In the following days, Kazekaze and Sakumo were constantly carrying out missions. I don't know if it was intentional, but the missions Kazekaze received were all very simple D-rank tasks. For example, helping people find cats or buying things. They could basically complete two to three missions in a day. On the day before the Chunin Selection Exams, Kazekaze completed ten missions!
At the Hokage Building. Sarutobi arrived at the door of Tobirama's office, raised his right hand, and gently knocked a few times. After receiving Tobirama's permission, he pushed the door open and walked in.
"Is there something you need, Hiruzen?" Tobirama asked.
"Yes," Sarutobi nodded and went straight to the point, "I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, recommend Kazekaze and Sakumo from Team 7 to participate in the Chunin Exams."
As long as a Genin has completed eight missions, they are eligible to participate in the Chunin Exams. However, they need the recommendation of a Jonin to participate. Although Sarutobi was not the Jonin in charge of Kazekaze and Sakumo, he was the captain of Team 7. Coming to Tobirama's office to state this matter was also a necessary procedure.
"I understand." Tobirama said lightly, but in his heart, he was full of anticipation for Kazekaze's performance.
Especially for the first C-rank mission he assigned to Kazekaze. Tobirama had long grasped the intelligence of the Hidden Cloud Village. He knew they had set their sights on Yuna, wanting to uncover the secrets of the Uzumaki clan. The reason he pretended to know nothing and assigned this mission to Kazekaze was to see how he would perform in real combat! If Kazekaze was paralyzed by fear, it would indicate that he was not yet qualified to participate in the Chunin Exams!
'I never expected Kazekaze to develop a taijutsu as powerful as the Morning Peacock... Tobirama couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
He discovered the limitations of chakra flow in the human body and thus developed the Eight Gates. However, he found that the Eight Gates caused significant damage to the body, so he classified it as a forbidden technique. Kazekaze, on the other hand, developed the Morning Peacock based on this.
This was enough to prove that in the field of creating jutsu, Kazekaze was also an unparalleled genius! This escort mission not only thrilled Tobirama but also further cemented his resolve to nurture Kazekaze into a future Hokage!
"By the way, go back and tell Kazekaze that he is prohibited from using the Morning Peacock in this Chunin Exam," Tobirama said.
Although the Morning Peacock was powerful, it caused significant damage to the body. Even Kazekaze's Regeneration Ability couldn't recover the damage in a short time. Such a technique. It's better not to let Kazekaze use it.
However, the reason Tobirama knew so many details was not just because Sarutobi explained everything to him as soon as he returned to the village. It was because… Tobirama had been secretly following Kazekaze from the beginning!
To avoid being detected by Sarutobi's sensory abilities, he deliberately kept a sufficient distance and observed using the Telescope Jutsu! Most importantly, Kazekaze carried a special kunai given by him, imprinted with the Flying Thunder God technique! If Kazekaze hadn't used the Morning Peacock to deal with Toroi… Toroi would have met a much worse fate!
After all, Tobirama intended to cultivate Kazekaze into the Hokage of Konoha! How could he let him perish prematurely? The result that Tobirama never expected was… Just when he thought Kazekaze and the others were cornered by Toroi and was ready to use the Flying Thunder God to appear.
Kazekaze swung his fists, creating flames through friction with the air! Without a doubt, at that moment, Tobirama was once again shocked! Kazekaze not only performed excellently but also exceeded his expectations! Furthermore, Toroi was not only a Jonin from the Hidden Cloud Village but also a wielder of a powerful Kekkei Genkai!
Thinking of this, a hint of fervor flashed in Tobirama's eyes.
"To enhance the bonds between allied nations, I have specially invited the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Stone Village, as well as talented Genin from neighboring small countries who aspire to become Chunin, to this Chunin Exam."
"Among those people, there is no shortage of once-in-a-century geniuses and strong Kekkei Genkai users. Most importantly, the Kazekage and Tsuchikage have also been invited."
Since Hashirama fell ill with a terminal disease, the five great ninja villages have been in turmoil. After careful consideration, Tobirama sent out this invitation, hoping that Genin from each ninja village would come to participate in this Chunin Exam.
On one hand, it was to ease the tension caused by maintaining the balance of power between the ninja villages. On the other hand, it was to showcase the spirit and strength of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. To let the other Kage understand.
Even if his brother Hashirama was terminally ill, the strength of the Village Hidden in the Leaves was still very strong!
"Moreover, through this opportunity, the heads of the various clans in Konoha can witness Kazekaze's talent. Especially the Uchiha clan." Tobirama thought to himself.
He personally had no significant issues with the Uchiha clan, but anyone who could threaten the village was a target he had to treat cautiously. It's just that the Uchiha clan was the strongest. They were the ones to pay the most attention to.
In reality… Before Kazekaze appeared, the Senju clan faced the predicament of having no successors. Even if Tobirama wanted to cultivate a Hokage from within the clan, there was no candidate. This made all the clans covet the position of the Third Hokage. But now with Kazekaze. Tobirama naturally hoped these clans would give up the idea of vying for the Hokage position.
"Besides, there's my brother's lifespan. Although I have temporarily stabilized my brother's condition with medication, it could worsen at any moment. Once my brother passes away, the other village's Kage might start a war. As the Second Hokage, I naturally have to go to the battlefield to protect the village."
In fact, this was also the reason Tobirama was eager to cultivate Kazekaze and elevate him to power. Although Kazekaze indeed had the potential to be Hokage, and Tobirama was certain that with Kazekaze's terrifying talent, it wouldn't take ten years for him to become Hokage!
However… Could his brother Hashirama really live that long? Tobirama wasn't very confident about that.
If his brother Hashirama died. And he himself perished on the battlefield. Kazekaze, without any backing, even with terrifying talent, might not become Hokage. He might even suffer because of his talents!
In other words, as long as Tobirama and Hashirama were alive, Kazekaze was the legitimate successor, the primary connection to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. If they were gone. Kazekaze would just be Kazekaze. Having walked through the Warring States period, Tobirama knew the cruelty of war better than anyone.
"Five years. At most five years, I must cultivate Kazekaze into Hokage!" Tobirama secretly vowed, making up his mind.
And this five-year deadline was Hashirama's lifespan! Tobirama's gaze slightly focused, and he clenched his right fist,
"I've never lost a bet with my brother, so this time, brother, no matter what, you must live for another five years."
Two days later… The Chunin Selection Exams officially began! Early in the morning, Kazekaze opened the window of his bedroom and took a deep breath of fresh air.
"Chunin Exams, here I come!"