The Chunin Exams in Hidden Sand Village would also last for a month. At the end of June, the Ninja from Konoha Village traversed the sand sea, arriving at Hidden Sand Village to participate in the Chunin Exams by invitation.
After Ino's class and before Konohamaru's class, there weren't many outstanding Genin from Konoha Village.
Naruto was still in the hospital taking care of the seriously ill Iruka. The Konoha 12 were all too young, and it was feared they wouldn't be able to handle it, so only Ino came to Hidden Sand Village as a Medical Ninja.
The Jonin leading the Konoha contingent were Kakashi and Shiranui Genma.
Shiranui Genma's strength was actually not weak. He and Anko Mitarashi, both Special Jonin, actually possessed the strength, or rather the potential, of Jonin. Anko Mitarashi had basically given up, lying flat, thinking, 'I'm not going to try anymore, whatever happens, happens.' Shiranui Genma hadn't given up, but his luck was always just a little bit off.
As a Special Jonin, his personal rank was actually lower than his personal strength, which was very similar to Ino still being a Chunin now. Both of them were stuck due to an insufficient number of missions.
Ino simply had too few completed missions, while he didn't have the opportunity to execute high-level missions.
Shiranui Genma's ability to fight the Hidden Sand Village's elite Jonin Baki to a draw at the Chunin Exams site showed his personal strength was actually very high.
Given Baki's situation at the time, there was no need to hold back; he was definitely giving his all. Even so, Shiranui Genma was able to fight him for a long time as if nothing was wrong, until Kakashi and Might Guy finished clearing out the Otogakure soldiers and came to help. He had no injuries on him, his clothes weren't even dirty, and he even stood in the center when the three of them chatted with Baki afterward.
All things considered, it's absolutely fair to call him an elite among supporting characters.
The reason his mission completion count was low and he couldn't be promoted to Jonin was because he always remained outside the Hokage's inner circle.
He wanted to actively get closer, but no one gave him the opportunity.
Carefully studying Shiranui Genma's resume, as a well-known figure in the supporting cast, he basically managed to get involved in every major event that could be named.
From encountering the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist during the Third Shinobi World War right after graduation, and Might Duy opening the Eight Gates, all the way to serving as the Fourth Hokage's bodyguard, presiding over the Chunin Exams, the Sasuke Retrieval Mission, the Fourth Shinobi World War, teleporting Mei Terumī, pursuing the Second Tsuchikage, and other major events, his active presence could be seen. But... his judgment was a bit off, and his luck was also a bit off.
Initially, he was not valued under the Third Hokage. He set his sights on Minato Namikaze early on, diligently following him around. After Minato Namikaze took office, he also gained some credit for supporting the new leader and even received instruction in the Flying Thunder God Technique. Although he didn't master it, he learned the Flying Thunder Formation Technique, and at that time, he was highly regarded.
Unfortunately, good times didn't last. The Fourth Hokage died too early, and then the Third Hokage returned to power, immediately making his position awkward.
After more than a decade of consistent effort, he regained the Third Hokage's trust and served as an examiner for the Chunin Exams. The result... the Third Hokage died.
Now, after painstakingly earning the Fifth Hokage's trust, what? The Fourth Hokage is going to be revived again? The Fifth Hokage had the intention of returning the Hokage position to the Fourth Hokage, but the Fourth Hokage refused.
He was very speechless about this. What was all his hard work for over these past ten-plus years?!
Temari came to welcome the Konoha group from Hidden Sand Village.
Temari looked tired, with a hint of a forced smile.
Ino also smelled a faint scent of blood on her. This definitely wasn't 'that time of the month,' but from killing. Without a doubt, someone must have tried to kill her while she was out of the village.
The internal situation in Hidden Sand Village was even more turbulent than expected.
Seeing Da Li Shi specifically come out of the village to welcome her, Ino felt a bit embarrassed. She could only say that when one is in the Ninja World, one cannot help oneself. For her to cause so much trouble just to get the Mangekyo Sharingan from Shisui...
She felt that no matter what, she should protect Miss Da Li Shi. After all, she would eventually marry far away to Konoha, so becoming family in advance shouldn't be a problem.
"Hmph, why the sour face? Did you hear the news of my promotion to Jonin?" Temari said, quite pleased.
Ino 'Tch'ed. This Hidden Sand Village truly had no one. To give Gaara more support, even someone like Temari could be promoted to Jonin. Your seniority is far too low!
"Yes, you're amazing, alright? Has your somewhat simple-minded younger brother also been promoted?"
Kankuro glared at her with a dark expression. She whistled like Tsunade, implying that whoever responded was simple-minded.
With Gaara becoming the Fifth Kazekage, Temari and Kankuro's status rose, and both were promoted to Jonin.
The talent-scarce Hidden Sand Village could only use blood ties to forcefully promote two Jonin to help Gaara stabilize the situation.
Ino shook her head, feeling pity.
The older generation of Hidden Sand Village consisted of Chiyo and Ebizo, but these two elders were no longer involved in affairs. The core strength was Baki and Yura, and Yura was a spy. The rest were just the three young ones...
Unfortunately, Gaara was already the Fifth Kazekage. He would not surrender to Konoha, and the political environment also did not allow the Land of Fire to annex the Land of Wind.
It was highly likely they would come to blows again in the future.
Konoha brought sixty Genin this time, including veterans who had failed the exam seven or eight times, and newcomers who had just graduated from the academy, aiming to catch up to Ino's class.
Temari quickly scanned them. Their strength was all very average. In contrast, Hidden Sand Village's Genin had an advantage this time. Perfect!
Hidden Sand Village, hosting the Chunin Exams in their own village, naturally wanted to leverage their home advantage and also showcase their presence to the various Ninja villages.
As long as Konoha didn't steal their thunder, it would be fine.
Konoha and Hidden Sand Village were allies, but an ally's ally was not necessarily an ally.
As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Hidden Sand Village still had its foundations, and some surrounding small countries, as its subordinates, sent Genin to participate in the exam.
Otogakure, established by Orochimaru in the Land of Rice Fields, was not an ally of Konoha now, but Hidden Sand Village and Otogakure had maintained contact and had not broken their alliance.
Jonin Guren brought twelve Otogakure Ninja to participate in the exam.
As the Konoha group entered Hidden Sand Village, they happened to see Guren training with her subordinates. This powerful Female Ninja didn't even look at the Konoha group, letting out a disdainful 'Hmph' from her nose. From their outward appearance, it was impossible to imagine that the two sides were allies.
Kakashi, as a high-ranking official of Konoha Village, represented the Fifth Hokage to meet Gaara and discuss the details of the competition.
Shiranui Genma, on the other hand, arranged for the Genin to rest and prepare for the theoretical exam two days later.
Ino, who always believed in "either be a good prime minister or a good doctor," toured Hidden Sand Village's hospital facilities accompanied by Temari.
"You said you're a Medical Ninja?" Upon hearing that Ino, the woman who had pounded her younger brother into the ground, was a Medical Ninja, Temari was 120% incredulous. How was that possible? I don't believe it!
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