Waving his chakra armor as if to show off, Rōga Nadare's face carried an even stronger look of disdain.
"We've managed to march straight in all the way here. Isn't that proof enough that the so-called proud barrier of Konoha crumbles instantly before the new technology of the Land of Snow?"
The armor the three of them wore not only amplified their ninjutsu but also effectively blocked others' sensory abilities.
And aside from that, the armor had an even more important function—
"I heard that the current Hokage is also a ninja skilled in Ice Release."
Kakuyoku Fubuki blinked, speaking in a mocking tone:
"Well, Nadare, this is the first time we've ever seen an Ice Release ninja outside of the Land of Snow."
The Ice Release of the Land of Snow was different from the Ice Release used by Takeshi and the others.
Strictly speaking, Snow-nin Ice Release belonged to Water Release, but due to the Land of Snow's extreme climate, the jutsu had undergone a qualitative mutation.
Normally, once they left the Land of Snow, their Ice Release should become unusable.
But with this armor, the Snow-nin could perfectly compensate for that problem.
"Hmph, as far as I know, that Hokage named Takeshi is just like Kakashi—just another brat of the same age."
When Rōga Nadare mentioned Kakashi's name, a flash of cruelty crossed his eyes.
Clenching his fists tightly, he rolled his neck and said, "I've always had a tiny doubt in my heart—whether Takeshi is really stronger than us."
Kakuyoku Fubuki laughed loudly and nodded.
"Looks like our chance has come."
"The Inner Circle instructed us to cooperate with the Sky-nin to create an infiltration opportunity. They didn't give us permission to fight the Fifth Hokage."
Fuyukuma Mizore didn't quite agree with the other two's suggestion.
"Relax. Orders from the Inner Circle cannot be disobeyed, but if that young Hokage happens to cross our path, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Though Rōga Nadare was annoyed at Mizore's lack of ambition, he had to admit that the man's reasoning was sound.
The Inner Circle's orders were absolute. Even their boss Kazahana Dotō was nothing but an ant before them.
...
As time passed, the participating teams settled into the Kikyō Castle.
"Too shameless! That old fossil Ōnoki actually sent that demolition freak Deidara to take the Chūnin Exams?!"
Slamming the table in frustration, Takeshi cursed while using binoculars to scan for familiar faces among the participants.
Hearing this, Uchiha Hikari, who was crouched behind Takeshi eating noodles in silence, couldn't hold it in. She choked on the broth, splattering oil and soup all over Takeshi's ceremonial robe.
"..."
Wiping her mouth, Uchiha Hikari shot Takeshi a look as if he were trash.
No matter how shameless Ōnoki was, he still wasn't as shameless as you—sending me to the Genin department to bully rookies?
Do you know who I am? I'm a living weapon from the Warring States era. And what do you have me fighting?
Even Uchiha Itachi noticed something was off. He coughed lightly, clearly stifling a laugh.
"Ahem, well then… Hikari-sama, we should probably start preparing for the exam."
Before Takeshi could say a word, everyone else slipped away, leaving only Obito scratching his head awkwardly.
Giving Obito a glare, Takeshi stripped off the stained robe and tossed it at him.
"What are you staring at, idiot Obito? Go wash this for me!"
Seriously, these Uchiha—every one of them forgets my kindness and just waits to see me make a fool of myself.
What does this have to do with me?!
Confused, Obito didn't dare talk back. He sulked as he carried the robe outside.
Watching Obito's retreating back, Takeshi frowned.
With his body perfectly adapted to Hashirama's cells, Obito could now use Kamui freely without restraint.
That meant the most suitable candidate to investigate the Land of Rain was obvious. Even if the enemy truly had the Rinnegan, Obito might not be able to win, but he could at least escape unharmed.
The biggest problem Takeshi faced now was whether exposing Obito's trump card so early was really worth it.
Just as Takeshi was mulling this over, Tetsu appeared in a flicker and reported:
"Fifth Hokage-sama, Kirigakure's representative requests an audience."
The biggest surprise of this year's Chūnin Exams was that Kirigakure, long isolated from the continent, had suddenly announced their participation.
And the team they sent was led by none other than the most honest man of the Shippuden era—Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Hokage-sama."
With permission, Kisame entered, wearing his harmless, gentle smile.
"Hoshigaki Kisame… I've heard of you. The current head of Kirigakure's ANBU."
Takeshi made no effort to hide the fact that he had people gathering intel on Kirigakure, bluntly stating Kisame's present position.
"Heh, worthy of Konoha's Internal Affairs Department. To dig up information straight from the Bloody Mist… No—wrong. The Mist is no longer the Bloody Mist."
Kisame stared unblinkingly at the young Hokage before him.
"So, what business do you have with me? By rank, you should only be meeting with Aburame Tatsuma."
Takeshi hadn't planned to meet him at all, but upon hearing the visitor was the so-called honest man, he'd made an exception.
"Nothing much. I simply heard an amusing rumor."
Kisame smiled and shook his head, standing perfectly still as his eyes studied every flicker of Takeshi's expression.
"They say… you're the current jinchūriki of the Three-Tails."
"Truly an amusing rumor. You, as a Mist-nin, should know better than anyone—the Three-Tails belongs to Kirigakure. How could it possibly end up in Konoha?"
The instant he heard it, Takeshi knew his secret had leaked.
He had expected this, but his plan was simple: deny everything.
What, you going to run a check yourself?
One Tailed Beast Ball and you're dead, believe it or not.
"Heh, fair enough. Then allow me to present you with a personal letter from the Fourth Mizukage."
Kisame hadn't expected Takeshi to admit anything. He stepped back and produced a prepared letter, handing it to Kamizuki Izumo.
After carefully verifying it, Izumo delivered the letter to Takeshi.
The contents were mostly trivial, repeating the claim that the Three-Tails seemed to be with Takeshi and demanding Konoha return the Seven Ninja Swords seized during the last war.
But when Takeshi reached the final lines, his breathing suddenly grew heavy.
Yagura Karatachi wrote that the rumor of the Three-Tails had come from a visitor—someone from an organization called Akatsuki, who had also invited him to join.