Kosuke set down his teacup and looked seriously at Shinichi.
Toward this junior whom he had personally watched grow up, and whom he sincerely admired and thought highly of, he had always been willing to help whenever possible.
"It's like this, senior Kosuke."
Shinichi carefully considered his wording before continuing: "Next month, the village will hold the Chunin exams. My teammates, Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi, plan to register this time. This is an important opportunity for them to be promoted to Chunin, but according to the exam rules, participants must form teams of three."
This differed somewhat from the original timeline.
Originally, most people from Shinichi's generation, such as Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, and Genma Shiranui, generally participated in the Chunin exams collectively at age eleven, which would have been next year.
But perhaps because Shinichi, as a peer, had achieved tremendous military success on the front lines and served as an immensely motivating role model, many Genin of the same generation, along with their instructors, felt they could give it a try and, coincidentally, planned to register this year instead.
However, one thing remained the same: Kakashi Hatake, who had already been promoted to Chunin, was still arranged by his teacher, Minato Namikaze, to participate in the Chunin exams as an official member of Team 7 alongside the still-Genin Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara, just like in the original timeline.
Strictly speaking, according to the examination rules, this was actually inappropriate.
But Konoha was, after all, a place that valued bonds.
Since this Chunin exam was independently hosted by the village, with participants mostly Genin from the same generation or nearby age groups rather than a joint Chunin exam involving other villages, under the grand banner of tempering teams and cultivating bonds, the rules had room for flexible interpretation.
Thus, with the third Hokage's tacit approval, the matter of Chunin Kakashi participating in the Chunin promotion exam was handled as a special exception.
But Kakashi was Kakashi, and Shinichi was Shinichi.
Kakashi was ultimately only a Chunin and would not participate in the final tournament stage.
But Shinichi was a genuine Jonin, the Crimson Flame Shinichi who had broken the third Raikage's strongest shield and became famous throughout the Shinobi World.
If he brought two little girls to participate in the Chunin exams as well, it would no longer be a special exception; it would be dragging the Chunin exam system across the floor and rubbing it into the dirt. If word spread, it would become the laughingstock of the entire Shinobi World.
And Kosuke Maruboshi was the suitable and regulation-compliant third teammate Shinichi had found for Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi.
Although considering Kosuke Maruboshi's strength, it was still a bit outrageous.
But at least on the surface, he was still a Genin, wasn't he?
Kosuke Maruboshi quietly listened to the explanation and slowly nodded.
"Alright."
"Then thank you very much, senior."
Shinichi smiled slightly before adding: "Also, there's one more matter I need to trouble you with..."
....
Meanwhile, in the Land of Water, in the Village Hidden in the Mist.
"Then, Nakichi."
After both sides finalized the cooperation arrangements, the third Mizukage smiled faintly and instructed a ninja standing nearby: "See Jonin Pakura off for me. You must ensure that Jonin Pakura safely and smoothly leaves the Land of Water."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
The ninja called Nakichi accepted the order in a deep voice.
He wore a ninja hat and glasses with red lenses. Strange blue markings were tattooed on both sides of his cheeks. His build was sturdy, and his aura sharp and capable, clearly marking him as a highly skilled ninja.
After Pakura and Nakichi left, the smile on the third Mizukage's face gradually faded.
"Go. Call Yagura here."
"Yes."
A short while later, a small figure walked in with steady steps.
The newcomer was only as tall as a young boy, even appearing younger than many newly graduated Genin. He had a fair, delicate baby face, short green hair, purple pupils, and a mark beneath his left eye that resembled a tear stain.
It was Yagura Karatachi.
Based solely on appearance, anyone would think this was a gifted child prodigy no older than twelve.
However, his actual age had already reached twenty-five. He was a mentally mature, experienced, and powerful Jonin.
It was merely his naturally deceptive baby face and small stature that made him appear extraordinarily young.
"Mizukage-sama, you called for me?"
The third Mizukage sized up the Yagura Karatachi before him, a trace of satisfaction flashing through his eyes. Then he slowly spoke: "Yagura..."
...
After returning to Konoha from the mission in the Land of Takumi, Tsunade had rested for less than three days before receiving an urgent order, forcing her to set out once again and return to the southwestern front against the Village Hidden in the Sand.
She had originally intended to remain in the village and personally watch her two students, Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi, participate in the Chunin exams half a month later and witness their growth.
However, according to dense reports sent back by Konoha spies lurking within the Land of Wind, as well as frontline reconnaissance squads, the Village Hidden in the Sand's recent material allocations, ninja gatherings, and border activities had all shown obvious abnormalities.
All signs pointed toward them launching a new, large-scale offensive far greater than any before.
Facing such a situation, especially with the Village Hidden in the Sand still having Chiyo, the terrifying poison master, Konoha's southwestern front had to have Tsunade, a top-tier medical and poison-treatment expert, stationed there in order to stabilize morale and minimize casualties as much as possible.
Thus, Tsunade could only hurriedly bid farewell to her students and depart once more for the southwestern front together with a batch of Konoha ninja who had just completed rotation rest and recovered their condition.
Originally, the third Hokage had considered sending Shinichi to the southwestern front as well.
After all, with the assault and sabotage abilities, tactical wisdom, and advanced Medical Ninjutsu attainments Shinichi had displayed, he would undoubtedly play an enormous role on the battlefield against the Village Hidden in the Sand.
However, the situation in the southeast had recently become increasingly unpredictable. Village Hidden in the Mist's ninja mobilizations and reconnaissance infiltration activities had become more and more frequent, and the signs of their impending action could no longer be concealed.
Judging from the overall situation, Village Hidden in the Mist's large-scale involvement in the war seemed to have entered a countdown stage, and the long southeastern coastline of the Land of Fire was about to face a severe test from the sea.
Thus, after repeatedly weighing the matter for three days, the third Hokage made his decision.
He would temporarily keep Shinichi, this trump card that repeatedly created miracles, in reserve for the soon-to-erupt southeastern front.
He hoped that this boy, who had already achieved astonishing results against the Village Hidden in the Sand in the southwest and the Village Hidden in the Cloud in the northeast, could once again create miraculous achievements in the coming war against the Village Hidden in the Mist.
And on the very day Tsunade departed to return to the southwest, another main force army from the northeast, led by Orochimaru, also returned from the north.
Because the Village Hidden in the Stones had officially declared war on the Village Hidden in the Cloud, the Village Hidden in the Cloud's main force had been firmly pinned down on the northern battlefield and was completely unable to concern itself with the south anymore.