The Chūnin Exams during the winter of Konoha's 40th year arrived later than usual.
As the first large-scale Chūnin Exams held after the end of the Third Shinobi World War, preparations naturally took much longer than previous years.
There was another important reason as well.
The delegation from Kumogakure, which had supposedly agreed to participate in peace negotiations, never arrived in Konoha.
Hayashi had effectively been ignored by the Fourth Raikage.
The other side clearly had no interest in negotiations.
Since Kumogakure had no intention of cooperating, they naturally refused to participate in the Chūnin Exams as well.
Their stance was obvious.
They no longer wanted to involve themselves with Konoha's influence and instead intended to strengthen the Hidden Cloud independently.
For a while, newspapers across several nations began stirring up discussions, especially those within the Land of Lightning.
"Shocking News! The Konoha Prosperity Alliance Loses Kumogakure Participation, Chūnin Exams Expected to Become a National Joke!"
Although the reports were exaggerated, Konoha had indeed suffered losses.
At the very least, they had lost a massive amount of tourism income.
Still, even without Kumogakure, the remaining major villages would all attend.
Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure had already confirmed participation.
Several smaller villages such as Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure also planned to send teams.
The most outrageous rumor circulating claimed that the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, would arrive together with the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, while the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, would personally attend as well.
Most people with common sense understood this was simply propaganda released by Konoha to attract visitors.
Ōnoki coming to Konoha personally?
Impossible.
The old man would rather avoid the village entirely than revisit memories tied to the war.
However, the Fourth Kazekage and Fourth Mizukage truly would attend.
Three Kage gathering in Konoha during the Chūnin Exams was unprecedented.
Because of this, Konoha's security measures intensified as the exam period approached.
Beginning in December, most active jōnin returned to the village.
The entire village appeared relaxed on the surface, but beneath that appearance, the security network was operating at full force.
Years ago, Hayashi still needed to patrol the streets personally.
Now, with his current status and reputation, no one would ask him to handle basic security work anymore.
Those duties had gradually been handed over to the younger generation.
More specifically, shinobi like Minato and Nawaki.
Likewise, the participants of the Chūnin Exams had shifted from Minato's generation to Kakashi's generation.
The Will of Fire continued passing from one generation to the next like an endless relay.
As Uchiha Clan Head, Hayashi had entered a rare period of relaxation.
He had already arranged everything necessary for his three students, so additional training was unnecessary for now.
That naturally left him with far more free time.
At the same time, the Uchiha Commercial District had entered a crucial stage of expansion.
The Chūnin Exams presented the perfect opportunity to raise its reputation throughout the shinobi world.
To capitalize on this, the district launched limited-edition commemorative merchandise themed around the Chūnin Exams under Konoha's official banner.
The old ninja cards had officially evolved into collectible figurines.
Beyond that, Hayashi personally developed a new card game.
Five Nations Kill.
The game incorporated battle tactics between shinobi while using the Shinobi World War as its setting. Identity roles, strategy, ninjutsu cards, and historical references were all blended together into one competitive system.
It was educational, entertaining, and surprisingly addictive.
"Can't win the Shinobi World War in reality? Then come rewrite history in Five Nations Kill!"
The commercial district rapidly expanded its product variety.
Different products targeted different groups of customers, but Hayashi strictly limited quantities to create scarcity and increase demand.
For the sake of profit, he had already abandoned all shame.
Inside a bustling izakaya within the Uchiha Clan Compound, customers continuously entered and exited.
However, many shinobi nearby had their attention fixed on a certain table.
Three legendary figures were currently playing cards there.
Tsunade casually tossed down a pair of threes.
"Not bad, Hayashi. You've turned this entire district into something impressive."
Hayashi immediately responded with a pair of fives before adjusting imaginary glasses with a smug grin.
"Of course. Sensei Tsunade, you should know who taught them how to make money."
"Pair of tens."
Jiraiya calmly threw down his cards.
Tsunade's expression darkened.
"Pass."
Jiraiya looked completely innocent.
"They're the smallest cards I had."
Tsunade ignored him and suddenly waved toward the waiter.
"Since everyone's enjoying themselves today, let's make the food and drinks free."
Hayashi nearly choked.
Before he could refuse, Tsunade had already shouted again.
"Bring two bottles of Konoha Year Two Plum Wine."
"..."
"And Shizune, if you see anything interesting outside, just take it."
"Your big brother Hayashi is paying anyway."
"Understood."
Shizune immediately adjusted the oversized backpack she had prepared beforehand and happily walked outside.
Hayashi stared at the scene speechlessly.
"Sensei Tsunade, this is robbery."
"Robbery?" Tsunade snorted. "You and Jiraiya have been winning money from me all day. I'm just recovering my losses."
"Besides, I'm leaving Konoha soon. You should at least give me a proper farewell gift."
Hayashi rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Tsunade had originally come to say goodbye.
But after drinking together, the group somehow ended up playing cards from morning until evening.
And Tsunade had lost the entire day.
Naturally, she refused to accept defeat quietly.
If she couldn't win back money at the table, she would simply recover it through food, drinks, and shopping.
"Sensei Tsunade, are you really leaving before the Chūnin Exams begin?" Hayashi asked.
Tsunade nodded lazily.
"There's nothing worth watching."
"It's always the same thing anyway."
Hayashi glanced toward the door.
"What about Shizune?"
"I'm taking her with me."
Tsunade leaned back comfortably.
"I'll accept an S-rank mission while traveling. By the time we return, she'll probably qualify as a chūnin already."
Hayashi fell silent.
Tsunade had practically developed her own unique method for raising talented girls.
Take them across the shinobi world on dangerous missions for several years, force them to gain experience, and sharpen their skills through real combat.
Kana and Nono had both grown through that same process.
More importantly, with Tsunade personally teaching her, Shizune's medical ninjutsu would improve at an astonishing speed.
After years of traveling and mission experience, becoming a jōnin would not be difficult for her.
Of course, Tsunade also clearly intended to train someone capable of taking care of her daily life.
Laziness remained one of her most consistent traits.
Hayashi then turned toward Jiraiya.
"Uncle Jiraiya, you're staying in Konoha?"
"Not leaving for now."
Jiraiya grinned proudly.
Recently, he had been in an unusually good mood.
His earlier novel, The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi, had received emotional praise from almost nobody.
Very few people actually bought it.
Publishers refused to invest in something with terrible sales potential.
So Hayashi personally had the Uchiha Publishing House purchase the rights to Jiraiya's newest manuscript.
Icha Icha Paradise.
Jiraiya was so happy he nearly cried on the spot.
As for whether the deal made money or lost money...
Time would decide.
Either way, the publishing rights would remain in Uchiha hands for decades after Jiraiya's death.
On business matters, Tsunade's instincts were surprisingly sharp as well.
Originally, she had planned to donate the Senju Clan Compound and turn it into a public park.
But after witnessing the explosive success of the Uchiha Commercial District, she immediately changed her mind.
The Senju compound sat in an excellent location.
Prime real estate.
Giving it away now would be idiotic.
The Third Hokage felt genuine regret over this development.
Nawaki felt even worse.
From beginning to end, nobody had bothered asking for his opinion at all.