At the Mission Assignment Desk, Kakashi Hatake lazily placed a mission report on the counter, where Iruka was standing.
Just as he was about to return to continue "studying" *icha icha paradise*, he was stopped by Iruka.
Kakashi turned his head to see what Iruka wanted to say.
Iruka's gaze fell on the mission report and quickly moved back to Kakashi, his tone filled with concern.
"Lately... how is Naruto doing? It feels like I haven't seen him for a while..."
After saying that, Iruka blushed slightly and scratched his face sheepishly.
Kakashi's exposed eye looked at Iruka without much emotion, his tone as flat as if he were stating that the weather today was nice.
"Ah, he's doing well. As Iruka-sensei knows, that Uchiha Sasuke is with him. Although they are somewhat hostile toward each other and their relationship isn't great, the good thing is their strength has significantly increased."
At this point, Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"He's even almost catching up to you, whom he respects."
Facing these somewhat sarcastic words, Iruka only responded to Kakashi happily.
"Is that so? That's good."
Kakashi took one last look at Iruka and left... Many strange faces wearing headbands from different hidden villages began to appear in Konoha Village.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were on their way back.
Naruto was still rambling and complaining about the boredom of the missions, Sasuke listened with a cold face, and Sakura tried to soothe Naruto, though her gaze drifted toward Sasuke from time to time.
Just as they passed a relatively quiet street, a discordant voice rang out.
"Hey, look at those brats over there. They must be Konoha's Genin, right? They don't look like much."
A voice said with undisguised contempt.
The three looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure standing not far away, wearing a Hidden Sand Village headband.
The speaker was a boy wearing a black mesh bodysuit, with purple markings on his face and a huge, strange Puppet wrapped in bandages on his back.
Beside him was a blonde girl with four ponytails, holding a giant Three-Star Fan.
Seeing Naruto and the others look over, Kankuro became even more smug and took a few steps forward.
"Konoha's Genin are at this level? It seems this Chunin Exams will be quite easy."
"What did you say?! You guy with the weird face paint!"
Naruto immediately bristled and shouted, pointing at Kankuro.
"Hmph, don't you even do basic intelligence gathering? What a waste."
Kankuro sneered, his gaze turning to the cold-faced Sasuke nearby.
"Hey, you arrogant-looking kid, you look a bit more pleasing to the eye than that blonde, but..."
Before he could finish, Sasuke coldly interrupted him, his black eyes filled with undisguised hostility.
"If you're looking for trouble, I'll accompany you."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Sakura shrank back a bit in fear; she could feel that the opponent was no ordinary Genin.
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto, we should..."
Kankuro was provoked by Sasuke's attitude and was about to make a move.
But just as his fingers twitched, seemingly about to unwrap the bandages of the Puppet behind him...
"Enough, Kankuro. Don't cause trouble for me, or I'll kill you."
A cold, emotionless voice rang out, like a cold wind blowing through. Gaara was hanging upside down from a tree, his voice indifferent and his eyes devoid of any emotion.
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly as he turned to look.
He could feel it—this red-haired kid was strong!
Kankuro was like a duck being choked; he instantly went silent and sheepishly withdrew his hand, looking somewhat panicked.
"S-Sorry, I understand."
Gaara didn't say anything else, simply turning away indifferently.
Temari and Kankuro immediately followed. As Kankuro passed by Sasuke, he gave him a sharp glare.
Sasuke called out to him.
"Hey, you over there, what's your name?"
Temari turned her head, looking somewhat pleased.
"Eh? Are you asking me?"
"No, the guy over there with the big gourd on his back."
Sasuke ruthlessly ended her fantasy.
Gaara turned around.
"Gaara. I'm also a bit interested in you. What's your name?"
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto also jumped out, pointing at himself.
"What about me? What about me?"
Gaara turned his head.
"Not interested."
The Hidden Sand trio's figures disappeared at the end of the street.
Naruto:...Do I look that weak?
Sasuke just smirked.
Things are getting interesting... Hokage Office.
All the Jonin instructors of the newly promoted Genin, including Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and others, as well as Iruka, were summoned here.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before everyone with a serious expression.
"I have summoned you all here to announce one thing: the Chunin Selection Exams hosted by our Konoha Village are about to begin."
Upon hearing the news, the expressions of several Jonin remained normal, and they all signed up. However, Iruka's expression changed when he saw this.
Letting Genin who had just graduated participate in the Chunin Exams was something that hadn't happened in many years.
Iruka couldn't help but take a step forward, his tone agitated.
"Please wait! Letting those Genin who just graduated participate in the Chunin Exams is simply too rushed! They are all my students. Although they are excellent, forcing them to face such an exam now—are you only going to be satisfied once casualties occur?"
The Chunin Exams had always been brutal, gathering elites from various countries; casualties were inevitable.
However, before the Third Hokage could speak, a lazy yet unquestionable voice rang out.
"I say, Iruka..."
Everyone looked over and saw Kakashi glancing sideways at Iruka.
"When I was six years younger than Naruto is now, I had already participated in and passed the Chunin Exams."
"Naruto is different from you! Do you want to ruin that child?!"
Iruka argued loudly.
"Naruto always complains about being bored during missions. I'm quite interested in letting them suffer a bit; ruining them seems quite interesting too."
Kakashi's tone was flat, but it hit Iruka's heart like a heavy hammer.
"What? What did you say?!" Iruka grit his teeth, obviously not expecting Kakashi to say such a thing.
"Kakashi, that's enough."
Kurenai Yuhi spoke up.
Kakashi turned a deaf ear, his only exposed eye staring directly at Iruka.
"Talking more is useless. They are no longer your students; they are my subordinates."
He was asserting his authority over Team 7.
"You...!" Iruka was choked with anger.
Asuma watched from the side, frowning.
Kurenai Yuhi closed her eyes and said no more.
The Third Hokage spoke up at the right time to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Alright, Kakashi, that's enough. Iruka, I understand your concerns, but young birds must eventually leave the nest. Appropriate tempering is necessary for them. Dismissed."
The meeting ended in a slightly heavy atmosphere. The several Jonin left to inform the Genin they led.
Kurenai Yuhi walked back to the training ground, thinking about Team 8's situation.
Kiba and Shino shouldn't be much of a problem. The key was Hinata... with her strength, participating in the Chunin Exams was more than enough; she might even cause quite a stir.
Kakashi looked indifferent; this exam could temper Naruto and Sasuke, making it an excellent opportunity.
Meanwhile, Iruka left the Hokage Building silently, his heart full of worry and a sense of humiliation from being looked down upon by Kakashi.
He knew he couldn't change anything and could only silently pray in his heart for Naruto and all the Genin who might participate in the exam.