinobi. Once the exams commenced, it would be difficult for either village to intervene without causing a diplomatic incident.
"Rasa is the leader of a Hidden Village," Minato replied with a confident smile. "I'd like to believe he wouldn't stoop to such petty tactics."
The Fourth Hokage's eyes gleamed with paternal pride. "Besides, even if he does instruct Gaara to challenge Naruto and Chiharu, it's not a foregone conclusion that my children would lose to him."
Several Days Later
"Here are your application forms for the Chunin Exams," Shisui announced, extending three official documents to his team. "Just sign your names and submit them to Room 203 at the Academy before this afternoon."
The Uchiha prodigy smiled warmly at his three students—Naruto, Chiharu, and Shin Nohara—their excitement palpable as they gathered around him in the training field.
"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, practically bouncing as he accepted the application form. The young ninja could barely contain his enthusiasm, eyes gleaming with anticipation. This examination represented his first real opportunity to prove himself to the village beyond his identity as the Hokage's son or the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Chiharu, Shin, let's go!" he urged, already turning in the direction of the Academy. The Chunin Exams required participation in three-person teams, and Naruto was fortunate to have his sister and their teammate beside him.
"Yeah," Chiharu and Shin nodded in agreement, infected by Naruto's enthusiasm.
"Thank you, Shisui-sensei!" the three called out as they prepared to depart, their voices mingling into an eager chorus.
With a burst of speed characteristic of genin eager to test their limits, the trio leaped away, their forms rapidly disappearing among the trees.
The moment they vanished from sight, Shisui's gaze shifted subtly toward a large oak tree positioned at his four o'clock. His movement was almost imperceptible—a mere flicker of attention that most would have missed.
Perched on a sturdy branch, partially concealed by foliage, stood an ANBU operative in the standard Konoha uniform, porcelain mask obscuring their identity.
"You're on patrol in this sector?" Shisui called out casually. "Seems like hard work these days."
With the Chunin Exams approaching, Konoha's ANBU forces had significantly increased their surveillance activities throughout the village. Security had been tightened to an extent not seen since the last major diplomatic summit.
"Mm," the ANBU member acknowledged with a slight nod before disappearing in a swift, silent blur of motion.
Shisui's lips curved into a knowing smile as he watched the space where the ANBU had been. "Itachi, it seems you've done a commendable job while I was away," he murmured, recognizing his cousin's distinctive movement pattern despite the mask.
Ninja Academy, Main Entrance
The Academy grounds bustled with activity, genin from various villages congregating in anticipation of the upcoming exams. The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of excitement and tension.
"What a coincidence! Are you also here to submit your registration forms?" A familiar voice called out as Naruto's team approached the main entrance.
Sai stood before them, his characteristic smile in place as he addressed the newly arrived trio. Despite his outwardly friendly demeanor, there remained something slightly artificial about his expressions—a quality that had always made Naruto somewhat uncomfortable.
"Yeah," Shin replied with a polite nod, acknowledging their former classmate.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, an awkward silence descended. The group's attention shifted to the inevitable confrontation that occurred whenever certain members of their graduating class crossed paths.
"Here we go again," Chiharu muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as Naruto and Sasuke locked gazes.
The two boys stared at each other wordlessly, an electric tension crackling between them. Their rivalry had only intensified since their Academy days, evolving into something that transcended mere competition.
"Tch!" Almost simultaneously, both boys turned their heads away with soft sounds of dismissal.
"Let's go," Naruto said to Chiharu and Shin, purposefully ignoring Sasuke's presence as they proceeded toward the Academy building.
Sasuke remained silent, hands thrust deep into his pockets as he also moved forward, Sakura and Sai following closely behind him. The pink-haired kunoichi glanced nervously between the two rivals, clearly hoping to avoid any escalation.
"It's been a year since I graduated," Chiharu remarked softly as they approached the teaching building. "I actually missed this place."
Her comment momentarily broke the tension, eliciting small smiles from those who heard it. Despite their differences, they shared the common experience of having grown up within these walls.
The six genin, intimately familiar with the Academy's layout, navigated to the second floor without hesitation. Their footsteps echoed in the hallways that seemed smaller now than they had during their student days.
"There are so many people," Naruto observed as they reached the second-floor landing.
The corridor was teeming with ninja of various ages, many wearing headbands that identified them as being from villages other than Konoha. Although only about ten graduates from Naruto's original class were participating in the Chunin Exams, the event drew qualified genin from across the allied nations.
Particularly noticeable among the crowd were the shinobi from Sunagakure, their distinctive attire and desert-adapted equipment setting them apart from the Leaf ninja. Several cast curious—and occasionally hostile—glances toward Minato's children as they passed.
After surveying the crowd for a moment, the six Konoha genin made their way toward Room 203, where they were to submit their registration forms.
However, just as they approached the classroom door, three figures suddenly blocked their path, their intent clearly confrontational.
The air in the hallway grew thick with tension as the Konoha genin found themselves face-to-face with what appeared to be their first challenge of the Chunin Exams—before the examinations had even officially begun.