When Konoha's group arrived at the assembly point, most of the Genin immediately sat down to rest. But upon seeing Kiyo Hyuga standing there, they forced themselves to their feet again.
As for rest—they could rely on soldier pills to restore stamina.
"Sakura, no wonder you were so confident about competing with me. Your team's leader isn't soft either," Ino said, sweat running down her forehead as she approached Sakura Haruno. She had thought Kurenai-sensei was already strict enough, but now she realized there was another—perhaps even stricter—Jonin. Their generation must be cursed to have drawn the two toughest instructors in Konoha.
Sakura laughed awkwardly, but before she could respond, Kiba Inuzuka spoke up first. "That was just a warm-up. Kiyo-sensei's real strictness comes later. Too bad you won't get to experience it."
"Better that way," Ino muttered in her mind. Just enduring Kurenai was enough to make her nearly quit being a ninja—she doubted she could survive a teacher even stricter.
"There's still some time before the scheduled assembly. Disperse and rest as you like for now."
At Kiyo Hyuga's order, many ninja relaxed on the spot, deciding to rest right there. The nearest town was only a few hundred meters away, but some were too tired to even move.
Shikamaru, however, forced himself to his feet. After swallowing a soldier pill, he turned to Ino. "Come on, Ino, let's look around nearby."
"What? Let's just rest here. I'm so tired I can't even move," Ino complained, waving her hand dismissively.
Shikamaru rubbed his temple and whispered, "Idiot. Do you really think Kiyo-sensei brought us here early just to rest? If the first exam's hosted by the Cloud Village, why are we gathering at the border of the Land of Hot Water? This is a joint Chunin Exam involving nearly the entire shinobi world. If we don't stay alert, we won't even make it past the first round. Look around at the others."
He motioned toward the other teams. While some were resting, many had already spread out, clearly investigating their surroundings.
Kiyo's decision had raised suspicion for more than one person.
Shino adjusted his glasses and murmured, "Kiyo-sensei's behavior…"
"Alright then, let's move too, Sakura," Kiba said, setting Akamaru on his head as he prepared to explore. Spotting Shino nearby, he added, "You coming? You've rested enough, right?"
"Hmm… I suppose…" Shino replied evenly, but before he could finish, Shikamaru interrupted, scratching his head.
"Hold on, Kiba, Sakura. We're all recent graduates, and the first exam doesn't involve direct competition. How about we cooperate for once? Our two teams can split up and share whatever information we gather later. Two teams collecting intel will get more results than one."
Sakura frowned slightly, exchanged a look with Kiba, then smiled. "Alright, Shikamaru. Let's do that. We'll share everything we find afterward."
The first exam likely wouldn't pit them against each other yet. Working together would raise their chances of passing. As fresh Genin, they knew that without teamwork, they could easily be eliminated.
Before long, only a few teams were still resting. Kurenai Yuhi approached Kiyo Hyuga, who sat cross-legged in quiet meditation. Smiling, she said, "Kiyo, looks like our students caught onto your intentions. Seems they won't have trouble passing the first exam."
"If they can't even pass the first round, then my training was a waste."
Kiyo replied calmly, opening her eyes slightly to glance at Kurenai. "What are you plotting this time?"
"Oh, nothing big. Lady Tsunade wanted me to sound you out. She's planning something major and asked me to see where you stand—but you know me, Kiyo. I'll always be on your side."
Kurenai leaned close and whispered in her ear. Her warm breath made Kiyo uncomfortable; she turned her head slightly before asking,
"What could she possibly need to test me for? The Hyuga clan is already firmly aligned with the Hokage faction."
"This time's different. Lady Tsunade wanted me to ask you personally—if one day, she needed you to make a small sacrifice for Konoha, would you agree?"
Kiyo frowned slightly, confused. "What kind of sacrifice?" Kurenai's words were more cryptic than enemy intel on the battlefield.
"I don't know either. But Lady Tsunade said she wouldn't force you," Kurenai added quickly, shifting all the blame to Tsunade. After all, Tsunade wasn't here, and Kiyo wouldn't go chasing her down over this.
"How ridiculous," Kiyo muttered, closing her eyes again to rest.
Before long, shinobi from the Grass Village arrived—followed by those from the Hidden Mist and several smaller villages.
But the most eye-catching entrance came from the Sand Federation. When their anti-gravity airship appeared, even Kiyo furrowed her brows. To other villages, such technology posed a serious threat; on the battlefield, it would render traditional supply-line attacks useless—unless the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki personally intervened.
The smaller villages could only stare in awe. The Federation's high-tech floating vessel was far beyond their imagination.
"So this is the gathering point? Looks like we're the last ones to arrive," Naruto Uzumaki said excitedly as he stepped off the airship. The thought of facing ninja from so many villages made his blood boil with anticipation.
Behind him, Yamai Mie tugged at his clothes and whispered, "Naruto, don't do anything reckless. If you do, I'll tell Aunt Kushina."
"I know, Mie. Don't worry," Naruto replied quickly. He was excited, not stupid. People just thought he was, thanks to his mother's loud reputation. This time, during the Chunin Exams, he wouldn't embarrass himself.
After everyone disembarked, Maki pressed a button, and the airship folded back into a compact space capsule, which he pocketed carefully.
What a marvelous thing, he thought. Once he retired, he'd definitely buy one and travel across the ninja world in it.
After safely storing the capsule, Maki turned to the others. "There's still a bit of time left before we begin. You may 'look around.' As for the leading Jonin and proctoring Chunin, come with me."
The town was close enough that even if the Genin ran into trouble, the Jonin could respond instantly.
But the choice of words—"look around"—did not go unnoticed. Maki was known as one of the Kazekage's most disciplined aides. If even he said "look around," it was clearly a coded instruction.
"Mikami, Naruto," Mie said seriously once they split up. "As soon as we're dismissed, start gathering intel—whether it's on other villages' Genin or anything unusual nearby. Bring back results."
Her tone sharpened. "If necessary, use… certain methods. Maki didn't forbid action. Just get the intel before anyone can raise an alarm."
Other teams caught on to the same hint, exchanging looks and preparing to move out as soon as the order was given.
Uchiha Mikoto smiled at Sasuke and Naruto, gave them a small thumbs-up, then followed Maki and the other Jonin to their meeting point.
Most people didn't recognize Naruto, but some of Konoha's Jonin did. The son of the Fourth Hokage—now wearing the headband of another village. And by the looks of it, he was getting along remarkably well with his teammates.
"If the Fourth saw this… I wonder if he'd thank Konoha—or destroy it," Kurenai muttered bitterly.
She hadn't been in the village the night of the Uchiha massacre, but she wasn't ignorant either.
Using the son of a hero to suppress another bloodline clan—Konoha's leadership had played an ugly hand. And Danzo, the man most responsible, had only been dismissed by the Third Hokage. The whole thing was pathetic.
"Who knows," Kiyo said, shaking her head. "Making your own child a Jinchuriki isn't something a sane person does."
If Naruto made it through the first two exams and placed high in the third, Konoha would be humiliated.
A Jinchuriki who defected was one thing—but if the world learned that the hero's son had left the village, the mockery would be endless.
By then, at least one of Konoha's two remaining elders would have to step forward and take the blame.
"Come on, the Cloud's team has arrived," Kiyo said, ending the topic. She called over the Konoha Chunin assigned as exam proctors.
When all five great nations had assembled, Mabui of Kumogakure stepped forward. "Since everyone's here, we'll begin as agreed after registration. Maki-dono, do the Uzumaki Trade Association participants require any special arrangements?"
Maki shook his head. "No, the Kazekage has instructed them to respect the Cloud's rules. Everything will proceed as planned."
"Then the proctoring Chunin will be assigned by our village," Mabui said. "Once they're in position, I'll announce the start of the first Chunin Exam."
Her proposal met no objections—everything was already arranged.
The smaller villages stayed silent and listened.
Soon, the appointed Chunin followed Samui into the Land of Lightning. Many Genin noticed, realizing the first exam was about to begin.
"...Naruto!?"
Hearing someone call his name, Naruto turned, surprised to see who it was. "Sakura? Kiba? You're here too?"
(End of Chapter)