Many long-time genin who had failed the Chūnin Exams for years were participating too. Compared to civilians, these shinobi spent more freely.
The three walked along Konoha's streets. Asuma kept trying to strike up conversations with Kurenai.
Kurenai was thinking about the Chūnin Exams.
Halfway through, Asuma ran into Biwako Sarutobi, who ordered him home.
It seemed she had some instructions about his participation in the exams.
Raizen didn't mind Asuma leaving. He kept observing the bustling crowd, gathering information.
He needed to confirm which ninja from this generation would arrive—especially Pakura.
Raizen really wanted to know if defeating Pakura would trigger an entry.
Fortunately, each village's uniforms were distinctive, making it easy for Raizen to gather intel.
For example, Konoha had green flak jackets and black pants.
Kumogakure shinobi wore single-shoulder armor with light fabric on their dominant arm for flexibility.
Iwagakure's uniforms were similar to Kumo's, but Kurotsuchi's style—one long sleeve and one bare arm—was designed for their signature "Fist Rock Technique."
In short, every village adapted their uniforms based on geography and specialty—not a one-size-fits-all design.
As Raizen pondered, a soft, alluring voice spoke beside his ear.
"Where's the lodging, handsome Konoha boy?"
Raizen turned.
The first thing he saw was a vast expanse of snow-white skin.
Skin like lotus root powder. She wore a light-colored flak jacket, a white waistband, and what caught the eye most: fishnet-like chainmail beneath a short black skirt.
It wrapped her long, rounded legs, making the exposed skin look even fairer.
Mei Terumī.
Raizen recognized her immediately—the future Fifth Mizukage.
He hadn't run into the most beautiful back view (Pakura), but he did encounter the leggy Mei Terumī.
Girls developed quickly. The current Mei was already taller than many female shinobi Raizen had seen.
In the future, she'd be one of the tallest female characters—1.74 meters.
Tsunade, Sakura, Kushina, Hinata, Mikoto—all around 1.6 meters. Only Kurenai came close to 1.7.
"Lodging is that way."
Raizen pointed in a direction.
"Thanks."
Mei smiled, her voice clear yet laced with charm.
Her reddish-brown, fluffy curls fell to her waist, covering her left eye and leaving only one clear teal eye visible.
Raizen replied, "You're welcome."
For the sake of those eye-catching long legs, he didn't mind the small favor.
After thanking him, Mei led her Kirigakure teammates away.
Raizen glanced at her companions' backs.
Two stood out.
One had white hair and carried a large ninja sword, with scrolls and a water flask at his waist.
The other was strange—red eyebrows, very short, almost oval-shaped.
Based on appearance, they matched the Hōzuki and Kaguya clans.
"The Kaguya clan hasn't broken with Kirigakure yet."
Raizen recalled that the Kaguya were a warlike clan. In the end, they tried to attack Kirigakure and were nearly wiped out—only Kimimaro survived.
Orochimaru then took him as a subordinate and gave him the "Earth Curse Mark."
"Hey, Raizen, what are you looking at?"
Kurenai puffed out her cheeks.
She compared her height to that foreign female shinobi and was disappointed to find herself shorter.
They said people from the Land of Lightning were tall and sturdy. Did Raizen's tastes lean that way?
"Are you jealous?"
Raizen teased.
"N-No, not at all!"
Kurenai quickly denied it, waving her small hands frantically.
But her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.
Raizen's smile grew more playful. When her hands were waving so fast they nearly blurred, he finally said he was joking.
Raising her? He had to be bold.
Girls this age, whose hearts hadn't yet been claimed, were easy to sway.
As for Sarutobi Asuma—though he seemed like a delinquent, deep down he was an honest guy.
His biggest vice—smoking—only started after falling out with his father and becoming a guardian ninja for the daimyo as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Of course, that was all in the future.
Right now, Asuma was just a simp who treated his goddess as sacred.
To maintain his image and not risk losing favor, he didn't dare do anything bold.
By the time he finally decided to pursue her, Kurenai might already be shaped by Raizen.
Hesitation leads to defeat.
At the same time, in the Hokage Tower.
A large number of shinobi had gathered here....mostly jōnin.
The Chūnin Exams were one of the biggest events of the year, requiring them to host many foreign ninja.
During this period, they also had to be vigilant against infiltration by outside forces. Caution was paramount.
If any major incident occurred in Konoha, it would deal a severe blow to the village's reputation.
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