Training for Konoha's genin was in full swing. Under the leadership of Kurenai Yuhi and Kiyo Hyuga, the intensity had tripled. Aside from taking missions to build teamwork, every other moment was spent drilling them relentlessly.
Under Kurenai's regimen, even Akimichi Choji, who ate huge meals of meat daily, still lost two pounds. Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino nearly broke down several times, with Ino almost bursting into tears on more than one occasion—only to be comforted with Kurenai's gentle smile.
Beyond Genjutsu and Taijutsu, Kurenai also practiced Medical Ninjutsu. After each day's harsh training, she soothed the trio with small rewards, such as barbecue or a salve she prepared to ease muscle pain.
This carrot-and-stick approach worked wonders on children—especially Choji, who endured any training as long as he could eat afterward.
At her breaking point, Ino once cried to her father, begging him to ask the Hokage for a different jonin instructor. But Yamanaka Inoichi quickly shook his head.
They were fortunate to have a jonin who could truly discipline Ino—an elite known throughout Konoha. If he dared request a replacement, Nara Shikaku and Akimichi Chōza would be the first to confront him.
"Ino, that's impossible. Team instructors were decided long ago. Genjutsu's Sunset is famous across the ninja world. Much as I hate to admit it, Kurenai's strength far surpasses mine. Having her is something others envy and cannot obtain. If you can't endure, the only request I'll make is to the Hokage—for your withdrawal from the shinobi ranks."
Hearing this, Ino could only sob silently.
Withdrawal was unthinkable. If she quit, her classmates would laugh her to death.
Meanwhile, Sakura Haruno's team suffered under Kiyo Hyuga. Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino knew her strictness well—their clans served in the Police Force. Complaints would only earn them harsher discipline at home.
As for Sakura, lacking any bloodline or secret techniques, her only path to strength was to follow a good teacher. Giving up meant returning to a life as a housewife—a fate she couldn't accept while still holding feelings for Sasuke.
Elsewhere, Iwa and Kumo were also selecting promising genin for the Chunin Exams. Hidden Mist faced setbacks, but Terumi Mei refused to seek outside help and risk her village's pride, choosing instead to grit her teeth and solve the issue internally.
When the Chunin Exam notice reached the Sand Federation, Pakura feigned surprise and agreed, arranging to meet the other four Kage in the Land of Hot Water to finalize details.
It was the first time all five great nations would jointly host the Chunin Exams. Such scale was unprecedented. With smaller villages also participating, any mishap would disgrace the Five Kage themselves.
Pakura had wanted to take Hyuga Mirai along to expose him to Kazekage responsibilities, but Mirai declined, citing busyness. Education reform and personnel divisions left him little free time. Even with his frequent Shadow Clone use, excuses of overwork were difficult to challenge.
In the end, Maki and several ANBU would accompany her. Maki had even been entrusted with a bloodline weapon infused with Pakura's Scorch Release, which, combined with his Wind Release, granted devastating area-of-effect power. His strength now rivaled top-tier jonin.
As for Pakura herself, with two bloodline abilities and defensive armor, she was confident against two Kage-level opponents at once.
Hyuga Mirai remained in the Sand Federation. He alternated between training Yin–Yang Release to suppress Kaguya's will inside him and wandering the federation with Ayaka Uzumaki.
Kushina, after her earlier outburst, stayed away for three days before returning—led in by Ayaka. She sat cautiously at Mirai's side, relieved when he made no mention of her prior slip. Emotion sometimes overpowered reason, and regrets followed impulsive words.
Soon after, the Puppet Department proposed a reform, summoning Mirai.
"They stripped down your third-model armor, removing every detachable component and reducing costs to seven hundred thousand ryō," Sasori explained, pointing at a nearly skeletal frame and handing Mirai its functional specs.
The acceleration unit was gone, limiting speed with a pilot to under 100 km/h. Weapons had been pared down to shoulder-mounted micro-missiles. In their place, Sasori's chakra-conversion system allowed the gauntlets and chest emitter to unleash Lightning, Fire, and Wind Ninjutsu.
Defense was nearly absent, leaving vital areas exposed. But flight, energy supply, and computer assistance remained intact.
"Has it been tested?" Mirai asked.
"No issues," Sasori confirmed. Tests had already cleared with Unit 18, meaning aside from aesthetics, performance was acceptable.
"Looks like it's meant for an aerial unit. Ugly, but well done."
The redesign differed completely from Mirai's original thinking. His models were too costly to mass-produce. Even with Unit 18's optimizations, costs couldn't be lowered below twenty million ryō without compromising functions.
These Puppet Department members, however, had torn everything down to essentials—flight, energy, computer assistance—then patched in Sasori's puppet-based elemental techniques. It wasn't an invention, but a clever modification.
And perfectly suited for the Sand Federation. At seven hundred thousand ryō apiece, three hundred suits could be produced—enough for an aerial corps.
The original design would have cost six billion ryō for three hundred units—far beyond what leaders would approve. That money could transform half the federation.
"Still, it's too ugly. They have no artistic sense. I'll recommend Pakura add an art class to the academy," Sasori muttered.
The Puppet Department members lowered their heads, already scolded for the design's appearance.
Mirai glanced at Sasori but said nothing. In truth, Sasori's puppets weren't much better looking. But Mirai would never say so—Sasori was the easiest of his subordinates to appease.
"Prepare a report for the minister. Once the aerial corps is formed, you may even consider joining it," Sasori added, before taking Mirai to see his super-large composite puppet.
Inspired by Mirai, Sasori had rebuilt his collection into modular puppets. Individually, they served unique roles—like a Magnet Release puppet—but when grouped, they formed components such as a Magnet Release arm.
He had already completed a nineteen-puppet assembly, standing ten meters tall with space inside for an operator. But balancing abilities like Magnet Release and Gold Dust was clumsy, and Sasori still sought to integrate natural energy.
Many approaches existed, but true perfection was elusive.
While Sasori and Mirai went underground to continue research, other Puppet Department members happily drafted their report, eager to hand it up through the minister to the Kazekage. That recognition would earn them several S-rank credits, enough to trade for fresh puppet materials.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Mikoto had accepted an administrative mission involving patrols along the Land of Rain's trade routes. The next day, she led her team out.
Even without her Mangekyo Sharingan, Mikoto was an elite jonin. On the road, she often taught Sasuke and the others Shunshin techniques. Though beyond their regular use, mastery of the hand seals could make it a lifesaving tool in battle.
"This mission will also familiarize you with federation–Rain connections. And while in Amegakure's underground exchange, I'll ask about their poison scorpions for Yoko. If we find some, her strength will improve further."
Her gentle words made Nakamura Yoko leap with joy. The Sand Federation, with its tight government control, had expelled all underground exchanges. But in Rain, such places still thrived.
"Thank you, Mikoto-sensei! I'm so grateful!" Yoko exclaimed, hugging her. Her two passions were raising venomous pets and coating weapons with poison. Mikoto's thoughtfulness filled her with gratitude.
But Sasuke and Imai Miwa frowned. Strengthening a teammate was good, but monstrous pets were hard to accept.
Yoko loved scaring them with her creatures. Sasuke usually suppressed his disgust, feigning indifference.
Seeing Yoko's excitement, Sasuke felt uneasy. This mission to the Land of Rain would not go smoothly.
(End of Chapter)