Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

“It’s normal for Kai to have questions, since in my opinion, the Chunin Exams will probably not take another month or two.”

The third generation shared their thoughts.

"If that's the case, Third Hokage, why did you hold the exam earlier than planned?"

This time, it was the female Jonin standing next to Asuma who spoke. She had long black hair, captivating red eyes, and lipstick on her lips.

"This is the request of the Fourth Kazekage."

The third generation then explained the reason.

After speaking, he turned his gaze to the four Jonin who had spoken earlier: "So, do you four have any thoughts on this Chunin Exam? According to the rules, as long as a Genin completes a sufficient number of missions, you, as the Jonin in charge, can recommend them to participate in the Chunin Exam."

Of the four, the Jonin in the green bodysuit spoke first: "I, from Team 3 led by Might Guy, will recommend Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Guy's choice did not surprise anyone. The three genin in his Team 3 had graduated from the Ninja Academy last year and were already qualified to participate in the Chunin Exams.

But the remaining three, the genin they led, had only graduated from the ninja academy this March.

It has only been a little over three months since I became a genin.

Just when everyone thought that only Guy would send his ninja team to take the exam this time...

Kakashi also chose to have his own ninja team participate in the exam: "I, Kakashi Hatake, will recommend Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Following that, Kurenai Yuhi, the Jonin in charge of Team 8, recommended three Genin under her command: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka.

Asuma Sarutobi, the Jonin in charge of Team 10, also recommended Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino from his own ninja team.

Chapter 21 The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio

"Honestly, Kakashi-sensei suddenly disappeared saying he had an emergency. He clearly said he would treat us to dinner after today's mission!"

On the streets of Konoha, Sakura complained about Kakashi's "broken promise".

"Perhaps Kakashi-sensei is worried that we'll see his face under the mask."

Naruto looked up at the sky and answered Sakura in a very calm tone.

"Why? Looking at Kakashi-sensei's face, he seems like a handsome guy."

"No matter who it is, wearing a mask will make people think they look pretty good. Maybe Kakashi-sensei has buck teeth or big lips."

Naruto withdrew his gaze from the sky, turned to Sakura with a slight smile, and shared his insights.

Naruto was looking at the sky just now because he was searching for the ninja hawks responsible for delivering intelligence.

The fact that the ninja hawk hovers at such a low altitude indicates that it is transmitting important intelligence.

Kakashi's sudden departure was probably due to being summoned by the ninja hawks sent by the Third Hokage.

Sure enough, the Chunin Exams are about to begin.

In fact, anyone with a discerning eye could have noticed the unusual flow of people in Konoha these past two days. There was a sudden increase in unfamiliar faces, and it became easier to encounter village ninjas on the road.

These are just the ninjas openly guarding the village; the number of ninjas lurking in the shadows is likely much greater.

I wonder if Karin has also arrived in Konoha to participate in this Chunin Exams.

Identifying Karin is quite easy. The Uzumaki clan has a higher chakra level than ordinary ninjas. He only needs to use the Wind Sweep Akatsuki Technique to sense if Karin and the ninjas from Kusagakure come to Konoha.

However, Naruto suppressed his urge to sense things.

This Chunin Exam was not an internal test for Konoha alone, but a joint exam involving the two major ninja villages of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, as well as various smaller ninja villages in the surrounding countries.

During this period, there were many people and many eyes, and various forces poured into Konoha. As a result, Konoha put on the highest level of security.

Naruto didn't want to be targeted by Konoha ninjas who were also proficient in sensory ninjutsu just because he used sensory ninjutsu casually.

Aside from the second day after returning to the village, when Kakashi submitted his mission report to the Land of Waves, Naruto used the Wind Sweeping Akatsuki technique on a small scale to observe the members of "Root" in order to confirm Danzo's attitude.

During this period, Naruto never used this technique again.

All possible unforeseen circumstances must be prevented before the Chunin Exams officially begin.

"Since Kakashi-sensei doesn't want to treat us, how about I treat you to a meal?"

Naruto continued to act the same way he always did with Team 7.

"I don't need it. I've completed all my tasks for today, and now I'm going to start cultivating."

Sasuke rejected Naruto's suggestion and, without waiting for Naruto to stop him, used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

Since returning from the Land of Waves, Sasuke has been a training fanatic, undergoing comprehensive training in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

Once Kakashi disbands Team 7 after the day's mission, Sasuke will leave immediately and go off to train somewhere on his own.

Perhaps it was the Uchiha clan's territory. Although the Uchiha clan had been wiped out, the Third Hokage still preserved the Uchiha clan's territory.

The Uchiha clan's land was originally located in a corner of the village, near Konoha Prison. Its poor location made it difficult to make use of the land again.

When the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, established the Konoha Police Force, the Uchiha clan took root there.

After the Nine-Tails' attack twelve years ago, the scope of their activities was further reduced by the Konoha leadership.

Over time, that land also became a symbol of the Uchiha clan.

So the Third Hokage simply sold Sasuke out... This should also include doing a favor for Itachi Uchiha, who had defected, by keeping the Uchiha's "home" in Konoha.

This is indeed something that an indecisive third generation would do; the older a person gets, the more naive their political tactics become.

The Third Hokage completely lacked the powerful political skills he possessed when he was appointed to lead Konoha from decline to prosperity after the Second Hokage's death.

It seems that as long as one feels at ease, the world will remain peaceful as always.

"What about Sakura? Are you going to train too?"

Naruto didn't seem to care about Sasuke's departure. He looked at Sakura and asked her about her upcoming plans.

"Me? I'm fine...but..."

Sakura glanced at Naruto, her mind seemingly unsure of what to do.

"If it's inconvenient for you, let's talk about it another time."

"No! That's not what I'm hesitating about!" Sakura quickly explained, facing Naruto's misunderstanding of her attitude: "I meant, Naruto!"

Sakura suddenly straightened up and shouted Naruto's name loudly.

Her sudden change to a serious demeanor left Naruto somewhat bewildered.

Then, Naruto heard Sakura say, "I hope you can help me with my training from now on!"

Sakura looked at Naruto with hopeful eyes, waiting for his reply.

But Naruto just stared at her without saying a word for a long time.

"I... I know I'm a ninja without any special characteristics or strengths... Back in the Land of Waves, you and Sasuke were both very strong, but I was completely useless... So..."

Sakura seriously reflected on herself. In the original work, although Sakura's ninjutsu had fallen behind Naruto and Sasuke at this point in time, she was still complacent because of her grades at the Ninja Academy.

But now, even her only strength, theoretical knowledge, isn't much better than Naruto's.

Naruto, who was originally a sinister person, was not stupid. Although his grades in school were not outstanding, they were still average.

The Naruto who traveled through time didn't emulate the original Naruto and become a fool who only knew how to play pranks at the ninja academy.

Given Naruto's original sinister nature in this world, if he were to transmigrate here and suddenly start playing pranks like those in the original story, even the Third Hokage, let alone Danzo, would find Naruto to be incredibly cunning.

Therefore, Naruto was simply disguising his predecessor's hostile attitude towards the village as one of extreme friendliness.

It took him several months after he transmigrated here, gradually going through various mindsets and emotions—from hostility, indifference, confusion, insight, to acceptance—before he could finally become the “reasonable” friend he is today in the eyes of others.

He then went on to promote his desire to become Hokage through his words and actions, to show that he had reformed and would only be a good person who would be harmless to the villagers.

Naruto looked at Sakura; he really wanted to refuse her request.

Because it's really troublesome.

But he also knew that his refusal was "unreasonable".

"No problem, we're classmates, let's invite Sasuke next time!"

Naruto smiled and agreed to Sakura's request.

Let's just verbally agree first, and then we can just go through the motions with the training. It'll be time to defect soon enough.

"So, what should we eat next?"

After agreeing to Sakura's request, Naruto immediately steered the conversation with a rhetorical question.

Come to think of it, he's been in this world for over two years and he's never even tried Ichiraku Ramen.

Let's eat Ichiraku Ramen.

Naruto immediately made a decision: he wasn't on a date with Sakura, so there was no need to care what she wanted to eat.

The question I asked earlier was just a way to change the subject, so that Sakura wouldn't start talking about the details of cultivation before we even ate.

Let's go eat Ichiraku Ramen.

Naruto hadn't even had a chance to say those words.

A female voice that Naruto and Sakura both knew very well came over.

"Isn't this Sakura? What's wrong? You're in the same class as Sasuke, but you still can't win his love. You really have no charm at all."

A girl with a light blonde ponytail and long bangs that reached her collarbone on her right cheek walked towards us.

She was accompanied by two boys, one fat and one thin.

All three of them were people that Naruto and Sakura knew.

My classmates from the Ninja Academy were also genin of the same year.

The girl is Yamanaka Ino, who is Sakura's rival in love and is vying for Sasuke's affections.

The skinny boy was Nara Shikamaru, who struck up a conversation with Naruto at the ninja academy graduation information session.

The chubby boy is Shikamaru's good friend, Akimichi Choji.

The three of them are currently genin belonging to Team 10, led by Sarutobi Asuma.

“Ino…”

Unexpectedly, the three members of Class 10 appeared. Faced with Ino's usual mockery, Sakura for some reason couldn't muster the interest to refute.