The Chūnin Exams proceeded steadily.
Ibiki, who had nearly fainted from fear earlier, ultimately managed to let Naruto pass thanks to the "Tenth Question."
Unfortunately for Kakashi, he didn't escape becoming the butt of everyone's jokes.
Of course, most of it was playful teasing.
But Kakashi genuinely felt embarrassed.
Naruto's test paper wasn't exactly blank…
…but it wasn't much better either.
If Ren hadn't suggested adding the tenth question, Naruto would have been in serious trouble.
Standing at the gates of Konoha, Kakashi stared at Ren with his usual dead-fish eyes.
"You clearly wanted everyone to pass. So why did you say things the way you did?"
"Now look what happened. I ended up taking the blame for you."
Ren immediately raised his voice in protest.
"Hey now—how can you say that? Didn't Naruto's performance prove my foresight?"
"And besides, the outcome was perfect. Your entire team passed the Forest of Death and even the follow-up preliminaries."
He clapped Kakashi on the shoulder.
"Cheer up. Everyone's just jealous. Your team is the only one that made it into the finals with a full roster."
Kakashi nodded reflexively—
Then glared at him.
You bastard. Only picking the flattering parts.
The Forest of Death exam had already concluded.
Without Orochimaru interfering this time, Naruto's team progressed far more smoothly.
Even when some Sound Village ninja tried to cause trouble, the trio crushed them easily.
After all—
They weren't injured.
They were in peak condition.
And instead of Sakura, their team had Karin.
The Sound ninja never stood a chance.
After securing their scroll, the team didn't waste time and headed straight to the tower.
Without Kabuto manipulating things behind the scenes, everything went unusually smoothly.
However—
Because too many candidates survived, the examiners had to organize a preliminary elimination round.
The kids' opinions didn't matter.
What mattered was that the final stage couldn't have too many participants.
Otherwise the viewing experience would be terrible.
"Speaking of which… the draw for the preliminaries was pretty lucky."
Kakashi sighed.
"The opponents weren't particularly troublesome."
He glanced sideways at Ren.
"I bet you're satisfied that all the people who should enter the finals managed to get in."
Ren shrugged.
"I told you before—inside a village it's not about fighting and killing."
"It's about human relationships."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead.
"You… sometimes I really don't understand how your brain works."
Then he continued thoughtfully.
"Though the Sand Village kids were lucky too. They all made it to the finals."
"Their father's coming to watch, right? At least it won't be embarrassing for him."
Ren rolled his eyes.
"What's surprising about that?"
"They weren't weak to begin with."
"With just a little bit of luck… everything naturally falls into place."
Kakashi froze.
Then his expression turned strange.
"Wait… don't tell me…"
Ren spread his hands casually.
"You said their father was coming."
"Shouldn't we show him some courtesy?"
"Rasa may not be well liked, but he's still the Kazekage."
"Konoha should show the magnanimity of a great village."
He smiled faintly.
"Let him enjoy himself now."
"Later… he'll have plenty of reasons to cry."
Kakashi stared at him.
The word "fixing the results" might as well have been written on Ren's face.
Lowering his voice, he whispered:
"What about Naruto and the others?"
Ren looked at him meaningfully.
"Luck sometimes favors fools."
"But that kind of luck… doesn't fall from the sky."
Kakashi fell silent.
He slowly looked up at the sky.
Dark.
Too dark.
The sky over Konoha…
is truly dark.
Then he quickly calmed down.
After all—
It was other villages getting manipulated.
What did that have to do with him?
At that moment, a group of shinobi wearing desert headscarves approached.
"The Sand Village has arrived," Ren said quietly.
"Rasa might be unpleasant, but give him some face."
"Don't let anything slip."
Kakashi nodded calmly.
To his surprise—
He seemed to be adapting quickly.
Maybe I really do have the potential to become Hokage…
He shook the thought away.
At the front of the approaching group stood a man in a white robe and wide hat.
On the hat was a single large character:
Wind.
The Fourth Kazekage — Rasa.
Ren stepped forward with Kakashi.
"Kazekage-sama, welcome to Konoha."
Rasa raised an eyebrow as he examined Ren.
"So you're Ren, Konoha's Hokage Advisor."
"It's quite an honor to meet you."
"Your reputation is known throughout the ninja world… just like your predecessor, Danzo."
Ren's smile widened.
"You flatter me."
"Danzo's methods are something I'm still striving to learn."
"Oh?"
Rasa smirked.
"You plan to become another Danzo?"
"Perhaps."
Ren shrugged lightly.
"Maybe I'll even surpass him."
He glanced meaningfully at Rasa.
"You know… I've already brought Konoha benefits that even Danzo never managed."
Rasa's smile stiffened.
Ren had just stabbed him right in the weak spot.
But Rasa endured it.
"So what's the next arrangement, Advisor?"
"Surely this isn't how Konoha treats its guests."
Ren gestured toward the village.
"The Hokage is waiting."
"Please follow me."
Later, in Pakura's residence.
Pakura sipped tea while looking at Ren.
"So the Kazekage has arrived."
"And yet the Hokage Advisor comes to visit me instead?"
"Planning to hand me over to him?"
Ren rolled his eyes.
"That's actually not a bad idea."
"I'll think about it."
Pakura laughed.
"How heartless."
"So Konoha made the 'correct' decision after all."
Ren leaned back lazily.
"Enough jokes."
"Rasa's intentions are obvious."
"Konoha is preparing."
"I want to know your stance."
Pakura raised an eyebrow.
"To what extent are you planning to go?"
Ren smiled.
"I thought you already knew."
He looked directly at her.
"How does the title Fifth Kazekage sound?"
Pakura's expression froze.
Those words carried enormous meaning.
So Konoha had already decided.
Her feelings were complicated.
She hated Rasa.
That hatred was undeniable.
She had been called the Hero of the Sand Village—
Yet the only thing she received was betrayal.
Rasa had tried to sacrifice her once before.
That pain never faded.
Konoha's motives were clear too.
They wanted influence over the Sand.
But unlike Rasa—
Konoha had actually improved the Sand's situation.
Trade.
Resources.
Even water.
They had genuinely helped.
Ren walked to the window overlooking the streets.
"Villages always fight for interests."
"But knowing your place matters."
"Rasa has ambition."
"But the Sand Village cannot bear that ambition."
"His pursuit will only bring disaster."
He turned back to Pakura.
"You're different."
"I trust your judgment."
"You understand what the Sand truly needs."
"And honestly—"
"The Sand is already one of the Five Great Villages."
"What's the point of climbing higher?"
Pakura fell silent.
He was right.
The desert environment limited everything.
Perhaps—
Improving people's lives mattered more than power.
Ren suddenly smiled warmly.
"Konoha will introduce policies to support real allies."
"But don't misunderstand."
"This isn't charity."
"If you profit, Konoha profits too."
"Of course… you may need to make certain concessions."
Pakura sighed.
"Like your Northern Water Diversion Project?"
"The one that put the Sand deeply in debt to Konoha?"
Ren laughed.
"You're free to try killing your creditors."
"I won't mind."
Then he added casually:
"By the way—Konoha might even help your desert environment."
"With Wood Release."
"The only place in the ninja world that can do it."
"Who knows—maybe one day the Sand Village will be full of greenery."
Pakura rolled her eyes.
"And the price?"
Ren shrugged.
"I quite like something from the Land of Wind."
"What?"
"The sound of your wind."
He smiled mysteriously.
"There's an old saying."
"The more you seek perfection…"
"The more you lose yourself."
"That line was meant for Rasa."
"But perhaps it suits you better."
"If you listen carefully…"
"The wind of the Land of Wind already tells the answer."
Pakura looked out the window.
The wind…
The sound of things forever out of reach.
Days passed.
The final stage of the Chūnin Exams arrived.
In the arena, Naruto clenched his fists excitedly.
"Finally!"
Jiraiya sighed beside him.
"You're awfully excited."
"I heard you almost got your entire team eliminated with that test."
Naruto snorted.
"Luck is also part of strength!"
Elsewhere, Sasuke finished practicing Chidori.
"Will Ren-sama be supervising the finals?" he asked.
Kakashi shook his head.
"He's the Hokage Advisor."
"Just focus on performing well."
Sasuke nodded firmly.
"I won't embarrass myself."
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
Actually… you don't need to worry.
Because the sky over Konoha…
is very dark.
Outside the village.
Members of Akatsuki gathered silently.
Obito spoke calmly.
"Orochimaru has already infiltrated."
"We wait for his signal."
"This time…"
"It will be different."
Under the bright sun, the arena filled with people.
At the main stage—
Hiruzen, Tsunade, Rasa, and Gengetsu gathered.
Hiruzen stepped forward.
"Today marks the final day of the Chūnin Exams."
"But before we begin—"
"I have an announcement."
The crowd quieted.
"Starting tomorrow…"
"I will retire as Hokage."
"And Konoha will welcome its Fifth Hokage."
"Tsunade!"
The stadium exploded into cheers.
Like a volcanic eruption.
Like a roaring sea.
Hiruzen smiled at Tsunade.
"Go on."
"The future is yours."
Tsunade sighed.
"You old man…"
But she stepped forward.
"I hereby declare—"
"The final stage of the Chūnin Exams begins!"
In a shadowy corner of the arena—
Orochimaru watched her quietly.
"So it's you after all, Tsunade."
He licked his lips.
"How interesting."
In the competitor waiting area—
Mei Terumi, Suigetsu, and Chōjūrō prepared.
"Everything ready?" Mei whispered.
Kisame nodded.
"All set."
Mei glanced at the stage.
"Perhaps…"
"This will be my chance as well."
On the spectator platform—
Ren leaned casually beside Hikari.
The crowd roared with excitement.
But when the match board displayed the first pairing—
Kakashi's face darkened.
First Match
Naruto Uzumaki vs Neji Hyūga
Kakashi sighed.
Just as expected.
The sky of Konoha…
is still very dark.
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