Chapter 56: Arrivals
The four of them, having left the Hokage's office, were led by Minato to a training ground.
"Since we'll be working together for a while, it's necessary to get to know each other first," Minato said with a smile.
"So, let's start with self-introductions." Minato looked at the three of them, then said to Kyosuke, "Kyosuke, you can go first."
"Alright," Kyosuke nodded, then stepped forward and said in a clear voice, "Uchiha Kyosuke, Chunin level. I specialize in ninjutsu and shuriken."
After Kyosuke finished, the boy who was completely covered in clothes also took a step forward. "Torune Aburame. My ability is to control poisonous insects."
Torune Aburame, Danzō's subordinate? Kyosuke thought for a moment before remembering that this person had appeared when Sasuke was trying to assassinate Danzō.
Although he hadn't been on screen for long before being taken out by Obito, his nano-sized, cell-destroying poisonous insects had left a deep impression on Kyosuke.
Nodding at Torune Aburame, Kyosuke then turned his gaze to the last person.
"Hyuga Yōmyō. I specialize in reconnaissance and the Gentle Fist," the Hyuga boy, who looked slightly older than the other two, said.
"Very good. Next is team combat practice. For that, I've specially found some sparring partners for you," Minato said. As soon as he finished speaking, three figures walked over from a distance.
These three were, of course, Uchiha Obito, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi Hatake.
"Hey, Minato-sensei, why do I have to be their sparring partner? I want to participate in the Chunin Exams too!" From the way he spoke, it was clear this was Obito.
"Rules are rules. It'll be another hundred years before you can participate in the Chunin Exams," this was Kakashi, who had activated his "roast" mode.
"Hey, hey~ you two, stop fighting," Rin, the peacemaker.
"Ahem." Even the usually composed Minato couldn't help but cough awkwardly at this scene.
Unfortunately, his three subordinates had no intention of saving face for their teacher and continued to bicker.
Kyosuke smiled slightly at the sight of them, then turned his gaze toward the main gate of Konoha. By my calculations, the Sand ninja team should be arriving soon, he thought to himself.
At this time, on a main road just a few kilometers from Konoha, the Sand's participating team was slowly making its way toward the village.
In addition to the Sand's own entourage, Konoha had also sent a large number of Jounin and Anbu to escort them along the way, to ensure the "Daimyō's" personal safety.
Among these Anbu, the figure of Rei, or rather, Hyuga Saori, was also present.
She was here not only to perform her escort duties but also to "communicate" intelligence.
As for the content of the communication, it was, of course, the previous "kidnapping" case.
"Jounin Rasa, our Konoha has already explained the whole story very clearly. For the sake of the friendship between our two countries, I hope you will act with caution," Saori said coolly to Rasa, who was walking ahead.
"Heh, with things having developed to this point, does it even matter whether we Sand ninja believe your Konoha's testimony?" Rasa said sarcastically, glancing at the palanquin in front of him.
In fact, with the shrewdness of Chiyo and Ebizō, how could they not see that both the Sand and Konoha had been set up this time?
The mastermind's goal was clear: to provoke a war between Konoha and the Sand.
And it had to be said, "it" had succeeded.
Although the war had not yet begun, the entire Land of Wind was already in full swing, with a large amount of materials being continuously transported to the Sand Village.
If it weren't for the strong dissuasion of Kazekage Chiyo and the others, the Land of Wind's Daimyō would have likely declared war the moment he received the news of his children's deaths.
Of course, the Sand Village's intention in stopping the Daimyō from declaring war was not for the sake of peace. It was because they believed that the Sand was not yet fully prepared.
Once the internal and external preparations were complete, even if the Land of Wind's Daimyō wanted to stop them, he probably couldn't.
And just as the Land of Wind's Daimyō had barely suppressed his anger, the news of Konoha's desire to hold a five-village joint exam reached his ears.
Now, he could no longer sit still.
Since we can't go to war directly, then letting some Konoha ninja be brutally murdered in front of me to vent my anger should be fine, right? With this thought in mind, the Land of Wind's Daimyō had agreed the moment he received the invitation from the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
At the same time, he ordered the Sand Village to select suitable candidates to accompany him to Konoha.
And he had only one request for this exam: to slaughter all the participating Konoha ninja.
Hearing the Daimyō's request, Chiyo and the others had hesitated for a moment before readily agreeing.
This was the true purpose of the Land of Wind's Daimyō, or rather, the Sand Village's, visit.
After his sarcastic remark to Saori, Rasa completely ignored her.
With no other choice, Saori could only retreat slightly and return to the Anbu group.
At the same time, her tightly clenched fists also slightly loosened.
Although her attitude when talking to Rasa had seemed normal, her heart was far from calm.
She hadn't forgotten her grudge for Yage.
Now may not be the time, but one day, I will kill you with my own hands.
The day after the Sand ninja arrived, the Mist's team also successfully reached Konoha.
Just as Kyosuke had guessed, Kisame Hoshigaki was indeed carrying the Samehada greatsword on his back. He didn't know if he had "borrowed" it from the previous user or if he had simply stolen it.
But Kyosuke estimated that the latter was unlikely. It was more likely a temporary loan.
Unfortunately, Kyosuke's intelligence on the Mist was not very extensive, so he wasn't even sure if the "Fourth Mizukage, Yagura" was already being controlled by Uchiha Madara at this time.
If not, then it was fine. But if he was... then the Mist Village's purpose in coming here was probably not so simple.
On the afternoon of the Mist's arrival, the Cloud and Stone ninja arrived at Konoha's gates at almost the same time.
The two sides even had a "cordial and friendly" exchange and promised to "take good care of" each other's participants in the upcoming Chunin Exams.
Kyosuke, who later learned of this incident, couldn't help but pray silently for the Stone ninja. After all, in terms of overt strength, there was indeed a certain gap between the Stone and the Cloud at this time.
However, given the long-standing "grudge" between the two sides, even if the Stone was no match for them, they probably wouldn't give up easily.
In the following days, some smaller ninja villages, such as the Rain, Waterfall, and Grass, also arrived one after another.
And with that, the curtain was raised on this Chunin Exam, an event that would affect the entire shinobi world.
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