Time passed quickly. Before they knew it, the graduates of Konoha's 60th class had already been Genin for a season.
In a few months, even teams composed of civilians had transformed from rookies into qualified Genin.
Genin squads with excellent potential and performance, under the guidance of their Jonin leaders, had already left Konoha to carry out C-Rank Missions, fought enemies, seen blood, and completed their transformation.
As the end of June approached, the Jonin who knew what major events were coming up stopped taking on missions outside the village, instead letting their subordinates continue with miscellaneous tasks.
Genin squads on missions outside the village had also returned one after another.
The grand event for Genin was about to begin.
Kree—
On this day, Eighth Squad was cleaning up garbage for the village as usual.
At that moment, a loud hawk's cry rang out in the sky, as if it spread throughout the entire Konoha.
Hearing the hawk's cry, the Jonin looked up at the sky, their eyes flashing as they watched the hawk circling above the village.
"After you finish your mission, go to the Hokage Building to collect your reward, then disband on your own. Meet at the Old Place at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
Kurenai Yuhi left these words and disappeared in a flash.
Like her, many other Jonin also left.
Streaks of afterimages flashed as they converged towards the Hokage Building.
"Is something big happening again?" Shino Aburame said calmly, looking at the constantly screeching hawk, "Since the alarm hasn't been sounded, it seems to be an internal matter."
"It should be that some important day has arrived," Izayoi said with a smile. "Don't forget, the Chunin Exams haven't been held yet this year."
Hearing this, Hinata and Shino Aburame's eyes behind their sunglasses both lit up slightly.
Looking at the smiling Izayoi and the expectant Hinata, Shino Aburame asked, "If the Chunin Exams really are coming, Izayoi, Hinata, do you plan to participate?"
"I want to participate."
Before Izayoi could answer, Hinata spoke up.
Izayoi also smiled and said, "If Hinata participates, I'll participate too. And we both have the strength to participate, don't we?"
"Yeah."
Shino Aburame put his hands in his pockets and nodded coolly, "Since you both plan to participate, then naturally I can't be missing."
"Then let us fight side by side and let the other Genin see the strength of Eighth Squad."
Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino Aburame looked at each other and smiled confidently.
Like them, there were also veteran Genin who had participated in the Chunin Exams before, even many times, and had survived, just a little bit of luck away from being promoted to Chunin.
...
June 27th, nine o'clock in the morning.
Eighth Squad was already waiting for Teacher Kurenai at the Old Place.
A few minutes later, Kurenai Yuhi appeared before them in a Body Flicker Technique, holding three documents in her hand, and smiled, "Sorry, I'm late."
"Teacher Kurenai, are these the Chunin Exams application forms?" Hinata asked, looking at the documents in Kurenai Yuhi's hand.
"Looks like you all know," Kurenai Yuhi raised the documents in her hand and smiled, "That's right, these three are all Chunin Exams application forms. The Hokage summoned all of us Jonin instructors yesterday and announced that the opening date for this year's Chunin Exams is July 1st."
"Although you only graduated a few months ago, your performance and strength qualify you to participate in the Chunin Exams, so I've already signed you up."
"Of course, signing up doesn't mean you have to participate. If you're not confident enough in yourselves, you can choose not to participate in the Chunin Exams and just throw away this application form."
"If you're confident in your strength, sign this application form and submit it to the Comprehensive Building before 3:30 PM on July 1st, and arrive at the examination room on time."
Handing the three application forms to Izayoi, who was the default leader, Kurenai Yuhi lied, "Discuss and consider it carefully these few days, don't force yourselves, and don't force your teammates. It's not necessary for all three of you to participate in the Chunin Exams."
After saying that, Kurenai Yuhi disappeared in a Body Flicker Technique.
"Then I'll see you on the 1st. Shino, let's meet here at 3 PM that afternoon."
"Okay."
Izayoi handed an application form to Shino Aburame, then waved goodbye to Hinata and him.
On the way back, Izayoi handed both application forms to Hinata and said, "Sasuke invited me. Do you want to train with us these few days?"
Hinata was a little tempted, but she still shook her head and said, "No, I want to ask my Father about the Gentle Fist these few days, so I may not have time to find you, Izayoi-kun."
"Don't worry, I will definitely help you become a Chunin," Izayoi said with a smile, touching Hinata's head.
Izayoi already had a guess as to why the girl wanted to become a Chunin.
This life's Hinata is many times more outstanding than in the original story.
As the Main Family's young lady, she was originally the first heir.
Now that the first heir is so outstanding, the Clan Elders of the Main Family must already be putting pressure on the Future Father-in-Law, asking him to apply the Caged Bird Seal to Hanabi.
Hinata is in such a hurry to be promoted to Chunin, probably because she wants to become a Jonin faster, and then resist the pressure with the Future Father-in-Law, so that Hanabi won't have the Caged Bird Seal applied.
Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Izayoi's eyes.
If that's the case, then after the Chunin Exams are over, it will be necessary to visit the Hyuga Clan.
Little did he know that Hinata was in such a hurry to be promoted just to be with him legitimately.
...
"Izayoi, are you planning to participate in the Chunin Exams?"
"Of course, don't tell me you're scared?"
"Hmph, who would be scared? I will definitely be one of the people promoted to Chunin this time."
"Not necessarily, if you meet me halfway, you'll have to go home early."
"Tch..."
At night, at the Uchiha Clan Leader Residence.
In the courtyard, Izayoi and Sasuke Uchiha, who had finished training, were chatting while grilling fish.
Sparks danced before his eyes, their vibrant colors reflecting on Sasuke Uchiha's face.
Sasuke Uchiha, who was flipping the grilled fish, suddenly asked, "Izayoi, when your squad was formed, did you introduce yourselves and talk about your dreams?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Then what's your dream?" Sasuke Uchiha's gaze, separated by the fire, fixed on Izayoi, who was eating and grilling on the opposite side.
Izayoi spat out a fish bone and smiled, "My answer at the time was to become an excellent ninja."
"What's your real dream?"
"I'm afraid you won't believe me if I say it, and you'll laugh at me instead."
"I won't," Sasuke Uchiha said with a serious expression.
"Emmm..."
Izayoi stared at the burning fire and grinned, "Rather than a dream, it's more like a goal... I want to get rid of the limitations of lifespan with Hinata and be together forever."
Hearing this, Sasuke Uchiha's pupils contracted slightly.
This whimsical idea is actually a goal, not an illusory and unrealistic dream?
Is that really possible?
Before Sasuke Uchiha could continue to speak, Izayoi knowingly asked, "What about you? What's your dream?"
"Like you, rather than a dream, it's more like a goal." Sasuke Uchiha's eyes were filled with haze, and he said murderously, "I want to kill that man and avenge my parents and clan members."
"At any cost?" Izayoi asked.
"At any cost, even if it costs my life, even if I have to give my soul to the devil," Sasuke Uchiha said in a deep voice.
Staring at Sasuke Uchiha's determined expression for a few seconds, Izayoi suddenly smiled, "Don't worry, you will succeed, and you won't have to give your soul to the devil."
After all, you are my biggest source of points.
-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
To read the full translation, as well as more than 130+ full translations or to request new translations, check out: https:// randomtranslator.com/
You can also join the Random Translator Community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------