The long-awaited Chunin Exams were about to begin.
From the highest point of the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage watched the endless stream of nobles from every nation crowd the streets of Konoha. He took a long drag from his pipe, his expression unreadable as he slowly blew out a series of smoke rings. "It's finally starting," he murmured.
This Chunin Exam, hosted jointly by Konoha, was on a scale never seen before. The number of dignitaries who had arrived to spectate far exceeded expectations, drawing figures from across the entire Ninja Continent. Among them were the famed magnate and president of the World's Number One Shipping Company, Hattori, the Daimyo of the Land of Snow, Doto Kazahana, the Daimyo of the Land of Grass, Sumi, the City Lord of Hozuki Castle, Mui, the Daimyo of the Land of Demons, and even the Daimyo of the Land of Waves. From the Land of Rain, Spiral Clan had also made an appearance.
Also in attendance were the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, Shibuki, the heir-apparent of Takigakure, the ruler of the Land of Birds, the leader of Yugakure, and many more. One could say that aside from the Daimyos and hidden villages of the Five Great Nations and a few other major powers, only a handful of countries, like the Land of Iron, had not sent representatives.
With so many high-ranking figures gathered, tickets to the Chunin Exams had become nearly impossible to obtain. This was a first in Konoha's history.
Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, a man who typically ignored affairs of state in favor of indulgence, had taken an interest, insisting on coming to see the spectacle for himself as soon as he'd heard about it. To accommodate this top-tier VIP of the ninja world, the previously fixed exam schedule had been pushed back several days.
From ticket sales alone, Konoha had made a fortune, giving the village's entire economy a significant boost. They were profiting hand over fist. The exams hadn't even concluded yet, and people were already hoping the next Chunin Exams would be held soon.
'If there is a next time,' Sarutobi thought, a familiar weight settling in his chest.
"Daimyo-sama, your journey must have been long. I hope you are not too tired."
As the sovereign of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo was greeted personally by the Hokage. It was a strange political structure, Konoha held the nation's military might, yet the Hokage was still subordinate to the Daimyo. Stranger still were the rumors that the Daimyo of the Land of Wind wanted to dissolve his contract with Sunagakure and hire Konoha's shinobi instead.
From the palanquin emerged a thin man in a comically large, fan-shaped hat. He hid his mouth behind a folding fan as he let out a series of shrill laughs. "Hohoho! Sarutobi, it's been too long! How are you holding up?"
Fortunately, the previous Daimyo of the Land of Fire hadn't been a complete fool. To bind the legendary Hashirama Senju to his side, he had married his own daughter to Hashirama's son. Thus, Hashirama's grandson carried the blood of the Daimyo's clan, which was why Tsunade was also known as Princess Tsunade. By that connection, she and the current Daimyo were technically cousins.
Compared to his predecessor, however, this Daimyo truly was a spoiled son. The moment he saw the Hokage, he pulled him aside and began whispering conspiratorially.
"I've heard the main event of this exam is the showdown between Konoha's Uchiha descendant and Rara-something from Sunagakure. I hear they're both exceptionally powerful shinobi."
The Daimyo's eyes widened with excitement.
"One of them has that Eye of Bloody Revenge, kills anyone he looks at! The other one was cursed by a lonely star or something, and he came here to beat up everyone else so he can get his eyebrows back."
He chattered on, spittle flying as his eyebrows danced. The Third Hokage listened with a completely baffled expression, unsure how to respond.
After a round of what the Daimyo considered "logical" reasoning, he finally drew his conclusion: "I think this 'Death Glare' kid sounds stronger. So I've placed a heavy bet on the Uchiha boy. He's one of yours right? Don't disappoint me."
'What kind of nonsense is this...'
The Third Hokage could only manage a strained smile as the Daimyo rambled on. Dealing with the man was an excruciating experience. You couldn't correct his blatant nonsense, you could only nod and pretend you were learning something profound. After a long-winded tangent that drifted from celestial omens to the shape of a man's chin, Sarutobi finally managed to steer the conversation to a close. As the Daimyo's delighted "hohoho" echoed down the hall, the Hokage wiped at the sweat on his brow.
It was more exhausting than facing the Kazekage in battle. This was no job for an old man.
Aside from the Land of Fire's troublesome leader, the daimyo from the smaller nations were far more composed. They were under greater pressure to survive, which made them more cunning and reserved.
The new head of the Spiral Clan from the Land of Rain, for instance, was a hooded, red-haired man in his early thirties. To have seized control of a nation with military power second only to the Five Great Nations at such a young age meant that he likely dealt with Hanzo and was stronger than him, he was not to be underestimated. The only other young leader was Shibuki of Takigakure, and Third Hokage's assessment of him was simple: a coward and a fool.
The final stage of the exam was being held in a massive, dome-like arena with three levels. The top level was originally reserved for the hosts, the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage, but it had been ceded to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. A Kage, after all, was still nominally beneath a Daimyo. The leaders of the other nations took their seats on the middle level, while a specially isolated section was prepared for Hokage and the Kazekage.
Shortly after the Daimyo was seated, the Third Hokage spotted an unexpected figure making his way up the stairs.
"Danzo? What are you doing here?"
Danzo approached slowly, leaning on his cane, with two Root shinobi trailing behind him in standard formation. When he continued moving toward the upper level, the Third Hokage stepped into his path.
"That's the Daimyo's seating area," he said, his tone firm. "It's not a place for you."
"The Daimyo-sama has invited me to watch the matches with him," Danzo replied, unhurried.
For once, it was the Third Hokage who sounded more anxious. "What? He invited you?"
"Danzo..." The Hokage's voice grew grave as he watched him advance. "What are you plotting now?" He emphasized his next words heavily. "That is the Daimyo."
"Sarutobi, how can you slander me so baselessly?" Danzo put on a face of righteous indignation. "I merely wish to keep the Daimyo-sama company. What evil intent could I possibly have?"
"Danzo! Is that you?" the Daimyo's voice called down from above, cutting off the Hokage's response.
"Daimyo-sama, I have arrived," Danzo called back.
"Then come up quickly!"
Seeing that the Daimyo had indeed summoned him, the Third Hokage could no longer block the way. He could only issue one final warning. "Whatever you're planning, don't take it too far."
Danzo's sudden move had been completely unexpected. Since when did he have dealings with the Daimyo? And why did the Hokage know nothing about it?
"Sarutobi, don't always assume the worst of everyone." Danzo said smugly as he brushed past him, leaning close to his ear.
This was one of the rare moments in Danzo's life where he held the upper hand in an exchange. Having said his piece, he felt indescribably refreshed, like gulping down an ice-cold drink in the sweltering peak of summer.
Without a second glance at Sarutobi's thunderous expression, he continued up the stairs.
Konoha Destruction Countdown begans!
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