Genji agreed to Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal.
Back at the guest house, Genji gathered Yagyu and the others, solemnly warning them about issues to watch out for during the tournament.
"Konoha Village has always been famous in the Ninja World for producing geniuses. You must not be careless in tomorrow's matches."
"Your performance will directly affect the size of the bargaining chips we hold during negotiations with Konoha."
Genji looked serious; clearly, he cared a great deal about the results.
Yagyu waved his hand calmly. "Relax! Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi steps into the ring himself, I'm confident enough to remain undefeated!"
Genji smiled. "Yagyu, with your special abilities, I am not worried about you. What concerns me are Yagura and Terumi Mei."
Terumi Mei retorted, unwilling to look weak, "I have now mastered both of my Kekkei Genkai. As long as the opponent isn't too freakish, I should be able to defeat them."
The clan Terumi Mei belonged to was considered a Kekkei Genkai clan.
However, the clan was very small, with a sparse population. Compared to large clans like the Kaguya or Yuki (Ice Release), they were practically indistinguishable from civilian ninja clans.
Moreover, in the past few decades, the Terumi clan hadn't produced a single ninja with a Kekkei Genkai—until Terumi Mei. She was the first in many years.
Not only did she inherit her ancestors' Lava Release (Corrosive/Acid), but she also created a new Kekkei Genkai: Boil Release (Acid Mist). Her strength was among the best of the Mist's younger generation.
Given this, Terumi Mei was quite proud.
If she didn't have enough capital and pride, she wouldn't be coveting the position of Mizukage.
Yagura was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "Although I do not possess special abilities or Kekkei Genkai, I believe my strength is sufficient to handle the vast majority of young ninja."
Genji looked Terumi Mei and Yagura up and down, then nodded gently, acknowledging their strength.
These two would go on to become the Fourth and Fifth Mizukage; their talent and abilities were no joke.
Yagyu looked at Yagura and Terumi Mei, falling into deep thought.
"If I were a true 'salted fish' instead of just a fake one, could I just cling to the thighs of these two teammates and live worry-free?"
After thinking about it, Yagyu secretly shook his head.
Madara Uchiha was watching like a tiger, and who knew how deeply he had infiltrated the Hidden Mist.
Worry-free?
Even these two weren't guaranteed to be worry-free. If he wanted a leisurely life, he had to rely on himself.
As expected, only I can revitalize the Hidden Mist.
...
The Next Day.Konoha Stadium.
This was the place where the Chunin Exams were held in the original story. The spacious arena allowed ninja to fight to their heart's content.
The seats surrounding the stadium were already packed with spectators from Konoha, waiting excitedly and expectantly for the competition to begin.
"So many spectators? Say, Konoha didn't let them in for free, did they?"
Sitting in a front-row seat, Yagyu twisted around restlessly like a monkey, shaking his head and looking all around.
Terumi Mei chimed in from the side, "I saw it. Konoha charged an entrance fee."
Yagyu complained dissatisfiedly,
"What? That's outrageous! Did we come all this way from the Hidden Mist just to make money for Konoha?"
Genji glanced at Yagyu.
"Then what do you want to do?"
Yagyu said solemnly,
"This matter involves the interests of the Hidden Mist; we must fight for every penny. If Konoha wants to make money off our matches, they have to split half the profits with us."
Genji pondered for a moment, feeling there was logic in this, and nodded.
"When I see the Third Hokage later, I will bring this matter up with him."
Just then, a childish voice rang out from nearby: "All you think about is swindling money from our Konoha! You bad guys from the Hidden Mist!"
Yagyu turned his head to look. A little loli with crimson eyes was glaring at him indignantly.
Although she was cursing the entire Hidden Mist group, judging by her eyes, her hostility seemed directed solely at him.
Yagyu rubbed his chin. He recognized who this little loli was—the highly popular beauty from Naruto, Kurenai Yuhi.
"You seem to be very hostile toward me..."
Yagyu whispered with a puzzled expression, his gaze shifting to the middle-aged man beside little Kurenai.
The man wore a pair of large, wide sunglasses and was dressed somewhat like the Terminator. It appeared to be Kurenai's father.
"Wait a minute! Your aura... it's you. The one who used Genjutsu to probe me that day was you?"
Yagyu suddenly realized why the little loli was so hostile toward him.
"You're wearing sunglasses... is it because you admire me and want to imitate me? Or have the aftereffects of my 'Blinding Dog Eyes Jutsu' not healed yet?"
Yagyu looked at Shinku Yuhi with keen interest and asked.
"Hmph!"
Shinku Yuhi didn't want to talk to Yagyu and simply let out a cold, aloof snort.
"Bad guy!"
Little Kurenai glared at Yagyu angrily, looking like she wanted to claw at him.
"You little brat, what do you know?"
Yagyu rolled his eyes and scolded her unceremoniously.
He then formed hand seals to create a Water Clone, sending it off to handle some business.
Genji frowned.
"The match is about to start. Why are you dispersing your chakra?"
Yagyu smiled.
"I suddenly remembered something very important. I'm sending my Water Clone to take care of it. Don't worry, nothing will be delayed."
...
Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage looked at the young people standing before him, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Minato Namikaze, Fugaku Uchiha, and Hiashi Hyuga. These three were the rising stars of Konoha and should be sufficient to handle the three from the Hidden Mist.
"Today's matches are extremely important for Konoha."
"Whether you perform well or poorly will directly affect Konoha's vital interests."
The Third Hokage gave them his instructions, then led them toward the Konoha Stadium.
...
"The Third Hokage is here. Don't forget to ask for the money later."
"Drawing lots? I bet there's definitely some rigging going on behind the scenes."
"The ninja they send out will definitely counter the ones on our side."
"At the very least, they'll have means prepared to deal with us."
Yagyu leaned back sloppily in his chair, muttering as he watched the Third Hokage operating on the high platform.
"Match 1: Terumi Mei vs. Minato Namikaze!"
After some maneuvering on the platform, the participants for the first match were decided.
Yagyu glanced at the large screen displaying the names of the contestants. All familiar faces.