met free Chapter 91 is here! Kakashi's team and Guy's team participate in the trial.
Chapter 91 is here! Kakashi's team and Guy's team participate in the trial.
"Should we send our subordinates to participate in this Chunin Selection? If they don't participate this time, they'll have to participate in next year's Joint Chunin Exams, which is more than a year in between..."
"The Joint Chunin Exams are generally a test of military strength between nations. So unless you are absolutely certain of victory, it's best not to participate to avoid being underestimated by enemy nations regarding the strength of Konoha's new generation."
"That's right, the competition in the Joint Chunin Exams will be even more intense and brutal than this one, and there might even be life-threatening situations!"
"That's why the village canceled the Chunin Exams in the second half of the year, giving the Genin more time to grow and prepare for next year's fierce competition. I believe other ninja villages are doing the same, after all, this is a microcosm of a national war..."
"So, this Chunin Exams are actually just for those senior genin who aren't good enough to handle next year's Joint Exams?"
"Well, you can't say that. You can also think of this exam as an elimination round or a test of experience for next year's joint Chunin Exams. Let's select more elite genin to face next year's joint Chunin Exams!"
"I see……"
Amidst the heated discussion among the many Konoha Jonin and Chunin, Might Guy also turned his intense gaze to Kakashi.
"Kakashi, what do you think? Should we let our beloved student participate in this Chunin Exams?"
"Well, our class hasn't completed that many D-rank missions yet," Kakashi shrugged and declined, not even considering the Chunin Exams.
The three members of Ishikawa have just learned swordsmanship and are at a crucial stage of their growth. How could they waste time participating in the so-called Chunin Exams? They don't care about any exam experience at all. Next year's Joint Chunin Exams will be the time for Team 7 to shine!
"Kakashi, if it's Team 7, we can consider it, after all, you guys have experience completing A-rank and B-rank missions." Just as Might Guy was about to speak with a disappointed look, the Third Hokage suddenly spoke up with a surprising statement.
"What? Kakashi's team has completed A-rank and B-rank missions before??"
"No way! I remember their class consisted of recent graduates, how could they have such strong abilities?"
"Ahem, don't just look at those three genin subordinates, the jonin leading the team is the genius Kakashi..."
"Well, if that's the case, then it's really not a big deal!"
Amidst the gasps of surprise from the crowd, Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he stared at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a look of astonishment.
As an elite Jonin with a keen sense of smell, Kakashi certainly didn't think that the Third Hokage's sudden intervention was simply a concession made because Team 7 wasn't eligible to participate.
After all, the exam qualification is just a qualification; whether or not one should actually participate depends on the opinions of his teacher and the three others, including Ishikawa!
Therefore, the Third Hokage had only one purpose in saying this: to get Team 7 to participate in the Chunin Exams.
But why was the Third Hokage so eager for Ishikawa and the others to participate in the Chunin Exams?
"Ahem, now everyone can begin making recommendations." Under Kakashi's questioning gaze, the Third Hokage nodded calmly and solemnly announced.
The next second, a green-haired young chunin was seen forming a reconciliation seal with one hand.
"Lord Hokage, Team 5, led by Aoi, consisting of Idaten Morino, Yoshiaki Yamashiro, and Awata Awa, is recommended by me, Midori Aoi, to participate in this Chunin Selection Exam."
Instantly, everyone present was drawn to Green Blue Aoi's bold statement. No one had expected that it would be Green Blue Aoi, a Chunin, who would be the first to participate in the test.
"Lord Hokage, Team 4, led by Funano..."
"Lord Hokage, Team 9, led by Kurokumo..."
In less than half a second, several more Jonin and Chunin stepped forward to recommend their subordinates to participate. However, as the number of applicants continued to increase, Kakashi and Might Guy remained standing firmly in place!
"So, Kakashi, do you want your team to participate in the Chunin Exams?" Seeing that Kakashi remained unmoved, the Third Hokage had no choice but to ask again.
"Is that so...?" Seeing the Third Hokage's obvious urging look, Kakashi suppressed his doubts and took two steps forward, forming the Reconciliation Seal with one hand.
"Lord Hokage, Team 7, led by Kakashi, consisting of Mitarashi Ishikawa, Yamada Taro, and Hei Jiro, is recommended by me, Hatake Kakashi, to participate in this Chunin Exams."
"Kakashi, you actually..." Seeing his best friend suddenly change his attitude, Might Guy's expression changed and his fighting spirit soared!
Without hesitation, Might Guy immediately formed the Seal of Reconciliation with a solemn expression: "Hokage-sama, Team 3, led by Guy, consisting of Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten, is recommended by me, Might Guy, to participate in this Chunin Exams."
As his lifelong rival, how could he fall behind Kakashi! Although Lee and the others do not yet have the qualifications to become Chunin, that does not prevent them from participating in the exam and seeing for themselves.
"Oh? Class 3? Let me see..." The Third Generation was not surprised and looked down to check the mission log.
But before he could even begin, Might Guy excitedly stepped forward, his eyes burning with fervor. "No need to look, Hokage-sama. Although Team 3 didn't complete the usual 16 D-rank missions, we just finished our 9th D-rank mission, so according to the rules, we can participate in the Chunin Exams."
"Is that so? If you insist, then so be it!" The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke, nodded in agreement without further examination.
"Oh ho! This is youth, Kakashi! It seems our disciples will inevitably become the bond that continues our connection. So, shall we make a bet, Kakashi, and see whose disciple will become a Chunin first?" Seeing the Third Hokage agree, Guy immediately grinned and challenged Kakashi to a duel.
Although his students aren't currently qualified to become Chunin, Kakashi's students are in the same boat! So why not gamble on the unknown future of youth...?
"Gai, are you talking?" Just as Might Guy was getting excited and his blood was boiling, Kakashi turned his head and looked confused.
"Damn it, not again! Kakashi ヽ(｀⌒′メ)ノ"
"Huh?" Kakashi was completely bewildered, staring at Might Guy with snot and tears streaming down his face. He had been pondering the Third Hokage's intentions and hadn't actually heard Guy's question.
"Alright, everyone can go back and inform them to prepare! The meeting will be in a week. Kakashi, stay behind." Just as he was about to ask a question, the Third Hokage spoke again, telling Kakashi to shut up.
"Yes, Lord Hokage..."
The others didn't say much either, and everyone, including Guy, filed out of the Hokage's office.
"Kakashi, are you wondering why I had Team 7 participate in this Chunin Exam?" As the door closed, before Kakashi could even speak, the Third Hokage exhaled a breath of stale air and spoke first.
"That's right, with Ishikawa and the others' strength, they are actually more suitable to participate in next year's joint exam. I'm confident that Ishikawa will definitely make a name for himself in next year's exam!" Kakashi said frankly, full of confidence in Ishikawa.
"It seems you have a lot of confidence in that little Ishikawa..." The Third Hokage smiled and nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, before his expression turned serious and his gaze became solemn. "However, you don't have that much time left, Kakashi."
Kakashi?