The Chūnin Exam began while Shuji paid little attention.
He took leave, submitting formal application to Tsunade. When discussing Naruto's matter, he incidentally requested some time off.
The reason proved quite solid. Shuji had some thoughts regarding his development and planned to use the Chūnin Exam period for training.
For jōnin like Shuji, no reason proved more solid. He was Konoha's high-level combat power. Planning to spend time polishing himself proved reasonable and proper.
Training content mainly concerned natural energy. He was attempting to digest natural energy to strengthen himself.
Conventional sage technique system training focused more on studying how to integrate sage technique chakra into one's combat system. He was more interested in whether humans could permanently digest a portion of natural energy, improving their basic attributes.
Judging from the Three Great Sage Regions, this held certain possibility. The shinobi world's native training system had skill in health preservation. Gamamaru explicitly lived from the Sage of Six Paths era until now. Purely regarding physical survival, it truly proved sufficient.
Though unable to compare with those Ōtsutsuki capable of planting trees among stars, it also proved longer-lived than the Hagoromo-Hamura brothers—if not considering that these two brothers actually should not count as dead, most likely merely unwilling to continue living.
Still the old rule: when training, do not casually experiment with the main body. First test waters with clones, examine data, find problems. Then summon Katsuyu and ask about precautions.
During battles, Shuji did not particularly need it, but during training, it truly proved indispensable.
Katsuyu also proved patient, explaining everything it knew.
The conclusion was that using absorbed natural energy to improve oneself proved feasible, with just two points: 1. Environment must be good, natural energy concentration relatively high. The Three Great Sage Regions' level proved quite suitable; 2. Required maintaining training state long-term, both body and mind still, because digesting natural energy proved extremely dangerous, even more dangerous than blending sage technique chakra itself.
Most critically, even satisfying both above points, limited by the flesh's transformation and containment efficiency for natural energy, even paying lengthy time and tremendous risk, the ultimately obtainable improvements proved very limited.
From pure combat power growth angles, it proved inferior to the current shinobi system.
Especially given the shinobi world's competitive intensity, a person spending several years digesting natural energy's benefits fell far short of benefits from researching and learning one new jutsu.
For someone like Shuji, he could not even claim having fully developed this current body's circumstances. Investing into the shinobi world's native training system proved not cost-effective.
Even possessing Hashirama cells, for Shuji, at least before discovering methods to substantially improve energy transformation efficiency, he still had to continue the old path.
Just as Shuji temporarily abandoned his heart for properly cultivating sage arts in the shinobi world and prepared to plan the next stage's conventional training, Anko excitedly found him at his door.
"Shuji! Shuji! Itachi..."
"Passed the first several preliminary rounds and entered the Chūnin Exam finals?" Opening the door for her, before Anko finished speaking, Shuji casually answered.
The excitement on the girl's face instantly froze before deflating.
"How disappointing, you. At least wait for me to finish speaking."
"The first two rounds' results are not normally specially reported, right? How did you know?" Shuji asked.
Anko grinned, looking left and right. "So hungry~ Want yakiniku~"
Shuji extended his hand. Anko dodged.
She failed to dodge...
She dejectedly covered her cheek. "If you keep pinching, it really will swell, Captain."
Seeing the youth raise his hand again, Anko hurriedly said, "It was Shinyue and Hagane! Those two were pulled to patrol the exam venue, then they mentioned it when we met on the road."
After speaking, Anko muttered complaints like how great Shuji was last year, now already so cold toward old teammates.
"By the way, they said Kusagakure also sent people to participate."
"Hmm?"
Anko's emotions surged again. "You don't know?"
Then she began chattering, "Kusagakure only had two genin participate in this Chūnin Exam."
"Their names were... Muku and Ryuzetsu? Right, those two names!" She worked hard recalling.
"Apparently, both performed acceptably. Whether written test or survival elimination round, grades proved quite outstanding."
"Comparatively, Hidden Rain Village and Takigakure apparently had no one enter the final tournament this time."
Shuji was not surprised. Under normal circumstances, these two villages' chūnin could only wait to return to their own villages for promotion by their own leadership.
This time coming to Konoha merely served as backdrop.
Especially when Sunagakure and Hidden Cloud participants were involved. As for Kusagakure, it could only be called hitting the target by accident, though unclear why the village allowed these two to compete.
However, these two were probably the rare named individuals appearing from Kusagakure in the original story. Entering the finals counted as normal.
Anko leaned forward, drawing closer. "Will Shuji go watch the finals?"
"Mm, if nothing comes up, I will watch."
"Captain actually does not care about his teammate! Disqualified!" Anko's arms crossed before her chest forming an X. "At times like this, one must participate no matter what!"
"...You have a point," Shuji nodded. "I understand. I will go when the time comes."
"Hehe, then it is settled! I will come find you when the time comes to go together!" Anko smiled with complete satisfaction.
After the Chūnin Exam began, village matters suddenly decreased substantially.
Hidden Rain and Takigakure teams, having already been eliminated, departed early. Regarding Kusagakure, Konoha's official correspondence had been sent, formally confirming Muen and his subordinates' identities temporarily representing Kusagakure.
Not until Konoha's messenger arrived did Kusagakure's remaining leadership learn of Leader Tsurukawa and others' deaths, the Box of Ultimate Bliss's rampage, and the outcome of being sealed by Konoha.
Following immediately were accountability letters from other shinobi villages or clans that had previously entrusted prisoners to Hozuki Castle.
If truly wanting to kill, shinobi villages would never send people to Hozuki Castle. Now because of Kusagakure's responsibility, those people died. Regardless, Kusagakure had to provide an explanation.
As for what explanation Kusagakure could provide...
They could provide no explanation whatsoever, because the only person still able to bear this responsibility was originally Muen. As Hozuki Castle's warden, with all imprisoned criminals dying, he bore inescapable blame.
However, now Konoha explicitly intended to protect Muen. With him at Konoha's side, what could Kusagakure do?
They could only play dead.
Fortunately, those villages delivering criminals mostly proved small shinobi villages, ninja clans, and the like. As long as Konoha did not cause trouble, troubles Kusagakure needed to address proved not too great.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was already handling this matter. Related entanglements with Hozuki Castle included Hidden Cloud's share. Therefore, taking advantage of Hidden Cloud jōnin Dodai's presence, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had already brought Muen along to discuss compensation matters with Hidden Cloud.
Matters between shinobi villages already had people handling them, yet Tsunade still suffered headaches.
She had promised Shuji to arrange Naruto's matter. After several days' consideration, she decided to first test the waters during a high-level meeting.
Any topic regarding the Nine-Tails jinchūriki proved no small matter. Therefore, the advisory council again gathered in the Hokage's office.
"Naruto's identity is very sensitive, precisely during the Chūnin Exam period. We should order other villagers to mind their words and actions during this time," Tsunade chose a relatively stable entry point, planning to use this method to start.
Koharu Utatane nodded slightly. "Indeed, with increased external personnel, the situation is complex. Recently having ANBU strengthen protection for Naruto, trying to have him stay home and reduce outings, proves a prudent move."
Homura Mitokado agreed. "Security regulations regarding jinchūriki already exist, but strengthening management during special periods proves necessary. With outsiders entering the village, strict supervision remains required."
Tsunade's heart sank. These two advisors could not possibly fail to hear her meaning, yet still chose to evade ordering villagers, instead shifting the topic toward restricting Naruto's activities and strengthening security.
Danzo did not even bother opening his eyes. "The Nine-Tails' chakra is most evil, most powerful among Tailed Beasts. As the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, handling malice is basic ability."
"Villagers' minor attitudes, compared to the Nine-Tails' malice, prove not worth mentioning."
"Tsunade, as Lady Mito's granddaughter, surely you understand even this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen made no statement on this, even stopping Tsunade from intending to say more.
He changed topics instead. "Homura, Koharu, how is Hidden Cloud's attitude?"
"They are willing to accept Kusagakure's compensation. Muen surrendered the Fire Release: Heavenly Prison secret technique," Homura Mitokado pushed his glasses. "Ultimately, merely some criminals. Not worth Hidden Cloud making much fuss over this."
"Having resolved Hidden Cloud's problem, other villages only seek some money. Kusagakure itself suffered severe losses. Some mission quotas can be squeezed out."
The meeting's latter half shifted topics toward other exam-related trivial matters. After conclusion, the three advisors successively departed, leaving only the displeased Tsunade and silent Third Hokage in the office.
"Tsunade," Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly spoke, "has Naruto recently encountered anything particularly special?" He had reviewed reports recently without discovering abnormalities.
"No, nothing special," Tsunade sighed. "Just, old man, Naruto differs from Grandmother and Kushina."
Uzumaki Mito became jinchūriki when already an excellent shinobi. Uzumaki Kushina had Mito's guidance, later even Namikaze Minato's wholehearted protection.
Only Naruto...
This also proved why after Shuji mentioned it, Tsunade also felt necessary to do something.
"I have not done well, failing the Fourth and Kushina's entrustment," Sarutobi Hiruzen closed his eyes.
"However, Tsunade, prejudice and pain in human hearts cannot be easily eliminated with a single order."
"After you formally assume the Hokage position, I will spend more time with Naruto."
Tsunade's brow furrowed tightly. "If we attempt revealing part of the truth, for instance that he is the Fourth's son..."
"This matter still requires further consideration, Tsunade," Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted her. "The Fourth, he was too outstanding."
"The identity as hero's son, for the current Naruto, whether it will make him better or cultivate heavier expectations and pressure, even attract jealous hatred, all prove unpredictable."
"We must be more cautious, Tsunade."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild