Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

This is why Konoha always has to open up several battlefields each time.

The best lands in the entire ninja world have been occupied by the Land of Fire. Who wouldn't be envious? Especially the Land of Wind, whose territory is almost entirely desert, where even basic sustenance for its people has become a problem.

So even though they are the weakest of the five hidden villages, they always take the lead in starting wars.

If they don't shift their problems outwards, they'll suffocate from the harsh natural environment.

"You still have Sunagakure in your heart?" Xuan Yue asked curiously.

Ye Cang remained silent and shook his head. "It's just a subconscious comparison, after all, it's the place where I've lived for almost twenty years."

"You're not even twenty yet?" Shimura Gengetsu was surprised, his eyes filled with deep suspicion.

Those legs, that back, that thunder... how could he only be twenty?

Ye Cang was immediately enraged by that gaze: "Do I look that old?"

“Um…” Shimura Gengetsu subconsciously glanced at those perfect curves, “They really don’t look like it.”

Ye Cang felt much better and proudly said, "That's because I have a special talent."

“Indeed…” Shimura Gengetsu nodded involuntarily. To have such an enviable figure before the age of twenty, what else could it be but talent?

"So what grudge do you have against Luo Sha that makes him hate you so much that he's going to drag all the higher-ups into selling you out?"

"How should I know! He used to be my teammate!"

He didn't stay long; after watching Yekura finish his meal, Shimura Gengetsu left.

In the days that followed, he would come over every few days and also instructed the Root ninjas that as long as Yekura did not leave the base or go to important places, she could move freely within the restricted area.

Danzo was very dissatisfied with Shimura Gengetsu's insistence, but he did not stop him.

In his view, this was destined to be a futile effort, and even if it succeeded, it would not mean that everything would be settled once and for all.

If Yekura can betray Sunagakure now, she may betray Gengetsu in the future.

The reason they didn't take action was to teach Xuan Yue a lesson through this incident.

As long as Ye Cang experiences setbacks, Xuan Yue will definitely become more mature in the future and gradually grow into the person he hopes to be.

In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

The intensity of the war further decreased, and the number of ninjas in the village gradually increased, many of whom were withdrawn from the front lines.

It is foreseeable that the situation will remain relatively stable for at least the next few years, entering a period of peaceful development.

However, none of the major ninja villages dared to be careless, after all, the Ninja World Wars had broken out too frequently. The Third Shinobi World War started just a few years after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, and they were afraid that it would be like the last time. Therefore, the arms race never stopped.

On this day, the daily patrol team gathered as usual.

"Xuan Yue, congratulations on reaching 253."

After everyone arrived, Hyuga Hizashi said with a smile, "The village has enough manpower right now, and it's been over a year since we held the Chunin Exams. Yesterday, the Third Hokage summoned the Jonin team to discuss holding a Chunin Exam soon."

"It won't be long before you become a Chunin."

"The Chunin Exams have finally resumed." Xuan Yue, who had grown quite a bit taller and was now close to 1.5 meters, complained.

With good living conditions and the development of the Thousand Hands bloodline, his development speed is much faster than that of ordinary children. Although he is only eight years old, he looks about the same as a ten-year-old child.

Keep in mind that when Naruto Uzumaki first graduated, he was only about this tall.

Gentsuki Shimura was very happy to be promoted.

Promotion means an increase in training speed. Recently, Shimura Gengetsu has been studying his self-created swordsmanship all day long, and it has already taken shape. He has not been paying much attention to the developments in the village.

Kurenai Yuhi and Yugao Uzuki were also happy for him.

The two knew that Xuan Yue was very strong; he could easily become a Jonin, let alone a Chunin, and was even stronger than Kakashi was back then.

I've never had a chance for promotion, but now I've finally gotten it.

However, there is something else that worries them.

Uzuki Yugao spoke softly, "Hizashi-sensei, Kurenai and I are both Chunin. Chunin Exams usually require teams. What about Gengetsu? Should we team up with other teams?"

Riza was also taken aback; he hadn't really considered this issue.

He mainly felt that this kind of thing was nothing to the eldest son of the Shimura family.

However, since Uzuki Yugao brought it up, he felt a little flustered, so he said, "I originally planned to take you on another mission, and then wait for Gengetsu to take the exam. We can take this opportunity to go and ask the Hokage together."

"Red, didn't Kakashi pass the exam all by himself back then?" Xuan Yue asked curiously.

Kurenai recalled for a moment and shook her head. "No, Kakashi had two teammates, but both of them failed in the first two stages, so only he succeeded in advancing."

Xuan Yue didn't really know much about this, so he shrugged helplessly and prepared to go and ask Hiruzen Sarutobi how to solve his problem.

The group arrived at the Hokage's office. With Shimura Gengetsu as a living advertisement, they quickly entered the office and met Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage," Hyuga Hizashi greeted respectfully before voicing his doubts.

After listening, the Third Hokage looked at Xuan Yue with a smile, "I've already solved the problem of your teammates."

“It just so happens that someone from Itachi’s team sacrificed himself. Xuan Yue, Itachi was also your classmate, so why don’t you two temporarily form a team?”

Upon hearing this, Shimura Gengetsu's brows slowly furrowed.

Chapter 54 I'll take a few Root ninjas to the Chunin Exams, and set up an ambush.

"I'm a third-generation old man, can't I take the exam alone?"

Xuan Yue was unwilling to be paired with the filial son.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "There is no precedent for this. Everyone must register in teams to participate in the exam. That's the rule."

"Unless you want to be promoted naturally based on mission merits."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he flipped through the mountain of files piled up on the table and took out Gengetsu's information to read.

"At the rate your group takes on missions, it will take at least another six months before you have enough merit to become a Chunin."

In the last six months, Shimura Gengetsu has become increasingly lazy, completing only ten C-rank missions and two B-rank missions.

"Is there really no room for compromise?" Shimura Gengetsu asked again.

"No."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was adamant; he didn't want to rely on Gengetsu Shimura for everything.

Otherwise, wouldn't his authority as Hokage be completely undermined, and wouldn't Xuan Yue develop a personality that disregards rules, wanting to solve everything with his privileges?

Therefore, he will absolutely not compromise on the team arrangements for this Chunin Exam.

"Alright then." Shimura Gengetsu shrugged indifferently. "Then I'll go to Root and find two ninjas. Anyway, they don't have ninja files, so they should be considered genin, right?"

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly abandoned his resolve and hurriedly called out to Gengetsu Shimura.

"This won't do! It's too unfair to the other ninjas!"

Root has its own training system, which is extremely cruel. Those who can survive to become official members are the elite of the elite.

At least at the genin and chunin levels, their skills are definitely much better than those of ordinary ninjas.

One Shimura Gengetsu is more than enough to surpass the level of a Jonin. According to the information provided by Hizashi, Gengetsu's strength is almost on par with Jonin, plus his two Root teammates.

Are the other ninjas still alive?

"Isn't this against the rules?" Shimura Gengetsu spread his small hands. "I did it according to what you, the Third Elder, instructed."

"This won't work, that won't work, why is being a ninja so troublesome?"

Shimura Gengetsu picked up the headband hanging from his waist. "I'm not staying in this damn Konoha anymore! I'm going to become a rogue ninja!"

"Wait!" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't sit still any longer and rushed to Gengetsu, snatching his headband away.

What a brat! What a brat!

He threatened to become a rogue ninja at the drop of a hat. If Danzo found out, he would fight him to the death.

"It's my fault, don't get agitated." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled wryly. "You don't need to worry about the team issue. I'll allow you to participate with a special invitation, and it will only test your individual abilities. Are you satisfied now?"

Xuan Yue immediately flashed a bright smile, "Thank you, Third Grandfather."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

This kid, he wasn't faking it just now, was he?

Just as he began to have doubts, Shimura Gengetsu had already run away with Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai.

Upon arriving at the mission posting area, Hizashi accepted a mission he had already chosen.

Transport strategic materials to the front lines of the Land of Earth.

Hyuga Hizashi wanted Gengetsu to experience the atmosphere of the battlefield, but didn't want him to undertake overly dangerous missions, so transporting supplies became the best option.

In addition to their team, there were also three genin teams led by chunin, making it a joint mission.

The two sides had different roles: the Japanese patrol team was responsible for security, while the other three teams were responsible for transportation.

The four arrived at the meeting point, and upon seeing Hyuga Hizashi, a Chunin wearing a green vest and bearing a scar on his face approached them.

"Hizashi-sama."