A loud eagle's cry sounded in the air, and many ninjas who heard the eagle's cry below couldn't help but raise their heads and look at the messenger eagle hovering above their heads.
The messenger eagle saw that the ninjas on this side had clearly heard the order, so it flapped its wings again and flew towards the other area, summoning the ninjas in the other area to start converging. . .
Although many ninjas heard the hawk's voice, there were also many ninjas who continued busy with their own affairs afterwards and ignored the notification from the hawk.
Because the order conveyed by the messenger eagle was for the special jounin and jounin who were still in the village to converge towards the Hokage building. Chuunin and genin of the lower classes can just pretend that nothing happened.
Thinking of the Chunin Exams that were supposed to be held in July this year, but as of the end of September, there is still no sign of the Chunin Exams. Many ninjas have begun to speculate that this year's Chunin Exams will seem to be different from previous years. Different variations.
Hokage Building.
The Hokage's office, which was originally very spacious, became extremely crowded after a large number of jounin and special jounin were gathered together.
However, the ninjas all stood quietly in the office. Although the scene was a bit crowded, no one whispered, waiting extremely dutifully for the third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen to speak.
Hiruzen looked at the crowded scene in front of him and didn't care. The Hokage Building had not been repaired for decades. The number of jounin and special jounin had increased several times compared to the time when Konoha was first built. Therefore, the Hokage's office, which originally seemed empty, naturally seemed crowded after the number of jounin and special jounin doubled.
But isn't this crowded scene a symbol of Konoha's prosperity?
The jounin and special jounin gathered here are far from all of Konoha.
The traditional ninja villages of the five major countries still maintain the most essential mercenary system of the Warring States Period. A considerable number of ninjas in the village, including jounin, do not stay in the village all year round, but go out to perform various tasks and earn money. Receive mission rewards. Otherwise, relying solely on the support of Daming Mansion will not be enough to run the entire Ninja Village system.
Especially in recent years, Konoha's appetite for development funds has been much greater than in previous years for the sake of the great enemy of the Demon Country.
Seeing that the number of Jonin this year has improved significantly compared to the previous year, Hiruzen did not show this happiness on his face, as usual, his joy and anger were invisible.
After scanning the jounin in front of him, Hiruzen cleared his throat, put the cigarette rod aside, and refrained from smoking. It seemed that he was waiting for the atmosphere to brew before Hiruzen said:
"This time, I have called everyone here to explain something important, and that is about the Chunin Examination in July this year. I think many people have been wondering before this, why this year's Chunin Examination did not go as scheduled. held.”
The uninformed jonins did show doubts. Only a small number of jonins who knew some inside information in advance closed their eyes and waited quietly for the Third Hokage to finish speaking.
Hiruzen didn't mean to whet his appetite, and continued directly: "That is about this year's Chunin Exam. It is not our Konoha family that started to hold it, but based on international demand, this year's Chunin Exam will invite all the people who established Ninja Villages Countries participating in this Chunin Exam are collectively referred to as the Joint Chunin Examinations of various countries. The organizers include us, Konoha and the Land of Fire, as well as Sunagakure, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Oni. To put it simply , this year's chunin exams are divided into three, each exam corresponds to a country and a ninja village."
Sure enough, as soon as Hiruzen said this, the jonins who had just learned about it couldn't help but be shocked, feeling incredible about this decision.
If it's co-organized with Sunagakure, it's nothing. After all, the relationship between Konoha and Sunagakure has eased over the years, unlike the tit-for-tat confrontation during the Third Shinobi War.
Although many ninjas in Konoha hated Sunagakure very much, in the face of the interests of the village, they had no choice but to put aside their inner anger and hatred for the time being, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble to the village.
As for the relationship with the Kingdom of Ghosts, there is no room for relaxation at all.
The three most powerful pillars of the Demon Country's military were originally S-class rebellious ninjas from Konoha.
Even though the wanted order was canceled at the Second Five Kage Conference a few years ago, there are still many radicals within Konoha who still cling to the matter of turning against the ninja, believing that the village's top officials have gone too far. Gentle, even if it means sacrificing the three ninjas, one should not bow down and compromise to a group of traitors.
In addition, the Kingdom of Waves, the Kingdom of Rain, the Kingdom of Ghosts, Konoha, and the Kingdom of Fire all had many unpleasant things, and there were frequent diplomatic conflicts.
It can be said that in the next few decades, the international relations between the Kingdom of Ghosts, Konoha, and the Country of Fire will be difficult to ease.
The gap between them is too great. From the bottom to the middle, and then from the middle to the top, there are conflicts that are difficult to negotiate.
Therefore, Hiruzen announced that he would hold the Chuunin Exam together with the Kingdom of Demons. Many Jonin showed dissatisfaction and seemed to want to say something, but they were pulled back by some companions and shook their heads at them, indicating that even if they were dissatisfied , and you can't lose your temper with the Hokage here, otherwise the Hokage will be unable to step down at this time.
As a result, everyone in the Hokage's office immediately fell into an extremely strange atmosphere. Surprise, doubt, dissatisfaction, anger, silence, indifference, vigilance, all kinds of strange eyes were focused on Hiruzen as the leader.
Even though Hiruzen had expected it, his heart couldn't help but feel a little heavier.
If it was during the Third Ninja War or the time before, Hiruzen had never received so many strange looks from the jounin.
This is entirely because at the end of the Third Ninja War, as the Hokage, I made Sunagakure and Iwagakure sign the armistice agreement without compensation.
As a result, Konoha, as the victor, suffered huge losses and did not receive any compensation. Many Konoha ninjas who fought bloody battles wondered what exactly this war was about. What did you gain?
Due to the birth of Yellow Flash, Konoha is definitely the dominant player in the war market. Even if they join Kumogakure, they may not be able to defeat three against one.
But with the armistice agreement without compensation, Hiruzen knew that his image and status in the hearts of many Konoha ninjas had plummeted.
And this kind of doubt, after the Fourth Hokage died, the Hyuga clan was forced by outsiders, and the Uchiha clan was exterminated... the inner dissatisfaction of some radicals could no longer be suppressed.
Many of these radicals have been absorbed by the Roots. Even if they have not joined the Roots, they have established a bridge of communication with the Roots.
Some people even went to extremes and secretly defected to the enemy country - the country of ghosts.
During the purge operations a few years ago, many such rebels were captured thanks to the efforts of the ANBU.
Among the jounin gathered in the Hokage's office at this moment, there may be rebels who have defected to the enemy country and are here to serve as the eyes of the enemy.
However, Hiruzen was unable to change all this, and this decision had already been made through a high-level meeting, and it was impossible to change it again.
I hope that when the new Hokage takes the throne, the dissatisfaction in the village will be effectively controlled.
Hiruzen currently has no good way to deal with the dissatisfaction of some ninjas.
"Then, next is the person in charge of this joint chuunin exam. I have a list here. The jounin who is called should come out. At that time, the layout of the examination room, the examination process, including subsequent contacts with people from other countries, will all be determined by the list. The superior Jonin will take charge."
Hiruzen took out a list with the names of a dozen jounin recorded on it. In addition to these dozen jounin, there are more lists of chunin personnel below. It's just that this time it's a jounin meeting. You only need to select a jounin, and then the jounin is responsible for contacting the chunin in his own group.
Seeing that no one had any objections, Hiruzen began to read out the names of the Jonin on the list.
◎
"The Joint Chuunin Exam...it seems like the higher-ups are serious."
In a lounge in the Hokage building, several jounin who usually had good relations with Kakashi gathered here. It was Yuhi Kurenai who sighed and spoke.
Compared to other experienced jounin, she had not been in the jounin field for long. For many things, one needs to learn from experienced jounin such as Kakashi.
Normally, Hong wouldn't worry about anything.
But the problem is that she is one of the genin leading the team. Depending on the situation, the three genin in the team will definitely take part in the chunin exam.
This is a problem for genin from the ninja clan. Sometimes the education policy of the genin of the family cannot completely follow the requirements of guiding the jounin. Likewise, whether to take the chuunin exam is not a decision for the leading jounin. You need to seek the attitude of the ninja clan. . If both parties agree, everyone will be happy.
If there are differences of opinion between the two parties, negotiation is required.
But the result of the negotiation will inevitably be dominated by the more powerful party. That is, the ninja clan.
Kurenai knew very well what the attitude of the families behind the three genin in the team was, so she sighed for this.
I taught them in a daze for more than half a year, not knowing what skills I could teach them.
And I can't give any effective advice on other people's family's secret techniques and blood inheritance limits. Because he knew nothing, Hong stared blankly most of the time, and could only offer a handful of opinions.
She couldn't give herself a pair of white eyes, nor could she lie down on the ground like a dog and fight with the ninja dogs, nor could she raise bugs in her body...
From the beginning, Hong didn't feel that he could teach the three people in the team well. Now it has come true.
Kurenai herself couldn't tell how far the three people in the team could go in this joint chuunin exam.
She was probably the one who failed the most in guiding the jounin.
Rather than guiding jounin, Hong felt that she had been someone else's nanny for more than half a year.
"Relax, it's not us who have to take the exam anyway, it's the candidates who are taking the exam who should be anxious."
Compared to Kurenai's loss and melancholy, Asuma is a bit heartless.
Like Kurenai, his three students were also from the ninja clan, and had quite complete family-specific secret techniques. It was impossible for them to follow him and learn wind style and fire style.
Asuma, who knew this from the beginning, never thought about teaching the three genin in the team any new skills. All he could do was to get along with the three students as friends. Cheer them up when they feel discouraged. Then check their cultivation results every month.
After all, they have become genin, and they have to take the initiative to work on their own and shoulder the responsibilities of the team. It can no longer be like in the ninja school, where you have to be pushed by the teacher to get up and fight.
Being able to do this, in Asuma's opinion, is the most precious growth for genin.
Facing the life of a ninja with this attitude, I dare not say that I am a jounin. There is no problem in becoming a chuunin in the future.
"You have such a big heart, Asuma."
Hong said frustrated.
Asuma flicked the unlit cigarette in his mouth.
"Well, at this point, it's useless no matter how much you pray for incense or Buddha. But from a comprehensive point of view, this year's chunin exam is much more difficult than the previous ones. I don't know what these brats can do. To what extent."
"snort."
Hong snorted softly, seeming to be very concerned about it.
"Kakashi, how are you doing there?"
Asuma turned to look at Kakashi sitting beside him, who was holding a book and reading with gusto.
"So-so, everything we can do has been done in the past six months. Next, it's up to them to express themselves freely. If they can't become chuunin, it only means that they haven't grown enough and their usual training is not hard enough."
Kakashi said without looking up.
"It really looks like your style..."
"Each other. Strictly speaking, the Chuunin Exam is not too difficult. Isn't there a record of one person passing it before?"
Kakashi said intentionally or unintentionally.
"Go through the game alone?"
Hong was startled, and her voice couldn't help but become much louder.
"Red, you are making too much fuss."
Kakashi said.
"No, Kakashi, you said that someone can pass the Chunin Exam alone? Is this true?"
Red asked in surprise.
"Ah, it was about several terms ago. At that time, I was just the squad leader in ANBU."
Kakashi nodded.
"Do we have such a powerful person in Konoha?"
Hong was a little skeptical.
If such a person really existed in Konoha, why had he never heard of it?
"Because the other party's information was kept confidential, the upper management did not spread the news in a big way. But you should have heard of that person. He is the Weasel who exterminated the clan."
Kakashi looked up and said.
"!?"
Hong's body shuddered, and a pair of cold scarlet eyes and a taciturn and cold face instantly appeared in his mind.
"It's him. I knew he took the Chunin Exam, but I didn't expect that he passed it alone. Is this the ability of a genius?"
Not daring to comment on the Uchiha clan's affairs, Kurenai shifted the topic to the other party's abilities.
No matter from which aspect, it is undoubtedly an exaggeration for one person to pass the Chunin Exam.
When she took the Chunin Exam, even if three people fought together, she still had great difficulties and almost failed.
"He used to be my subordinate. In terms of ninja talent, he was indeed a terrifying guy. A certain brat in my team still misses him."
Kakashi rubbed his sore temples and sighed.
"Uchiha Sasuke? Not to mention it is far away. The joint chuunin exam is being held this time. I guess that matter can no longer be concealed, right?"
Asuma's eyes narrowed.
It is not only Konoha that bears the name of the Uchiha clan, but also the Kingdom of Demons.
Moreover, the number of Uchiha clan members currently existing in the Oni Kingdom is far beyond what Konoha, which has only one Uchiha remnant, can compare to.
If there is a problem with Uchiha Sasuke, it means that the Sharingan, a blood inheritance limit, will be completely extinct in Konoha.
Whether Konoha still insists that the Uchiha in the village is the true orthodoxy has become meaningless.
"Yes, but Sasuke has noticed something. He seems to enjoy the process of solving the puzzle more than me telling the answer myself. He is a kid who should not be underestimated."
Kakashi said in an exclamatory tone.
"You put it that way, I am increasingly looking forward to the results that the descendants of Uchiha can achieve in this joint chuunin exam."
"The newcomers of this class should not be underestimated... Well, let's wait and see together."
Kakashi nodded and his thoughts returned to the book.
◎
"Invitation card?"
In a small conference room in the Hokage Building, Hiruzen held a gilded letter in his hand.
The same pattern is painted on the left and right bottoms of the envelope. This pattern is the family crest of the Hyuga clan.
Obviously, this invitation was obviously not made by the Hyuga clan, so there was only one answer left.
The country of ghosts.
Apart from Konoha, only the Kingdom of Demons has extremely pure Hyuga bloodline.
The Byakugan bonus during the war is no longer exclusive to the Konoha family.
"This must be a conspiracy from the Kingdom of Ghosts, right?"
When the consultant went to bed, Xiaochun frowned, and there was a trace of resentment in her eyes.
Another consultant, Mito Kadeni, remained silent, thinking about the meaning behind this.
Hiruzen weighed the weight of the invitation and looked directly at the fourth person in the conference room - Hinata Hizashi.
"Rizu, what do you think?"
Apart from him as the Hokage, there were only two advisors in the conference room, as well as Hinata Hizashi, the leader of the Konoha Hyuga clan.
Originally, Danzo Shimura, the leader of the root group, was invited to attend this important high-level short meeting, but the other party declined the invitation.
But he sent his subordinates over, saying that he would respect the decision of the Hokage and the advisory group on this matter.
"To be honest, I don't want to go to the Kingdom of Ghosts to discuss anything with a group of traitors who have betrayed the family long ago."
Hiashi sighed in response to Hiruzen's question.
"Having said that, if you reject Hyuga Ayane's invitation, maybe the other party will cause some trouble later."
Compared to Chiba Shiraishi and Uchiha Ruri, who are often absent from the dragon, Hyuga Ayane is one of the three most active internationally. Coupled with the fact that the other party now commands the security department of the entire Ghost Country, he is the one with the highest exposure among the three.
Since the beginning of the Third Ninja War, the other side has been committed to opposing the Konoha and Hyuga clans, and has made it impossible for the Konoha and Hyuga clans to stand down several times.
Chiba Shiraishi is good at hiding and only appears on important occasions, Uchiha Ruri is disdainful of trivial matters, and Hinata Ayane prefers to worry about everything, and is also the smallest of the three.
Such a small-minded ninja is still a woman who doesn't like to reason. It is obvious that she has bad intentions when she solemnly invites Nizu to attend the joint chuunin exam.
Not in terms of safety, but in terms of embarrassment in the Demon Country.
And embarrassing the Hyuga clan means that Konoha, who stands up for Hinata, will also be embarrassed.
Neither the Hyuga clan nor the senior leaders wanted to see this kind of thing.
Encountering this kind of problem, Hiruzen also started to have a headache.
Although refusing will cause some gossip and make Konoha look timid in doing things, it is better than directly embarrassing Hizu in the Kingdom of Demons.
At this time, Hiruzen was thinking about how to reduce losses. Nowadays, the military power of the Kingdom of Demons is extremely terrifying. Although Hiruzen is not afraid, there is no need for a head-on conflict with the Kingdom of Demons.
What the Fire Country and Konoha need now is to protect themselves, maintain good diplomacy with the surrounding small countries, and prevent the power of the Ghost Country from infiltrating.
When the Fire Nation's alliance defense line is established, Konoha will have the confidence to fight even if it has a head-on conflict with the Demon Nation. Instead of just swallowing your anger like this, put "harmony" first in everything.
"As the Hokage I said, I prefer that you stay in Konoha and ignore Hinata Ayane's invitation...but it is you, Hinata, who makes the decision. If you insist on going, we will do our best to help you."
Hiruzen and Hizu looked at each other directly and said firmly.
"Rizu, has the result of your internal meeting been decided?"
Mito Menyan couldn't help but ask.
Rizu nodded and said: "Yes, within our Hyuga clan, after receiving this invitation letter, we immediately started a family meeting, convening all the elders of the clan and branch families for discussion. Like the three elders, Most people don’t agree with me, the clan leader, personally going to the Kingdom of Ghosts.”
Hearing Rizu say these words, Hiruzen and the other three breathed a sigh of relief.
Nowadays, the only person who can stabilize the Hyuga clan is Hizu, the clan leader.
If something unexpected happened to Nizu when he went to the Ghost Country, even the Hokage would have a hard time shouldering this responsibility.
"So, we are planning to adopt another plan internally."
Rizu said this again.
"Another plan?"
Hiruzen and the other three frowned.
"Yes, my second daughter Hanabi will serve as the envoy, replacing me as the clan leader, and go to the Kingdom of Demons to pay a visit."
After Rizu said these words, the eyes of Hiruzen and the three of them couldn't help but light up.
Xiaochun also started to smile when she went to bed.
"In this case, there is no need to worry too much. I quite agree with this decision."
Hinata Hanabi, due to her extremely outstanding talents since childhood, many resources within the Hyuga clan began to be tilted toward her.
As the eldest daughter, Hinata Hinata's reputation has declined somewhat within the Hyuga clan in recent years. Even if she still maintains her status as the eldest daughter of the clan, it is not impossible for Hinata Hanabi to grow up with this momentum, defeat the eldest daughter, and become the official heir of the clan.
This is not only a family matter for the Hyuga clan, but the result of this incident will also indirectly affect the higher-ups.
Konoha lost the Uchiha clan, and the job of being the leader of the ninja clan could only be held by the Hyuga clan, who also came from a wealthy family in the blood succession realm. If this kind of job were done by the Sarutobi clan, Nara clan and other big clans, the other big and small ninja clans might not be convinced.
This is the heritage of a family, as well as the reputation and influence of these wealthy ninja clans. It is far from comparable to the rising ninja clan such as Sarutobi and Nara.
Although they will not interfere with the domestic affairs within the Hyuga clan, if Hyuga Hanabi can represent the Hyuga clan and attend the Kingdom of Ghosts this time, her influence on the Hyuga clan will inevitably be further enhanced. The day when he becomes the official heir of the Zong family may not be too far away.
The most important thing is that the second daughter Hanabi will attend instead of Hinata. No matter how shameless Hinata Ayane is, she would be embarrassed to do anything to a little girl in public.
Otherwise, the public opinion that the Kingdom of Ghosts bullies young girls will explode, which will greatly reduce the impression of other countries on the Kingdom of Ghosts.
This not only effectively responded to the invitation of the Kingdom of Ghosts, but also avoided the possibility of being made things difficult by the Kingdom of Ghosts.
"In this case, Hanabi's safety will be jointly responsible for the Hyuga clan and the ANBU."
Hiruzen also had no objection to the Hyuga clan's decision.
Compared with the two answers of rejection and agreement, the Hyuga clan's decision to let Hanabi stand in the front desk is a very beautiful counterattack against the Kingdom of Demons.
