The Chunin Exams are divided into three phases: the written test, the practical application, and finally, the individual ability showcase.
The written test is an indispensable part of every Chunin Exam, while the practical phase is arranged by the organizers. The final showcase of individual ability is more straightforward:
One-on-one combat.
Currently, Kakashi was staying in his office. Hayama Shirakumo and Itachi Uchiha, who were responsible for maintaining order during the exams, were reporting the situation to him.
"The Kazekage's entourage has been placed under the surveillance of the Hyūga ninja and the Police Force. If they make a move, they will be apprehended immediately."
"Additionally, the residents near their quarters were relocated before their arrival and replaced by village ninja in disguise."
Itachi Uchiha flipped through the mission report in his hand, relaying the details to Kakashi one by one.
"Beyond that, regarding Orochimaru—we have yet to find any trace of him."
Hearing Itachi's words, Kakashi wasn't surprised.
With Orochimaru's mastery of disguise, few could ever hope to find him unless he chose to reveal himself.
"I understand. Shizune is in charge of the Chunin Exams; the three of you should consult with one another over the next two days."
"As for anything else, don't worry about it."
Following Kakashi's instructions, Itachi and Hayama acknowledged the order and took their leave.
Once they had departed, Kakashi summoned Hayate Gekkō.
He told Hayate to bring a message to Tenzō.
During the Chunin Exams, he was to immediately lead his team to lockdown Konoha—entry was permitted, but no one was allowed to leave.
"Tell him to oversee it personally."
Hayate Gekkō received the order and prepared to leave, but Kakashi added that final sentence as an afterthought.
It sent a chill through Hayate's heart.
As Kakashi's personal Anbu bodyguard, he was privy to almost all of Kakashi's affairs during his tenure—or rather, Kakashi never made any effort to hide things from him.
Consequently, Hayate was well aware of many secrets.
He was especially aware of the strength of the Anbu Captain.
As a user of Wood Style, Tenzō had been bestowed with a Sage Mark [a unique empowerment sigil] by Kakashi.
One could say that within the entire Hidden Leaf, he was one of the few experts—aside from Kakashi himself—who could trade more than thirty blows with the Jōnin Commander, Might Guy.
Kakashi had once considered giving Hayate a Sage Mark as well, but unfortunately, Hayate's physical condition wouldn't allow his body to handle its power.
Meanwhile, the written portion of the Chunin Exams had concluded.
That single test alone had eliminated nearly two-thirds of the Genin.
The five teams of Genin brought by the Raikage from the Hidden Cloud Village were completely wiped out during the written phase.
Kakashi sat alone atop his own likeness on the Hokage Rock, gazing down at the Hidden Leaf, which could no longer be described as a mere "village."
The wind ruffled his hair. His gaze seemed to pierce through the peaceful, prosperous city to see the dark undercurrents surging within.
"What is my Lord Hokage doing all the way up here?"
A slightly playful voice reached his ears. In the entire village, only Hikari and Kurenai spoke to Kakashi in such a tone.
"What's wrong?"
"Aren't you staying with Ichigo and the others?"
Kakashi looked at the newcomer, suppressing the worries in his heart and speaking with a smile.
"I was just worried about you, wasn't I?"
Hikari walked over and sat down beside Kakashi.
She had sensed the undercurrents within Konoha; even the Anbu presence near the Hatake estate had increased by an entire squad.
"You should stay close to Kurenai and the children these next few days."
Kakashi smiled, dismissing the concern in Hikari's voice.
"Has something happened?"
Twelve years had passed, and Hikari had long since come to view this village as her home. If necessary, she didn't mind revealing her own power.
"As a husband, if I still needed my wife to clean up after me at work, wouldn't that make me look too incompetent?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Hikari's eyes shifted, but she didn't say much. She simply reached out and gripped Kakashi's hand tightly.
"But we are husband and wife, aren't we?"
"You've always liked taking everything upon yourself."
"I thought you might change a bit after we got married, but I didn't expect you to get even worse..."
The blunt words from Hikari's mouth caused Kakashi to fall into a brief silence.
"Hikari, if someone wanted to use a jutsu to shroud the entire world—to pull all of humanity into an illusion to live out a beautiful dream without pain for the rest of their lives..."
"What do you think of that idea?"
Kakashi spoke after a moment of quiet reflection.
"Huh?"
"How could such a jutsu exist? Even my Yachihoko couldn't achieve something like that."
Hikari shook her head.
"But what if it did?" Kakashi asked again.
"No one can make decisions for me, not even you, Kakashi. I still want to watch Ichigo and Mirai grow up."
"If someone never experiences a single failure while growing up, they will choose to run away and give up the moment they encounter an insurmountable obstacle."
"I don't want Ichigo to become that kind of person."
Hikari didn't answer directly, instead using her son as an example.
"I see."
Kakashi smiled.
Obito Uchiha was an Uchiha, and Hikari was an Uchiha as well.
Originally, Kakashi had been wondering if he should team up with Hikari to take Obito down the next time they met.
Now, it seemed...
"Hikari, do you remember why I went looking for your sealing place in the first place?" Kakashi prompted.
"Ah, I remember. You said you were looking for the true culprit behind the Night of the Nine-Tails."
"But didn't that guy show up later?" Hikari blinked as she spoke.
"The next time we meet him, team up with me and let's kill him."
Upon hearing this, Hikari stood up slowly in front of Kakashi.
A bright smile spread across her face, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Hikari, now Kakashi's wife, extended her fair hand toward her husband.
"Since Kakashi is asking his wife for help..."
"Then it's a promise."
"No backing out."
This was the first time.
It was the first time Kakashi had ever reached out to someone else for help.
And that person was his wife, Hikari.
Hikari felt a sense of satisfaction that Kakashi was no longer choosing to bear everything alone.
Even if the opponent was the culprit who could control the Nine-Tails and caused the death of Kakashi's sensei, Minato Namikaze, Hikari didn't care in the slightest.
As long as Kakashi was by her side, it was enough.
"Honestly, you're over five hundred years old, yet you're acting like a child."
Kakashi smiled helplessly, looking at his wife's face—which had never changed—backlit by the sun. He let her pull him to his feet.
"What do you mean 'five hundred years old'? I am clearly forever seventeen."
"Still a young maiden, you know~"
Hikari winked playfully at Kakashi.
Looking at his wife, a tender smile played at the corners of Kakashi's mouth.
So be it.
He would let this world change according to his will.
Obito Uchiha...
I'm sorry.
The next time we meet will be the day you die.
If you have anything to say, go tell it to Kushina and Rin in the Pure Land.
Seven days passed in succession, and the Chunin Exams unfolded in full swing.
With the conclusion of the second exam in the Forest of Death, the roster for the final championship duels had finally appeared.
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