Naruto: From Novice to Grave

Over the next few days, Higashino Makoto did not change his daily routine.

While other squads train tactics daily, they also need to gather intelligence on their opponents. Higashino doesn't need to. Although Shisui is much stronger than his peers now, he's not an overachiever.

He wasn't yet the complete Shisui of the Flicker Technique who would later make Kirigakure question their existence.

Because of his age, his Sharingan is still only at the two-tomoe stage. After all, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village has remained the same, and it hasn't developed to the point where they want a violent coup.

It could even be said that, because of the possibility of becoming the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha ninjas are currently experiencing the most intense burning of hope.

Then, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment, and the relationship between the two sides deteriorated until the Nine-Tails' rampage broke out, and the relationship between the two sides became so bad that it was beyond repair.

At the same time, Shisui, who cares about the relationship between his clan and the village, will also grow stronger rapidly during this ordeal.

The Cursed Eye: The path to growth is so mentally taxing.

During these few days, when Higashino Makoto occasionally strolled around the village, he often saw processions of palanquins, accompanied by large numbers of attendants and guards, entering Konoha from the main gate in a grand procession.

These were all nobles from the Land of Fire, who had come at the Hokage's invitation to observe the third team match of the Chunin Exams.

More people means more consumption, and in the past few days, Konoha Village has become visibly bustling, with merchants beaming with joy, clearly having made a considerable profit.

Although the war in the north is not over yet, Konoha seems to have begun to recover from the desolation of wartime and is gradually regaining its vitality.

It seems that the higher-ups' decision to hold this exam has a significant positive effect; at least it can help everyone quickly get rid of the somber atmosphere and cheer up again.

After all, life goes on.

Higashino really felt that those powerful and wealthy people, whether they were daimyo or nobles, were still riding in oxcarts. Even if the oxen and carriages were decorated in a luxurious and elegant manner, the overall style was still extremely low-class.

What a strange world.

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On the 7th, Konoha gave many departments a day off, except for those with necessary staff remaining on duty, including the Ninja Academy and the hospital.

In the morning, after enjoying a delicious breakfast and resting for a while, Higashino Mami went out with her mother, Higashino Megumi, to the circular arena in the center of Konoha.

This arena is not far from the Hokage Building. It is a landmark building in the center of Konoha Village and a venue for various important public events.

During peacetime, Konoha holds two fixed Chunin Exams a year, one in early July and the other in early December. However, only the final team or individual match of the Chunin Exams, which are of great significance, is scheduled here.

For example, this exam, which was restarted after the victory in the Hidden Mist War, was used to boost the confidence of the villagers and the nobles of the Land of Fire.

For example, the Chunin Exams that Konoha and Sunagakure jointly held later.

The Chunin Exams, which are held during normal times, do not receive as much attention because they are not given any political significance.

There are many seats around the arena, and any Konoha resident who has free time can come and watch.

Most importantly, there is no admission fee, so no matter how exciting the competition is, it's worth the price of admission.

The bloodthirsty audience rejoiced.

At the intersection, the three members of the Cloud-Seeing Class and Uzuki Sakura were waiting for them.

After the group gathered together, Uzuki Sakura looked at the villagers heading towards the arena in twos and threes and sighed, "The Hokage-sama's test was truly brilliant. The atmosphere in the village has obviously improved a lot, just like before the war broke out."

Keigo Higashino was in a good mood: "Things will go back to normal; the war will be over soon."

Moonlight Cloud saw that she did not speak, but she did not agree with their statement.

The war is not over yet, and trouble could break out again at any time.

The number of Konoha ninjas who died in this war was almost equal to the total number of those lost in the previous two wars. It would probably take more than a decade for the village to return to its pre-war prosperity.

He was a rational ninja, unlike some people in the village who were blindly optimistic, and he was always prepared to face the changing situation.

Uzuki Yugao didn't care about any of that. She was now filled with regret: "If I had known, I wouldn't have just promoted to Chunin. I wanted to take the exam with so many people watching me."

Hayate Gekko is the same; everyone is only around 10 years old, and who wouldn't want to show off in front of the entire Hidden Leaf Village?

But when he thought of what his father had told him at home about the reason why the Hokage had let Higashino Makoto take the exam alone, he knew that many things were deliberately arranged by those above, and that even if he wanted to participate, he wouldn't have the chance.

Upon arriving at the arena, Higashino Megumi and the others went directly to the stands, while Higashino Makoto went to the waiting room where the participating teams were located.

Here, all four Konoha genin squads have arrived, and the atmosphere among them is quite good, since they are all ninjas from the same village, and many of them are even classmates.

Yes, these four teams are all quite young, around thirteen or fourteen years old. As for the older teams that participated in this Chunin Exam, they were all eliminated.

That's how the ninja world is. Without talent, you can train until you're old and still not be as good as a student who's only graduated a few years ago.

These teams are actually in the lower middle range among their peers; those with good talent have already become Chunin or Jonin.

When the squad saw Higashino Makoto enter, they all looked over with curiosity. After all, Higashino Makoto was now a minor celebrity among the Konoha ninjas.

Soon, Shisui arrived. After nodding to everyone, he sat down next to Higashino Makoto, but did not say anything.

His expression revealed barely suppressed excitement and a hint of nervousness, as if he were brimming with fighting spirit.

Uchiha, indeed, their blood is filled with fighting spirit.

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Around 8:50 o'clock,

A flash of yellow light appeared, and the proctor of the third Chunin Exam appeared in the arena, immediately eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the surrounding audience.

People would occasionally shout out names like "Yellow Flash" or "Hero of Konoha".

Even the teams in the waiting room crowded to the window to catch a glimpse of the hero, their faces flushed with excitement.

Higashino Shinya was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the person in charge of the third exam would be Minato Namikaze. The Third Hokage really knew how to pick his time.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. The war in the north is currently at a stalemate, and Jiraiya is in charge. Minato Namikaze frequently travels between the village and the front lines.

As for an opportunity like today, where he could appear in front of the villagers and the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi would certainly not miss the chance to showcase himself as the Little Sun of Konoha and a war hero.

It seems that he already has a choice in mind regarding the next Hokage.

Orochimaru and Fugaku Uchiha: "..."

Damn it, there's something fishy going on!

Minato Namikaze: "..."

Perhaps in this young man's heart, returning to be with his girlfriend is the most important thing; making a good impression on the villagers and high-ranking officials? That's just secondary.

After receiving cheers from the villagers, Minato Namikaze waved to the participating teams with an impeccable sunny smile.

Higashino and the others jumped down and came to his side.

Minato Namikaze looked at everyone and said, "Well, today, you are all the main characters. Come on, let's get to know everyone and say hello."

Like everyone else, Higashino raised his hands and gestured to the surroundings, but what he was thinking was: Dude, you're the real protagonist!

Didn't you see that as soon as you appeared, we became just another face in the road?

Jiraiya was right. Minato Namikaze was a perfect ninja. Compared to him, any other ninja would pale in comparison.

Higashino really thought that this was true. He might surpass his opponent in strength in the future, but he could never be as optimistic as him in his heart.

This is a person who kills without hesitation, walks in the darkness, yet will never be tainted by it.