———————————————-
Author's Note-
Some editorial changes were made
to the previous chapter.
One in concern is the part where
Hiruzen called out an ANBU agent.
"Kinoe" has now been changed to
"Tenzō" and yes you guys have
guessed it right!
It's him.
———————————————-
(Whoosh!) Tenzō landed on the floor of the Hokage's room.
"have they assembled?" Hiruzen asked.
"Yes!" Tenzō reported.
"Good!" Hiruzen adjusted his Hokage cap and left the room.
…
All jounins and special jounins were assembled on the rooftop.
Hiruzen arrived on the rooftop, following which he walked to the center.
(Whoosh!)
The ANBU White Ops group and Anko lined up behind Hiruzen.
Tsunade, Shizune, and Inuzuka Hana with her ninja dog stood on the first row as a part of the medical ninja squad, followed by Maito Gai, Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma on the second row.
Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chouza, Nara Shikaku on the third row who were part of the Ino-Shika-Chou Squad,
Hiashi Hyūga as a stand-in for his brother's old team as a part of the Hidden Leaf tracking Squad along with Aburame Shibi (Shino's Dad) and Inuzuka Tsume (Kiba's mom) along with her Ninja Dog Kuromaru which was an adult canine with a wolfish appearance. As his name suggested, he had black fur with a white underside, missing left ear, and wore an eyepatch over his right eye.
The Hidden Leaf's tracking squad usually consisted of a Byakugan user to scan distances, not in human vision, dog user to track down enemy ninja's tracks and Insect user to also track down the ninjas through smell, or chakra. The three abilities combined make the perfect tracking squads.
Next was the Flying Thunder God Formation squad consisting of Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi stood in the fourth row.
Morino Ibiki from the interrogation and torture force along with Mibu Shinobu and Mozuku stood in the fifth row.
From the fifth row till the tenth row was filled with special jounin squads…
Hiruzen stared at the people that were assembled in front of him…
"I'm sure you all were briefed regarding this meeting a few days ago…" Hiruzen said.
"Yes!" Everyone nodded.
"As you all know, there was an invasion planned by Orochimaru and the Kazekage."
"As of two days ago…"
"The Kazekage has made clear of his intention to maintain the treaty since the decline of his respective village forced this plan," Hiruzen said.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Aren't you being lenient with the Kazekage?" One of the jounins asked.
"If you are a kage, you would understand the problems of running a village."
"All decisions are taken with public welfare in mind; this also includes the ninjas living in the village as well!" Hiruzen said.
The ninjas remained silent.
"As we speak Kakashi and Jiraiya are escorting the Kazekage to the village."
"The Kazekage does not intend to forgive Orochimaru…"
"I'm sure he will aid us in defense," Hiruzen said.
"Won't forgive Orochimaru?" Another person asked.
"The details will be revealed later."
"Shiranui Genma!" Hiruzen called out.
"Yes!" Genma ran to the front.
"I want you to take Hayate's old position as the new announcer for the Chuunin Exams," Hiruzen said.
"Yes!" Genma bowed, following which, he stood by Hiruzen's side.
"Medical Ninja Squad!" Hiruzen called out.
"Yes!" The three on the first row responded.
"Your squad will not treat the injured genins from the Chuunin Exams. You are to remain on standby during the Chuunin Exam within the stadium next to the audience seats in for quick response in case of injuries of a jounin or the people in the seating area " Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes!" Tsunade, Hana, Shizune accepted.
"Jounins whose Genin members are participating in the exam can remain within the stadium, but will be repositioned along with ANBU members across different seating areas to ensure a quick response from all directions," Hiruzen ordered.
"Hokage-sama!" Gai interrupted.
"What is it? Gai?" Hiruzen asked.
"Is Kakashi aware of today's plan?" Gai asked.
"He is on his way here with Jiraiya and the Kazekage."
"I will let him know of his duties once they arrive!" Hiruzen said.
"I see…" Gai murmured.
"Any other questions?" Hiruzen asked.
"No!" Gai bowed.
"Ino-Shika-Chou squad!" Hiruzen called out.
"Yes!" Inoichi, Shikaku, and Chouza responded.
"Your squad will take three special jounin squads under your wing to protect the village from within!" Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes!" The trio bowed.
"Tracking Squad!" Hiruzen called out.
"Yes!" Hiashi, Tsume, and Shibi responded.
"Take Two special jounin squads under your wing."
"All of you will sit amongst the audience."
"Your task is to track down any enemy ninjas from the stadium, in the event they flee, to prevent further destruction!" Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes!" The trio bowed.
"Raidō!"
"Iwashi!" Hiruzen called out
"Yes!" The two responded.
"You both follow me as my bodyguards!" Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes!" The two bowed.
"Now that everyone has been assigned their duties…"
"I am going to declare a scheduled Emergency," Hiruzen announced.
"Scheduled Emergency?" Some of the ninjas asked.
"Yes!"
"The Village will be put in a state of Level One Emergency once the Chuunin Exam starts."
"Children and Non-combatants will be relocated to a safe shelter until the invasion is over!" Hiruzen announced, following which he turned towards Anko.
"Help me spread the word!" Hiruzen said.
"Understood!" Anko nodded.
Hiruzen turned to face everyone once again.
"With this, I conclude the meeting!"
"You are all dismissed!" Hiruzen announced following which the two squads, Ino-Shika-Chou, and the tracking squad chose their special jounin squads.
"Asuma-sensei!"
"Huh?" Asuma turned around to see the Ino-Shika-Chou squad behind him.
"We are leaving those brats to you!" Shikaku said.
"Mm!"
"You can leave it to Me!" Asuma smiled.
"Raidō!"
"Iwashi!" Hiruzen called out
"Yes!" The two responded.
"Follow me to the Village Gates."
"They should be arriving in the next few minutes…" Hiruzen said, following which the trio left towards the direction.
…
About an hour later…
(Whoosh!) Jiraiya, Kakashi, and the Kazekage landed at the village gates.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Sensei!" Kakashi and Jiraiya greeted.
"Mm!" Hiruzen nodded, following which, he turned towards Rasa.
"Kazekage-dono!" Hiruzen greeted.
"Hokage-dono!" Rasa called out with difficulty following which he slightly bowed.
"I apologize for not seeing the truth for what it was…" Rasa apologized.
"No..no"
"I am happy that you are here as an ally today…"
"Better late than never as they always say…" Hiruzen smiled.
"Hokage-dono!"
"Thank You for giving me a chance."
"I won't let both of our villages down, I promise!" Rasa said.
"Mm!" Hiruzen nodded.
"Have you been able to communicate your current decision to the others?" Hiruzen asked.
"NO!"
"Not yet!"
"I must speak with my son and his team!" Rasa said urgently.
"Then allow me to guide you to the exam stadium!"
"You can meet them there!" Hiruzen said.
"All right!" Rasa nodded.
"Kakashi!"
"I have designated locations to be protected by various jounins."
"I'll show yours once we get there," Hiruzen said.
"Mm!" Kakashi nodded.
"Let's Go!" Hiruzen said following which the group left together.
…
(Whoosh!) Anko arrived at the academy.
"Anko-sama!" The man at the gate recognized.
"Call the head teacher!" Anko demanded.
"Ah…"
"The headteacher is a bit sick you see…" The man said.
"Call someone else then!" Anko demanded.
"Please wait for a moment." The man left Anko to call a teacher.
Soon…
"Anko-sama!" Iruka bowed towards her.
"Ah!"
"Iruka, it is you…" Anko stared at Iruka.
"What is it Anko-sama?" Iruka asked.
"The thing is…"
….
"I see…" Iruka nodded.
"I'll leave the evacuation to you," Anko said following which she left the area.
("I hope the students will survive this ordeal…") Iruka thought about the recent batch of nine rookies, as he walked back to the classroom.
"All right class!"
"Page Fifty-Five!" Iruka announced.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru stared at the sky, while sitting down near the window.
———————————-
In the street next to the stadium…
Two men were walking side by side.
"The first match is Hyūga Neji, right?" A man asked.
"Yeah!"
"He's the number one rookie from last year."
"Though, the boy is fighting against the number one rookie, Uzumaki Naruto from this year…" the man beside replied.
"true that!"
"But, you know what?" The man stopped walking after pausing.
"I heard some rumors about him…" the man lowered his voice and said.
"rumors?" The other man asked.
"Mhm!"
"They say that Naruto cheated and got the top scores, originally there was the Uchiha boy who was supposed to get the first place…" The man said.
"The Uchiha boy?"
"Of course, he is in a match against a ninja from the sand…"
"and I have heard some nasty rumors about him!" The other man said as he continued to walk.
"What rumors?" The man asked.
"That ninja from the sand kills for fun."
"He likes to soak his sand in the blood of his enemies." The other man said.
"Does it matter?, the Uchiha boy will trash him." the man said.
"I suppose you are right!" The other man said, following which he looked towards the stadium at the front.
"Your ticket and ID please." The ninja by the giant door asked.
"Here!" The duo presented.
"All right!"
"Please head towards the H column seat D-15 and 16 respectively."
"And welcome to the Chuunin Exam Arena!"
Chapter For the Day!
As usual
comments, power stones, reviews, and likes.
Got a cool new cover for the book coming out once Naruto and Sasuke reappear in the Chuunin exams.
Your power stones keep me motivated
If the book reaches above rank 20, I might consider releasing two chapters everyday...
Peace ✌️
Column C of the Seating area in stadium…
Karin and Hinata sat side by side on the second row away from the battlefield.
Their seats were right next to the wall that was just beside the Column B Seating area
"You two are already here?"
"Huh?" Karin and Hinata turned around to see Ino and Choji arrive by their side.
"Choji-san, Ino-san" Hinata greeted.
"Hi!" Karin waved towards them.
"Our seats are in the front!" Ino pointed at the two seats that were in front of Hinata and Karin.
"Ino-san!, Choji-kun!, Hinata-san!" A voice called out.
"Hmm?" The group turned back to see a young man in a purple robe with a walking crutch under his right arm.
"Lee-san?"
"Gai-sensei!" Ino and Choji stared at the duo.
"Yo!" Gai sensei gave a thumbs up to the group with a smile
"What happened Lee-san?" Ino and Chouji asked.
"I am still in recovery from the battle that day," Lee said as he walked towards the empty seat right next to Karin and Hinata.
"Umm.."
"Sorry, but whom might you be?" Lee asked respectfully.
"My name is Karin."
"I recently became a part of the Hidden Leaf Village…" Karin said.
"Oh!"
"I see…"
"Hope, you don't mind," Lee asked as he pointed towards the seat next to the duo.
"Have a seat!" Karin gestured.
"Thanks!" Lee said as he sat down beside Karin.
"Gai-sensei!" Ino called out.
"Hmm?" Gai turned to face Ino.
"I thought Lee-san would have recovered by now," Ino asked.
"Oh!"
"That?"
"The medics told me that it would take Lee another month before he can recover completely," Gai said with a smile.
"Was it that serious?" Ino, Chouji, Karin, and Hinata looked at Lee.
"Yeah…."
"You see, my body could not take the strain from opening the gates," Lee said with a smile that contained hints of self-mockery.
("What Gai sensei did not tell them, is the intense pain I am burdened with on my spinal cord…")
("As the days pass by, it seems to get worse.") Lee thought.
"Oh?" Gai looked at the other column.
"If it isn't my eternal rival!" Gai spoke loudly.
"Gai!" Kakashi greeted, following which he nodded, which Gai understood.
("I see…")
("Now the only problem remains is the Sound…") Gai thought.
...
Rasa and Hiruzen finally reached the VIP gates of the stadium.
"Follow me!" Hiruzen said following which he led the group to a secluded area on the ground floor.
"Iwashi!"
"Call the Hidden Sand's Genin squad along with their leader to this place," Hiruzen ordered.
"Yes!" Iwashi accepted the order and left the place.
Soon…
Baki, Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō arrived at the spot where the group was waiting for them.
"Kazekage-sama!" The group bowed towards him.
"Mm!" Rasa nodded following which he turned towards Gaara.
In the past, Rasa wouldn't mind his son not bowing down to him after all, Gaara was considered an unstable and a failed experiment that failed to keep Shukaku in check.
Rasa had sent ninjas time after time to kill Gaara, only to fail…
"I'll go ahead and take my seat before you Kazekage-dono!" Hiruzen said.
"Carry on ahead; I'll meet you there." Rasa smiled.
"Mm!" Hiruzen nodded and left along with Raidō, Iwashi, and Jiraiya.
...
"Kazekage-sama!"
"Aren't we supposed to meet after the plan?" Baki asked.
"…" Rasa was silent for a moment.
"Baki!"
"We are not going to destroy this village!" Rasa said.
"What?" Baki, Temari, and Kankurō were surprised except Gaara.
"Gaara…" Rasa turned to face his son.
From the moment Rasa heard Gaara was a failed experiment he couldn't stare at his son in the eye. After many years this was the first time he was able to stand face to face with his own son.
"Father, you've tried to kill me six times in the past," Gaara said.
"I'm Sorry!" Rasa apologized.
(Whoosh!)
Gaara's sand turned into a hand that rushed forward to grab Rasa.
"Gaara!" Baki shouted.
(Sh!)
The sand stopped right before Rasa.
"Why didn't you attack?"
"I deserve it!"
"I failed in everything I did."
"After all, I took away your future by turning you into a Jinchūriki!"
"I took your mother, away from you."
"I robbed you of your love for your mother."Rasa as he thought back to the time when Gaara was born a premature birth.
"I've failed both as a father since all I did was torment you…"
"I've failed as a Kazekage by almost leaving the village defenseless…" Rasa murmured.
(Sh!)
(Sh!) (Sh!)
The sand in front of Rasa slowly transformed into a vague figure of a woman.
"Karura…" Rasa stared at the sand, following which he removed his Kazekage cap.
"That sand that is floating in front of me is your mother protecting you from within," Rasa said.
Tears started to drop down Gaara's face, followed by Kankurō's and Temari's as well.
"Mother…" The three murmured at the same time as they turned towards the sand that was in front of Rasa, slowly dropping down to the floor.
"Father!"
"It is a leader's duty to eliminate threats against the village."
"I understand that you were only trying to do your duty." Gaara slowly said.
"Gaara…" Temari and Kankuro murmured.
Rasa slowly lifted his head to look at his son.
("You've grown…") Rasa thought upon seeing the calm look on Gaara's face that radiated gentleness rather than the cold-blooded calm look that he had before.
"Kazekage-sama!" Baki called out.
"Hm?" Rasa looked towards Baki.
"Are you serious when you said you are not going to destroy the village?" Baki asked.
"Yes!" Rasa responded, following which he explained what all had happened on his way to the Exam.
The explanation also included the part where Kakashi had explained how Gaara had given the Hidden Leaf the information on the Leaf destruction plan.
"It's all thanks to you that I am here today, Gaara!"
"If not for you, I might have been killed by that traitor Orochimaru!" Rasa said.
Baki, Temari, and Kankurō looked towards Gaara in surprise, especially Kankurō who knew Gaara will not participate in the destruction, but what surprised him was the part where Gaara revealed the plan to Hayate.
"The new plan is to help the Hidden Leaf Village in defending against the Hidden Sound," Rasa said.
"The Hidden Sound?"
"Wouldn't they back out of the plan since they already know that you are alive and know of their betrayal?" Baki asked.
"If you think it is over then you are naive!"
"Orochimaru is not one to hide in fear, but a true snake that bites back!"
"Not only Orochimaru has his forces, but there are also some possibilities of the reanimation jutsu pawns that he might have secretly revived," Rasa explained.
"Mm!" Baki agreed immediately feeling sweat drop from the sides of his temples.
"You three!" Rasa turned towards Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō.
"I want you all to fight in this exam as a part of the real thing, but also make sure to reserve some of your trump cards and strength for the real battle later," Rasa said.
"Mm!" The trio nodded.
"All right!"
"The three of you are dismissed!" Rasa said.
The trio walked out of the area with Gaara staring at Rasa as he kept walking along with the two beside him towards the Exam arena to line up with the other contestants.
"Baki!" Rasa called out.
"Yes?" Baki responded.
"You are.."
———————————————-
On the tallest pagoda that faced the Chuunin Exam Battle Arena.
"Seems like you had a long chat," Hiruzen said upon seeing Rasa appear.
"Indeed!" Rasa agreed upon sitting down, following which he saw the view of the Eight contestants standing on the ground.
"Looks like those two brats aren't here yet," Rasa said.
("Naruto and Sasuke")
"This is a problem indeed…" Hiruzen stared at the ground following which he turned towards Raidō.
———————————————-
On the ground, eight figures stood side by side as they face Genma who was in front of them with a paper.
"Hyūga Neji, Gaara, Kankurō, Aburame Shino, Temari, Dosu, Nara Shikamaru and Haruno Sakura"
"Looks like Naruto and Sasuke are absent." Genma murmured as he stared at the eight who were lined up horizontally in front of him.
("Damn it, where are you two")
("SHAAANNNNARROOOOO!!!!!") Sakura screamed in her mind.
("Naruto, Sasuke do I have to use it now?") Shikamaru thought.
Meanwhile, Karin and Hinata were also worried for Naruto's sake...
(Whoosh!)
Raidō appeared next to Genma and whispered a few words in his ears.
"I see…" Genma murmured.
("Huh?")
("Looks like they intend to start without those two I suppose.") Shikamaru thought.
Genma then turned towards the ninjas who were at the giant doors.
The ninjas nodded to each other following which the doors closed.
(Whoosh!) The ninjas placed outside the door rushed out in top speed.
("COMMENCE EMERGENCY EVAC!")
(Whoosh!)
…..
"BOOOO!!!!!" Some people in the crowd started to Boo upon not seeing Sasuke or Naruto on the ground.
"THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE ORDER OF MATCHUPS"
"Since the Contestants of the first two battles have not appeared yet…"
"We will start with the remaining matchups!" Genma announced.
(OOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!)
The remaining crowd around the stadium started to applaud.
Genma turned towards the Eight behind him.
"Throw out your chests and show your faces to the spectators."
"You guys are the stars of this 'Final Round!'," Genma said.
("Stars huh?") Sakura stared at everyone on the seating area.
("CHAA!!!")
("I am going to be the best Kunoichi Tsunade-sama can be proud of!") Sakura thought.
….
Hiruzen got up from his seat and walked towards the balcony of his building.
"Everyone, Thank You so much for coming to the Village Hidden in Leaves Chuunin Exam!"
"We will now begin the 'Final Rounds' " Hiruzen announced in a loud voice.
….
"Listen Up you guys!"
"The terrain is different, but the rule is that there are no rules,"
"the same as in the preliminaries."
"The matches will continue until one or the other dies, or acknowledges defeat."
"However, if I judge that it has been settled, I'll stop the match there!"
"Arguments will not be allowed!"
"Understood?" Genma asked.
"Mm!" Everyone nodded.
Genma gestured the contestants other than two, in particular, to go to their waiting room.
…..
From the seating area around the stadium…
Baki stared at the place where Rasa was sitting.
("What the hell is the Kazekage-sama thinking?")
("Assassinate the Wind Daimyō?") Baki thought back to what Rasa said before he left the place.
….
("The clash between the two villages right of the bat huh?") Hiruzen and Rasa thought as they looked at the two figures remaining on the ground.
Genma looked at the two figures in front of him.
"The First Battle Between Kankurō of the Hidden Sand and Aburame Shino of the Hidden Leaf!"
>>>>BEGIN<<<<
I might not be able to post a chapter tomorrow...
As usual
comments, power stones, reviews, and likes.
Got a cool new cover for the book coming out once Naruto and Sasuke reappear in the Chuunin exams.
Your power stones keep me motivated
If the book reaches above rank 20, I might consider releasing two chapters everyday...
Peace ✌️
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