Among the Cloud shinobi observing Konoha, there was a loser from the previous exam—Xi.
Beside him was Darui.
Neither approached as closely as others. They merely watched from afar.
"Xi, how is it?" Darui asked in a flat tone, hands pillowed behind his head.
Xi shook his head.
Though already expecting that Uchiha Itachi, the ultimate victor from last exam, would not appear here, actually confirming this still brought some disappointment.
Suffering crushing defeat from a shinobi so much younger, even if that was an Uchiha clan genius, proved an enormous blow to Xi.
"Is that so? Not here..." Darui dragged out his tone. "However, perhaps among other shinobi Konoha dispatched this time, some guys possessing considerable strength exist."
"At least two people have quite decent strength."
"Seems Konoha came prepared as well."
Just as Cloud Village also had plans. The first joint Chūnin Exam hosted on Cloud Village's home field—Cloud Village did not plan losing. Not only winning but, like Konoha's Uchiha Itachi, defeating opponents with absolute superiority.
Therefore, this Chūnin Exam included not only Xi but also Darui's participation.
"Xi, Darui."
A steady voice came from behind both.
"Dodai-san." Both greeted simultaneously.
When Dodai walked before them, Darui scratched his hair, asking, "Dodai-san, do I really need participating as a genin?"
Dodai nodded. "This is the village's decision."
"Really, can't get motivated." Darui scratched his head. If in external villages, still acceptable. However, competitions hosted in Cloud Village meant villagers all knew his circumstances.
"Don't get careless because this is home field. Konoha obviously takes this exam very seriously too." Dodai said solemnly. "That squad leader, though only somewhat older than you, is no simple figure."
"He promoted to Konoha jōnin at fourteen, repeatedly completing important missions for Konoha."
"Reportedly also someone the Fifth Hokage trusts."
"Having such a person lead squads already proves Konoha's attitude."
Simultaneously, inside Konoha's temporary lodging, Shuji assembled all genin participating in the exam.
"...Cloud Village's exam processes differ from Konoha's. Focus main energy on personal strength improvement."
Shuji explained this Chūnin Exam's changes before signaling everyone could disperse and prepare individually.
Regardless, joint Chūnin Exams essentially remained comprehensive capability assessments for genin.
No need saying too much. That would instead lose the assessment's own meaning.
Moreover, regardless of Cloud Village's plans or inclinations regarding processes and rules, once exam results settled and rule-based selections identified genin possessing corresponding qualifications, Konoha's side also needed acknowledging and granting chūnin status according to convention.
This was the foundation maintaining joint exams' credibility.
That detailed finals process table formulated by Cloud Village was delivered to Konoha lodging by one Cloud chūnin at dusk.
Shuji carefully reviewed this document in his room. Cloud Village obviously conducted elaborate design and commercial packaging for this exam's finals stage, intentionally lengthening the entire schedule to create more highlights.
Perhaps to compensate for evaluation gaps in team coordination and survival adaptability after canceling wilderness survival assessments, Cloud Village integrated small squad combat coordination assessments into finals.
Specifically, this Cloud Village-hosted finals explicitly divided into two major portions: team competitions and individual competitions.
Team competitions involved two complete three-person genin squads confronting each other in specific venues, emphasizing squad internal tactical coordination, division of labor cooperation, plus collective combat capabilities.
Individual competitions were traditional one-on-one elimination systems.
Schedule arrangements placed team competitions first, individual competitions after.
Cloud Village considered high-intensity combat's potential injury recovery issues. After first-round team competitions concluded, one month would be allotted for shinobi healing.
Not only this, during approximately one-week team competition periods, schedules were not entirely compact, also arranging certain rest intervals. The entire team competition stage was expected lasting about one week.
Subsequent individual competition stages used similar systems—elimination matches plus necessary rest days. The entire process was likewise extended to approximately one week.
Combined, two weeks of competition processes.
To let audiences watch happily, Cloud Village also expended considerable thought.
This competition system arrangement could be said to, while barely guaranteeing Chūnin assessment basic requirements, maximally increase competition spectacle and commercial operational space.
Konoha Village, Uchiha clan grounds.
Itachi refused Sasuke's request for shuriken guidance, exiting the entrance door.
The refusal was not due to ANBU missions. Today was his vacation day.
Just one matter required his handling.
Regarding Uchiha Enblade's application to join ANBU field squads executing missions, related reports and requests had been formally submitted to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade did not reject it, merely having Itachi conduct further observation.
Enblade was someone strictly monitored. Even in the present when Uchiha and village relations seemingly eased, or rather, precisely because of such delicate periods, management and attention toward him proved even stricter.
The village's promotion of Police Force reforms continued. It would not stop after merely inserting two Hyūga squads.
Itachi's own led ANBU squad would face one important internal review next month.
This would be their squad members' final crucial assessment before promotion and formally transferring from ANBU systems into village other regular departments.
Besides Enblade, the other three would highly probably pass this review before being promoted to other Konoha department positions.
Those positions might not prove prominent with limited authority. However, compared to remaining trapped within Police Force interiors only serving as ordinary members, far superior.
Then came the third batch, fourth batch of Uchiha members.
If Uchiha Enblade insisted wanting to become field personnel, then when the next batch of Uchiha entered ANBU, he would lead people on external duties.
Itachi arrived before Uchiha Enblade's home door, raising his hand to knock.
No immediate response came from inside. After waiting briefly, Itachi knocked several more times with slightly heavier force.
After a while, the door opened from inside.
"Itachi." Enblade's voice sounded somewhat low.
"Enblade."
Itachi calmly called his name once before stepping inside the house. His gaze maintained habitual politeness, not casually examining interior furnishings, only falling on Enblade.
"I already reported your application."
Eagerness immediately flashed through Enblade's eyes. "Did the Hokage agree?"
Itachi nodded. "Wait for the next batch entering ANBU. You will lead one squad."
Enblade released a long breath. Tightly clenched fists also slightly loosened. "I will definitely retrieve what belongs to the Uchiha!"
Uchiha Itachi said nothing more before bidding farewell and departing.
Exiting Enblade's home door, closing the door again, Itachi's footsteps paused slightly.
Uchiha Enblade, just now, who was he speaking with?
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild