Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"Hello, I am Naruto Uzumaki."

The blond-haired, blue-eyed boy stood casually in front of the boy carrying the gourd, smiling as he introduced himself.

Upon seeing this, Maki instinctively held his breath, only regaining his composure a second later.

"Like you, I will also participate in this Chunin Exams. I hope we can pass the exam together."

"Cough cough!"

Maki cleared his throat forcefully and looked at Kakashi, saying, "I'm really sorry. We need to rejoin our companions as soon as possible. What happened today was due to my poor discipline of my disciples. If you have any further guidance, please come to our Sunagakure embassy to find me."

After speaking,

He dared not delay and urged his disciples to hurry up and walk.

"Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara, let's go!"

We really can't afford to delay any longer. Gaara's rampages are nothing new. If that blond-haired Konoha boy provokes Gaara into a berserk rage, he doesn't have the Fourth Kazekage's ability to suppress tailed beasts... It's unimaginable what kind of situation that would escalate into.

Therefore,

Let's leave while Gaara is in good condition!

Staying here and continuing to be stimulated is not a good thing.

"Your name is Gaara? Gaara, see you in the Chunin Exams!"

Hearing the shouts behind him, Maki's eyelids twitched violently. Thankfully... Gaara seemed fine, but his heart was still pounding in his chest, fearing that the blond-haired Konoha boy might cause some more trouble.

Maki only breathed a sigh of relief when he could no longer see the blond boy standing there.

He couldn't help but complain about the Kazekage's decision; this task was far too difficult. He hoped that the Chunin Exams would go smoothly and peacefully this time.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Naruto, are you... interested in that kid?" After the Sand Ninja group disappeared from sight, Kakashi looked at Naruto curiously. It was the first time he had seen Naruto so actively making friends, especially with a Sand Ninja boy he had never met before.

It really is

That's amazing.

"Ah."

Naruto gazed at the bustling crowd, nodded slightly, and said, "That guy... is just like me from before." After saying that, he felt that his words might not have been clear enough, so he added a sentence.

"I am just like me before I met the Hokage, Kakashi-sensei, and Jiraiya-sama."

Kakashi fell silent.

That's a very good point—

It made him feel a little upset.

Thinking back to the lonely look on that Sand Ninja boy's face, I couldn't help but feel a little heavy-hearted.

Sasuke and Sakura, who were standing nearby, also shut their mouths. As Naruto's classmates, they were well aware of the isolation Naruto suffered when he first entered the Ninja Academy. Even Fujika, who was willing to play with Naruto, was deliberately avoided by many people.

Of course, Sasuke wasn't one of those people; he just didn't know what to say at that moment.

"Kakashi-sensei, should we sign up for the Chunin Exams too?"

It was Naruto who broke the silence amidst the noise.

"Okay, you don't need to take on any more missions. Don't worry about the registration either, I'll handle it. You just need to focus on preparing for the exam." Kakashi didn't dwell on the Sand Ninja anymore, but secretly kept it in mind, planning to report it to the Hokage later.

That Sand Ninja boy,

This is something that is really concerning.

"Although I know you are all very confident, but... be careful not to capsize in the gutter. All the genin who came to take the exam this time are the best among the genin from various villages. They may not be inferior to you. There might even be a master like Kurama Yakumo!" Kakashi threatened with empty words.

"Huh? That can't be right?"

Sakura's eyes widened.

"Yakumo...that was a foul, okay?"

Naruto and Sasuke nodded in unison, indicating their agreement.

Honestly, having even one guy like Yakumo is already a huge headache. If there's a second one... wouldn't the Chunin Exams be far too difficult?

It's obvious that the Hokage's eldest disciple's extraordinary talent has become a consensus in the village. Not only Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, who graduated in the same year, but even Kakashi and his Jonin circle acknowledge Yakumo's extraordinary strength.

"Why is it that only Konoha can have Yakumo? Why can't other villages have him?"

Kakashi looked at the boys and girls and said very seriously, "Your thinking is nothing but arrogant disdain, understand? Never underestimate your opponents. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. I've told you this more than once. Countless strong individuals have fallen at the feet of opponents they looked down upon because of their arrogance. If possible, I don't want you to learn this lesson through bloodshed..."

That concludes the discussion.

Kakashi didn't say anything more.

He certainly understood that Naruto and his friends were very strong, and most Chunin were no match for them. However, the enemies they would face in the future would not be just a group of Chunin. Being too arrogant would lead to great losses! It was just that such a principle was really difficult to explain in words.

[Chapter 412. It's just a matter of summoning a few coffins!]

After the team of Team 7 divided their rewards for the mission at the Hokage Building, they parted ways. Naruto and his friends, holding their newly acquired rewards, argued about whether to go to Ichiraku Ramen for ramen at noon or find a more upscale restaurant to eat something nice.

Well,

As expected,

Sasuke will probably have to eat ramen again this time; Naruto's obsession with Ichiraku Ramen is beyond imagination.

Watching his students' backs disappear through the door, Kakashi turned around and went upstairs. The students could relax, but it wasn't time for him, the teacher, to rest. He needed to report to the Hokage about the Sand Village boy he encountered at the gate, and also find out about the Chunin Exams.

However, I didn't make an appointment in advance.

I wonder if the Hokage is in his office right now. Logically speaking, it's a workday, so it shouldn't be such an unfortunate coincidence... But it's hard to say. As the village leader, the Hokage is extremely busy and has endless work to handle.

Without an appointment and unless it's something very urgent, you'll likely make a wasted trip two or three times out of ten, and five or six times you'll have to patiently wait in line for anywhere from ten minutes to two or three hours. Only once or twice will you be able to see the Hokage directly.

"Kakashi-senpai!"

"Weasel?"

On the stairs, Kakashi encountered Itachi Uchiha, who was walking down.

He then casually asked, "What's this...?"

"I reported to the Hokage. There are still some loose ends to clean up in the Land of Rice Fields." Itachi Uchiha gave a brief explanation in a low voice. Since Kakashi was also a participant in the operation to destroy the Hidden Sound Village a week ago, a brief explanation was not necessary.

"Oh, Itachi, you've worked hard!"

Kakashi mumbled something.

The destruction of Otogakure... there's not much to say. To be honest, he didn't really feel involved. It was completely different from the long and brutal Third Shinobi World War, which almost spanned his childhood. The destruction of Otogakure took less than a day. It felt like he was just going out with Naruto and the others to carry out a low-level D-rank mission.

There's not much to say.

There's nothing worth remembering.

He lifted his foot, ready to continue walking uphill.

"Kakashi-senpai, are you here to see the Hokage?" This unexpected question forced Kakashi to press down his raised heel. Itachi continued softly, "For the Chunin Exams this year, are you planning to recommend Sasuke and the others?"

"Yes, yes, that's right."

Kakashi was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening.

It turns out it was for Sasuke. No wonder this usually quiet Uchiha clan member suddenly started asking questions. Before, when they met, they would just greet each other and go their separate ways, with basically no personal relationship.

"Isn't it... a bit too early?"

After the others went downstairs, Itachi Uchiha expressed his objection in a very tactful manner.

"Too early..."

Kakashi stared at Itachi for a few seconds before saying, "Itachi, you should know very well how strong Sasuke is, right?"

"...Sasuke..."

“If Sasuke comes to me himself and says he wants to give up, then I will respect his choice. And... Itachi, Sasuke is already a proper genin. Although he is still a child in terms of age, he can make his own decisions on many things. Excessive interference is not a good thing.”

Kakashi interrupted Itachi's answer.

The answer doesn't matter. In fact, you can guess what Itachi would say. It would be nothing more than Sasuke being too young and inexperienced. Itachi is just like those stupid parents who spoil their children too much. He only learned from Sasuke's words that the two brothers had a good relationship. Little did he know that Itachi was spoiling them rotten!

"Alright, Itachi, if you still want to stop me, then go talk to Sasuke first! Go see what Sasuke is really thinking."

This time,

Kakashi bypassed Itachi, who was blocking his way, and continued upstairs. Once he reached the top, he had already put the encounter with Itachi out of his mind. He didn't need to think much about what Sasuke would do; even Itachi couldn't change anything.

Compared to thinking about this kind of thing,

Instead of trying to guess what kind of assessment method will be used for this year's Chunin Exams, which are unprecedented... will they continue with the previous assessment methods, or will they introduce some new ones? In any case, the Chunin Exams are nothing more than a test of survival skills, teamwork skills, and individual combat skills.

With so few options, it's unlikely there will be anything new or innovative.

Unsurprisingly,

The Hokage was busy and they would have to wait a while before they could meet. Kabuto asked him if he had anything urgent, but Kakashi honestly shook his head. His matter wasn't urgent at all, so there was no need to cut in line. He would just wait patiently outside, since he didn't have any other work to do today anyway.

With 'Intimate Paradise' in hand, reading is the same everywhere, there's no difference.

Ignoring the astonished and curious gazes, Kakashi casually pulled out his beloved book, whose cover looked somewhat inappropriate for children and clearly stated it was an 18+ work. He carefully read the exquisite and beautiful text that made him feel as if he were there.

until--

"Kakashi-senpai, the Hokage is waiting for you."

Kabuto's arrival jolted Kakashi out of his reverie.

"Is it... my turn yet?"

"Yes."

Kabuto glanced at the books Kakashi had put away and smiled imperceptibly.

"call!"

Kakashi put away his beloved book and followed Kabuto Yakushi to the Hokage's office.

"Kakashi, what's up?"

Not a single word wasted.