Konoha Year 47.
On a forest path on the border of the Land of Fire, a thick layer of fallen leaves covered the ground.
Stepping on them produced a soft, rustling sound.
Minato's team had just completed a C-rank mission and was heading back to the village.
"Kakashi, couldn't you have waited for me?!"
Obito Uchiha clutched his knees, gasping for breath as he chased after the figure far ahead.
Kakashi Hatake didn't turn around. His short, silver-white hair traced a cold arc in the wind.
"Those who break the rules have no right to complain."
"I just helped an old lady carry her things! What's the big deal? Helping others is a fine tradition of Konoha!"
"During a mission, any unforeseen actions may bring unpredictable risks. That's the rule."
Kakashi's tone was flat and emotionless, as if he were reciting the ninja code.
Nohara Rin smiled helplessly between the two, jogged a few steps, and handed Obito a water bottle.
"Alright, alright, Obito-kun, have some water first."
Obito took the bottle unconvinced, gulped down a few mouthfuls, and muttered,
"Honestly, always talking about the rules, no humanity at all. Are you a robot?"
He suddenly thought of something, as if he'd found a weapon to retaliate with, and his voice rose a few decibels.
"Speaking of which, that guy Sakuya Chigen—he's five years older than us, but he's still a genin. He's the real bottom-of-the-barrel who doesn't take the rules seriously!"
The title of "super repeat student" was infamous throughout Konoha.
Upon hearing the name, Kakashi's steps faltered almost imperceptibly.
An image flashed through his mind: a figure alone, wielding a sword in a corner of the training ground.
No spectators, no companions—only repeated swings and the lightning-fast blade that made even him tremble.
That was definitely not the power of a "loser."
"Obito, don't gossip about your seniors," Nohara Rin gently advised.
Obito, however, felt an inexplicable affinity for Sakuya Chigen, as if he'd found his kindred spirit.
"I didn't! I think Senpai Chigen is amazing. To not be promoted for five years straight—that's a talent in itself!"
Kakashi said nothing more, only quickened his pace silently.
That man... he couldn't see through him.
...
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Sakuya Chigen stood before the desk, his expression indifferent, as if he hadn't just escaped death.
He still carried the dust of a mission and a faint smell of blood.
All he wanted now was to finish his report quickly, go home, and lie down to count the patterns on the ceiling.
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and exhaled a long puff of white smoke.
"Chigen, you've had a tough time this mission."
"Just lucky."
Chigen's reply was concise; he didn't bother saying another word.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young man before him, his eyes filled with admiration and a hint of barely perceptible regret.
His chakra reserves were so low that he could barely qualify as a ninja, yet he had survived countless life-or-death missions through his self-created secret techniques and superb swordsmanship.
This kind of spirit and perseverance far surpassed what his peers could match.
"Your secret techniques have improved quite a bit, haven't they?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.
"Otherwise, facing the combined attack of three Iwagakure chunin, you couldn't have escaped unscathed with only these minor injuries."
Chigen's eyelids twitched, but his face remained expressionless.
The old man knew everything.
He just wanted to finish reporting the mission and go home to rest.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took in his subtle reaction and smiled.
"Don't be nervous. The village won't covet your secret technique. Your efforts have been recognized."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became serious.
"After discussing with the advisors and elders, we've decided to promote you to chunin—making an exception."
Sakuya Chigen suddenly raised his head, astonishment appearing on his face for the first time.
Chunin?
Didn't that mean the difficulty of missions would skyrocket, and the mortality rate would soar?
His salary wouldn't increase much, but the risk of losing his life would multiply several times over.
This was no blessing!
He opened his mouth, about to politely decline this "gift" with an excuse like "I'm not capable enough—I'm ashamed to face the village's kindness."
"Hokage-sama, I—"
Knock, knock, knock.
The office door was knocked on.
"Come in."
Minato Namikaze entered with his three disciples.
"Hokage-sama, we're back to report on the mission."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three young ninjas behind Minato.
"Minato, you've come at the right time."
He glanced at Chigen beside him, then looked at the silver-haired boy at the front of Minato's team.
Kakashi Hatake stepped forward, his expression calm.
"Hokage-sama, I'm applying to participate in the Jonin Promotion Exams."
Upon hearing this, both Obito and Rin showed expressions of surprise.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was unsurprised. He looked at Minato Namikaze.
"Minato, what's your opinion?"
"Kakashi already possesses sufficient strength and judgment. I approve his application," Minato replied with a smile.
"Good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the seal on the table and stamped it on a document.
"Then, you will be his examiner."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Sakuya Chigen—who seemed to want to disappear on the spot—and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"Furthermore, to encourage the younger generation and to test the true strength of our 'special genin,' Sakuya Chigen's special chunin promotion exam will be held on the same day as Kakashi Hatake's jonin exam."
The air instantly froze.
Obito's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. He looked at Kakashi, then at the legendary "super repeat student," his mind reeling.
"A 'super repeat student' and a 'super genius' competing on the same stage?
Is the Hokage still half asleep?"
Kakashi's gaze also fell on Chigen, his exposed eye scrutinizing him.
Chigen's lips twitched involuntarily.
He felt his blood pressure soaring.
He just wanted to crawl into a hole—or stab the Third Hokage.
In the end, he only managed to squeeze out a single word through gritted teeth.
"...Yes."
After leaving the Hokage Building, Chigen disappeared around the corner as quickly as possible, his back view as if a raging flood chased him.
Inside the office, only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze remained.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
"Iwagakure and Kumogakure have been deploying more and more troops lately."
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again and took a deep drag.
"Intelligence indicates they've joined forces."
Minato Namikaze's expression also turned serious, his golden hair appearing somewhat dim in the indoor light.
"So that's why you're in such a hurry to promote Kakashi and Chigen-kun? Using this method..."
"Yes. Konoha needs more power, and it needs heroes."
Just then, a cold voice came from the shadows of the office.
"Hiruzen, you're still so naive."
Shimura Danzo leaned on his cane, slowly emerging from the darkness. His eye—not covered by bandages—flashed with the cold light of ambition.
"You think our enemies are only Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed tightly.
"Danzo, what do you mean?"
Danzo sneered, his voice laced with mockery.
"My 'Root' just received intelligence."
He paused, enjoying the serious expressions on their faces.
"Kirigakure has already made contact with the other three great ninja villages."
"What?!"
Minato Namikaze's pupils constricted sharply.
"That means all four great ninja villages..."
The four great ninja villages had launched a joint invasion.
Was the Third Shinobi World War about to reach its most devastating moment?!
(End of Chapter 1)