ALL NOVEL Chapter 71: Transition Before the Omen
Chapter
72: Transition Before the Omen
'Chunnin Exam? I didn't expect it to
be held this year. If it were next year, it would be just right. This year,
let's not talk about the others; even Menma and Sasuke are still too young...'
Iruka thought, shaking his head gently in the queue.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen finished
speaking, none of the Chunin who had just led teams this year spoke. They were
aware of their teams' strengths. The teams led by these Chunin were mostly
composed of ordinary Genin. In the past six months since graduation, they had
been carrying out D-rank and C-rank tasks. Only a few teams had just started.
It was still too early for them to participate in the Chunin Exam.
Therefore, none of the Chunin spoke.
Iruka's face also showed a look of 'as expected'. Just when Iruka thought that
the meeting would end there, three voices spoke up.
"I, Hatake Kakashi, as a Jonin,
recommend Uzumaki Menma, Namikaze Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura to
participate in this Chunin Exam." "I, Sarutobi Asuma, as a Jonin,
recommend..." "I, Kurenai Yuhi..."
Just like in the original series,
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi successively recommended the newly graduated
Genin in their teams to participate in this Chunin Exam.
'All three of them recommended their
subordinates?' 'They seem to have just graduated, right?' 'Is this a dispute of
pride?' 'It shouldn't be that serious, right?' 'I still don't think it's very
reliable.' 'Maybe this is a genius?'
The other Chunin showed a hint of
surprise, frequently communicating with each other through glances.
Iruka's face changed as he stepped
forward and said to Sarutobi Hiruzen respectfully, "Hokage, please forgive
me for being blunt. I think it is not appropriate to let the Genin who just
graduated half a year ago take part in the Chunin Exam. Please reconsider."
Even though Iruka knew his words
might offend the Jonin who had just recommended their subordinates, he felt
obligated to stand up. He couldn't let these children take unnecessary risks.
"Iruka-san, Naruto and Menma
are no longer your students but formal Konoha ninjas. You do not know their
growth in the past six months. As the captain of Team 7, I know their current
strength very well. They are fully qualified to take part in this Chunin
Exam!" Kakashi turned his head, looking at Iruka with a very serious
expression.
"But!" Iruka obviously
didn't believe Kakashi and felt that he was forcing things, but before he could
continue, Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted.
"Okay, Iruka. Just as Kakashi
said, Menma, Naruto, and others are now official Konoha ninjas. They are
qualified to participate in this Chunin Exam. This is also very good training
for them, and the recommendation of the Jonin is a form of recognition."
Even though Iruka could refute
Kakashi and the others' words with courage, when Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he
could only hold his words in his heart. Iruka sighed silently and stepped back,
bowing his head. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Well, then the list of
participants this time is finalized. There can be no mistakes in the subsequent
preparations. Do you understand?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned forward
slightly, his look solemn.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" The
ninjas below replied in unison.
After explaining some other issues,
Sarutobi Hiruzen announced the meeting's dissolution.
The Chunin Exam is one of the major
affairs of a ninja village. In peacetime, the most direct means of competition
among ninja villages is the Chunin Exam. Through this joint assessment, they
can show the strength of their ninja villages and strive for more task shares.
This is a major event that concerns the interests of ninja villages.
As the Kage of the village, Sarutobi
Hiruzen needed to pay special attention. While most tasks could be handled by
others, some necessary matters required his review and handling. For example,
the Kazekage of the Sand Village coming to Konohagakure to watch the final
stage of the competition, as well as the daimyos of the Land of Fire, Land of
Wind, and surrounding countries, needed to be received by Sarutobi Hiruzen in
person.
While the meeting was held in the
Hokage Building, Menma, who was on vacation, stepped towards the largest
commercial street in Konohagakure. After solving his funding worries
previously, Menma planned to replace his equipment, including ninja tools and clothing.
He had been wearing clothes similar to Naruto's from the original series, which
he found rustic.
Menma took time to draw a few simple
designs, inspired by the Akatsuki organization's fire cloud robe, removing the
high collar and fire cloud part, modifying it into a mid-sleeve coat. He
matched it with dark ninja clothes and slim trousers, taking it to the largest
clothing store in Konohagakure for customization. He ordered several sets in
red and black, white and blue, and red and white.
Today was the day to receive the
finished products. After arriving at the store and seeing the clothes, Menma
was very satisfied. He changed into the red and black outfit in the dressing
room. Looking at himself in the giant floor-to-ceiling mirror, Menma's mouth
raised a beautiful arc. Even the clerk behind him brightened up subconsciously.
Menma's appearance was very good, and with this outfit, he looked like a
handsome young man.
However, the clerk lowered their
eyes again. Menma's image in the eyes of Konohagakure's people hadn't changed.
It was the forehead protector that made them suppress their emotions in public.
Menma didn't care about their opinions. After checking that the other sets of
clothes met his requirements, he paid the balance and left the clothing store
leisurely.