The next day, Team 1 gathered once again at Training Ground 1. The three Genin sat in a half-circle around Utakata, updating him on their completed mission.
Ren also brought up the unease he'd felt throughout the escort job. After listening carefully, Utakata nodded and commented, "Even though you've likely heard this before, I'll say it again, a shinobi should always trust their instincts. There was no mention or intel indicating that Mizuka would meet anyone suspicious, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that he gave false information. You did well by sticking to the mission and not poking around unnecessarily."
Ren nodded in acknowledgment. Hitoshi and Yugao also showed they understood.
Then Utakata got to the main point. "Alright, let's move on to the reason I called you here today."
He looked at each of them before announcing, "The Chunin Exams will begin a week from now, and Team 1 will be participating as one of Konoha's official representatives."
Despite the significance of the announcement, none of the Genin reacted. They remained impassive, causing a flicker of disappointment to flash in Utakata's eyes, though he didn't let it show outwardly.
He continued, "This will be the first Chunin Exam held since the Five Great Nations officially signed the peace treaty, so there's a lot of attention on this one. Even the Third Tsuchikage is coming to the village, since his granddaughter will be participating."
Now that got a reaction.
Ren raised an eyebrow. "The Tsuchikage is allowing his granddaughter to travel to Konoha, so soon after the war? And the village is letting someone like him in?"
Utakata nodded. "I'm not privy to the full details, but yes. His granddaughter will be among the participants, and Onoki himself will be present for the final round."
He let that sink in for a moment before adding, "As for his strength," he titled his head slightly, "why worry about the Tsuchikage, when the Third Hokage is still alive and well? He might not look the part, but there's no one stronger than the Third right now. Not even the other Kage."
Ren was reminded of Orochimaru's words during the Konoha crush arc, "You could have defeated me if you were just ten years younger."
'Even Orochimaru acknowledged Hiruzen's current strength.'
Ren thought, 'Maybe he wasn't quite the "God of Shinobi" that the title suggests, but for anyone who never saw Hashirama fight, Hiruzen probably looks like a god to them.'
A stray thought escaped Ren's mouth before he could stop it. "Maybe we should organize an exhibition match between both old men."
Utakata's eyes widened slightly. "Absolutely not. Do you have any idea how much destruction that would cause?"
Ren sat up straighter, realizing he'd said it out loud. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, you just made me curious. By the time I get to their level, they'll have declined. I won't get a proper gauge of their true strength."
Utakata quietly observed him for a moment. 'He doesn't even question whether he'll reach that level. It's like he knows he will.'
Still, Utakata said, "No. We can't have a match between them. If you want to know their strength, go read the war records. Once you become a jonin."
Ren nodded without argument.
Yugao, who'd been surprisingly quiet so far, finally spoke. "Sensei, will there be any reward if we do well?"
Before Utakata could respond, Hitoshi answered flatly, "The title of Chunin."
Ren added, dead serious, "The recognition of your comrades."
Utakata followed with, "Hmm, how about an S-rank technique for each of you?"
Now that got their attention. Yugao perked up instantly. "Really, Sensei?"
Utakata nodded. Ren grinned at the news. He already had a few S-rank techniques, but most were incomplete or impractical to use in regular situations. A solid S-rank jutsu would be a huge bonus.
'If it's not a forbidden jutsu, maybe I'll go for an Earth Release technique. That'd give me more versatility.'
Yugao's determination returned in full force. "We'll definitely earn that technique!"
Ren gave a side glance. "Shouldn't your goal be becoming Chunin first?"
Yugao waved him off. "They're connected. It's fine."
Utakata, however, raised a hand toward her. "You and Hitoshi will get your reward from me, yes. But," he turned to Ren, "if you want one, you have to win the tournament. Direct order from the Hokage."
Ren groaned. "Isn't that unfair? They get S-rank techniques just for passing the exam, and I've got to beat everyone in a tournament?"
Utakata shrugged. "Life's unfair. If you want more, you're free to bargain with the Hokage yourself."
Ren clicked his tongue but didn't argue further. Utakata continued, "Although the Tsuchikage's granddaughter will be participating, the Hokage believes your main rival will be Itachi Uchiha. You're expected to defeat him."
Ren commented. "Doesn't he want Itachi to win?"
Utakata didn't answer. He simply stared at Ren for a moment before moving on.
"I'll give you the registration forms the day before the exam begins. Until then, we'll focus on refining your combat readiness. Let's begin today's training."
With that, Team 1 stood up and moved into position. The countdown to the Chunin Exams had officially begun.
~~~
In the Hokage's office, the village council meeting was already underway. The room was filled with the heads of the major clans, including the Aburame, Inuzuka, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Hyuga, and Uchiha clans. The two elders, Koharu and Homura, were seated alongside Danzo Shimura.
At the head of the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with his usual calm demeanor. Once everyone had settled, he opened the meeting with little preamble. "I won't waste time with formalities. Most of you already know the reason we're here, it's about the upcoming Chunin Exams. Let's begin."
He gestured to Shikaku Nara, who stood up with a scroll in hand and began briefing the room.
"This year, we'll have 30 Genin squads participating. Fifteen from the Leaf, one from Iwagakure, three from Sunagakure, and eleven from smaller nations and independent villages. The exam format will be the traditional three stages. The written test first, followed by the Forest of Death, and finally, the individual tournament. The final event will be attended by the Third Hokage and the Third Tsuchikage. The Kazekage has declined the invitation, citing personal matters as he claims he needs to look after his children."
Shikaku then sat back down, slouching into his chair as if he wanted to disappear into it.
From across the table, Shibi Aburame adjusted his collar slightly before speaking. "Is it wise to allow the Third Tsuchikage into the village, especially so soon after the treaty? I doubt he'll come alone. If his granddaughter is participating, then his son Kitsuchi, an S-rank shinobi, will likely accompany him."
Hiruzen nodded as he replied with a chuckle, "It wasn't exactly an invitation. He simply informed me that he would be coming to observe his granddaughter. And I thought, why not? What harm is there?"
The clan leaders exchanged glances, silently thinking the same thing. 'If he doesn't want to share the truth, he might as well have just refused straight out.'
Then, Fugaku Uchiha, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up. "My son's jonin leader has once again refused to let their team participate. So I'd like to nominate him to enter the exam as a solo participant."
Danzo instantly objected. "Absolutely not. Even if he's from a great clan, we cannot bend rules for a single heir. If we do it once, every clan leader will start demanding the same."
Fugaku didn't respond to Danzo directly. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on the Hokage.
Hiruzen, already expecting this, spoke calmly. "While I agree that Itachi Uchiha's strength is beyond that of a typical Genin, making exceptions like this could be seen as favoritism."
Fugaku's frown deepened, but before he could speak, Hiruzen raised his hand.
"However, since all relevant parties are here, we'll put it to a vote. Those in favor of allowing Itachi Uchiha to participate solo in this year's Chunin Exams, raise your hand."
Hands slowly rose across the room, those of the Uchiha, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, and a few others. The Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clan heads did not raise theirs.
Hiruzen nodded. "Then it's settled. Itachi Uchiha will participate solo."
Fugaku nodded in silent gratitude toward those who had supported him.
From the opposite side, Inoichi Yamanaka asked, "Will Itachi be our official representative?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "No. Utakata's team will be leading as our primary representatives."
Tsume Inuzuka, arms folded, raised an eyebrow. "That's the one with Sayaka's kid, isn't it?"
Hiruzen nodded again. "Yes."
This time, the Hyuga clan leader spoke, frowning. "Wasn't it agreed when Lady Tsunade left the village that Sayaka or anyone connected to her wouldn't be publicly pushed into the spotlight?"
Hiruzen didn't elaborate. "The circumstances are different for the boy than they were for her."
With that, he smoothly shifted the topic.
"Let's move on. We need to discuss patrol duties and security measures for the duration of the exams."
The Hyuga leader pressed again. "Yes, that's important. One of our main family kunoichi recently suffered a serious injury due to rogue ninja activity."
At that, Hiruzen looked to Shikaku again. The Nara head sighed and stood up.
"To address the threat of rogue shinobi and smuggling groups, it's been decided that 200 jonin and chunin teams will be dispatched to patrol the Land of Fire up until the second stage of the exam. Once the final stage begins, and with the Third Tsuchikage's arrival, 100 of those teams will be recalled to secure the village directly."
The clan leaders nodded in approval at the soundness of the plan.
A few more logistical topics were discussed, like, guest accommodations, the potential for foreign interference, protocols for spectators, and a few last-minute administrative concerns, before Hiruzen finally stood and brought the meeting to a close.
"Then it's decided. All preparations for the Chunin Exams will proceed as scheduled. Dismissed."
One by one, the clan heads and elders filed out of the office. Danzo lingered for a moment longer than necessary, giving Hiruzen a glance that said nothing, and yet, everything.
Hiruzen stayed seated as the room emptied. Lighting his pipe, he took a long drag and exhaled, watching the smoke swirl in the air.
~~~
Six days passed quickly as Team 1 focused entirely on training for the upcoming Chunin Exams. The three Genin spent most of their time honing their individual styles and working through coordinated team exercises under Utakata's guidance. With the exams right around the corner, every day counted.
Meanwhile, the entire village was buzzing with excitement. Word had spread about the scale of the event, and merchants from within and outside the Land of Fire had begun to pour into the village, setting up stalls and shops all across the main roads. Banners, flags, and streamers now adorned the buildings, while many stores had placed wooden boards advertising "Chunin Exam Specials" or "Exclusive Discount for Visiting Shinobi."
The village, for the first time in a while, felt less like a militarized zone and more like a true cultural capital.
Children ran through the streets with headbands made of paper, pretending to be ninja. Tourists and traders mingled freely. Even civilians from allied nations had begun arriving, lured by the spectacle. For once, peace didn't seem like a dream, it felt like something tangible, being celebrated by everyone.
On the afternoon of the sixth day, Team 1 decided to take a break from training and explore the village. The three of them walked through the busy market streets, taking in the new additions and the unfamiliar faces. Ren had his hands tucked in his pockets while Yugao led the way, stopping at almost every interesting stall while Hitoshi quietly observed everything.
Yugao glanced around and commented, "Isn't the decoration way grander than the previous times?"
Ren nodded, "Well, it makes sense. Even though the Cloud and Mist villages aren't sending participants, all five nations have signed the peace treaty. So this time, there's a real sense of freedom and safety in the air. The villagers can finally breathe without worrying."
Hitoshi added softly, "It's good for the economy too. Most of these merchants wouldn't dare enter the village during the war years."
The three of them continued strolling through the main street, passing by game stalls, weapon booths, and food carts. The sound of drums and bells occasionally rang out from performers trying to attract crowds.
Ren glanced at a nearby booth advertising chakra-infused teacups and scoffed lightly, "Seriously? Who needs chakra flowing through their tea?"
Yugao, still scanning the stalls, replied without missing a beat, "You say that now, but if I buy one now, I bet by next week you'll be asking me to make your morning tea with one."
"Unlikely," Ren snorted. "Unless the cup starts brewing ideas for new jutsu, it's just overpriced pottery."
They continued walking until they stopped in front of a ramen cart, not Ichiraku, but one of the newer ones trying to capitalize on the exam crowd. Standing just outside the stall was a familiar figure, holding the hand of a little boy.
Ren blinked, then tilted his head and commented without any restraint, "Dude, you look way older than you should."
~~~~~
{Kurotsuchi was younger at this time, but for the story I'll be changing her age.}
{Also, this arc just ended on pat-reon so you can join in if you wish to read advanced chapters and see Ren dumping the canon.}
{ h t t p s : / / w w w . p a t r e o n . c o m / / Z e e n o n }
{You can just search for my name too, it's the one with tom's pic (from tom and Jerry)}
{You know what else to do.}
{STONES!!!!}