I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

This would allow ninjas more room to grow, and with more Kage, the influence of the Mizukage, Tsuchikage, and others in various regions could be eliminated.

Strong ninjas like Minato, Shisui, Kushina, Jiraiya, and Itachi are naturally rated as Kage-level ninjas, and they can decide to add a prefix before "Kage".

For example, the shadow of the sun, the shadow of the moon, the shadow of the stars...

As long as it's not too outrageous, it's fine.

Furthermore, the five elements of fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning are not said to no longer exist.

However, compared to its previous political significance, it has been given more meaning from the name itself.

For example, a strong individual skilled in Fire Release can compete for the Hokage position. A strong individual skilled in Lightning Release can compete for the Raikage position.

In the future, the Five Kage will no longer be distinguished by region.

Any ninja from the Land of Ninjas can strive to become the Fifth, Sixth, or Seventh Hokage.

Of course, it will be difficult for the Five Kage to catch up with their status among all the Kage in a short period of time.

For example, Naruto could compete for the Hokage position even if he wasn't good at Fire Release.

However, the opponents they will encounter will be very strong.

After giving a brief opening speech and being greeted with wave after wave of enthusiastic cheers, Yun Ting sat back down and looked at the bustling scene of a sea of ​​people before him.

Just as he was thinking that since the Chunin Exams were so successful, he could try holding a Kage-level selection later on.

Aya Uchiha, the referee for the third round of the Chunin Exams, was already in place.

The images of the various contestants flashed on a large screen in the arena, finally freezing on Naruto and Sai.

The cheers of 80,000 people rose again.

Coming to his senses, Yun Ting looked around the scene.

"I can't believe Naruto has once again made it to the first match of the opening ceremony!"

Yun Ting smiled slightly as he watched Naruto leap off the contestant's platform without any nervousness, but rather with great excitement.

]

"Hmph! Such a good opportunity to show off, and Naruto got there first. If I were to participate, I'd guarantee first place in this Chunin Exams."

Beside her, Maki, dressed in gorgeous clothes, looked at Naruto, who was enthusiastically waving to the audience, and said with a hint of envy in her eyes.

Her strength is much greater than it was three years ago; even most of the teachers at the Ninja Academy are no match for her.

Even so, she still had to complete six years of study, instead of graduating early like her predecessors, Kakashi and Itachi.

Thinking of this, Maki couldn't help but look at her father with a pitiful gaze.

Knowing what his daughter was thinking, Yun Ting gently patted her head: "Watch the game carefully."

It's not wartime now, so why would anyone need to exploit young children?

Yun Ting would naturally disagree.

At this moment, Tsunade, who was dressed up for the first time, leaned over and smiled at Maki with the air of someone who had been through it all, saying, "Little Maki, enjoy your childhood. You'll cherish those memories when you grow up."

"Humph."

Maki, her expression instantly changing, gave her mother a soft snort before quickly turning her head away.

She had not forgotten the painful lessons she had learned from the so-called "special training" the other party had given her just two days ago.

This further strengthened her resolve never to lend her mother money, no matter what.

Caught in the middle, watching the mother and daughter clash like sworn enemies, Yun Ting, used to it all, patted their hands, one big and one small, to remind them that the event was being broadcast live, before turning his attention back to the scene.

At this moment, after Aya Uchiha gave the order, Sakai took the lead and opened the scroll he carried with him, using the Super Beast Imitation Painting Technique. Immediately, four ink lions leaped out of the scroll and roared towards Naruto.

"A numbers game? Shadow Clone Technique!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang...

In an instant, Naruto summoned hundreds of shadow clones, who, with a wave of his hand filled with passion, charged towards Zai and Shiki like a vast army.

During the seven days of preparation, Minato specially used his own contributions to obtain the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the Scroll of Seals for Naruto, which led to the incredibly awe-inspiring scene we see today.

"Seriously... an incredibly terrifying amount of chakra!"

The once majestic lions suddenly transformed into small boats on the waves. After a slight sigh, Zuo Jing continued drawing ink beasts such as snakes, eagles, and unicorns.

Although they managed to scatter many of Naruto's shadow clones with their combined efforts, they still couldn't match the number the opponent summoned again.

Zuo Jing can only take off on a flying bird first.

However, Naruto, who had been his classmate for six years, had already guessed this.

With the help of a human ladder formed by countless shadow clones, Naruto's main body leaped to the side of Saji and punched him down.

"I concede."

Surrounded by enemies, Zuo Jing helplessly raised his right hand.

Roar!

!

In an instant, a burst of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.

It has to be said that Naruto's hundreds of shadow clones were truly stunning.

"It's much better than I remembered."

Having been patiently taught by Minato since childhood, and having received guidance on mastering Tailed Beast Chakra from Kushina, who was also a Jinchuriki, Naruto is now much stronger than he was in the original story when he was left to his own devices.

Watching Naruto, who had won his first victory, happily run towards the stands, blowing kisses repeatedly, Yun Ting clapped his hands and praised Minato and his wife, who were sitting in the same section.

"Minato, Kushina, you have a fine son!"

Minato smiled modestly.

Kushina laughed heartily and agreed wholeheartedly, "That's right!"

Overjoyed, Kushina jumped up and shouted to Naruto in a voice that drowned out everything around her, "Naruto! Keep it up!"

"Don't worry, Mom!" Naruto looked over when he heard the voice, gave a bright smile, and gave a thumbs up.

'Tch~~If I were to play...'

Seeing this, Maki couldn't help but mutter to herself again.

'But Naruto's progress is really fast!'

Finally, unable to escape reality, she reluctantly sighed.

Chapter 364 Acceleration

After Naruto's victory in the first match, battle after battle continued in full swing on the arena's big screen.

Although the number of people who made it to the final round of assessment was set at 150.

However, in the previous Death Forest assessment, many team members who captured the flag and passed the assessment had suffered injuries or even death.

Only about 120 people were actually able to participate in the final assessment.

The next round will proceed through one-on-one duels. Given that these genin generally don't fight for very long, one day should be enough.

Then, as time passed by unnoticed, a series of dazzling battles unfolded, including the clash of ninja tools, the confrontation of taijutsu, and the display of ninjutsu, all under the watchful eyes of 80,000 spectators at the scene and countless people throughout the ninja world watching on television.

Amidst waves of applause, the team of over 120 people, after multiple rounds of elimination, finally narrowed down to the top 16.

……

"The winner, Aburame Shino!"

Amid Kankuro's unwilling fall to the ground and the pronouncement of the referee Uchiha Aya, Aburame Shino calmly adjusted his sunglasses.

……

"Damn! That woman's punches are really heavy!"

After a fierce collision, Omoi, whose body was sent flying backward, glanced at his trembling hands holding the ninja sword, then looked at Kurotsuchi, whose fist was wrapped in rock, charging forward again, and his eye twitched violently.

"If the fight continues, I'll most likely be beaten to death."

Ultimately, unable to defeat the original Fourth Tsuchikage and to avoid further damage to his handsome nose, Omoi reluctantly conceded defeat after several unsuccessful attempts.

"Victory belongs to Black Soil!"

……

"Haha! I never expected you, Sakura, to have such incredible luck and stumble upon this place! That's wonderful!"

Karin and Sakura, two rivals in love, meet.

Amidst the cheers of the former and the grim expressions of the latter, the battle swiftly commenced.

To be honest, Sakura, who has mastered medical ninjutsu and is outstanding in genjutsu, has indeed come this far through her own strength.

However, when facing Karin, who was from the Uzumaki clan, possessed sealing techniques, and had activated the Adamantine Sealing Technique, he was ultimately no match for her.

Soon, Karin's triumphant declaration echoed across the stage: "Loser! Sasuke is mine!"

"...The victor is Karin Uzumaki."

……

"The victor is Gaara!"

……

"The victor is Xiao Li!"

……

With each announcement of results, the list of the top 16 was revealed.

Naruto, Sasuke, Rock Lee, Neji, Hinata, Shino, Shin, Shikamaru, Gaara, Karin, Kurotsuchi, Hydrangea, Temari, Suigetsu Hozuki, and so on.

After a short 15-minute rest, with the help of medical ninjas, the sixteen men, whose injuries had been fully healed and whose chakra had been replenished, continued their battle.

Sasuke faced Hozuki Suigetsu. He easily won, having completely countered Suigetsu's Lightning Release.

Karin versus Hydrangea. In a sealing technique versus a summoning technique, the superior technique of the former prevails.