Among the Kumo ninja watching Konoha's encampment stood C—the defeated participant from the previous Chunin Exams.
Beside him was Darui.
Unlike the others, the two kept some distance, observing quietly from the outskirts rather than mingling with the crowd.
"Well?" Darui asked lazily, his hands clasped behind his head. "What do you think, C?"
C shook his head.
Although he had already expected that Itachi—the overwhelming victor of the last exams—would not appear this time, confirming it still left a trace of disappointment.
Being utterly crushed by a ninja far younger than himself, even one hailed as an Uchiha prodigy, had been a heavy blow. One that had not yet fully faded.
"So he really isn't here…" Darui drawled. "Still, Konoha wouldn't come unprepared. They probably sent others worth watching."
"At least two of them are strong," C said quietly.
"It seems Konoha is taking this seriously."
Just as Kumogakure was.
This was the first joint Chunin Exams held on Kumogakure's home ground. Losing was not an option. They didn't merely want victory—they wanted domination, the same overwhelming supremacy Itachi had displayed last time.
That was precisely why both C and Darui were participating in this exam.
"C. Darui."
A steady, authoritative voice spoke from behind them.
"Dodai-san," the two greeted simultaneously.
As Dodai approached, Darui scratched the back of his head and asked with mild annoyance, "Do I really have to participate as a Genin?"
Dodai nodded without hesitation. "That is the village's decision."
"Tch… how unmotivating," Darui muttered. Competing as a Genin wouldn't bother him elsewhere—but this was Kumogakure. Everyone here knew exactly who he was.
"Don't lower your guard just because this is home ground," Dodai said sternly. "Konoha is clearly treating this exam as a priority."
He continued, his tone serious. "Their team leader may only be slightly older than you, but he is no ordinary ninja."
"He was promoted to Jonin at fourteen and has completed several high-level missions for Konoha."
"It's also said that he's personally trusted by the Fifth Hokage."
"Sending someone like that as a team leader already speaks volumes about Konoha's intent."
—
Meanwhile, inside Konoha's temporary encampment, Roshi had gathered all the Genin participating in the exam.
"…Kumogakure's exam format differs significantly from what you're used to," he said evenly. "Focus your efforts on strengthening yourselves individually."
After explaining the changes to the Chunin Exams, Roshi dismissed the group, instructing them to prepare on their own.
In the end, the joint Chunin Exams were still an evaluation of a Genin's overall ability.
There was no need for excessive guidance—overexplaining would defeat the purpose of the exam itself.
Moreover, regardless of Kumogakure's intentions or adjustments to the rules, once the results were finalized and candidates met the criteria under the established framework, Konoha would be obligated to recognize and promote them accordingly.
That mutual recognition was the foundation upon which the credibility of joint exams rested.
That evening, a Kumo Chunin delivered the finalized main-event schedule to Konoha's encampment.
Alone in his room, Roshi reviewed the document carefully.
It was clear that Kumogakure had gone to great lengths to refine—and commercialize—the main tournament phase, deliberately stretching the competition's duration to maximize spectacle and anticipation.
Perhaps to make up for the loss of teamwork and survival assessments after canceling the outdoor survival test, Kumogakure folded cooperative combat evaluation directly into the main event.
This time, the Chunin Exams hosted by Kumo were clearly divided into two major phases: team battles and individual battles.
The team battles featured two full three-person Genin squads facing off in designated arenas. These matches emphasized internal coordination, tactical execution, division of roles, and overall team combat capability.
The individual battles followed the traditional one-on-one elimination format.
In terms of scheduling, the team battles came first, with the individual tournament held afterward.
Because of the strain caused by high-intensity combat, Kumogakure deliberately set aside nearly a full month between phases to allow participating ninja sufficient time to recover.
Even within the team battle phase itself—which spanned roughly a week—the schedule was not densely packed. Rest intervals were carefully arranged to reduce excessive attrition.
The individual battles followed a similar structure, also extending over about a week, with rest days interspersed as needed.
To keep spectators engaged throughout such a long event, Kumogakure clearly spared no expense or effort.
This schedule maximized entertainment value and commercial potential, while still barely maintaining the minimum standards expected of a Chunin-level assessment.
—
Konoha Village, Uchiha Clan Compound
Itachi declined Sasuke's request to practice shurikenjutsu and stepped out through the front door.
The refusal had nothing to do with Anbu duties—today was his rest day.
There was simply something he needed to take care of.
Enjin's request to join an Anbu field team had already been formally submitted to the Hokage Office.
Tsunade had not rejected it outright, but instead instructed Itachi to continue observing him.
Enjin remained under strict supervision. Even though relations between the Uchiha and the village appeared to be easing—or perhaps precisely because they were—the scrutiny surrounding him had only intensified.
The village's reform of the police force was still ongoing. The integration of two Hyuga squads was only the beginning.
Next month, the Anbu squad led by Itachi himself would undergo a critical internal review.
This evaluation would determine whether its members were qualified to be promoted and formally transferred out of the Anbu system into regular Village departments.
The three members aside from Enjin were all but guaranteed to pass.
Their future assignments might not be glamorous, nor grant significant authority, but they were far preferable to being perpetually sidelined within the police force as anonymous enforcers.
After them would come the third and fourth batches of Uchiha candidates.
If Enjin insisted on joining the field team, then when the next group entered Anbu, he would be required to take command and lead missions outside the village.
Itachi stopped in front of Enjin's residence and raised his hand to knock.
There was no response.
He waited a moment, then knocked again—this time more firmly.
After a brief delay, the door opened.
"Itachi," Enjin said quietly.
"Enjin."
Itachi returned the greeting calmly and stepped inside. His gaze remained steady and restrained, not wandering over the room's interior, but fixed solely on Enjin himself.
"I've submitted your application."
A flash of eagerness crossed Enjin's eyes. "Did the Hokage approve it?"
Itachi nodded. "When the next group enters Anbu, you will be placed in charge of a team."
Enjin exhaled deeply, his clenched fists finally loosening. "I will reclaim what belongs to the Uchiha."
Itachi offered no response.
He turned, took his leave, and closed the door behind him.
As he stepped away, his footsteps slowed to a halt.
Just now… who, exactly, had Enjin been speaking to?
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