CH 355

Aoba was not too surprised. He knew that Kakashi was a genius. In less than a year, he graduated from the Ninja School, passed the Chunin Exams, and became a Chunin.

When Aoba learned these things in the past, there wasn't much of a feeling.

Now that these words came out of Shikaku's mouth, they changed differently, making him more deeply aware of it.

If Hatake Kakashi wanted to become a Chunin, he had to pass Chunin Exams!

But if he wanted to participate in Chunin Exams, he had to have two other teammates!

But...

Kakashi's two teammates, Rin and Obito, could not match his strength. They were not qualified to take the Chunin Exams, so Kakashi must find two other teammates.

Aoba was very sure.

With Kakashi's character, he did not care who his teammates were because no matter who they were, as long as he could sign up, he could pass the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin.

Then...

There was room for operation.

Whoever could team up with Kakashi to participate in the Chunin Exams would be able to get on a ride, directly leading to the third round of Chunin Exams.

This was also the bargaining chip that Shikaku took out!

As long as Aoba could smoothly pull Saki and Rin down, he would be on the same team as Hatake Kakashi in the next year's Chunin Exams.

However...

Aoba did not care about this at all.

Because he did not want to become a Chunin at all.

This was not what he wanted!

"Aoba, what exactly do you mean?" Shikaku narrowed his eyes slightly, and his expression became even uglier. Now, he felt that Aoba was simply like a fool. Shikaku liked to deal with smart people, not this kind of fool.

"Since you said it directly, I will also say it directly. I reject your request and will not do it according to your wishes. Can you hear it clearly, now?" Aoba said in a low voice. His voice was quite low, but it could be clearly transmitted into everyone's ears.

"Why do you have to confront me?" Shikaku narrowed his eyes, and a dangerous light flashed in them. Now, the Nara clan was deeply valued by Hiruzen. This also made him more skilled in dealing with some things. Otherwise, he would not have become Hiruzen's advisor.

"You overestimate yourself. I don't take you seriously at all. I want to sign up for the Chunin Exam. It's my own freedom to do what I want. It has nothing to do with you. I won't send you off if you have nothing else to say." Aoba said indifferently. After speaking, he stepped forward and walked toward the Anbu dormitory.

"Yamanaka Aoba!"

Shikaku suddenly turned around and looked at Aoba's back. His eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Do you think you can pass the Chunin Exam by following Saki and Rin?"

"Don't forget!"

"I am the chief examiner of this Chunin Exams!"

"You can't pass Chunin Exams!"

Shikaku said coldly. In his opinion, Aoba felt that by following Nara Saki and Akimichi Rin, he could pass the Chunin Exams easily, so he insisted. Now, his impression of Aoba became even worse.

"It doesn't matter. I do not intend to pass the Chunin Exams, CHIEF EXAMINER-SAMA!"

Aoba did not even turn his head back. He just slowly said these words, especially the last words. He emphasized each and every one of them a little harder; the ridicule in his words was overflowing.

As Aoba finished saying these words.

His figure disappears into the Anbu dormitory.

He no longer said anything to these people.

Of course.

These words were not deliberately said to Fugaku, Saki, and Rin on the branch, but to let them listen to it and know what was happening.

After saying that.

Aoba returned to his own room.

...

"Damn it!"

Shikaku stared at Aoba, who had disappeared. The anger in his heart was almost unable to be suppressed. He raised his right hand and pointed at the entrance, so angry that his fingers trembled slightly.

"Shikaku, what should we do now?"

Inoichi asked as he took a step forward. At this moment, he felt very helpless in his heart. After all, he and Aoba were both members of the Yamanaka clan. Moreover, it was clear that his clan's status was higher, but he did not have any authority to speak.

"Let's talk about it when we get back!"

Shikaku knew that there would not be any results if they remained in a stalemate here. So he turned around and left, not staying here for too long.

Then Inoichi immediately followed Shikaku.

...

"Sigh..."

After the two of them left, Fugaku heaved a sigh of relief. He turned to look at Saki and Rin, then said, "As expected, Shikaku and Inoichi came here to pressure Aoba. I didn't expect them to have two faces."

"Many people have two faces or more," Saki said meaningfully.

"Now that they are gone, are you still going to see Aoba?" Fugaku shook his head helplessly. It seemed that he had not recovered from what had just happened. The Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi he saw just now were completely different from what he remembered.

"Of course not!" Saki looked at Fugaku strangely. She felt that Fugaku's EQ was a little low. Everything he said was very strange.

"Not going?" After hearing Saki's words, Fugaku looked at Saki doubtfully, and his eyes flashed with confusion. After that, he said, "Weren't you all in a hurry just now? You can't even wait overnight. Why don't you care now?"

"It's different now!"

Saki shook her head and explained.

"Just now, I said that I would definitely meet Aoba. I didn't know that Brother Shikaku would find Aoba so quickly..."

"Right now, Brother Shikaku has just annoyed Aoba. If he is disturbed by us again, not only will he not feel better, but he might even feel even more upset."

"This is not the ending we want to see either."

"Let's talk about it tomorrow!"

Saki was still very clear about the current situation. It was no longer suitable to go and find Aoba at this time. This was obviously inappropriate.

"Alright."

Fugaku nodded. He hesitated for a moment but did not say anything more about this matter.

"I'll send you back." Fugaku looked at the sky that had already darkened. As a Konoha Military Police Force ninja, he would not let these two girls return on their own.

"I'll have to trouble Brother Fugaku."

Saki nodded. At this moment, her mood was much better. After she heard what Aoba said just now, she already understood what Aoba meant.

Looks like...

He had indeed misunderstood Aoba.

It wasn't that Aoba was unwilling to team up with them, and it wasn't because he wanted to be promoted with them, but because he couldn't bear to see how Shikaku and the others did things.

Just now, Aoba had already made things clear.

When Shikau found him doing something like deliberately dragging them down, Aoba rejected it!

Strictly speaking, this team-up this time was an accident for him. He was cornered by Fugaku and Eaton, thus turning into the current situation. However, even so, he was still unwilling to take this opportunity to reach an agreement with Shikaku...

Thinking of this.

The corners of Saki's mouth slightly curled up, revealing a happy arc. She could already confirm that Aoba was indeed okay, and he was a very qualified teammate to them.

After that.

Saki and Rin left with Fugaku.

...

After Aoba returned to his room, he slammed the door shut. Then, he lay down on the iron bed and slowly closed his eyes.

Just now, it could be considered as having a showdown with Shikaku.

This was also quite good!

Aoba had done this on purpose!

He felt that this way, he would be able to avoid a lot of trouble in the next few days!

Otherwise...

If his attitude was ambiguous.

Then in the few days before the start of the Chunin Exams, Shikaku and the others might continue to find him. This was not what he wanted to see at all.

...

The next day, early morning.

Aoba woke up a long time ago, but he realized that he was already on vacation and did not need to go to Konohagakure Intelligence Division.

"Life is boring all of a sudden."

Aoba sat on the iron bed. This sudden holiday broke a lot of his rhythm, causing his plans for many things to change.

However.

Aoba quickly recovered.

With a thought, he directly locked onto the Flying Thunder God Formula on the tower. After that, he used Hiraishin no Jutsu(Flying Thunder God Technique), and in a flash, he disappeared from where he was.

Immediately after.

Aoba's body appeared on the first floor of the tower.

His hands quickly formed seals. He placed his index and middle fingers in front of his body, forming a cross.

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!"

Aoba used Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique), and in the blink of an eye, shadow clones appeared on the first of this tower.

After these shadow clones appeared.

They began fiddling with the wooden puppets placed here and began practicing puppet techniques without waiting for Aoba's instruction.

After Aoba arranged all the shadow clones, he immediately used Hiraishin no Jutsu(Flying Thunder God Technique) and returned to the Anbu dormitory.

"It's not easy to have a holiday. Let's go to Ramen Ichiraku to take a look."

Aoba thought he had not been to Ramen Ichiraku for a long time. Although it was a little early now, he should go and see since he was on vacation.

As for training...

Aoba had already arranged his shadow clone, and he would not go too far in training at this critical moment.

There was no need!

He had never intended to pass the Chunin Exams.

After a while.

Aoba changed into casual clothes, walked out of the Anbu dormitory, and toward Ramen Ichiraku Noodle House.

Ten minutes later.

Aoba came to Ramen Ichiraku.

"Brother Teuchi!"

Aoba walked in and smiled at Teuchi, who was working hard kneading dough at the back of the shop. Aoba then directly came to sit in front of Teuchi.

"Aoba, you came a little early at this time. My noodles are not ready, and I can't cook ramen for you yet!" Teuchi glanced at Aoba, who came in. He smiled slightly, and his eyes narrowed into slits. It could be seen that his mood was quite good.

"How can this be?! Brother Teuchi! Do you want me to come here for nothing? People always say that the early bird catches the worm. How can it change when it comes to you!" Aoba said with a smile. He found that only when he came here would he really feel relaxed. What happened recently was too much. Even if he felt that everything was still under control, he would still feel very tired.

"Then have you ever heard of early worms being eaten by birds?" Teuchi joked with a smile.

"That's true! I am not a bird. At most, I am just a little worm!" Aoba nodded and agreed with Teuchi.

"Come on; you kid is just pretending. I can still tell whether you are a worm or a dragon!" Teuchi said in a bad mood.

"Brother Teuchi, what can you tell?" Aoba was stunned for a moment and asked.

"I can tell that you are not ordinary!" Teuchi said vaguely. Afterward, he waved his hand and changed the topic, "Let's not talk about this anymore. You're here so early. Since you have nothing to do, wash your hands and come in to help me make noodles."

"Ah?!"

Aoba froze for a moment. He came here, and before he could say a word, he was dragged over to be a coolie?

"What? Hurry up and help!" Teuchi immediately put away the smile on his face, and his whole face became angular.

"Do you want me to work for free? I can help you, but you have to pay me!" Aoba still had a smile on his face. He found that when he was with Teuchi, he felt very relaxed.

"I'll give you a bowl of ramen," Teuchi said unhappily.

"Okay!"

Aoba was about to roll up his sleeves. This time, he realized that he was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt. There were no sleeves at all. So he went straight to the back and entered the small and crude kitchen, then began to help knead the dough.

...

Almost at the same time.

Four ninjas in red-brown ninja uniforms came to Konohagakure's main gate.

Judging from the uniform and forehead protector worn on their bodies.

They were all Iwagakure's ninjas.

"This is Konohagakure."

Among the three ninjas, the Chunin leader of the team looked up at Konohagakure's symbol and said slowly. After that, he said to the ninjas next to him, "Remember our purpose. Don't do anything else. Don't cause trouble."

"Yes!"

The other three Genin nodded at the same time. Each of them had a very serious expression on their face.

After that.

The group of four directly entered Konohagakure's main gate.

"Who are you?"

A fierce voice suddenly sounded as these four people walked to the gate. The owner of the voice was the ninja who was in charge of guarding the main gate.

In fact.

When these four Iwagakure ninjas entered a certain range, they were already discovered by the sentry.

Especially after the incident with Kumogakure, they became more cautious about the invasion of foreign enemies.

However, they still had to pretend that they had not found anything.

"We are Iwagakure's ninjas. We are under the orders of Tsuchikage-sama. We have something to discuss with Hokage-sama. Please report it." The leading Chunin said.

"So it's Iwagakure's envoy. Wait a moment; I will send someone to report." The Konohagakure ninja nodded. They did not dare to neglect any envoy matter. They immediately sent people to report to the Hokage Office.

"Sorry for the trouble."

The Iwagakure Chunin spoke very politely. After expressing his gratitude, he stood silently, waiting for the result.

...

Half an hour later.

The ninja that went to report returned and whispered a few words to the ninja guarding the main gate.

After that, he disappeared in a flash.

"Hokage-sama has agreed to see you. Come with me. Just follow behind me. Don't run around, understand?" The ninja guarding the main gate said.

"Understood."

The Iwagakure Chunin nodded. From his attitude, he was quite humble.

The eyes of the ninja guarding the main gate were fixed on the Iwagakure Chunin. Then his eyes shifted to the other three Genin and finally returned to the Chunin.

"Let's go!"

The ninja guarding the main gate immediately began to walk toward the direction of the Hokage Building. As he moved forward, the four Iwagakure ninjas followed him.

...

On the other side.

Hokage Office.

Knock Knock Knock...

A series of light knocks sounded, and the office door was pushed open.

"Hokage-sama, are you looking for me?"

The ninja who came in was Nara Shikaku, whom Aoba had just met the day before. However, this time, the sound of Shikaku knocking on the door was less strong than when he knocked on Aoba's door.

"Shikaku, you are here. Come and sit down."

Hiruzen sat on the chair behind the desk and waved at Shikaku, indicating for the latter to sit down. A kind smile appeared on his face.

"Yes!"

Shikaku immediately went to the desk, pulled out the chair in front of him, and sat down directly. His eyes were completely focused on Hiruzen in front of him, but question marks appeared on his head.

He had just gone to look for Aoba yesterday.

In the morning, he was still planning to make things difficult for Aoba during the Chunin Exams, but Hiruzen directly called him over.

This made him doubt for a while.

Could it be...

Did Aoba have any relationship with Hiruzen?

Suppose Aoba reported that he was using his position as the chief examiner to prevent Saki and Rin from participating in the Chunin Exams. In that case, he has no words to defend himself.

After all.

This kind of thing.

It was he who did it.

There was no way to evade it.

"Shikaku, do you know why I call you over?" Hiruzen stared at Shikaku with a smile. He made Shikaku feel a little scared and instinctively felt he had done something wrong. He even started to reflect on it quickly.

"No... I don't know..." Shikaku did not even dare to breathe too hard. If it were in normal times, he would not be like this. The main reason was that he just went to find Aoba last night., it could be said that he had a guilty conscience and could not overcome the fear in his heart.

"Hahahaha, I knew you would not be able to guess. After all, things happened suddenly. This was all decided by me at the last minute. However, I believe in your ability. You can definitely do it." Hiruzen suddenly laughed. His laughter fell into Shikaku's ears, but it still made Shikaku feel numb. He had no idea what had happened and why Hiruzen was looking for him.

"Sandaime-sama, what is the matter?" Shikaku braced himself and asked. He could faintly feel that Hiruzen was playing a guessing game with him. After all, he asked this question not because he wanted to know but because he was guided here by Hiruzen's words. In his heart, he did not want to ask. Moreover, he had already guessed what Hiruzen would say in the next sentence. That was... um, guess?!

"Hahahaha, I know you can't guess, but I want to hear your guess and see what you think." Hiruzen stared at Shikaku with interest. His current mood was just like what he said. He wanted to hear what Shikaku was thinking. This could satisfy the pleasure in his heart.

"I... I... I..." Shikaku had already started stuttering. He didn't know whether it was good or bad for Hiruzen to find him. He didn't even have a direction to guess.

This made him very troubled.

Unconsciously.

His forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat.

After all.

Not knowing where to guess made him feel very scared.

If looking for him was because of a bad thing, then he guessed a good thing. Doesn't this mean that it will make things worse?

But if he was looking for him because if a good thing, then he guessed a bad thing. It was equivalent to self-destruction.

Whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

As long as he guessed wrong.

Then it would be very dangerous.

For a moment.

Shikaku could no longer speak. He stared into Hiruzen's eyes, not daring to blink. However, he did not see any problems with Hiruzen's expression.

"I can't guess."

Shikaku still tried his best to say things in the best possible way. After all, he did not dare to make any guesses easily.

This method was still the safest method.

After all.

It was better to say less than be wrong.

The biggest problem now was that he did not know what Hiruzen meant. This made him feel extremely passive.

"Oh?"

Hiruzen stared at Shikaku with deep meaning and smiled again. This time, his smile became even more brilliant, making it impossible to understand what he was thinking.

"Shikaku."

"You are so smart."

"Can't you guess what I am looking for you for?"

"This can't be right!"

"Even if you make wild guesses, it's fine!"

"How about..."

"Try again!"

Hiruzen obviously had no intention of letting Shikaku go. His eyes were still fixed on Shikaku as if he wanted to see through him.

"Then... alright..."

Shikaku carefully thought about what had happened recently. However, it was a little difficult for him to focus his attention now. After all, he just took advantage of his position to do some things that did not comply with the rules.

'Could it be Uchiha Fugaku?'

'Or Morino Eaton?'

Shikaku's mind was already beginning to wonder who had talked about it to Hiruzen.

He tried his best to calm himself down.

However, it was still not enough.

There was only one word in his head - Chunin Exams.

"Sandaime-sama, did you come to find me because of the Chunin Exams?" Shikaku immediately asked seriously. This was the only word he could think of. If it were something related to violating the rules, then it would be Chunin Exams. However, he did not dare to decide the matter rashly, so he just asked tentatively.

"That's not it. Didn't I already give you all the responsibility for these Chunin Exams? Then why would I say anything about Chunin Exams? From the looks of it, you must be tired from preparing for the Chunin Exams recently. Your thinking is not so smooth."

Hiruzen shook his head. After hearing Shikaku's guess, he suddenly felt bored. He did not intend to let Shikaku continue.

"Let me tell you!"

"I plan to let you be a staff officer of our Hokage's office!"

"What do you think?"

"Do you have any objections?"

"If there is, feel free to bring it up!"

Hiruzen said with a smile. After he said this, Shikaku was clearly relieved.

"Staff officer?!"

A hint of joy appeared in Shikaku's heart, but he still restrained himself. After all, when he heard Hiruzen's question, his heart was still extremely flustered.

Just now.

When he heard Hiruzen deny the Chunin Exams matter, he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, but he was not completely relieved.

After listening to Hiruzen's words, he finally calmed down.

"Yes, what do you think?" Hiruzen smiled and nodded. He only does that because he wants to test Shikaku and surprise him.

"Can I do it?"

Shikaku was so surprised by the sudden joy that he was not sure if he had the ability to be a staff officer.

This was not a simple staff officer!

This was the Hokage's office staff officer!

In the future, he could be promoted to the position of Konohagakure Advisor!

"I think you can do it!" Hiruzen smiled and nodded firmly. He had already decided to let Shikaku become a staff officer. In fact, it was just a notice just now. He did not really want to ask for Shikaku's opinion. Those words were just superficial.

"Sandaime-sama, I have a question. Why did you choose me?" Shikaku asked doubtfully. He was not yet 17 years old and only a Chunin that had not reached the level of Jonin. This kind of person was not the kind of person who would suddenly seem important.

This point.

Shikaku was still very clear about it.

Pie falling from the sky was not necessarily a good thing. He was not a person without self-knowledge.

Shikaku believed in his own brain. Sooner or later, there would be a day when he would be in this position. But now, it was still a bit early for him. He was very clear about this in his heart.

"Well... I can tell you; this is not a secret after all."

Hiruzen nodded. Although he did not expect Shikaku to ask this question, he felt that there was nothing unexpected about this question. It was also very logical and common.

"This is what happened..."

"You must have heard about Danzo's injury!"

"Now that the village is in troubled times, Danzo being injured is equivalent to me losing an arm!"

"Homura and Koharu, the two advisors, are busy with the communication between the village and the Country of Fire."

"So now all the big and small things in the village fall on me alone. I need someone I can trust and have the ability to help me!"

"That person..."

When Hiruzen said this, his tone suddenly stopped. After that, he stared at Shikaku and said in a deep voice.

"It's you!"

As soon as he said this.

Shikaku immediately took a deep breath.

He was trying to calm himself down. This reason was completely acceptable to him. In the scope of his understanding and acceptance, it just makes him feel that it came too suddenly, and he was still confused in his heart.

"Sandaime-sama, I am unfamiliar with the staff officer's work, and I wonder if I can do it. This position is still too high for me."

Shikaku was originally very happy in his heart, but after hearing Hiruzen's words, he suddenly felt a lot more pressure, making him feel a little difficult in his heart.

"Shikaku!"

"I think you can do it!"

"From today on, you are the staff officer of the Hokage's office!"

"It doesn't matter if you are not familiar with the work now!"

"You'll get used to it slowly!"

Hiruzen waved his hand. He had already decided to let Shikaku sit in a staff officer position. This was something he had thought about for a long time. However, he had never done it. He was worried about Danzo's thoughts.

Also, Hiruzen did not give too good treatment to the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans who supported his Sarutobi clan but showed an attitude of treating them equally.

After all, in the early days when he took over Konohagakure and to stabilize the situation, he had to keep a bowl of water equally divided and not let any clan feel dissatisfied.

This situation also gave rise to some voices of dissatisfaction from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.

And not long ago, Nara Tetsu died!

This caused the reputation of the Nara clan to fall rapidly among Konohagakure. This was not something that Hiruzen wanted to see. He did not want anything to happen to the three clans.

But...

He would have to face obstructions if he wanted to promote the three clans.

This obstruction.

It was Danzo.

The double-edged sword that he used to kill the enemy with all his strength!

Now.

Hiruzen finally found this opportunity. Danzo was seriously injured, and the village was in need of people. Therefore, promoting some Nara clan as staff officers was not a problem.

Especially after his investigation, he found no problem with this Nara Shikaku.

Young.

Smart.

And not the kind of person who prioritizes his clan.

He could completely use Nara Shikaku's talent for Konohagakure development.

Because of this.

Hiruzen began to plan to support the three clans. This could also be considered to be nurturing his own power. He could already faintly feel that Danzo seemed to have some strange intentions.

But no one can replace Danzo's position.

So...

He could temporarily not move!

"This... Al... Alright!" Shikaku nodded helplessly. This was the first time he had encountered a situation where he was forced to be promoted. Although he was very happy in his heart, this feeling was strange. He couldn't understand it at all.

"Well, you agree. Then you are the staff officer of the Hokage's office. Now there is a complicated matter that needs to be faced by you and me." Hiruzen said in a low voice.

"What is it?" Shikaku was stunned for a moment. He had never thought that a mission would come so soon. He thought the staff officer job would be hectic and the pace would be very fast. However, he still felt that this was too rushed.

"An Iwagakure envoy come. He is waiting outside. I will call them over. Come with me and see what they want." Hiruzen nodded. Then he opened the drawer and took out a kiseru. Then he picked up the match and lit it; then he took a big puff.

"Iwagakure's envoy?" Shikaku was stunned again and couldn't help, but mutter, "Kumogakure's envoy just died not long ago. Why is Iwagakure's envoy here? Are there so many envoys now?"

"Yes!"

Hiruzen took another puff of smoke from his kiseru, and his mood calmed down a lot. He then said meaningfully, "Iwagakure launched a surprise attack on Kumogakure. They are fighting with Kumogakure at this time. I am afraid that they are not coming with good intentions!"

"Sandaime-sama, do you know what they mean?" Shikaku immediately asked. His face was tense, and he was in an extremely nervous state. He had already taken the role of a staff officer.

"I don't know yet. I will invite them in. You can listen to it with me."

After Hiruzen finished speaking, he immediately placed his kiseru on the table. Then, he raised his hands and clapped three times in a row.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A crisp clap sounded.

A moment later.

The side door of the Hokage's office opened.

Four ninjas dressed in Iwagakure's clothes walked in and directly appeared in front of Hiruzen and Shikaku.

"Hokage-sama!"

The four ninjas bowed to Hiruzen in unison. From the etiquette, they did very well.

"I am the representative of Iwagakure's ninja group. My name is Umi. I am here this time, mainly at the order of Tsuchikage-sama. We are here to discuss things with Hokage-sama.

This ninja, called Umi, was the leader of the Iwagakure four-man team. When he faced Hiruzen, his words were neither arrogant nor humble. He looked very confident, but only he knew that his palms and feet were covered in sweat. He was already panicking.

"Oh?"

Hiruzen picked up the kiseru that was placed on the table again. He stared at this Iwagakure ninja named Umi and slowly took a puff.

"Tell me, what is it?"

Hiruzen's expression was a bit cold, looking extremely dignified. This was something he deliberately displayed. With a few little ninjas, he did not need to be afraid.

However.

He faintly felt.

There was nothing good about these Iwagakure ninjas.

After all...

Konohagakure and Iwagakure had always been at odds.

There were many big and small wars between each other.

The geographical location was still very far away.

It could also be said that they could cooperate at all.

"Hokage-sama!"

Umi immediately took a step forward, ready to speak and report.

"Our Tsuchikage-sama has heard Konohagakure will hold a Chunin Exams!"

"Many villages have always attended Chunin Exams. Not only can they communicate and promote each other, but they can also let the ninjas learn from each other!"

"But this time, Konohagakure seems to be hosting it alone."

"This is not wrong, right?!"

After Umi finished speaking, he kept staring into Hiruzen's eyes. When he spoke up to here, he was already going all out. Nothing was more important than completing the task.

"So it was about the Chunin Exams!"

Hiruzen was stunned. He did not expect that the other party was her for the Chunin Exams, but he still nodded.

"This time Chunin Exams is rather special. It was during the Third Ninja World War. All the villages were busy fighting, so I won't disturb everyone. Just like the current Iwagakure, isn't you guys also fighting?"

Hiruzen's words had some hidden meaning. When facing such a small character, he could accurately express his meaning.

"Hokage-sama, our Tsuchikage-sama wants us, Iwagakure and your Konohagakure, to jointly hold this examination. What do you think?" Umi immediately said in a low voice. His tone was not very strong or oppressive.

"You Iwagakure want to hold Chunin Exams together?"

Hiruzen did not expect such a thing, nor did he expect such a request. For a moment, his head quickly weighed the pros and cons.

"If my intelligence is correct, Iwagakure is now fighting with Kumogakure. Does Tsuchikage-dono still have the energy to do these so-called Chunin Exams?" Hiruzen asked.

"Of course there is. It is just a war. We can't neglect development. It just so happens that our Iwagakure hasn't held the Chunin Exams. Tsuchikage-sama means that our two villages should do it together!" Umi said again. The meaning of his words was even more obvious.

"I see..."

Hiruzen suddenly turned to look at Shikaku. He winked at Shikaku and said, "You came at the right time. Shikaku is in charge of these Chunin Exams. Shikaku, do you have any objections?"

As soon as Hiruzen said this, the eyes of the four Iwagakure ninjas fell on Shikaku.

So young!

This was what the four of them were thinking at the same time.

"I don't think this is appropriate!"

Shikaku had already sensed Hiruzen's intention. He wanted to drag things out first and buy more time for Hiruzen to think. From his perspective, he does not want the two villages to host it jointly. That would be too risky.