Author's Note: I'm currently balancing my university studies with writing, and things can get pretty tight. If you enjoy my work, even a $1 donation on Patreon makes a massive difference in helping me cover my education expenses.
Also, I'm going to create a new fanfic, so there are a few voting polls to decide on the story will continue. I would appreciate it if you can go to my Patreon and cast your vote. The more feedback, the better.
If you're able to help out, you can find the link at the bottom of this chapter. Thank you for making it possible for me to keep writing!
patreon.com/Nauty_Manu
********
~A few minutes ago~
In the office of the Hokage, all the jonin instructors were gathered inside. They stood at attention, looking at Tsunade, who was sitting behind the desk and looking back at them with a serious expression. Standing next to her was Hiruzen, his pipe in his hand, looking out the window at the bustling village below.
The atmosphere in the room was quite tense. These jonin, who were part of the backbone of Konoha, knew why they were called over. The Chunin Exams were just around the corner, and this year's event was going to be completely different from anything they had experienced before.
Tsunade laced her fingers together on the desk, her sharp amber eyes scanning the faces of the jonin.
"I've called you all here because the preparations for the Chunin Exam are officially complete," Tsunade said as he looked at every single one of them. "As you all know, this year we are opening the gates to everyone. The older genin who have been held back in previous years will be participating alongside the rookies."
A few jonin who still had older genin nodded, but nobody dared to interrupt her.
"This means the competition will be much fiercer and far more dangerous than the usual exams," Tsunade continued, throwing a quick glance at Hiruzen, who simply kept smoking his pipe without a word. "The nobles and dignitaries from various countries are already arriving. They want to see Konoha's strength. I expect every single one of your teams to show the true power of our village."
She then picked up a stack of official registration forms from her desk.
"Now, let's begin the official recommendations. As jonin leaders, it is your responsibility to decide if your students are ready to face this meat grinder." Tsunade looked up, her gaze landing directly on a lazy man leaning against the back wall. "Let's start with you, Kakashi. What is the status of Team 7?"
Kakashi slowly looked up from his orange book, slipping it back into his pouch. He closed his single visible eye in a relaxed smile, but his tone was completely serious.
"Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno," Kakashi stated clearly, stepping forward. "As their sensei, I recommend all three of them for the Chunin Exams."
Tsunade nodded, not asking any further. She knew especially how strong those brats are. Especially that kid Naruto, who could practically call upon the strongest ninja village to fight with him.
Then she turned to look at the next jonin instructor, who is none other than Kakashi's best buddy, Might Guy.
Might Guy stepped forward and, with his iconic blinding smile that practically sparkled in the serious atmosphere of the office, gave Tsunade a sharp thumbs-up.
"Team 3! Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten!" Guy shouted with pure passion, his voice echoing loudly, "They have trained through sweat, blood, and tears! Their youthful power is at its absolute peak, Hokage-sama! I recommend all three of them without a single doubt!"
Tsunade rubbed her temples slightly, already feeling a small headache coming from Guy's overwhelming energy. But she couldn't deny the strength of his team. Neji was a genius of the Hyuga clan, and the other two were exceptionally hardworking. Adding the fact of Rock Lee's exceptional taijutsu talent, this team was a real taijutsu-specialized team.
"Very well," Tsunade said, marking her sheet. She then shifted her sharp gaze to the next two jonin standing nearby. "Asuma, Kurenai. What about your teams? They are rookies just like Kakashi's group."
Asuma Sarutobi stepped forward first, taking a slow puff from his cigarette before blowing the smoke toward the ceiling. He looked quite relaxed, but his eyes were filled with absolute confidence in his students.
"Team 10. Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka," Asuma stated calmly. "The new generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio is fully prepared. I recommend them for the exams."
Right next to him, Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward with a graceful smile. "Team 8. Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga. They have tracked down countless difficult targets and developed excellent teamwork. I recommend them as well."
Hearing that all the rookie teams were being put forward, a murmur went through some of the older jonin in the room. They couldn't help but feel that these instructors were being way too reckless with their young students, especially with the brutal nature of this year's exam.
You know, usually, genin need at least two years of training before they can attempt the Chunin exams. Although such a restriction was lifted during wartime, now is obviously not such a special situation.
Tsunade ignored these whispers and began to ask every other jonin instructor who they would recommend. After everyone spoke their own recommendations, Tsunade gave Shizune a look. Shizune nodded and then began to distribute some forms to each jonin.
"These are the official registration and consent forms," Tsunade announced as she looked at everyone. "Give them to your students. Even if you recommend them, the choice to enter this exam ultimately belongs to them. If they choose to participate, they must sign these and hand them in before the deadline."
The jonin all nodded. They understood this procedure as they had also gone through this more than once.
"They have exactly one week to prepare themselves," Tsunade continued, leaning forward and resting her chin on her crossed hands. "Make sure they understand the risks. I don't want any half-hearted fools crying on the battlefield."
"Understood, Hokage-sama," the jonin answered in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.
With a final wave of her hand, Tsunade dismissed the meeting. "That is all. Dismissed."
...
"So, in short, we need to fill out this form and hand it over to the Hokage office before the three days deadline " Naruto asked as he looked at Kakashi with a raised eyebrow.
" Yes " Kakashi nodded, and then he added, " Also, if you want to participate, you all should participate as a team. Otherwise, none of you would be able to participate. "
"Wait, really?" Sakura blinked, looking down at the crisp paper in her hands. "So if even one of us decides not to take it, the whole team is disqualified?"
"Exactly," Kakashi closed his eye in a lazy eye-smile, though his voice remained firm. "The Chunin Exam is called a small battlefield, and on the battlefield, you cannot step in if your team is in shambles."
Sasuke let out a quiet hmph, a confident smirk appearing on his face as he stared down at his own sheet of paper. "As if anyone here is going to back down."
" Yeah, we will show those guys how strong we are " Naruto nodded as he gave Kakashi a confident smile.
Sakura, who was the weakest amongst the three of them, also nodded. There was no fear in her eyes as she knew that her two teammates would definitely protect her, who is only a weak medical ninja who could only use chakra-enhanced strength to defend herself.
"Good. Take the forms home, sign them, and meet me before the deadline," Kakashi said, turning around to leap onto the fence post. "Use these next few days to rest your bodies and mentally prepare. The competition this year isn't just coming from Konoha; the other ninjas from the other ninja villages are also your enemies."
With a sudden poof, a cloud of white smoke erupted, and Kakashi vanished from the training ground, leaving the three rookies alone in the ruined clearing.
Naruto tucked his form securely into his pouch, looking around at the shattered, smoking crater they had created earlier with a wide grin. "Well, since Kakashi-sensei told us to prepare... Sasuke, what do you say we go for one more round before heading home?"
Sasuke's Sharingan instantly flared back to life, the crimson wheels spinning furiously. "Hmph. Don't cry when I beat your ass this time."
"Bring it on!" Naruto laughed, clapping his hands together as his chakra flared up once again.
Seeing these hotheads were already getting ready to fight, Sakura shook her head with exasperation and went to a nearby tree to sit down and read some medical books.