"Damn it..." Deidara and Hōzuki Mangetsu were genuinely intimidated by the ninja in front of them. Even if they harbored resentment, they didn't dare to say anything more.
"You just wait, I'll make you pay in the Chūnin Exams!" Hōzuki Mangetsu said to Deidara, carefully avoiding the kunai and returning to his spot.
"We'll see! I'm not afraid of you!" Deidara retorted.
Seeing that the two were no longer preparing to fight, the fox-masked ninja withdrew his hands.
His figure disappeared, and he stood beside the Third Hokage again, as if he had never moved.
"Today's meeting is adjourned!" The Third Hokage said coldly, his voice filled with stern authority.
"Konoha does not welcome those who like to run wild. I'll let these two off this time since it's their first offense. But if there's a second time, I don't care if they're the elite of your villages, I will order them killed! I mean what I say!"
The Third Hokage's words silenced the ninjas from the other villages. They could hear the seriousness in his voice.
He was a Kage-level ninja, and he wouldn't go back on his word. They didn't dare to encourage their genin to misbehave again.
"Now, you may all go back and rest!" The Third Hokage continued.
"Yes," the ninjas from the other nations said, no longer trading insults. They quietly left the hall.
"What do you think? How strong are the ninjas the other nations sent to participate in the Chūnin Exams?"
After the ninjas from the other nations had left, the Third Hokage asked the fox-masked ninja beside him.
"Judging from the two young boys who used clay bombs and the Hōzuki Clan's technique, their strength has probably exceeded the genin level. However, because they're young, their combat experience seems to be lacking," the fox-masked ninja replied.
"Hmm." The Third Hokage nodded, a hint of anger flashing across his face. "The Hidden Mist, Hidden Stone, and Hidden Cloud Villages probably sent their elite young ninjas, with strength at least at the chūnin level. These dishonest guys, sending ninjas whose strength far exceeds the genin level to participate in the Chūnin Exams, are they trying to show off in Konoha?"
"It seems so," the fox-masked ninja said, nodding. After all, this was an opportunity to showcase their nation's strength, and these great nations wouldn't easily let it go.
"Now, tell me about the specific situation of our side's participants in the Chūnin Exams," the Third Hokage said, rubbing his forehead. This problem was giving him a headache.
"Yes!" The fox-masked ninja nodded. "There are a total of 90 ninjas from our side participating in the Chūnin Exams. Of these, 9 just graduated from the Ninja Academy, 10 graduated a year ago, 17 graduated two years ago, 45 graduated three or more years ago, and the rest have never attended the Ninja Academy."
"Are there any outstanding genin among them?" The Third Hokage asked.
"This... Probably not," the fox-masked ninja replied. There were many good genin, but no outstanding genin, no talented ninjas like Deidara and Hōzuki Mangetsu.
"I see..." The Third Hokage frowned even more.
The peak of Konoha's new generation would appear in Naruto's generation. In the original story, the Konoha 12 played an important role in the final war, and two of them even teamed up to fight the final boss. Compared to them, the ninjas who graduated in other generations were completely overshadowed.
Konoha's new generation's decline coincided with the peak of the new generation of other villages. This was a rather embarrassing situation.
"Oh, I remembered someone!" After a moment, the fox-masked ninja suddenly spoke again.
"Oh? Who is it?" The Third Hokage asked, raising an eyebrow.
"His name is Uchiha Kaoru. He's a genin who just graduated. He only stayed at the Ninja Academy for a month, and his graduation exam was excellent. He's currently on a ninja mission in Yūhi Kurenai's team. According to Yūhi Kurenai, the boy is exceptionally talented and has unlimited potential," the fox-masked ninja replied.
"Are you talking about the Uchiha brat who survived Orochimaru's attack?" The Third Hokage asked slowly.
"Yes, that's him," the fox-masked ninja replied.
"How old is he now?" The Third Hokage asked.
"Seven years old."
"Only seven years old..." The Third Hokage sighed. "A boy who just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and is only seven years old. He probably can't change anything... Even if he can, I can't recklessly put all my bets on him alone."
"Then what does Hokage-sama mean..." The fox-masked ninja asked.
A look of gravity flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes, and he said, "What I'm about to say is only known to the three of us here."
The Third Hokage said, Go to the Anbu and pick three relatively young ninjas, and have them disguise themselves as genin to participate in the Chūnin Exams!
We need to suppress the momentum of the ninjas from the other nations. This Chūnin Exams concerns Konoha's honor, and I will not allow ninjas from outside Konoha to gain any advantage in this Chūnin Exams!
"Yes!" The fox-masked ninja agreed without hesitation.
"Hmm, be sure to choose carefully. I trust your judgment, Kakashi," the Third Hokage said, looking at the fox-masked ninja.
The ninja wearing the fox mask was Hatake Kakashi, who was still in the Anbu!
"I will not disappoint the Hokage-sama's expectations!" Kakashi nodded, and then used the Body Flicker Technique, disappearing.
"This time, even if I have to use every means possible, I can't let Konoha lose face!" The Third Hokage muttered to himself.
Just as the Third Hokage was troubled by the Chūnin Exams, Danzō was thinking about the same thing.
In Danzō's office, the Root ninja codenamed "Ren" was kneeling before Danzō.
"Didn't I tell you to monitor Shin? Why are you here in front of me?" Danzō said, raising an eyebrow and looking at Ren below.
"Danzō-sama, there's something I need to tell you immediately," Ren replied.
"Speak!" Danzō said coldly.
"This afternoon, Shin's team, Yūhi Kurenai's team, had a conflict with a genin from the Hidden Stone Village who came to participate in the Chūnin Exams. Shin exposed his strength to save a child from our village," Ren replied.
"Is that so?" Danzō raised an eyebrow. "Those guys from other villages are so arrogant, daring to cause trouble in Konoha. Shin was a bit reckless this time, but I'll let him off since he was doing it for the village."
After a pause, Danzō continued, "However, with Shin's strength, that Hidden Stone Village genin must have had a terrible end, right?"
Danzō was confident in Shin's strength. His secret technique, combined with his diligent training, should make him a rare opponent among his peers.
But Ren's words disappointed him.
"No, in fact, Shin was at a disadvantage in the battle with the Hidden Stone Village genin. If it weren't for that Uchiha brat's intervention, he would have been in danger..." Ren replied,
"Later, that Uchiha brat took the initiative to fight the Hidden Stone Village genin, but the battle was interrupted by a Hidden Stone Village strongman who suddenly appeared. It seems that the strongman was a jōnin-level ninja."
"The Uchiha brat..." Danzō frowned. From his initiative to fight the Hidden Stone Village genin, it can be seen that he has no hatred for Konoha.
But the Hidden Stone Village genin's strength is actually above Shin's. This is beyond my expectations.
I wonder if Hiruzen has considered it. If ninjas from other nations are allowed to shine in the Chūnin Exams held in our village, our Konoha will truly lose face.
Danzō tapped the table lightly with his finger, thinking about the next arrangement.
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