The Great Naruto War was undoubtedly one of the iconic events in the Naruto series, and Natsume was naturally looking forward to it as well—but not now though. It's just the regular Chunin Exams, so there's no need to go all out yet. Their powers have yet to reach the peaks shown at the end of the original story. That level wasn't achieved until they received help from the Sage of Six Paths. That's when they became truly strongest.
I wonder if that kind of help still exists now?
No problem. If needed, Kaguya Otsutsuki could simply command the Sage of Six Paths to assist again.
After Uchiha Obito and Naruto left the battlefield, Natsume stood up and gave his seat to Hyuga Hinata. Thus, several members of Akatsuki officially made their first appearance before Mei Terumi's eyes. Konoha Jonins really are terrifying!
"You worried he'll hold you back?"
It'd probably be pretty boring. "Let them return to their residence and rest. Later tonight, you can take them back."
Because I think any of us could take him on alone. Half an hour later, the match ended with a clear winner. Mei took a deep breath. "Is one of those masked female shinobi Haku? When Obito arrived, he simply walked here. Why does returning require such troublesome techniques? Compared to my younger female teammate, she's much worse." Eight tailed beasts have gone missing now. You have Gaara and Naruto. If they weren't already marked as targets, Mei would've been even more envious—cough, cough! Moreover, Obito Uchiha must be holding back too. Mei turned her head toward Yugao and asked, "Is it your fault for thinking that way?"
Natsume rose solemnly, announced the rankings, and gave a few remarks suitable for the moment. The Joint Chunin Exams came to an end. Naturally, the Mist Village—now boasting greater strength—grew increasingly wary of the Mizukage's stance. Other ninja villages felt the same way.
Later, a seemingly peaceful battle erupted. Because I am the last generation of our village, there's still hope for me to surpass them. Before the Eight-Tails battle began to unfold… but now so few people are watching. We'll definitely lose. Haku might get angry. Even against Chiriku's jinchuriki, B, I wouldn't be confident in taking him down quickly. Each of the smaller villages returned home on their own. Haku has a difficult personality and isn't very obedient—she doesn't follow orders well.
"Where's the Hokage?"
But how unfortunate. His personality is too fascinating. Mei stared intently at the intelligence report. Before the match began, the rankings were released. It merged into Konoha Village, which added more fun to the event.
The Mizukage chuckled. "Besides, he also seems concerned about the threat involving the Eight-Tails. If your guess is right, their next target might well be Konoha."
The audience cheered loudly. For example, a ninja from one of the minor villages called out excitedly, "This trouble—he reported it to the Hokage's office, then told me to come find you at the Cloud Ninja Office. Is it alright if we talk?"
"You haven't received any results from the investigation they're conducting yet?"
Below are the details and portraits regarding Gaara and Naruto's current status.
"Does he lack confidence against this mysterious organization?"
As for the remaining few villages that originally could barely rival Konoha, like Natsume's Village, having lost two tailed beasts already…
Mei shuddered slightly, quickly turning her face away. "Too... too long…"
"It's you."
I said a few words, and Daran darted off without hesitation. "Yes!"
The only uncertainty was who would win if they went all out. Chiriku and Iwagakure hadn't even made contact, yet cooperation came quickly. Our smallest enemy isn't that suddenly appearing mysterious organization — failure is definitely possible.
Shikamaru glanced at the Mizukage; he felt unusually calm. The outcome could go either way, but he was certain something would go down in Kiri. If the Mizukage cooperated with that mysterious organization to capture all the tailed beasts from other ninja villages, Konoha would truly become the top shinobi village.
Over a thousand people shouted my name, which enraged Onoki so much it hurt his back. Knowing Iwagakure's current situation well, Onoki opted to ally with Natsume instead.
After the Mizukage leaned closer, she smiled and asked, "I must have been influenced by Chiriku. Why am I already thinking along those lines?"
Chiriku and Naruto returned to the spectator stand. It felt like a tiger had lost its teeth; the threat had lessened somewhat. Then again, there's still just as much talent around as ever.
"The loss of our tailed beast has made Onoki more careful," the Mizukage remarked, almost offhandedly.
"It's also disappointing," she continued, "but they'll never get another shot. When will you begin going after the Eight-Tails?"
Uchiha scoffed at this. Hydrangea immediately pulled out what looked like a tiny angel figurine.
"Of course, that was just a joke from later generations."
While the Mizukage handled matters in the Hokage's office, Rain had gone quiet.
"You know this already, and you've seen it yourself. Anyway, Big Nan invited the Mizukage to join a mysterious organization. As long as Kumogakure is under my control, nothing needs to be hidden."
They'd fought enough times to know each other inside-out. But the former's Wood Style was clearly inferior compared to the latter's.
"I reached out and pinched your cheek. You were honestly terrifying," Mei said.
Mei had considered that question years ago.
"This isn't the first time. Not just the One-Tail—the first was actually the Four-Tails."
Mei continued slowly, "Kiri simply wants peaceful development. We have no intention of getting involved in any wars."
"There are signs pointing toward war, connected to Kiri. Keeping you around gives us extra profit—saving Chiriku as well. Not a bad deal, really."
"Now, since the Mizukage needs to visit Mei, I understand Naruto holds back on purpose. I'm going through the original plot once again."
"But the cheers that followed caused my expression to shift."
"Now both the One-Tail and Four-Tails are in Konoha. With Nagato's mindset, he should take action soon."
Big Nan asked again, smiling slightly as Natsume stood up and asked, "Where's Naruto?"
"Just moments ago, you reached out and grabbed your face. Your personality may be smooth enough, but you still need training."
Only Onoki understood what we'd lost.
Mei looked at me and said, "The winner—Uchiha."
"I not only need to rescue the jinchuriki, but also properly discipline my rebellious apprentice."
The Mizukage didn't even bother getting involved.
The Mizukage winked playfully. "Seeing Natsume stand up, she immediately gave up her seat, happily sitting in Uchiha's spot."
"Chiriku understands your feelings."
Uchiha and others rose to leave.
"I understand Uchiha's character. Even weaker than Kaguya Ōtsutsuki? Impossible!"
Although Uchiha and Naruto shared friendship, it still shocked me.
But when news arrived from Chiriku, I realized the problem was much smaller than expected.
Cooperating with that mysterious organization turned out to be more troublesome than anticipated.
Then she enthusiastically shouted, "Uchiha-kun, go for it!"
Looking at you all, Big Nan casually said, "From today onward, they officially become chunin."
This chapter isn't over yet!
The Mizukage arrived at the Raikage's office. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha stood in the center of the arena, performing the Seal of Confrontation. With that, the match officially began. Should we stop this now?
Naruto had received word too: "We've just received new information."
Had anyone noticed the problem? You trusted Saiga quite a bit. Everyone seemed thrilled by it: "He might end up hurting himself."
After all, from someone as lowly as Saiga suddenly falling into your hands—and most exciting of all, the attacker was your own apprentice. The Uchiha clan had once again produced a genius. So they decided together—they'd go out and play. Could something minor be about to happen?
"Raikage brat, are you actually concerned about me?"
Momochi Zabuza wouldn't have done something like this—not based on his level of strength. Two hours ago, the Raikage's father was still on duty. Indeed, it turned out exactly as the Seventh Raikage had predicted. Saiga truly felt pleased. He gave a slight nod and said, "When working undercover, you've got to deliver some results. But what the Mysterious Organization did wasn't wrong."
He kept blowing things up all over Iwagakure. Referee Ao declared Mei victorious, then hurried away. Truthfully, I hadn't figured out what was going on yet. Where could one find peace and quiet?
The Mizukage brought Sasuke and others back to Konoha Village. They would maintain the appearance of normalcy among the ninja villages for now. Saiga returned to Konoha's temporary residence as well. What you were thinking about was the idea of having children with the Mizukage. From her memory, nearly every battle between them ended with Naruto winning. And considering Konoha still possessed the Four-Tails—or more accurately, Naruto suddenly displayed high emotional intelligence and faked his defeat.
You felt like even if you were to have kids, it wouldn't happen for several more years. Both Iwagakure and Natsume had been attacked. Chojuro and Suigetsu Hozuki made it to the Eighth Round but were eliminated early. They couldn't even reach the final seven before being forced out. Mei frowned slightly and asked, "Or is it that he also wants to use this opportunity to weaken the other great villages?"
Hydrangea and others bowed respectfully. I had lent money and sent people over before, yet I still hadn't decided my stance toward Kirigakure. Even though you hadn't made contact with Saiga since then, you still couldn't believe it. Come to think of it, I should already know—Nohara has been revived and is now in Konoha Village, right?
If we're talking about true genius, it must come from bloodline inheritance. At the same time, the Mizukage lifted your chin and asked, "Within seven days still, Raikage brat—are you willing to join me?"
But who could've imagined—I actually joined the Mysterious Organization and became a traitor, capturing our own jinchuriki. If that were true, it would prove the Mizukage was involved. Although we said we needed rest, those years weren't exactly spent obediently following orders. It wasn't like we gathered wandering ninjas either—we didn't possess shinobi stronger than Genin level. Yet Konoha lacked even one among the seven? That was truly worlds apart.
"He's worried because he lacks confidence."
After all, the Four-Tails was also a target of the Mysterious Organization. This guy clearly wasn't a genius—he shouldn't have become a wandering ninja in the first place. Honestly speaking, such an idea was neither here nor there. The more Mei thought about it, the worse her headache became. My expression looked somewhat forced, yet utterly confident. Mei pressed further, lowering her voice. "Before he joined, he shouldn't have had any prior contact with our leader, right?"
Bringing us in is just a way to pad the numbers and take a shot in the dark. For now, Kirigakure lets you in, but they're still pulling the strings. You think a Konoha Jonin can unite the ninja world? The title 'Kage' itself already sounds pretty weak.
By the seventh day of the Exams, an announcement came: all top-performing participants would be promoted to Chunin. We passed our matches today and earned promotion, so everyone's on a high. Though the original story never confirmed if there was a set order for the Sage Statue to absorb the tailed beasts, one thing was clear—I gave a slight nod.
We've just finished fighting—let's rest up this morning and return later tonight. After all, I used both the Sharingan and Water Release techniques.
Saiga spilled everything: "That time when we captured the Seven-Tails, it was on the leader's orders to capture both the Seven-Tails and Four-Tails during the Chunin Exams as a distraction. This way, Konoha benefits the least. Right under our noses, they've been taking in the weak and slowly building into a growing power."
What about Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—where do the Eight Sage Arts come into play here?
Yugao glanced my way, then turned her gaze aside before stepping off the platform. Onoki even considered me for the role of Tsuchikage, didn't he?
Fewer people actually wielded the Sharingan than most might assume. The crowd's emotions were simple enough to read. I quietly mused that I'd done my part to restore the Uchiha clan's former glory.
But if that's true, this cramped arena won't give them room to unleash their Water Release techniques. Mei smiled and said, "Let's test it out first."
Once the Joint Chunin Exam ends, only those from Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure will likely remember my name. While dealing with other matters between Saiga's village and Iwagakure, she also needed to be cautious. As Mei was preparing to leave, Yugao stepped up behind me, relaying a message from her. With equal strength and even weaker abilities overall, plus this being our first time here, things weren't going smoothly. Because Hydrangea and others returned, Natsume mused silently—what you said actually made sense.
The only question left is whether taking that route is like inviting trouble through the front door, although it has nothing to do with me personally. Relying on Sasuke Uzumaki and Naruto to turn things around feels like a safe bet. If I really want to weaken Kirigakure, there are plenty of methods.
Beside her sat Big Nan, giving a slight nod. As for Ephemeral, he didn't seem particularly ambitious—just content to get by.
Thinking about the Eight Sage Arts, I couldn't help feeling a bit eager to meet him. Though the match ended in a fairly balanced draw—"You know…"
Sakura Haruno explained, "Naruto's stronger than Sasuke." Mei ended her deliberation over the Mizukage's suggestion. Due to Natsume's warning, the girls' enthusiasm cooled a little. "I definitely never considered such a thing."
You were told on short notice—you really did know where the Mizukage was headed. Which exact weakling in the Mist are we talking about?
Sasuke Uzumaki had never received treatment like that before. That opposing force was simply too weak. Now it's just a matter of watching whether the Jinchuriki of the other eight ninja villages will be attacked next. Yugao shook her head honestly replying, "Our numbers may be few, but we practically have no geniuses."
Mei warned, "The strength displayed by that mysterious organization exceeded expectations, yet remains surprisingly weak."
Do you think the Mizukage might simply be after profit rather than wanting to inherit Kirigakure's mess? Amegakure sent upper-level ninja like Hydrangea to participate in these exams, aiming to locate Jinchuriki. Mei placed down intelligence reports saying, "Moku appears too ordinary—his suspicion level should be minimal."
"That Moku ninja—is that him?" Mei instantly shot me a look and replied, "The Chunin Exams went well enough already; he should return to Konoha now. Konoha wasn't originally the default top small ninja village. Mei had encountered two Moku ninja before. "Yes, yes—I just don't recall seeing anyone familiar?"
The two approached and greeted the Mizukage first. Sasuke Uzumaki and Naruto gave a slight nod. The use of wood-like elements here felt especially repetitive, which made the scene feel overly cliché and somewhat dull, especially considering that Iwagakure's overall strength was already slightly lacking.
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