Chapter 153: Chapter 153
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
The final round of the Chūnin Exams began soon, and the large arena was packed with spectators.
Nine genin teams had advanced past the second stage: three from Konohagakure, three from Iwagakure, two from Kumogakure, and one from Amegakure.
These teams, representing the three major ninja villages, were a display of the ninja world's power balance. Only Amegakure had successfully advanced a team among the smaller villages, with the rest eliminated.
The twenty-seven genin were arranged into brackets, and a bye system was used.
Yoichi had also come to watch. The arena was almost entirely full, and with ticket prices at 300 ryō each, the total revenue was well over a million ryō.
This was just from ticket sales. If Konoha properly expanded its events, it could become the heart of the Land of Fire.
However, this was difficult in wartime. A single spy causing disruptions could make things hard for Konoha, so Yoichi considered setting up outpost checkpoints to verify identities.
This would require computers to be widely used, which would only happen after he gained sufficient influence in the Land of Fire.
Each nation's daimyō had opened betting pools. Yoichi placed bets on three potential champions: Kakashi, Kurenai, and Rumi.
While Kazuhito possessed the Sage Curse Mark, he didn't have any trump cards. The two jutsu Yoichi taught him were designed to work with concealed weapons.
Even if Kazuhito could fully utilize his abilities, he was only at the level of an elite chūnin. Winning against Kakashi, Kurenai, and Rumi seemed unlikely.
Moreover, the Iwagakure and Kumogakure teams likely had formidable genin intent on preventing Konoha from gaining all the glory.
On the other side of the arena, Yahiko and Konan had removed their forehead protectors and changed their clothes before coming to Konoha.
After hearing about the six-nation Chūnin Exams, the Akatsuki decided to investigate and, for Yahiko, attempt negotiations with one of the great nations. Their first target was Konoha.
Having fought two consecutive wars, if Konoha could accept their approach to resolve conflicts through negotiation, the Akatsuki's dream could come true.
Nagato hadn't joined them, as he was still resistant to Konoha after his parents had been killed by its ninjas. Yahiko and Konan knew this and didn't force him to come.
After arriving in Konoha, Konan was struck by the bustling life of the village. If the Land of Rain could have such prosperity, and everyone could smile like this, they would be halfway to achieving their dream.
"Yahiko, are we going to meet Jiraiya-sensei later?"
Konan asked in a low voice. With his help, they could easily meet the Third Hokage and explain their vision for the Akatsuki.
Yahiko thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Let's meet with the Third Hokage directly. If we go with Jiraiya-sensei, the Hokage might dismiss us as a child's plaything due to his influence."
He wanted to be treated equally in negotiations, not condescended to because of Jiraiya.
"We'll visit Jiraiya-sensei afterward and share the progress we've made."
Yahiko smiled, and Konan's face brightened.
At just thirteen, they had developed the Akatsuki into a significant organization in Amegakure.
The Akatsuki managed four peaceful towns, with over eighty core members and more than five hundred affiliates. Most were civilians, with only about one-tenth being ninjas.
However, their ideals gained more and more support, which was Yahiko's motivation to continue.
He believed that one day, the Akatsuki's ideals would spread throughout the Land of Rain and the entire ninja world.
"Let's watch the matches first, Konan. See how we compare to these major villages' young ninjas."
---
The third round's matches proceeded one after another. Yoichi's three students were spread apart in the first round, which was fortunate.
However, in the second round, when the group of fourteen was reduced to seven, Kurenai was matched against Kazuhito, while Rumi was up against Obito.
The remaining genin all had chūnin-level skills. Even if some had been led to the third stage by their teams, they would likely be eliminated in the first match.
For instance, Rin faced a kunoichi from Kumogakure who was even younger than her but efficiently eliminated the medical ninja without giving her a chance to throw her shuriken.
When Rumi and Obito took the stage, the audience became intrigued and eagerly began discussing.
The Uchiha and Hyūga clans, with two of the three great Dōjutsu, always drew attention, and civilians living in Konoha were curious to see how the Byakugan and Sharingan compared.
Families with children in the ninja academy might have classmates from both clans.
"Clan Head, will Obito-senpai win?"
Itachi suddenly asked, looking up. He sat next to Mikoto, who was sitting beside Yoichi.
"If he keeps his distance and uses shuriken and Fire Release, he has a chance. But if he keeps snacking, Rumi will win for sure."
Yoichi didn't have high hopes for Obito. Even without using her Sage Curse Mark, Rumi was likely to win.
The match began. Obito knew better than to engage a Hyūga up close, so he tossed shuriken to create distance.
But his shuriken were deflected by Rumi, who continued closing in.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Obito tried to use ninjutsu to create an opportunity, but a candy stuck in his throat after finishing the hand signs. He couldn't even run away, let alone complete the signs.
Rumi closed the distance and struck Obito's chest, sending him flying several meters and dislodging the candy.
Just as he tried to get up, a kunai was pointed at his throat.
The Uchiha and Kakashi's team members in the audience couldn't help but facepalm after seeing Obito's performance.
Mikoto also reminded Itachi, "Itachi, after becoming a ninja, never eat candy on missions."
The remaining matches ended quickly. Kakashi came out on top in the individual competition, and his odds had been low from the start. His reputation as the son of the White Fang had steadily lowered his betting odds.
Kurenai took second place. She was countered by Rumi but didn't face her.
Rumi and an Iwagakure Explosion Release ninja both sustained serious injuries and shared fourth place. Third place went to Samui of Kumogakure, who won by default.
Only the top five became chūnin. The others couldn't qualify despite reaching the third stage due to their lack of skill.
Danzo's prized Wood Release user came in sixth.
While the appearance of Wood Release stunned knowledgeable spectators, the lack of a first-place finish undermined the impact of its revival.
After more than a month, the Chūnin Exams finally concluded. While Yoichi found it boring, others enjoyed it. The later matches featured genin who were as strong as chūnin or even higher.
Kakashi, with his White Fang swordsmanship, particularly impressed Iwagakure's Kitsuchi, who worried about this young ninja becoming the next White Fang.
After the Chūnin Exams, the first to leave were the daimyōs and nobles, who had personal guards and were escorted by Konoha ninjas to a safe distance outside the village.
Seeing the exams conclude, Yahiko rose and told Konan, "Let's meet with the Third Hokage this afternoon."
"I understand, Yahiko."
---
After the exams, Yoichi spent some time in the Police Force office. He called in four squad leaders, including Masato, to recruit more non-Uchiha ninjas.
The Police Force could expand its authority by setting its own rules, but it needed enough manpower to enforce them.
Yoichi also discussed some business deals with the Daimyō's office, requiring clan members to help maintain things. Some officers would be reassigned from the Police Force.
Meanwhile, Yahiko and Konan had changed into different clothes and put on their Amegakure forehead protectors. As outsiders, they had to leave Konoha within a day, so they couldn't waste time.
"Excuse me, I'd like to speak with the Third Hokage. I'm Yahiko, leader of the Akatsuki from the Land of Rain. Could you help pass on the message?"
The guard frowned at Yahiko's words and shook his head.
"No, you need to leave Konoha soon. If you want to meet the Hokage, have the Rain Village send an official."
He hadn't heard of the Akatsuki, only the Rain Village. He was prepared to call the Anbu if Yahiko and Konan had tried to force their way in.
Yahiko bowed and insisted, "Please pass on our message. We have ideas for peace that we want to share with the Hokage."
"Leave now, or I'll call the Police Force!"
The guard ninja threatened, putting his hand in his weapon pouch.
Konan grew angry and stepped forward, about to speak.
"We're from Jir—"
"Konan, forget it."
Yahiko stopped her, not wanting to rely on Jiraiya's reputation and hoping his ideals would be accepted on their own merits.
"Let's go."
With that, Yahiko and Konan turned to leave.
After they left, the guard removed his hand from his pouch and headed inside to report the incident.
Word quickly reached the Anbu and Root that two ninjas with Rain Village forehead protectors had asked to meet the Third Hokage to discuss peace.
The Anbu didn't react much, merely checking the information on the Akatsuki and assessing the risk before summarizing and putting the report on the Hokage's desk.
But once the Root ninja passed the information to Danzo, he furrowed his brow.
"The Akatsuki... Is this the same group Hanzō mentioned?"
"Where are they?"
"They're leaving Konoha now, just two of them."
"Send Shin to handle it. Make sure to take their heads!"
Danzo ordered coldly. Failing to get first place had been embarrassing enough. It seemed entrusting the Wood Release to a subordinate didn't compare to wielding it personally.
"Understood, Danzo-sama."
The Root ninja left to find Shin.
After receiving the order, Shin took a ration pill to restore his chakra and left Konoha.
---
"Yahiko, I can't believe Konoha was so arrogant that they wouldn't even meet us!"
Konan couldn't hold back her complaints on their way back. Even a brief attempt to relay their message would have been better than outright rejection.
"We aren't strong enough yet, Konan. If we represented the entire Land of Rain, they wouldn't treat us so lightly."
Yahiko recalled what the Konoha guard had said and made up his mind.
"When we return, we'll continue developing the Akatsuki and gain the support of the entire Land of Rain, including Hanzō."
Before he could finish speaking, Yahiko's face changed. He and Konan quickly jumped aside.
A barrage of shuriken shot out of the woods, barely grazing Yahiko and Konan's legs.
If they had hesitated, the shuriken would have hit their mark.
"Who's there!?"
Yahiko shouted angrily, "We're near Konoha, and—"
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"
Dozens of thick wooden branches shot out from the forest toward Yahiko and Konan. They were shocked, then quickly made hand signs to counter.
"Water Release: Water Wave!"
"Paper Shuriken: Explosive Tag!"
Though Yahiko's Water Release couldn't fully stop the incoming wood, it slowed its advance, giving them time.
Konan's paper shuriken turned into explosive tags after striking the branches, blowing them up and letting them evade the Great Forest Technique.
"A Wood Release user... You were in the Chūnin Exams!"
Before Yahiko could finish speaking, their attacker leaped out of the woods, the same ninja they'd seen in the individual round.
"Why is a Konoha ninja trying to kill us?"
Yahiko couldn't understand. Was it because of their earlier attempt? But they hadn't done anything improper.
Shin remained silent, instead preparing to complete his task.
"Wood Release—"
"Wait a minute!"
But just as he formed his hand signs, someone appeared between them, interrupting the battle.
(End of Chapter)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone