As the largest political spectacle following the Second Great Ninja War, the Chunin Exams naturally drew the attention of the entire ninja world.
Whether openly or in secret, every village employed countless methods to sabotage the event. Yet reality proved once again that Konoha remained Konoha. With its overwhelming strength and ironclad control, every threat was quietly eliminated before it could surface.
Four days later, the Chunin Exams began exactly as scheduled.
At the designated venue, Team One had already arrived. Only at the last moment did Kushina appear, her signature cowlick slightly crooked from oversleeping, accompanied by her two teammates.
Might Dai's arrival immediately caused a stir.
Among Konoha's genin, almost no one failed to recognize this man. After all, he owned the largest weapons shop in the busiest commercial district.
It was precisely because of this that many found the situation hard to accept.
"You're telling me a weapons dealer is taking the Chunin Exams? Isn't this just bullying?"
While Konoha did have its fair share of abnormal genin, those were exceptions. Most were still scraping by with basic kunai use and the Three Body Technique.
Some could not even afford a handful of explosive tags.
At this level, equipment alone could decide the outcome of a battle.
And Might Dai's equipment was not just superior, it was absurd.
Six hundred billion explosive tags. Who could possibly withstand that?
As for the reaction from other villages, it was simpler. They mocked the idea of someone so old still participating in the Chunin Exams.
Yet despite their whispers, no one dared provoke him openly.
The incident involving a Sunagakure ninja being thrown into a trash container had already spread through the genin ranks like wildfire.
No one was foolish enough to seek trouble now.
Except Rasa.
He strode forward arrogantly, surrounded by Sunagakure ninja like stars orbiting the moon.
"You'd better be eliminated in the first round," he sneered, "otherwise, I'll kill you one by one in the second."
As he spoke, he dragged a finger across his throat.
Nawaki was about to retort, but Mikoto, standing behind him, tugged his shoulder and spoke calmly.
"Our jonin Sensei is behind you."
Rasa stiffened. Turning around, he found Uchiha Hayashi smiling faintly at him.
"Hmph. Sooner or later, I'll deal with him too," Rasa spat before hastily leading his team away.
"Morning, everyone," Hayashi greeted as he walked over.
"You're late," Kushina complained, arms crossed.
"The Third Hokage had an early meeting," Hayashi replied lightly. "That's on me. I'll treat everyone to barbecue after the exams."
The group chatted briefly before entry time arrived.
Hayashi leaned in and whispered, his tone firm.
"Absolutely do not cheat in the first exam."
Then he vanished in a blur of movement.
The confused group could only hold onto his final instruction.
Outside the examination hall, Sakumo Hatake frowned as Hayashi returned.
"Was that really necessary?" Sakumo asked.
"I just told them not to cheat," Hayashi replied. "That's common sense."
Sakumo sighed. "As long as you didn't give them answers beforehand, it's technically fine. Still, your role feels more like a nanny than a Sensei."
"We've known each other for years and we're close in age," Hayashi said casually. "Looking out for them is normal. Besides, Sakumo-nii picked a great observation spot."
He glanced sideways just in time to see Minato and the others enter the room.
Sakumo straightened proudly. "Of course. Who do you think I am?"
Inside, Tsunade pushed open the door and entered as the chief examiner.
Anyone who spent enough time around her knew she was a complete tomboy. Jiraiya's daily beatings were proof enough.
So no one was surprised when she slammed a stack of test papers onto the desk.
"The exam begins now," she said bluntly. "Anyone caught wandering their eyes will be disqualified."
Some examinees complained internally. With her revealing outfit and commanding presence, avoiding distraction was easier said than done.
Still, most lowered their heads obediently.
Not everyone did.
At this age, curiosity and hormones were unavoidable.
"You, you, you, and you. Disqualified," Tsunade said flatly.
"I wasn't looking," a genin at the back protested.
"If I say you were, then you were."
Tsunade crossed the room, grabbed him by the collar, and tossed him out the window.
"Failure to obey orders means you lack the qualifications of a future Chunin. Leave now unless you want to follow him."
Seven or eight genin stood up reluctantly and exited.
Outside, Sakumo sighed. "The exams always involve performance filtering. Tsunade's method is effective, if crude."
Hayashi nodded. "Effective, but far from honorable."
The test papers were distributed.
"One hour," Tsunade announced, yawning as she sat down.
The seating arrangement placed teammates together, almost inviting cheating.
Yet the questions were extremely difficult.
Minato read through the paper carefully. Even for him, it was challenging.
Mikoto frowned in deep thought.
Nawaki stared blankly.
As others began subtle attempts to cheat, Minato finally understood.
This exam was not about knowledge.
It was not about information gathering.
It was about obedience.
Hayashi's words echoed in his mind. Tsunade's warning followed.
A ninja's duty was to follow orders.
Minato began writing only what he knew.
Mikoto soon followed.
Nawaki did the same, unquestioning.
Kushina slept.
Might Dai remained unfazed.
Outside, Sakumo shook his head. "You really trust them."
"I do," Hayashi replied calmly.
Just then, Nawaki slapped his thigh loudly.
"These questions are way too easy!"
Silence filled the room.