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The first day was the welcoming ceremony for the Kage.
The second was the opening of the Chunin Exams.
Heshu and the other Kage gathered early at the training grounds. Unlike the first written test and the second stage Forest of Death from the anime, the leaders had decided on a more straightforward format after discussion: direct one-on-one combat.
It was divided into preliminary rounds, elimination rounds, and finals. Three matches over three days. Today was the preliminary round.
The spectator stands were spacious, not crowded at all. Each person sat in a soft, comfortable chair. The chairs came with detachable tabletops holding fresh fruit and drinks. Each seat even had a soft, skin-friendly blanket. After all, it was still spring, with a lingering chill in the air. For ordinary civilians, a little blanket was essential. The adjustable seating added to the comfort.
"Hey! Konoha's gear is top-notch!" a visitor from another nation exclaimed. His butt sank into a soft cushion. He leaned back, adjusted the chair's recline, wrapped himself in the warm blanket, and grabbed a piece of fruit. Pure bliss.
"Damn right!"
"Only Konoha could pull this off!" his companion agreed. This level of comfort made you not want to leave. Totally worth the ticket price.
"Huh? There's writing on this." Someone fiddling with the blanket held it up. Printed words came into view.
"'Seating and fruit sponsored by the Konoha Akimichi Group. Meat snack sponsors: Konoha Shimura-Hyūga Joint Conglomerate…'"
The words were read aloud, one by one.
"Nice! This Akimichi Group makes good chairs. I'll order their seats for my family's theater next time!"
"Agreed! I'm stocking my shop with snacks from the Shimura-Hyūga group!"
"Their fruit is great too!"
This kind of chatter rippled through the crowd.
On the high platform, Heshu sat in the center, flanked by the Raikage and Tsuchikage. Mei Terumi and Kazekage Rasa sat beside them.
"Yo! So lively!" Killer Bee, standing behind the Raikage, commented.
"Hokage, these chairs are quite comfortable," Ōnoki remarked, enjoying the massage function of his seat.
Heshu seized the chance to sell. "It's a new massage chair model from our village's Akimichi Group. If you like it, Tsuchikage, I'll send you a few before you leave."
Ōnoki waved a hand. "Don't send them. I'll place an order first. Let's say… two thousand units! It's not like it's a lot of money." He was feeling generous.
Heshu smiled brightly. "As expected of the Tsuchikage. Truly generous!"
The Raikage beside them frowned deeply. He looked at the smug Ōnoki, then at Heshu. "Hokage, I'll order these chairs too. Not many. Just three thousand units!" He finished with a cold snort aimed at Ōnoki.
Heshu was happy to watch their competitive streaks flare. He quickly praised, "The Raikage's style is on another level! Such presence with a single gesture!"
The Raikage smirked, satisfied. "It's nothing. Pocket change."
Kazekage Rasa glanced at the Raikage and wisely chose not to engage, as did Mei Terumi.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!" Yako stood at the center of the viewing platform, wearing a form-fitting, light red qipao. Her smile was radiant, her voice soft yet powerful.
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE erupted from the stands the moment she finished speaking.
"The horse's tail stirs snow to summon auspicious air, the sheep's head shakes bells to herald joyous tidings!" Yako's voice echoed across the grounds. "We march toward spring's beauty and welcome our Chunin Exams!"
"Good!"
"Well said!"
The audience had never heard such festive, high-class phrasing before an exam. It sounded cultured and refined. A far cry from the usual 'let the bloodbath begin' opening.
"Konoha's really doing it right this year!"
"Yeah, totally!"
"This trip was worth it!"
Yako continued, "The spring breeze has blown the battle horn! The drumbeats paint a melody of passion, urging us to strive and fight!"
"Before the exams begin, allow me to formally introduce the esteemed judging leadership present today!"
"From the Land of Fire, Konohagakure—Lord Hokage, Tsukimi Heshu!"
"WOOOO!"
Cheers and applause exploded. Heshu stood, waving to the crowd.
"From the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure—Lord Raikage, A!"
The Raikage adjusted his robes and waved a mighty hand.
"From the Land of Earth, Iwagakure—Lord Tsuchikage, Ōnoki!"
Ōnoki floated up slightly and waved amiably.
…
The atmosphere peaked after the introductions.
"This segment was well-designed, Hokage," the Raikage said, thoroughly pleased with the spotlight.
Ōnoki nodded in agreement. "Indeed, very good."
Heshu gave a modest shake of his head.
"Witnessed by the Five Kage and the people of all nations, I declare: The Chunin Exams begin now!"
BOOM!
Giant fireworks, prepared in advance, burst simultaneously in the sky. Confetti rained down.
"Those fireworks are huge!"
"So bright even in daylight!"
"I wonder who makes them?"
As the question spread through the crowd, shinobi stationed at every row stepped forward, bending slightly in a polite bow. "These fireworks are designed and produced by the Konoha Sarutobi Group."
"Not bad! We should order some before we leave."
This scene played out in various sections of the stands.
"First, let us begin Match One!" Yako pointed to the giant screen below the platform. Names flickered across it rapidly. Finally, two names settled.
The screen displayed: Chiba Reiko VS Uchiha Itachi.
"?"
Heshu raised an eyebrow. Well, damn. His disciple up first. He glanced down at Nara Sōsai, who gave him a meaningful smile. Heshu instantly understood the reasoning.
The electronic lottery wasn't entirely fair. The controller had significant room for manipulation. Heshu had put Sōsai in charge precisely because he knew Sōsai would make the best arrangements.
Choosing Uchiha Itachi for the first match was undoubtedly to hook the audience. Itachi was a top contender, the Hokage's disciple. His appeal was off the charts. Starting with him fulfilled the crowd's expectations perfectly.
"Uchiha Itachi?" Ōnoki looked at Heshu with a smile. "If this old man remembers correctly, he's your disciple, Hokage?"
Heshu smiled back. "The Tsuchikage has an excellent memory."
"Oh? Then we must watch closely!" The Raikage perked up, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Itachi as he entered the arena.
Uchiha Itachi walked onto the field in his combat attire, completely calm.
A ROAR OF CHEERS erupted from the crowd.
Yep. Itachi's popularity is insane, Heshu thought from his seat.
The girl named Chiba Reiko wore a look of fierce determination. Drawing such a strong opponent in the preliminaries was a heavy blow for her.
"Now, I will explain the match rules." Yako's voice rang out again. "During the match, all means of securing victory are permitted! However, once an opponent voluntarily concedes, further attacks are forbidden!"
She continued, "Now… let the match begin!" Yako gestured sharply toward the two combatants.
All eyes were locked on the two figures facing each other in the arena.
"Uchiha Itachi! I won't lose!" Chiba Reiko gritted her teeth, her words more for her own morale. She pushed off, her foot scraping the ground, and shot toward Itachi like an arrow.
SWISH!
A barrage of shuriken flew at Itachi.
Itachi's body spun mid-air. His own shuriken flew out in complex, curving trajectories.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
A series of crisp metallic clashes. Every single one of Itachi's shuriken intercepted and knocked aside Reiko's.
Anyone who had practiced shurikenjutsu knew: hitting the bullseye was simple. But making your shuriken intercept an opponent's from multiple angles? That was a whole other level. Uchiha Itachi was demonstrating that level now.
Reiko's eyes widened. She tried to move, but a cold, hard point pressed against her throat.
"You lose."
Itachi's expression remained utterly indifferent from start to finish. As if winning with such ease was nothing worth noting.
"When…?" Reiko bit her lip, disbelief in her eyes.
Itachi didn't answer.
"…I concede." The words were forced out, thick with unwillingness. The loss was too ugly, too humiliating.
Yako announced, "First match winner: Uchiha Itachi."
For a moment, the stands were eerily quiet. People stared at Itachi, stunned.
Then the chatter exploded.
"That was… too strong!"
"HAHAHA! See! I bet on Uchiha Itachi! I'm gonna make a killing!"
"As expected of the Hokage's disciple!"
Ōnoki beside Heshu sighed. "Remarkable." His mind immediately began comparing Itachi to Deidara. Deidara was talented, but he was two or three years younger. Let's hope Deidara can surpass him.
"Next match: Endō Kagawa VS Asuka Yū!"
Endō was from Iwa. Asuka from Kumo.
The Tsuchikage and Raikage's eyes met again.
CRACKLE.
The air between them seemed to spark.
The corner of Heshu's mouth twitched.
The winner was Asuka Yū.
The Raikage immediately shot Ōnoki a look of utter triumph and disdain.
Ōnoki clenched his fist and snorted coldly. He hadn't wanted to bicker, but the Raikage kept picking fights!
Match after match concluded. Finally, it was time for the intermission.
"A round of applause for all our contestants! We now enter the intermission period!" Yako stood center stage, her energy infectious. "This Chunin Exam's official mascot is Lord Hokage's summon—the Primordial Void Dragon!"
"The Primordial Void Dragon?"
"Oh! I've seen it!"
"Last time Iwa was attacked, that dragon protected me!"
In its year of activity across the shinobi world, Xiao Qing had amassed quite a fanbase.
ROOOAR!
A dragon's cry shook the heavens.
Xiao Qing's magnificent silhouette swam through the clouds. Everyone looked up, awestruck by the spectacular sight, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"If you all love the Primordial Void Dragon, you can purchase official merchandise during the intermission!" Yako launched into sales mode immediately.
As her words faded, teams of shinobi pushing small carts appeared in the aisles. The carts were neatly stocked with Xiao Qing merch: small plush toys, horned headbands, dragon masks, robes printed with its image…
In the blink of an eye, everything sold out.
"Any more?"
"How is it gone already?!"
"No way! My kid is waiting for one!"
"Do something!"
"That stock was pathetic!"
"Are you restocking? Can you make more?"
Civilians swarmed the merchandise shinobi, frantic. Kakashi was among the besieged sellers. He sighed helplessly. "Everyone, please let us through. We'll ramp up production. We promise everyone who wants one will get their merchandise before the exams end!"
After much effort from Kakashi and others, the crowd finally dispersed back to their seats.
Those who'd snagged the goods first were beaming, flushed with victory.
Heshu nodded in satisfaction. Totally worth making Xiao Qing work the crowd. Once Kurama was properly appeased, he'd drag the Nine-Tails out for a shift too!
At the Hokage's residence.
Inside the seal space.
The Nine-Tails suddenly shuddered for no apparent reason.
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