After passing through the Gate of Peach Blossom and activating space-time abilities, they arrived in the deep mountains outside Konoha in the blink of an eye.
This location had been scouted in advance by White Zetsu to ensure they wouldn't run into visitors from other villages.
Under Konoha's new Chūnin Exam regulations, contestants and spectators were required to enter separately—participants through the East Gate, and visitors through the Main Gate.
"Let's split up here," Akira said calmly. "Fusako, take the children to register and get settled first."
Fusako replied gently, "Understood, Shadow-sama."
Before parting, Akira looked seriously at the three youngsters.
"Don't hold back. Show what you can do. Winning or losing doesn't matter—what matters is that you leave no regrets. This experience will become an important part of your lives."
Snow, Wind, and Kansuke answered loudly,
"Understood, Father!"
"Got it, Uncle!"
"Yes, Shadow-sama!"
After watching Fusako lead the three toward the East Gate, Akira brought the rest of the family to Konoha's Main Gate.
A long queue had already formed outside the village.
"Wow~! So many people! It's so lively!" Little Yue said excitedly, holding Flower's hand while munching on candied hawthorn.
After the war, Chūnin Exams were held jointly by all Five Great Nations, so the crowds were several times larger than before.
Flower, however, was already sweating.
"Oh no… my crowd anxiety is acting up!"
"If Mom hadn't threatened to cut my allowance, I'd rather be home playing games (⋟﹏⋞)!"
Madara asked, "Akira, do we have to line up too?"
"Nope~" Akira replied calmly, pulling out a gold pocket watch and checking the time.
9:40 a.m.
"He should be here soon."
Not long after, Konoha's special jōnin Aoba Yamashiro squeezed out of the crowd and jogged over. Holding a photograph, he compared it carefully before stopping in front of Akira.
Panting slightly, he asked, "E-Excuse me… are you Mr. Morgan?"
Akira leaned on his cane and smiled slightly. Beneath the mustache, he spoke in a deep, middle-aged voice.
"That is correct."
This was a technique he had learned from Yamato in his spare time—controlling his vocal cords to change his voice at will.
"May I verify your identity letter first?"
Akira nodded. Hikari released his arm and, with her gloved hand, took out a diamond-inlaid identity document from her limited-edition handbag and handed it over gracefully.
This was a special identification used only by nobles and elites.
Aoba received it with both hands, took out a scanner, and entered the verification code.
Access granted.
It was indeed Mr. Morgan.
Returning the document, he said respectfully,
"Mr. Morgan, I'm Special Jōnin Aoba Yamashiro. I received notice of your visit in advance and was ordered by the Hokage to welcome you personally!"
"Mm."
"Please follow me through the special passage!"
Aoba turned and led the way.
Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.
"A jōnin personally welcoming him—who is this Morgan?"
"You're clueless. He's one of the top financiers in the ninja world! He owns private banks in all Five Great Nations! A huge part of every village's annual budget comes from him!"
"So he's a walking treasury—no wonder!"
Through the special passage, they arrived at Konoha's main street.
Aoba said apologetically, "Mr. Morgan, the Hokage is occupied and can't meet you personally today."
Naturally.
In an event involving the entire ninja world, only daimyō were entitled to personal audiences with Kage. Having a jōnin escort a tycoon was already rare.
"No problem."
Aoba then examined the entourage.
His eyes first landed on Hikari and Samui, both dressed as noblewomen, and he was instantly stunned.
Incredible… From his voice, Mr. Morgan must be nearly fifty, yet he has two such young and beautiful companions…
Well, they might not both be wives. Maybe there are even more.
Still… can his body handle it?
The children were cute too.
But the youngest could be his granddaughter, right?
Finally, Aoba's gaze shifted to the two tall masked samurai behind Akira, and he frowned.
"May I ask, Mr. Morgan, who are these two?"
"My personal guards."
Aoba said tactfully, "During the Chūnin Exams, masked visitors are required to verify their identities… so could they remove their masks?"
The atmosphere subtly changed.
"Sure," Morgan said with a smile.
But the two guards didn't move.
"T-This…" Aoba hesitated.
At that moment, Morgan's tone deepened, gaining a magnetic weight.
"When they're protecting me, their hands never leave their swords. If you insist, you may remove the masks yourself."
"…All right." Aoba reached toward the red oni mask of the long-haired samurai.
Halfway there, his hand froze.
"Gulp…"
Cold sweat ran down beneath his sunglasses.
What is this… suffocating pressure?
I feel like something terrible will happen if I take this off…
Crows were birds that sensed misfortune.
And Aoba's summoning beast was a crow.
…Forget it.
After struggling internally, he withdrew his hand.
Mr. Morgan was one of Konoha's major sponsors.
If things turned unpleasant, Konoha would lose.
Adjusting his sunglasses, he said calmly,
"No need. Since they are your personal guards, they must be trustworthy."
"Oh, and this is for you."
He took out a golden card.
"Mr. Morgan, this is your VIP pass. It grants access to top-class accommodations and special seating."
"Much appreciated." Akira nodded. Samui stepped forward to receive it.
"Please enjoy Konoha, and have a pleasant stay. I'll take my leave!"
As Aoba departed, he thought,
That tycoon is extraordinary… He carries a dignity even daimyō lack.
"Hmph. He knew better," Madara muttered. "If he'd really taken my mask off, I'd have made him dance."
Obito asked curiously, "Akira, what's this 'Morgan' identity about?"
On the bustling streets, Akira walked leisurely with his cane.
"Morgan is my public identity, paired with my underworld persona 'Rose.' It's for formal occasions."
Madara snorted. "You even invest in the Five Great Villages? Too much money to spend?"
Akira smiled.
"Money sitting still is meaningless symbols. When it flows, it becomes power—capital."
"Capital can solve many things that ninjutsu cannot."
"Not everything requires violence."
"With capital, matters become smooth. We can save our strength for where it truly matters."
"Both the old Akatsuki and today's Kara amassed wealth early on for this reason."
Madara fell silent in thought.
Since staying with Akira, he had seen the world's diversity.
His old worldview had been a narrow cage shaped by his own ego.
And he himself had been trapped inside it.
"The first two rounds are closed-door," Akira continued. "Only the finals are public. Until then, let's relax and enjoy ourselves."
He smiled back.
"For you two, it's a trip down memory lane."
Madara: "…"
Obito: "…"
At the registration area.
Snow, Wind, and Kansuke—three children without surnames listed on their forms—signed their consent papers and received their permits.
Some genin from the Five Great Villages whispered among themselves.
"Look, those headbands—I've never seen them before."
"Darkshade Village, I think. Newly founded in the Land of Birds."
"Land of Birds? Some backwater dump. And they dare join the Chūnin Exams?"
"Three clueless brats."
"Yeah. In Kirigakure, kids like that wouldn't even graduate."
Ignoring the chatter, the three looked for empty seats.
Before they could sit, a trio from Kumogakure approached.
At the front, Yurui stood with hands in pockets, chewing gum.
"Hey~ country bumpkins. Those seats are ours."
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