The Chunin Exams were nothing more than a way to lure Danzo and Obito into the open and wipe them out in one stroke.
Once preparations for the exams began, the various factions under Kaede's rule would inevitably be mobilized. That kind of movement would create small cracks, perfect opportunities for Danzo to meddle.
Of course, Kaede never voiced this aloud. He wouldn't expose his intent to anyone else. His real focus lay elsewhere: the study of Hashirama's cells—Wood Release.
It was a power worth coveting. Once, the experiments had produced Yamato, but his genes were far inferior to Hashirama's. He could wield Wood Release, but not to its full potential.
"Since everyone agrees, then go make the arrangements. Ten days from now, the Chunin Exams will begin. The preliminary selections will be your responsibility. But I will make one thing clear—these exams must be absolutely fair and just. Whether the participants come from great clans or from the commoners, the rules apply equally.
"If I find anyone bending the rules for their own gain, I will not forgive them."
Kaede's gaze swept across the room as he spoke. His words were both a warning and a threat.
Those who had harbored small schemes in their hearts immediately fell silent. Fairness was demanded—so all they could do was return and push their younger generation to train harder in the ten days remaining. If their clan members failed to reach the top hundred, it wouldn't just be personal shame; it would reflect poorly on their entire family.
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
With the orders given, they left to prepare their disciples.
Meanwhile, Minato had returned from his mission to Naruto's side. He brought gifts—snacks and books.
Naruto had never been guided in study as a child. As a result, while his strength was formidable, his academic knowledge was painfully weak. Minato worried this would cost him dearly in the written portion of the exams.
"Ah, Gaara, I don't need these books. Why don't you take them?" Naruto grimaced at the stack. Back in the Academy, he'd hated study more than anything. He skipped whenever he could, and when he couldn't, he'd just sleep at his desk. The teachers ignored him anyway, treating him like he didn't exist.
But Minato was different. As the first commoner to rise to Hokage, he valued knowledge as much as strength. He knew Naruto's power—and with the Nine-Tails, Naruto could easily reach the top three in the Chunin Exams—but what if he failed the written test? That would be disgraceful.
Gaara glanced at the books, leafed through them, then shook his head. "I've already read these. I know them all."
His words struck Naruto like thunder.
"What? But… you were ignored too! How come…?"
"My uncle taught me. He told me that if I didn't want to be looked down on in the future, I had to master these things. While he still had hope for me, he sent tutors to drill me, gifted me atlases and books. If I fell short, I was punished. At first it was fear, maybe desperation for approval, but I studied. Only later did I realize… it had all been in vain."
Gaara shook his head.
Naruto's face twisted in anguish. They had both been treated like outcasts, yet Gaara had turned into a scholar while he had remained a dunce. It felt like his world was collapsing.
Minato, however, pressed on, determined to make Naruto study. Kaede even sent more books, hoping Naruto would push forward. Naruto's only answer was two long streams of tears.
While the Nation of Gods prepared for the Chunin Exams, far away in the Rain Village, new visitors arrived.
The once gloomy city had become desolate. Its ninja had either submitted to Kaede or fled. Only the endless rain remained, soaking the empty streets. A few rogue ninja still lingered, but none dared cause trouble—everyone knew powerful figures still hid here.
"Obito, someone is coming," said Pain's Deva Path as he stepped up behind him.
"Someone? Is it Kaede's army, come at last to crush us?" Obito turned, the orange mask covering his face, his Mangekyo Sharingan glinting coldly as he looked at the puppet body of Pain.
"No. It's Danzo. He and his men have arrived openly, without even trying to hide. Are they challenging us?"
Obito sneered. "Zetsu hasn't reported back in a long time. Danzo and his people are being hunted like stray dogs by Kaede's forces. If they've come here, they must be seeking our protection. Let's meet them. I want to see what the great elder of Konoha looks like now, reduced to this."
He turned, cloak of red clouds trailing behind him, and strode out into the rain. The Deva Path followed at his side. The cold rain soaked them, reflecting the chill in their hearts.
Danzo, of course, knew the rules of the Rain Village. When he arrived, he made sure Pain was aware of his presence, then stopped at the village gate to wait.
(End of Chapter)
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