Kakashi remained silent, and for a moment, he even began to believe Zabuza's words.
Kakashi had always been a somewhat skeptical person.
"Is that so? If it came to that, what would Kirigakure do?"
This question seemed to be about Kirigakure, but if Konoha were strong...
It could also be interpreted as Konoha assessing Kirigakure's stance.
"Heh, first of all, I have no idea what that woman is thinking."
"Secondly, that woman has no plans to establish diplomatic relations with other Ninja Villages, which is also the intention of Elder Genji. "
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief, "Is that so? I thought if it really came to that, Kirigakure would help Konoha."
While he said this, Kakashi's vigilance actually increased.
As a Ninja, one couldn't unconditionally trust an unfamiliar Ninja, especially one from another Ninja Village.
But if Kirigakure really had such a plan, Zabuza had no reason to reveal it.
Zabuza took the plate of dango handed to him by the shop owner.
For once, he unwrapped the bandages from his face.
"I'm just guessing, it's okay as long as you have the basic idea in your mind."
Watching Zabuza devour the dango, Kakashi really wasn't in the mood to eat.
Although he didn't know where Zabuza got this speculation from, it did make sense.
After all, the current Konoha is no longer the Konoha that could single-handedly stand against the other four great Ninja Villages.
Kakashi was considering whether to report this to the Hokage.
Then he saw Zabuza shove two skewers of dango into Haku's hands.
Looking at the empty plate, Kakashi was stunned for a moment before hearing Zabuza call out, "Let's go. Don't forget to pay."
Kakashi couldn't believe it and quickly glanced again...
Next to the plate was a single bamboo skewer left by Zabuza.
And in Haku's hands were indeed two skewers...
Kakashi suddenly was at a loss for words.
He could only shout at the retreating figure of the Demon of the Hidden Mist, "Hey! I haven't eaten yet. Don't you have any money?"
Zabuza didn't turn back. "If you want to eat, order your own. That woman confiscated all my money..."
As Zabuza's voice grew fainter, Kakashi finally realized they were really gone.
Kakashi was speechless, even suspecting that Zabuza's earlier words were just a ploy.
He deliberately said those things to distract Kakashi, then took the opportunity to pull a fast one.
After paying the shop owner, Kakashi didn't order another serving.
Although he wasn't sure whether Zabuza's words were true or not, they still left Kakashi feeling down.
'Maybe... I should report this to Hokage-sama first?'
Kakashi thought, then felt his phone vibrate in his vest pocket.
After pulling it out, an 'Update Notification' was prominently displayed.
[New version available. Click to update...]
…
"Forget it, let's see what's in the new update first... I'll decide later whether to report it to Hokage-sama."
…
[The Chunin Exams]
"This is..."
Kakashi stared at the title of the new volume, his eye widening.
With a mix of excitement and unease, he clicked on it.
---
[The mission in the Land of Waves is over, and Team 7 has returned to the village...]
[However, what awaits Naruto and the others is a new challenge… the Chunin Exams]
[To participate in the Chunin Exams, outstanding Genin from across the Ninja World have gathered in Konoha]
[Along with the excitement comes friction and conflict]
---
Kakashi calmly watched the storyline.
He felt this volume followed Yuto's usual style… dropping hints before the events unfolded.
The first volume was like this, and so was the second.
The claim in the storyline that 'outstanding Genin from across the Ninja World' had gathered was clearly exaggerated.
After all, Konoha had only invited some smaller villages nearby, Sunagakure, and the newly allied Kirigakure.
As for Iwagakure and Kumogakure, there had been no news of their participation.
'But... it seemed the story was set after the Ninjas from other villages had gathered in Konoha.'
'In other words... today?!'
Kakashi quickly made the judgment. He had just seen Zabuza confronting the Sunagakure Ninjas.
'According to what Hokage-sama had said earlier, the Chunin Exams would begin in seven days!'
---
After clearing the first level, Kakashi continued playing while walking, quickly passing through several more levels.
'It seems that if nothing unexpected happens, Naruto, Sasuke and others already interacted with the Sunagakure Genin today.'
'Though the method of interaction... might have been physical.'
By the fifth level, Kakashi realized that the timeline had jumped forward seven days!
In the following storyline, there wasn't anything particularly noteworthy.
Everything proceeded as Konoha had planned.
The proctors' interference.
The first stage of the Chunin Exams: the written test.
The second stage of the Chunin Exams: The Forest of Death...
'There was also a small subplot, but it seemed to involve that bushy-browed student of Guy's.'
'What? A match against Sasuke? Hmph... looks like he might actually win.'
Kakashi found the Genin, who resembled Guy, oddly amusing.
A Ninja who relied not on Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, but solely on perseverance and Taijutsu.
Such a ninja could indeed become a true Ninja!
Guy was a living example.
And so was Guy's father, Might Duy.
But aside from that, there wasn't much else worth mentioning.
Kakashi was still a little puzzled, 'The first two volumes had been tightly focused on their themes and had revealed a lot of information.'
'So why did the third volume seem to offer so much less?'
'How strange...'
Kakashi didn't dwell on it. Seeing that there were still a few stages left, he figured the useful information might be hidden in those.
[Level Eight: Otogakure Ninja's First Appearance!]
'Otogakure Ninja?'
Kakashi had some recollection, 'This must be a village that had registered just this year.'
'Its Ninjas seemed to use some kind of 'secret technique,' attacking through sound waves, which was quite unique.'
'And apparently, their village leader had personally come to Konoha to register for the Chunin Exams. Their leader... seemed to be a woman.'
As the de facto top Ninja Village, Konoha didn't pay much attention to applications from smaller villages and had casually approved it.
As for the rest, Kakashi didn't have much of an impression.
Similarly, he didn't take the Otogakure Ninja too seriously.
But since the storyline mentioned them, he felt it was worth keeping an eye on.
He continued progressing through the storyline.
By the eleventh level, the level's title was - [Giant Snake Descends.]
When Kakashi was in the level, he looked at this 'giant snake' and felt a little uneasy.
'Trembling? Why are my hands trembling?'
Kakashi didn't understand, but the feeling of unease grew stronger.
There were no enemies around, and Kakashi was quite confident in Konoha's security.
After calming himself and sensing his surroundings, he confirmed there was nothing unusual.
So he continued clearing the level.
After completing the eleventh level... the twelfth level begins.
The title of the level is – [Orochimaru's Scheme].