"Kakashi's sword technique carries some of White Fang's essence. Moreover, the two of them get along quite well," Sarutobi Hiruzen remarked with emotion, his aged eyes shimmering with nostalgic light.
He recalled how Orochimaru and Jiraiya's relationship had been exactly like Kakashi and Uchiha Obito's current dynamic.
However, before Sarutobi Hiruzen could fully emerge from his memories, Hayato Ren's irritating voice interrupted his reminiscence.
"Old man, you've been Hokage for so long already. Isn't it time to step down and make way for someone more capable?"
Hearing this, the corners of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twitched as he looked at this rebellious troublemaker Hayato Ren.
"What, do you want to become Hokage, Ren? But you're still a bit too young. How about gaining more experience over the next three years?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't just making empty promises - he had genuinely considered having Hayato Ren assume the Hokage position.
At least in terms of strength, Hayato Ren was sufficiently qualified.
And in terms of background, Hayato Ren came from the legitimate Hokage lineage, being Sarutobi Hiruzen's own disciple's student.
However, in terms of personal prestige, Hayato Ren still had some shortcomings.
At this moment, a disdainful smile appeared on Hayato Ren's face.
"I don't want that worthless Hokage position. Dealing with so many matters every day, with such meager pay - how could it compare to my current carefree life?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression became even more strained. The Hokage position that Danzo dreamed of day and night was described so contemptuously by Hayato Ren.
"Then why are you urging me to step down?" Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but ask.
"After you retire, just let my teacher become Hokage. Then I'll be the most well-connected person in the Leaf. I can enjoy supreme authority without having to bear any responsibilities," Hayato Ren responded with complete seriousness.
He truly had no interest in the Hokage position. In his vision of the future, Tsunade would become Hokage, while Mei Terumi would become Water Shadow.
Then he would use force to make the Sand Hidden Village his subordinate, eventually commanding three-fifths of the entire Shinobi World's forces.
Hayato Ren could then confiscate all the feudal lords' properties and become the ruler of the lands.
To be honest, Hayato Ren had never understood - what exactly was the significance of feudal lords? Without military power, possessing only wealth and titles - weren't they just perfect fattened pigs?
In the original story, the Sand Hidden Village actually faced an economic crisis after losing the Ninja World War because the Land of Wind Feudal Lord reduced their funding. This was truly puzzling - when you control military power, why worry about lacking wealth?
Returning to the main topic, Sarutobi Hiruzen seriously considered Hayato Ren's proposal.
As the First Hokage's granddaughter and the leader of the Senju clan, Tsunade indeed had the prestige to become Hokage.
However, thinking of the recent rumors circulating about the Senju clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but ask:
"What if Tsunade sells off the Leaf to fund her gambling after becoming Hokage?"
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hayato Ren exchanged glances, both falling into silence.
Given Tsunade's current moral standards, this scenario was highly likely to occur.
The outcome of the subsequent matches went without saying.
Konan dominated the competition to claim the top position, while Kakashi took second place and Yuhi Kurenai came in third.
Despite both Hayato Ren's team and Namikaze Minato's team being fresh graduates this year, they swept the top three positions.
This made many ninjas sigh with emotion about the new generation surpassing the old.
The top three naturally became Chunin without any dispute, and through Hayato Ren's behind-the-scenes dealings, Nohara Rin also obtained Chunin qualifications.
Aside from these four, Orochimaru's only disciple Mitarashi Anko also earned the rank of Chunin.
Thus, this Chunin Exams produced five Chunin in total.
...
"Kurenai, your skills have improved quite a bit since I last saw you. You actually managed to defeat me."
Anko patted Yuhi Kurenai's shoulder while speaking in her usual straightforward manner.
Hearing this, a proud expression appeared on Kurenai's face.
"Hmph, isn't it only natural that I could defeat you? But why are you the only one from your team participating in this exam?"
"Oh, the other two didn't meet the standards, so Orochimaru-sensei sent them back to the Ninja Academy. That's why it's just me and Orochimaru-sensei in our team now."
Anko replied.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Kurenai's face instantly froze.
"You mean team leaders really have the authority to send team members back to the Ninja Academy?"
Anko looked at Kurenai with a strange expression, asking curiously:
"Of course? Did you forget what our homeroom teacher said during graduation?"
This statement shattered the last bit of wishful thinking in Kurenai's heart.
She had originally thought Hayato Ren was just joking when he usually threatened to send her away.
Who would have thought this guy actually had such authority.
Remembering how she usually talked back to Hayato Ren, Kurenai felt her future looked bleak.
Would she be sent back to the Ninja Academy and become the biggest laughingstock?
Just then, Hayato Ren suddenly appeared before them.
Seeing Hayato Ren's sudden appearance, Kurenai's expression changed several times.
Although Kurenai wanted to say something nice to improve her relationship with Hayato Ren,
after recalling all of Hayato Ren's actions, she found she couldn't bring herself to lower her head.
She could only greet Hayato Ren somewhat stiffly:
"Ren Sensei."
Hearing this, a strange expression immediately appeared on Hayato Ren's face.
Hayato Ren crouched down, looked directly into Kurenai's eyes, then reached out to push aside her bangs and pressed his forehead against hers.
Faced with this sudden action, Kurenai's brain completely short-circuited.
After the forehead contact, Hayato Ren stood up and said curiously:
"You don't have a fever, so what's wrong with you? Did you cause some major trouble?"
Seeing the confused expression on Hayato Ren's face, Yuhi Kurenai finally understood why he had made that gesture earlier.
Overwhelmed by both embarrassment and anger, Yuhi Kurenai directly raised her leg and forcefully kicked Hayato Ren's shin.
However, the result was that Kurenai's leg felt as if she had kicked a steel plate. Not only did it fail to cause any harm to Hayato Ren, but she ended up clutching her own leg and crying out in pain.
Hayato Ren glanced at the hysterical Yuhi Kurenai, then turned his gaze toward Anko.
"Are you Mitarashi Anko? Orochimaru's disciple?"