Meanwhile, at the Hokage Headquarters.
A large number of ninjas had gathered, most of them Jōnin.
The Chūnin Exams were the top event of the year, requiring the reception of many outsiders from other villages.
During this period, vigilance was critical—any infiltration by external forces had to be prevented at all costs.
If chaos erupted in Konoha, the village's reputation would take a huge hit.
The Daimyō might suspect negligence and reduce funding.
"Should I go play the role of an examiner?"
Jiraiya stroked his chin.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with narrow red facial markings and waist-length white hair that spiked like a white porcupine's quills, he wore a red overcoat and wooden sandals.
It seemed more people had come this year than in previous exams.
That meant he could see more beautiful women, and… oh, not to ogle—research purposes, of course.
It was all for a great work he had in mind, still in its embryonic stage and not yet written.
"Idiot."
Tsunade punched him on the head.
Seeing Jiraiya's lecherous expression, she knew he wasn't thinking anything good.
"Ouch, Tsunade!"
Jiraiya immediately suppressed his mischievous expression, clutching the spot she had hit.
Tsunade's abnormal strength made her blows painfully effective even under normal circumstances.
Other Jōnin, seeing Jiraiya like this, ignored it out of habit.
The Third Hokage's three disciples were all powerful, though two had character flaws:
One was never serious, obsessed with peeping since childhood.
One had a gambling nature, losing more than winning.
Only Orochimaru maintained some semblance of seriousness.
"Teacher Sarutobi is coming over."
Orochimaru smiled faintly, licking the corner of his mouth.
Jiraiya instantly straightened up.
Tsunade remained bored, listening to the Konoha elders and Jōnin discuss matters.
She rested her hands on her chest as if supporting the weight of it all.
"Now, the examiner assignments."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was satisfied with Orochimaru's composure, though regrettably, Orochimaru was too close to Danzo.
The village had reports of missing infants and ninjas; Sarutobi could not help but worry.
He feared his prized disciple might go astray like Danzo.
Then he turned to another young man with a gentle smile.
Minato Namikaze.
A ninja with the pure Will of Fire.
"Orochimaru, you will be the chief examiner for the first exam. Minato, you will oversee the second exam as chief examiner, assisting the other examiners."
Sarutobi gave his orders.
With his seasoned eyes, he could see Minato's exceptional talent.
The S-rank Hiraishin no Jutsu required extraordinary aptitude; few in Konoha could master it.
Yet Minato had been allowed to learn it, and surprisingly, he mastered the long-lost technique in no time after the Second Hokage's death.
"Understood, Teacher Sarutobi," Orochimaru's hoarse voice replied.
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama," Minato responded.
He was also curious to see the new Jade, and to observe… the Uchiha Kiyoshi, frequently mentioned by Kushina.
...
Night fell.
The Uchiha convened a meeting.
In a dim chamber beneath the Nanko Shrine, the flickering flames illuminated every face.
"Remember, this Chūnin Exam is extraordinary and may determine the future course of events."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke solemnly at the front.
Over forty years since the village's founding, two world-spanning Ninja Wars had already occurred.
When would the next war erupt?
Would it be larger or smaller than the previous two?
All was unknown.
Everyone was blindfolded, groping their way in darkness.
Even Fugaku himself.
Listening to Fugaku's passionate speech about maintaining the clan's honor, sitting at the back, Kiyoshi remained expressionless.
From the Naruto Shippuden ending as a reference point, one could see that within a century of the village's founding, four world-class wars had already erupted.
All because of resources and money—conflicts that could not be resolved through production, only through war and plunder.
Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts, maintaining balance, but only a fragile peace.
Upon his death, war broke out. Nations fought over the Tailed Beasts, using them as weapons.
"This time, I hope you all do your best."
Fugaku called out several ninjas participating in the Chūnin Exams, including Kiyoshi.
"Yes, Lord Fugaku. I will show the Uchiha's might!"
Uchiha Tetsuka's name was also on the list.
Fugaku nodded slightly, looking at Kiyoshi.
Recently, Kiyoshi had completed a C-rank mission with exceptional results.
His employer was very pleased with Kiyoshi, bearing the Uchiha name.
"Kiyoshi, I hope to see you in the Chūnin combat uniform in a few days," Fugaku said.
"Yes," Kiyoshi replied.
Even if he became Chūnin, he wouldn't wear the green ninja vest—it was too cumbersome.
He preferred a thin, breathable chainmail underneath.
With that thought, his gaze fell on a spot among the clan members.
Uchiha Hazuki seemed to sense Kiyoshi's gaze, a prickling awareness down her spine.
She lowered her eyes, clutching the black pants over her shapely thighs.
She hoped Kiyoshi wouldn't really pass.
If he did, he would be her equal—also a Chūnin.
And being older than him, it was clear whose potential and value were greater.
"I need to make a move," Hazuki thought, mentally preparing for the cost.
Offending a genius would not be wise.
By the time the moon rose high, the area outside Nanko Shrine was quiet.
Clan members emerged one by one, ending the gathering.
"Fugaku, are you lost in thought?"
With everyone gone, Fugaku sat alone, massaging his forehead.
Mikoto stayed behind and asked the reason.
"There's a lingering unease in my mind," Uchiha Fugaku replied.
As head of the clan, he saw problems far ahead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had repeatedly hinted that wars might break out, urging ninja clan leaders to prepare.
If Konoha fell, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Every clan leader knew the meaning of "lips and teeth depend on each other."
It gave Fugaku a headache.
"All right, all right. Our clan still has new talent, like Kiyoshi," Mikoto comforted him.
Wars might come, but through centuries of constant battles, the Uchiha had weathered countless conflicts.
They could survive this one as well.
"Yes," Fugaku nodded.
Kiyoshi's talent was clear, perfectly inheriting two kinds of kekkei genkai.
His potential far surpassed other Uchiha—a prodigy in the making.
(End of Chapter)