Though the results of the written exam hadn't been announced yet, it was clear by evening… both Naruto and Sasuke had done well.
Sasuke, ever the picture of composure, maintained his usual detached demeanor, giving off the impression that nothing could faze him. But if one looked closely, they might notice the faint upward curve of his lips every so often, telling signs that, despite his calm front, he was pleased with his performance.
As for Naruto… well, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. From the moment dinner began, his face practically glowed with smug satisfaction. Anyone who glanced at him could tell, he was very confident.
But where did this newfound confidence come from? Naruto had never been particularly strong in written exams. His theoretical scores were always a weak spot, something that often frustrated Kushina, who would jokingly remark that he was nothing like his brilliant mother.
And in Grass Village, submitting a blank test paper with the hope of talking your way through the exam was unthinkable. So, what made him walk around like he was some untouchable genius?
If Kushina hadn't been so exhausted that evening, she probably would have given him one of her classic disciplinary head pats.
The next day would bring another exam, though, so both Naruto and Sasuke headed to bed early to rest up for the practical test. Even Akihiko, despite his usual late-night routines, decided to retire early that evening.
…
The day of the practical test for the Joint Exam had arrived.
Given that Grass Village was relatively small, yet with a large number of candidates from the three Sannin Academies, the exam venue had been set up in the Kannabi Forest, located just north of the village. This forest, once the site of the famous Battle of Kannabi Bridge during the Third Great Ninja War, held both a grim history and a unique suitability for such an event.
The area had been heavily scarred by explosive tags in the past, but over the years, nature had worked its magic. The forest had since recovered, now teeming with lush foliage, towering trees, and a rugged landscape filled with giant rocks. The dense terrain made it easy for anyone unfamiliar with the area to become disoriented, which, in turn, made it the perfect setting for a combat-based exam.
After all, the goal was to identify the strongest and most capable graduates. Nothing less than a full-scale competition would suffice. The student who managed to survive the longest, proving their resourcefulness and skill, would earn the highest score.
Indeed, Akihiko's plan was simple: throw the students into the forest and let them fight it out. To ensure fairness, the ninja from each participating village had made small modifications to the environment, creating advantages for their respective students. Additionally, rescue and medical ninjas were stationed nearby, with a network of surveillance and sensory ninjas monitoring the area for safety.
While the exam was intense, it was important to note that, unlike other villages where such exams could turn deadly, Grass Village treated the students as allies. Though there was inherent risk, the village was confident in its ability to maintain the students' safety throughout the event.
The viewing area for spectators had been set up in the village square, the former site of Grass Village's first annual Spring Festival. Spacious enough to accommodate a massive crowd, the square was now lined with several giant screens, ensuring that everyone had a clear view of the exam as it unfolded.
Remarkably, Grass Village hadn't spent a single dime on the event. The entire competition was funded by various sponsors, including well-established businesses and corporations. Even Tobi Recycling Company had stepped in as a major sponsor.
At the heart of this sponsorship was Gato, now the second-in-command of Tobi Recycling and the head of its Wave Country Production Base. A shrewd businessman, Gato had led the company to remarkable success, so much so that even Kakuzu, the ever-critical Finance Minister, had taken the time to acknowledge his achievements. After all, without Gato's sharp business acumen, Tobi Recycling wouldn't have expanded to its current scale.
Of course, the company's involvement wasn't purely philanthropic. In addition to sponsoring the event, they had also requested permission to collect any discarded ninja tools left behind after the exam. Gato never missed an opportunity for profit, and this was no exception.
As spectators began to fill the square, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Given that this was Naruto and Sasuke's final exam, Kushina and Mikoto weren't about to miss it. Akihiko had even arranged a slightly larger space for them to sit comfortably.
Meanwhile, a few special guests had also arrived. Nagato and Konan, who had been away, had returned just in time for the event. They were joined by Yahiko, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, here to show his support for his younger brother.
When Yahiko spotted Akihiko, his expression flickered with something unreadable before quickly shifting into his usual bright demeanor. With a cheerful grin, he greeted the group, his voice full of warmth. "Auntie Kana, Auntie Fusō, Auntie Kushina, Auntie Mikoto! And little Karin, wow, you've grown so much!"
Notably, he no longer addressed them with the formal sama honorifics. This small change caught Mikoto off guard, leaving her momentarily flustered, though she quickly recovered and returned his smile with a nod.
As for Kushina, she remained as casual as ever, unfazed by the shift in formality.
The atmosphere grew even livelier as more people gathered, and soon, the Principal of Grass Academy, Pakura, arrived, looking visibly fatigued. As the head of the academy, she'd been swamped with work lately, but knowing Gaara was taking his exam today, she made sure to attend.
Originally, she had planned to stay with the other academy staff, but as she surveyed the area and realized how empty it was, she decided it would be more comfortable to join the group instead.
Pakura had always been close to Kushina and the others, there was no need for excessive formality between them. After all, back in the day, she had even stayed at Fusō's place while struggling to pay off a debt.
Grinning, she playfully ruffled Fusō's belly and teased, "I had a feeling back then that guy had some ulterior motives… Looks like I was right, huh?"
Fuso blushed, a soft smile forming on her face as she gently placed her hand on her belly and replied, "Thank you... I'm really happy, Pakura."
The compliment made Pakura slightly embarrassed, and she chuckled nervously, scratching the back of her head.
Not long after, another wave of visitors arrived. This time, it was none other than Tsunade, accompanied by Shizune. The two approached with an air of awkwardness, though Tsunade, being Tsunade, didn't hesitate to plop herself down carelessly. "See? There's space here, right?" she said, completely at ease.
Shizune, looking a little embarrassed, bowed politely to the group before turning to pout at Tsunade. "Honestly, Tsunade-sama, this is all your fault! If you hadn't spent all our money, we could've just bought seats instead!"
Tsunade let out a wide yawn, waving her hand dismissively. "Ugh, I'm tired of filming. I don't want to do it anymore, it's way too exhausting."
She lazily greeted Akihiko and the others. "Yo, Leader Akihiko, morning! Kushina... hmm, you're looking good today!" Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she chose not to say anything more as she turned to acknowledge the rest. "Fusō, Mikoto, make sure you both get plenty of rest. Kana, Pakura, kids, good morning!"
But just as it seemed she was done, her gaze flicked back to Kushina, and her tone took on a more teasing edge. "Man, if it weren't for that stupid casino owner, I would've placed a bet today. But the guy ran off! What's wrong with these people? How do you even run a casino if you won't let people place bets?"
Shizune groaned, already massaging her temples. "Tsunade-sama, do you even hear yourself? The casino literally banned you because they're worried about the kids!"
Tsunade let out a sheepish laugh, waving off the concern. "Haha, c'mon, I wasn't serious! Just joking about supporting Kushina's son, that's all!"
But the moment those words left her mouth, silence fell over the group. Everyone turned to stare at her, some in disbelief, others in sheer confusion.
Kushina, in particular, grinned sweetly as she casually cracked her knuckles. "Tsunade-nee… I'll be sure to thank you on Naruto's behalf!"
Tsunade visibly paled. She quickly waved her hands in protest, backtracking in a panic. "I didn't place any bets! Not a single one! I was just joking, really!"
Sensing the dangerous shift in the atmosphere, she hastily pointed at the giant screen ahead and blurted out, "Oh look, the exam's starting!"