Reincarnated as Naruto, Garp template

"Such an alliance can bring great benefits to both sides in times of peace, creating wealth through trade and promoting mutual development. But in times of war, such an alliance is as fragile as a piece of paper."

"Once the war breaks out in full force, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind may not hesitate to break their alliance and launch a direct attack on us."

Here comes the crucial point: Kazan noticed that Hiruzen Sarutobi only mentioned the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind.

"What about the other villages?"

“I didn’t misjudge you, Kazan. You are very perceptive and intelligent.”

With an admiring look in his eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled and continued speaking.

"The other ninja villages are the reason I'm having you participate in the Chunin Exams. We need to demonstrate our strength and gain the support of those ninja villages."

Kazan understood now; this meant they were afraid the cannon fodder wouldn't want to be Konoha's dogs.

Every Shinobi World War causes enormous casualties.

Even a Kage-level expert risks dying in battle.

The Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage perished together in the First Shinobi World War.

Even the most meticulously trained ninjas, once caught in the meat grinder of war, find their lives as fleeting and fragile as flowers.

But once the war is won, the benefits will be unimaginable.

Whether it's ceding territory, paying reparations, or both, it can benefit a village for decades, and the losses from war can be replenished in a short time.

However, those smaller ninja villages lacked the strength to lead the war, and when they were drawn into it, they were forced to rely on the five great ninja villages.

Therefore, Konoha needs to demonstrate sufficient strength to win over these ninja villages to become cannon fodder and help Konoha win the war.

This generation of Konoha's strongest members included Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, the legendary Sannin Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, Danzo Shimura, and the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

Among the younger generation, there are geniuses like Minato Namikaze and intellectual prodigies like Shikaku Nara.

However, that's not enough. Hiruzen Sarutobi also wants to show Konoha an even stronger future and the next generation, so that other ninja villages know that only by following Konoha can they have a future.

'No wonder this guy suddenly taught me his super-strength punch; he was waiting for this all along.'

Kazan's wariness of Hiruzen Sarutobi increased even further.

This Hokage really won't do anything without a profit motive.

"I understand, I will do this task well."

"You just understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very optimistic about Kazan's future; otherwise, he wouldn't have patiently explained so much to him.

"By the way, I've taken the liberty of helping you graduate from the Ninja Academy early. You're now a genin in Konoha."

"Of course, you'll still need this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took something out of his pocket and handed it to Kazan.

A Konoha ninja headband.

"This headband has been with me for many years. I am now giving it to you in the hope that it will bring you good luck."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's ninja headband?

Kazan was slightly surprised; it seemed this guy really thought highly of him.

However, in doing so, he was essentially tied to the Hokage faction by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Kazan took the headband and tied it around his forehead.

He had already made up his mind that joining Hiruzen Sarutobi's team now would only bring him benefits, not harm.

At least it can avoid being targeted by Danzo, the villain, and most importantly, it can prevent being betrayed by one's own people.

Chapter 25 S-level mission

The current Konoha is no longer as powerful as it was under the leadership of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

The First Shinobi World War.

Konoha's rivals are the other four great ninja villages. With Hashirama Senju gone, the other ninja villages are eyeing the rich resources of the Land of Fire and all want a piece of the pie.

The final result was...

Under Tobirama Senju's leadership, Konoha won the war with great difficulty and preserved its territory.

In the Second Shinobi World War, the protagonist was no longer Konoha, but Amegakure.

Hanzo the Salamander, who is known as a demigod, attempted to expand the territory of Amegakure and pursue a policy of territorial expansion, launching the first war against other ninja villages.

Amegakure's first targets are the Land of Iron, Konoha, and Sunagakure.

In this Shinobi World War, Konoha faces much less pressure, with its main opponents being Amegakure, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.

However, if Konoha were to be besieged again in this potential major battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not be confident enough to lead the village through it smoothly.

Therefore, Konoha needs allies, allies who will stand in Konoha's way!

Those countries and villages bordering the Land of Fire are the targets that Konoha needs to win over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi will arrange the battlefield in these places, far away from Konoha and the Land of Fire.

Therefore, the difficulty level of this mission is: S-rank!

Passing the test is not the purpose of Kazan's mission; his goal is to forcefully pass the Chunin Exams!

"There are still about two weeks until the Chunin Exams begin. You need to prepare well these days, Kazan."

"I will."

Kazan said he would do his best.

The Chunin Exams were never simply an exam to promote Genin to Chunin.

It was founded by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and is held twice a year.

Its purpose was to demonstrate the strength of the ninja village.

The main source of income for ninjas and ninja villages is commissioning missions.

The true meaning of the Chunin Exams is to demonstrate our strength and attract other countries to entrust us with missions.

This Chunin Exam has an additional layer of meaning.

The news didn't spread, but many people within Konoha still found out.

This Chunin Exams will be held in Konoha. The list of candidates and the venue all need to be arranged by others. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the one who gives the orders.

Quite by chance, Kurenai Yuhi became one of the examiners for this Chunin Exam.

"What? So young and already participating in the Chunin Exams?"

"Yeah, I was shocked at first too. I never expected that a kid who had never left the village to carry out a mission would directly participate in the Chunin Exams."

"How could the Third Generation Lord agree to such a thing?"

"As far as I know, Kazan was personally selected by the Third Lord to participate."

Kurenai Yuhi sat in her backyard, drinking tea and enjoying a moment of leisure that was anything but peaceful.

His wife poured him tea and knelt beside him. "Why is that?"

"It's probably related to the recent atmosphere at the border..."

While Shinku's IQ may not be as high as Shikaku's, few of those who become Jonin are truly stupid.

The correct answer can be easily obtained by paying attention to some minor details.

"You mean, the Third Hokage intends to send that child to intimidate the other ninja villages?"

Lady Yuri's words were utterly incomprehensible.

“He is the best candidate. After all, he is the genius who defeated Kakashi head-on. And don’t forget, he is the fourth disciple of the Third Hokage.”

"Is that so...? But isn't that too risky? Kazan, after all..."

"Kazan is going to participate in the Chunin Exams?"

As the couple were talking, Yuhi Hong happened to come home from school.

She recently missed the days when Kazan was causing trouble everywhere, and she had the chance to go see him.

Unlike now, we don't even know where Kazan has gone, we only know that he seems to be receiving guidance from the Third Hokage.

I was originally planning to find an excuse to go see Kazan, but I overheard my father and mother talking.

"Hong, you're back."

The couple turned around, and Kurenai, without a reason, ran over and asked, "Dad, didn't you just say that Kazan is going to participate in the Chunin Exams?"

"......Um."

This matter couldn't be hidden, so he nodded readily.

"How could this be? Kazan has never even left the village once!"

Kazan is very strong, but he's still a student at heart.

Even Kakashi only participates in the exams after going out to gain experience and receiving permission from the Jonin in charge.

"How could the Third Generation Lord do such a thing!"

"The Third Generation Lord naturally has his... reasons..."

Before she could finish saying the last two words, Kurenai Yuhi had already turned and walked out of the house, seemingly heading to find the boy named Kazan.

"Don't we need to chase after fame?"

"No need, they'll be back soon."

they?

.........

On the other side, as expected, Kurenai's small figure soon appeared in the back mountain.

Watching Kazan still punching away, I was somewhat shocked that he was using a mountain as a training dummy, but what I needed to do now was to get him to cancel the Chunin Exams.

"Kazan, come with me now and tell the Third Hokage that you don't want to participate in this Chunin Exam."