XX-level Hokage

A few days before the Chunin Exams, the Third Hokage gathered all the ninjas in Konoha who were currently participating in the Chunin Exams.

Mashiro also arrived at the gathering place, looking at the ninjas in the room. The examiner in charge of the written test: Ibiki Morino.

The examiner in charge of the Forest of Death: Mitarashi Anko.

Preliminary round examiner: Hayate Gekko. Official round examiner: Genma Shiranui.

Then there are the team leaders who signed up for this Chunin Exam: Team 3 Might Guy, Team 7 Kakashi Hatake, Team 8 Kurenai Yuhi, and Team 10 Asuma Sarutobi.

Finally, there were some ninjas like Mashiro who were responsible for maintaining order and protecting the examinees. Iruka was among them. When he saw Mashiro, he smiled and greeted him, and Mashiro smiled back.

The pass rate for the Chunin Exams is not high, so many instructors will only choose to enroll after teaching their students for three to five years. The 7th, 8th and 10th teams that enrolled this time have only been in charge for a year, and the 3rd team has only been in charge for two years. This can only mean that they are extremely confident in their teams.

This is also the origin of the Konoha Twelve; ordinary people wouldn't have the courage to do that.

After taking her seat, Mashiro observed the ninjas around her with great interest; they were all familiar faces.

Kurenai noticed Mashiro as soon as she entered, but after a quick glance, she subtly looked away. Mashiro didn't seem to mind, smiling and greeting the people around her.

"Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura both like you very much," Kakashi said, sitting down next to Mashiro at some point.

"Really? I like all three of them too." Mashiro said to Kakashi with a smile. [Name: Hatake Kakashi]

Gender: Male Age: 26 Favorability Rating: 30 Relationship: Colleague

Favorability Reward (50): Mastery of the Hatake Sword Technique Favorability Reward (90): Divine Might

Upon seeing the words "Kamui," Mashiro's smile deepened.

“I heard from Xiaolou Ying that Kakashi-sensei is a very nice person,” Mashiro said. Kakashi was about to be modest when Mashiro quickly added, “He’s just a little indecent.” Kakashi was a little embarrassed and protested, “That’s dirty talk, I’m still very proper.”

Kakashi was completely speechless. He coughed and said, "It's nothing, just a cultivation manual for adults. Kids shouldn't be so curious." Mashiro didn't expose him, just said "Oh~".

Soon, the Third Hokage arrived and began explaining the specifics of the Chunin Exams.

"Besides Konoha, the major ninja villages invited for this Chunin Exam—Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Amegakure, Takigakure, Kusanagi, and Otogakure—have agreed to come. This is a great opportunity to promote Konoha. Of course, the lives of the examinees must be the top priority. Those who are not fit to continue the exam must be removed from the exam in a timely manner. This requires everyone's cooperation..."

After the Third Hokage finished explaining all the important matters, he left, and the other ninjas in the room followed suit. "I have some things to attend to, so I'll head back first," Kakashi said to Mashiro, before turning and leaving.

Mashiro knew what Kakashi had been busy with lately, so she entrusted Sasuke with the Lightning Blade. Of the three, Kakashi still valued Sasuke the most.

Soon only a few people remained. Besides Mashiro, Kurenai and Asuma were also there, talking together. "Is that so?" Mashiro looked at the two laughing and talking, lost in thought.

Noticing Mashiro's gaze, Kurenai was inexplicably frightened, so she suddenly said goodbye to Asuma and left, leaving Asuma completely bewildered. "Are you Asuma-sensei?" Mashiro asked with a smile as she came up behind Asuma.

Asuma turned around and saw Mashiro, immediately recognizing her: "Mashiro-chan? I've often heard my father mention you; I should have paid you a visit."

But because I've been on missions with Shikamaru and the others, I haven't had time to go there.

"Asuma-sensei is too kind. I should be the one visiting you. I heard before that you had stepped down from your position as a Guardian Ninja and returned to Konoha, but you've been busy with many missions for me this year, and we're only meeting now," Mashiro said modestly.

The two chatted casually like that.

Suddenly, Mashiro asked, "Does Asuma-sensei like Kurenai-sensei? I saw Asuma-sensei secretly watching Kurenai when they were sitting together." Asuma was startled at first, but didn't hide anything, smiling as she said, "Yes, I've liked Kurenai for many years, and she finally agreed to my pursuit recently. Oh, congratulations, Asuma-sensei. I'll head back now since I have nothing else to do," Mashiro said.

“Okay, I happen to have some things to take care of.” Asuma naturally had no objections. Mashiro turned and left.

At that moment, on a bridge not far from the conference room, Hong leaned against the bridge railing, looking at the flowing water below.

Over the past year, her dreams have become much more normal, and her mood has gradually calmed down. As a result, she accepted Asma's pursuit, and her life finally returned to normal.

Kurenai had asked Tae and also subtly inquired about Mashiro, and both gave extremely positive feedback. However, for some reason, Kurenai always felt that something was off about her, so she avoided having too much contact with her.

Is Teacher Hong really avoiding me? "Zhenbai's voice came from the bridge."

A shadowy ninja followed Kurenai when she left, which is why Mashiro found this place so easily.

“We don’t have much interaction to begin with, and our social circles are different, so why would you say I’m avoiding you?” Hong said softly, tossing a red maple leaf into the stream under the bridge.

"Red, you always seem the same, no matter where you are: intelligent, meticulous, generous, and with a touch of melancholy that no one knows about," Mashiro said softly as she walked to Red's side.

"Who exactly are you?" Hong Jing stepped aside and said coldly. Zhenbai shrugged and activated the illusion-real transformation.

At the same time, an eye slowly opened from the part of its chest that was covered by clothing. "Who am I? You should know."

Hong's eyes began to blur. In her sorrow, she lay on the bed, and a man sat by her side. The man was pale, handsome, and had a gentle smile on his lips: "Hong, did you sleep well last night?"

Immediately after seeing the red, everything went black and he fainted.

When she woke up again, she was already lying in bed. Looking around, she realized this was her room. "Yes, this is your room?" Mashiro's voice came from behind her.

Red turned her head and saw that Mashiro was standing by the window, looking at the scene outside.

"Have you guessed who I am?" Mashiro turned her head and asked softly. Kurenai lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before saying, "Uchiha, Zero!"

Mashiro turned and walked to the bedside, reaching out to stroke Kurenai's hair. Kurenai did not react.

Mashiro's hand continued downwards, stroking Red's face, stopping at Red's eyes.

Then Mashiro pulled a necklace from her pocket. The necklace featured a large, sparkling ruby ​​that shone with a reddish light. "This must be the largest ruby ​​in all of Konoha. It suits your eyes perfectly."

As she spoke, Mashiro placed the necklace around Kurenai's neck. Kurenai still did not react.

Mashiro's hand continued downwards.

The red one was untied, and then...

Hong gripped the bedsheet tightly with her hands, her gaze...

Mashiro then turned and walked towards the door, seemingly about to leave. "What exactly do you want?"

Just as Mashiro was about to open the door, Kurenai asked in a low voice. Mashiro did not answer.

He turned around, opened the door, and left.

Shortly after Mashiro left, the sound of various pieces of furniture falling over came from the room.

Chapter Twenty-One: Ninjas from Various Countries

"Why did Kazekage-sama send Gaara to participate in the Chunin Exams in Konoha? This is not only bad for Gaara, but also dangerous for the other ninja from other villages who are taking the exams," the Kazekage said, looking at the Kazekage's command token with great dissatisfaction.

“Lord Kazekage must have his own reasons,” Kankuro reassured him from the side.

"I have to go find him and find out what he's thinking." With that, Shouhan walked out the door.

As the child of the Fourth Kazekage, she had the privilege of meeting the Kazekage directly. Unfortunately, the Fourth Kazekage is dead, and the current Fourth Kazekage in Sunagakure is Orochimaru.

So a few hours later, Temari returned home, suppressing her anger, and brought even worse news.

After the Third Shinobi World War, the Sand Village gradually declined, while the neighboring Konoha Village rapidly recovered and developed. This powerful neighbor made the entire Sand Village...

The higher-ups were alarmed, so the Sand Village and Sound Village allied themselves to launch an offensive against Konoha during the Chunin Exams. The three of them, including Tehan, were to be the vanguard of this offensive, and they wanted to kill as many of Konoha's young genin as possible during the battle.

Kankuro and Gaara readily agreed to the plan, and Tessa sighed in relief. The second stage began, and the Sand Ninja team officially set off.

On the other side, Kurotsuchi, a member of the Iwa ninja, sat on the desk in the Tsuchikage's office.

"Oki-san, are we really going to participate in the Chunin Exams in Konoha?"

Kurotsuchi asked, puzzled, "Because of the Third Shinobi World War, the relationship between Iwagakure and Konoha has never been good, and Konoha has never sent a representative to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"We haven't sorted things out with Konoha about what happened at the border. It's likely the work of a third party. Sarutobi wrote to me saying they've found out."

"There's a clue about that faction, and it's related to Deidara. So, since the Chunin Exams are here, take Akatsuchi and a few other young ninjas over there and ask them about Sarutobi Deidara. Also, take a look at the strength of Konoha's younger generation," Onoki said, stroking his beard.

"It's related to my senior brother, alright then." Kurotsuchi said with a smile. On the other side, the Sound Ninja, Grass Ninja, and Waterfall Ninja each had their own thoughts.

As the exam date approaches, ninjas from the guest village are gathering in Konoha.

In Konoha's largest shopping street, Mashiro was strolling around with Sakura. Over the past year, Sakura had basically been tamed by Mashiro.

The reason I say "different" is because Sakura herself discovered that obeying Shinji's orders didn't actually affect her life; on the contrary, it made her life more comfortable.

Mashiro remembers her birthday, prepares gifts for her, knows her hobbies, and hides their special relationship from her family and classmates. Although Mashiro's orders are all perverted, Sakura secretly enjoys them.

"Do you want to pass the Chunin Exams?" Mashiro asked, touching Sakura's neck.

Sakura was eating takoyaki when she heard Mashiro's words and knew that she was up to something again. Her face turned red as she asked, "What do you want me to do this time?"

Masashi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly recovered and said with a smile, "I didn't mean anything by it. As one of the people in charge of the Chunin Exams, I just wanted to ask if you needed any help. I didn't expect you to connect it to something strange. Well then, I won't be polite. Tonight..."

The noise subsided, and Mashiro leaned close to Sakura's ear and whispered something. Sakura's face flushed even more.

Just then, a short-haired girl in a red cheongsam and a strong, fat man walked over.

Seeing the headbands on their heads, Sakura's thoughts shifted, and she said to Mashiro, "They are Iwa ninjas."

Mashiro was also surprised. She was already quite surprised that the Iwa ninja would come to participate in the Chunin Exams, but she didn't expect that it would be Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi who came. She just hoped that old guy Onoki didn't come, otherwise it would be troublesome to carry out the plan.

Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi were oblivious to Mashiro and Sakura, who were observing the scene in Konoha with great curiosity.

"Nice legs," Mashiro said softly after Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi walked by. "What are you saying?" Koro asked, having overheard Mashiro's words.

"Your legs are pretty good too, just... a little small," Mashiro said, sizing up Sakura's body. "Go to hell!"

Sakura took out a takoyaki and stuffed it into Mashiro's mouth.

On the other side, Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Namino, and Choji were shopping together.

"Seriously, Sakura and Mashiro aren't coming over, why should I go shopping with you guys?" Naruto complained.

"We're supposed to compete against ninjas from other villages in the Chunin Exams. We originally wanted to get together with the Konoha ninjas, but Mashiro and Sakura were both busy, and Hinata and Kiba were training with Kurenai-sensei, so only a few of us were left when we gathered," Shikamaru said helplessly.

“Mashiro and Sakura should be together right now,” Ino suddenly said.

"Huh? You know where Mashiro and Sakura are? Tell me quickly," Naruto asked. "I'm just guessing," Ino said irritably.

At this moment, Sasuke suddenly stopped and frowned. "What's wrong?" Choji asked, munching on snacks, seeing Sasuke stop.

“That ninja up ahead is troublesome,” Sasuke said seriously. “Who? Let me see.”

After hearing Sasuke's words, Naruto looked in the direction Sasuke was pointing. Kankuro was asking for directions not far ahead.

"Haha, Sasuke, the troublesome ninja you're talking about isn't that weird tattooed old man from over there, is it?" Naruto patted Sasuke on the shoulder and laughed.

Naruto's voice reached Kankuro's ears, and his face darkened as he shouted at Naruto, "You brat, who are you calling a weird tattooed old man?"

"Are you a contestant from Sand Ninja? Don't worry about him, he's a bit mentally unstable." Ino noticed Kankuro's Sand Ninja headband and, fearing it might cause trouble, patted Naruto's head and said to Kankuro.

Kankuro was about to say something more when Gaara approached. Upon seeing Gaara, Kankuro's expression became very complicated, and he stepped aside. Gaara glanced around, his gaze settling on Sasuke, and the two locked eyes.

"What's your name?" Gaara suddenly asked. "Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke replied coldly.

“My name is Gaara, remember my name,” Gaara said. The atmosphere between them became somewhat awkward.

Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, and glancing at the surrounding crowd, Shikamaru sighed, determined not to let them clash. Just as he was about to say something, a clear, cheerful female voice rang out.

"What are you doing?" Then Shouhan walked over.