"That should be enough, Lady Tsunade. This is the limit of what we can change. But… can Kakashi really stand by your side? He feels more like a devotee of the Will of Fire."
Kabuto handed Tsunade some processed documents, pushing his glasses as he spoke.
Kakashi had been removed from ANBU and placed in charge of the Third Ninja Battalion, composed mostly of civilians. Meanwhile, ANBU's authority was stripped away, with most civilian-born ANBU reassigned to the Shadow Guard and Root. Under Kabuto's maneuvers, ANBU was reduced to just forty members, while Kimimaro's Root swelled to more than one hundred thirty.
Including the Police Force, Tsunade could now mobilize over a thousand troops in short order.
Then, those forty ANBU were dispatched on long-term missions to the Land of Craftsmen, the Land of Hot Water, and other places. In Konoha itself, only a four-man team under Sarutobi Shin'nosuke remained.
This was the treatment ANBU received after the current Hokage tore off the mask of politeness. Because ANBU missions were confidential, the rest of the village knew nothing, aside from Tsunade and the Sarutobi clan.
Shin'nosuke never imagined Tsunade would act so decisively against his clan. He had no way to resist, and with his father often absent from the village, he could only endure silently—urging his clansmen to take special care of those on missions so they wouldn't perish in the field.
"Kabuto, first understand who truly represents the Will of Fire. Compared with the former Hokage, who will Kakashi listen to?"
Taking the files, Tsunade looked at him.
"Perhaps. But to others, Lady Tsunade, what you're doing looks like betrayal. Most people are shallow. All they see is their 'home' gone, not whether there is peace."
Kabuto shook his head. He, of all people, now longed most for peace. Who would have thought this small village called Konoha had so many issues? The Sand Federation's territory was half again larger than the Land of Fire, yet the Kazekage handled nearly the same workload as the Hokage. It made no sense.
"Others may be ignorant, but Kakashi will stand with me," Tsunade said firmly. His nature resembled Nara Shikaku's—too many deaths around him had driven him into self-avoidance. It reminded her of herself once. But since something had pulled him back, Kakashi might even be grateful.
"Go notify them."
Today was Ninja Academy graduation day. Once students were assigned, they would immediately begin mission training, preparing for the Chunin Exams in four months.
When the falcon's signal spread across Konoha, the jonin who received it gathered one after another at the Hokage's office.
When all had arrived, Tsunade picked up the graduation roster and addressed them. "You should know why you were called. I'll be direct—there are twenty classes, so we need twenty jonin or special jonin as instructors. Because the Chunin Exams are only months away, you must train your squads strictly and get them to standard."
The news of the Chunin Exams was officially released today, though notifications had already gone to the Sand Federation, Grass, Rain, and other villages.
Some here were only learning now, and many found it hard to believe.
"The Chunin Exams? Lady Tsunade, do you mean the fresh graduates are to take the exam in a few months?" Iruka asked in shock. Since class assignments were involved, he and two other academy teachers had also come.
"Forgive me, Lady Tsunade, but the exams are too difficult for new genin. Forcing them into it will cause heavy casualties."
Seeing Iruka's agitation, Tsunade tapped the desk. "Calm down, Iruka. Six years at the Academy prepare them to be shinobi. From graduation, they must accept that fate. And the Chunin Exams cannot be avoided. If they aren't ready, their instructors won't permit them to pass."
"This involves the entire ninja world—the Five Great Nations and many smaller ones. Even I can only ensure our graduates receive the best treatment possible."
She wasn't exaggerating. From three classes of graduates, she had already gathered twenty jonin and special jonin. In the past, weaker students were simply thrown into Chunin squads.
This time, the Mission Department had even selected C-rank and D-rank missions suitable for practice, to push the new genin quickly into their roles.
Iruka still protested, "But, Lady Tsunade—"
"Iruka, the decision is final."
Her firm tone left no room. Iruka realized his words could not sway a Hokage, and stepped back, dispirited.
"Ebisu, you'll lead Team One. Students are… Yamashiro Aoba will lead Team Two, students are…"
"Yūhi Kurenai, Team Eight—students: Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Choji. Hyuga Kiyo, Team Nine—students: Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Haruno Sakura."
Once Tsunade finished announcing all twenty squads, the chosen jonin and special jonin stepped forward.
This year was unusual. The "Byakugan Princess" and the "Illusion Sunset" would serve as instructors. Especially Hyuga Kiyo—head of the Hyuga clan and Police Force captain—clearly had a role beyond ordinary jonin.
Some sharp-eyed jonin glanced at the clan heads of the Nara, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, and Aburame. Seeing their impassive faces, they realized the news had already reached them.
With instructors assigned, Tsunade leaned forward, her tone serious. "This year's graduates, plus those from the last two years—Konoha must field at least fifteen teams in the Chunin Exams. Train them well. That's all."
"Understood."
The jonin replied in unison and left, heading for the Academy to collect their squads.
This time there would be no "Will of Fire" spirit tests. The jonin's job was to get the fresh graduates combat-ready in the shortest time possible.
Those who failed would either be sent to the battalions or back to school.
Ninja Academy
Most students hadn't sensed the village's tense atmosphere. They dreamed of their shinobi future—like a game, completing missions, stumbling upon treasure, inheriting scrolls from retired or fallen Hokage, and quickly becoming jonin.
Some even plotted it out—Chunin in one year, Jonin in three, and running for Sixth Hokage within five.
Only clan heirs and talented students felt something off in the air.
"I wonder who my instructor will be. Sakura, I hope we're in the same team. I heard you've been training at the hospital. How's that going?"
Yamanaka Ino slumped on her desk. Lately, her father had forced her to practice clan techniques every day, leaving no time to play.
After Sasuke's departure, her relationship with Haruno Sakura had mended, though their rivalry had shifted from Uchiha Sasuke to grades.
"Not bad. Shizune-senpai is strict, but satisfied with my progress. I can already use two medical jutsu."
Sakura's chakra control was likely the best of her year. Without the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, she might have been Kurenai's disciple.
Before long, jonin began calling students from class. Tension spread.
As the remaining students realized they were down to Teams Eight and Nine, Ino muttered, "I wonder who our jonin will be. My dad knows but won't say a word."
"Adult mischief," Shikamaru yawned. His own father had dragged him into training too, and he'd noticed Choji's and Ino's fathers busy as well. Anything that brought the three together was never small.
"Team Eight."
"Team Nine!"
Two voices rang out at once. Sakura and the others turned to the door. The teacher had already announced the lists.
"Kiyo, we seem late. Should we test them together? Then we can share lunch," Kurenai teased, tilting her head.
Kiyo gave her a look, then resumed his stern instructor demeanor.
"Team Eight, assemble at Training Ground Three. Fail to arrive in two minutes, and you'll face five hours of Taijutsu training."
Smiling sweetly at Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, she vanished in a Body Flicker.
"Training Ground Three, two minutes?"
The trio's jaws dropped. That ground was on Konoha's edge. Impossible.
"Team Nine, Training Ground Four. Fail to arrive in two minutes, training until eight o'clock." Kiyo said flatly, then flickered away as well.
That ground was even farther. Unless they already had Chunin speed, Kiba, Shino, and Sakura were doomed.
"What kind of teacher is this—"
"Shut it, Ino! We'll be late!"
Shikamaru smacked Choji, who dropped his chips. They leapt out the window. Sakura's inner self barely had time to grumble before she too jumped.
All six sprinted desperately toward their training grounds.
(End of Chapter)