Even though the Hidden Leaf Village intended to control the spread of information, the village now contained not only its original residents but also many people from other places, including numerous nobles and wealthy families, making it impossible to completely cover up the incident.
Therefore, everyone learned about the human bomb incident in the commercial district, and for a time, people felt insecure.
The commercial district, which had been very prosperous since the joint Chunin Exams began, experienced its first downturn.
The ninja village representatives participating in the Chunin Exams were all accommodated in hotels arranged by the Hidden Leaf Village.
Due to certain considerations, they were not supposed to leave easily and required official procedures to go out.
Now, these ninja village representatives and examinees were unable to leave their hotels, and members of the ANBU and Security Force were monitoring outside the hotels, clearly treating them as suspects in the bombing.
The ninja village representatives were undoubtedly elites of their villages and members of the high-ranking officials.
They were no longer in their impetuous youth, and even when treated so harshly, they had no complaints.
Because if it were them, they would certainly take the same measures.
Since they believed themselves to be innocent, and putting themselves in others' shoes, there was no need to cause trouble in front of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Doing so would only increase their suspicion, make people doubt their sincerity, and bring shame to their own ninja village.
As representatives of their villages, they could not do such childish things.
However, while the ninja village representatives possessed such composure, their students lacked this experience.
The students were also eager to demonstrate the strength of their ninja villages in these joint Chunin Exams.
Naturally, they were very dissatisfied with this incident, but under the suppression of their teachers, they made no moves.
In the hotel where the Hidden Cloud representatives were staying, Chiku opened his door, and a member of the Security Force nearby immediately walked over and asked with a pleasant expression, "Is there anything you need?"
Although the Security Force member had a smile on his face, his gaze was cold, constantly fixed on Chiku, while also paying attention to the other people in the room.
It should be known that this bombing incident had completely disgraced the Security Force.
As the department responsible for maintaining public order, they had allowed a human bomb to enter the commercial district and even caused the sacrifice of a Security Force member.
It was simply intolerable!
Even ordinary Uchiha clan members who hadn't awakened the Sharingan had family dignity.
Now, the other party was provoking the Uchiha Security Force, and they would stake the name of the Uchiha Security Force to bring the mastermind behind this case to justice.
"I just came out for some fresh air, what's wrong!" Chiku responded loudly, his dissatisfaction clearly visible on his face.
"That's perfectly fine, but it's an extraordinary time, so we need to ask about your whereabouts.
It would be troublesome if you accidentally got involved in the case, wouldn't it?" The Security Force member said with a smile.
"You say it nicely, but you're actually treating us like criminals, aren't you?" Chiku retorted impolitely, his tone sarcastic.
"If you say it that way, I can't argue," the Security Force member shook his head.
"Chiku, what are you saying?" A girl named Ran, from the same school, ran over, pulled Chiku's hand, and smiled at the Security Force member, "I'm sorry, he's just in a bad mood, he doesn't mean anything else."
"I understand," the Security Force member smiled.
He belonged to the civilian Security Force and therefore often interacted with villagers, knowing that villagers had various personalities.
Some were easy to talk to, while others were very troublesome.
Over time, he had long stopped getting angry because of someone's bad attitude—if he did, he wouldn't be able to stay in the civilian Security Force, and would either transfer to combat logistics or join the regular Hidden Leaf ninja ranks.
"Little girl, just stay put until the case is cleared," he said.
"Heh, I wonder when you'll be able to figure it out.
By the way, given the current situation, will the Chunin Exams still be held?" Chiku pouted and asked.
"Don't worry, the Chunin Exams will definitely be held.
Don't underestimate our Hidden Leaf Village.
Honestly, our Hidden Leaf Village surpasses your ninja villages in terms of systems and everything else," the Security Force member said.
In the Security Force training and Ninja Academy curriculum, the superiority of the Hidden Leaf Village was mentioned more than once: its influence on the ninja world as the first established ninja village, the First Hokage's dedication to maintaining peace in the ninja world, and the systems established by the Second Hokage that were emulated by other countries.
This instilled in Hidden Leaf ninjas a psychological superiority over other countries, which is why their magnanimity and confidence were unmatched by other ninja villages.
"What did you say!" Chiku immediately became displeased.
Seeing others boast about their own ninja village's strength in front of him, implying that his own village couldn't compare, how could it not infuriate him?
Ran also felt a little uncomfortable inside, but she had to admit that the Hidden Leaf Village was indeed very prosperous and powerful.
Since arriving here, she had personally witnessed the stark differences between the Hidden Leaf Village and her own—the harmonious way ninjas and civilians lived together, and the protection and respect shown to the public during emergency mobilizations after incidents.
As the first established ninja village and the victor after the ninja wars, these factors laid the foundation for the Hidden Leaf Village's strength, something every ninja village had to acknowledge.
"You've had enough fresh air, Chiku, come back and rest." Ran, without explanation, pulled Chiku back into the room, preventing him from adding fuel to the fire.
"Let go of me! Didn't you hear, Ran? This guy is belittling our village!" Chiku shook off Ran's hand and pointed at the door.
"I heard him! But what's the point of winning a war of words like that?
If we want to prove the Hidden Cloud Village, we do it in the Chunin Exams!
What's the use of talking to the Uchiha Security Force? Will it let us out of here?" Ran said to Chiku, hands on her hips.
"Ran is right, Chiku, you should change that temper of yours," said another companion from the same school, I.
"If you were a samurai, such a temper might give you great strength, but as a ninja, it will prevent you from calmly assessing situations and lead you into the enemy's traps."
"Sorry, that's just how I am," Chiku said, crossing his arms and turning his head with a frown.
I sighed and said, "Especially your opponent, Hattori Heizo.
In my opinion, that guy is a complete ninja.
He's not the type who will just obediently compete with you in strength.
As long as he can win, he'll probably use any means, and you'll easily suffer a loss."
"What's there to be afraid of, that shorty?" Chiku waved his hand.
"One thing I believe is that as long as you're strong enough, you won't fear any trick."
"Hmm, there's some truth to that," I said, closing the book he was reading.
"However, just how powerful Hattori Heizo is remains an unknown.
His teacher isFumori Masaki, the man who defeated the 'Light of the Hidden Cloud' back then.
As his student, he can't be mediocre."
"The Light of the Hidden Cloud? Did thatFumori Masaki really defeat them?" Chiku asked, surprised.
"I initially thought the nameFumori Masaki sounded familiar, and after I's reminder, I remembered he was the one who took down Ginkaku," Ran said.
"So you understand now, don't underestimate Hattori Heizo—never mind, your mind is relatively simple anyway, so I'll put in some effort and help you observe that guy."
I was about to say something else, but after a moment's thought, he changed his mind.
"Although I want to thank you for your help, the first part of what you said really rubs me the wrong way," Chiku said, his cheek twitching slightly.
Just then, the three heard a surprised voice from outside the door, followed by someone saying, "Lord Kazamori, you've arrived."
The three exchanged glances, then immediately rushed to the door, quietly pushed it open, leaving a crack, and looked in the direction of the voice.
They saw all the on-duty Security Force members saluting a man, and then they knew that man was the rumoredFumori Masaki.
Kazamori Masaki seemed to notice their gazes and immediately looked over.
The squad leader, who had been paying attention toFumori Masaki's demeanor, quickly looked back and frowned slightly.
Kazamori Masaki quickly withdrew his gaze and said, "My purpose in coming here is to speak with the Hidden Cloud representative.
Please take me to her room."
"Yes," the squad leader, seeing thatFumori Masaki had no intention of pursuing the matter, ignored the three sneaking Hidden Cloud ninjas and ledFumori Masaki towards the Hidden Cloud representative's room.
"Look,Fumori Masaki went to Teacher Sora's room.
Do you think they really have something going on?" Ran closed the door and asked in a low voice.
"No way, have you ever seen someone doing 'that kind of thing' bringing others along?" I was referring to a blond man who was accompanyingFumori Masaki and entered the room with him.
"You're right," Ran thought about it and nodded slightly.
"So, what doesFumori Masaki want with Teacher Sora?" Chiku asked.
"Needless to say, it must be about this incident.
Didn't that Hidden Leaf ninja who led the way say thatFumori Masaki is the supervisor of this Chunin Exam's examinees?
When something like this happens, he naturally has to have a good talk with the representatives of each country," I said.
"Oh, it's just that kind of thing, how boring.
I actually hopedFumori Masaki and Teacher Sora had some kind of relationship," Ran sighed with a disappointed look.
"You girls really do expect some inexplicable things," I shook his head, completely unable to understand.
"Girls this age are all like this, you know.
I, you're very smart, but you completely don't understand.
You won't find a wife in the future, you know," Ran snorted and said.
"Is that so?" I looked bewildered.
At this moment, Sora looked atFumori Masaki, whom she hadn't seen in many years, and the emotions in her heart were not for outsiders to know.
His appearance seemed to have changed little from many years ago, yet he now possessed a certain gravitas of time, a mysterious aura.
She collected her thoughts, invitedFumori Masaki to sit, glanced at Yamanaka Takuma who stood by, and asked, "Long time no see,Fumori Masaki.
Is there something you need this time?"
"Long time no see,"Fumori Masaki first responded to the greeting and then said, "You must have already guessed my purpose for coming.
I'll be direct.
Although the ninja villages are under suspicion, I don't believe you are the culprits.
It must be someone else at play, so I hope you can rest assured."
"Do you have a target?" Sora asked.
"Yes, we currently believe it's the remnants of the Jashin cult from the Land of Hot Water, who committed this heinous crime in the village out of revenge,"Fumori Masaki said.
Actually, inFumori Masaki's mind, there was another suspect, Uchiha Setsuna, but Uchiha Setsuna's identity was special, and there was nothing suspicious about him, so he couldn't be treated as a suspect.
He could only observe him from the side.
"The Jashin cult? I know them.
You seemed to have thwarted one of their operations in the Land of Demons, and then the Hidden Leaf Village ordered the Land of Hot Water to launch a nationwide purification campaign, wiping out the Jashin cult's organization," Sora said.
"They are a group of lunatics who are capable of anything because they have nothing to care about.
In comparison, ninja villages have many things to consider.
You are willing to participate in the Chunin Exams, also hoping for the results of the Chunin Exams, right?
To prematurely start a conspiracy without even knowing the results of the preliminary test is somewhat unreasonable, isn't it?
Not to mention, you might need the benefits brought by the Chunin Exams even more than our Hidden Leaf Village,"Fumori Masaki smiled.
As a high-ranking official of the Hidden Cloud Village, Sora naturally understood the village's attitude.
One purpose of her visit this time was to observe the benefits brought by the Hidden Leaf Village's cooperation with merchants, and to see if the Hidden Cloud Village could learn from it.
Although she had other motives, she truly had no intention of sabotaging this Chunin Exam.
There were three reasons: external pressure, the lingering losses from the civil war, and the peaceful policy upheld by the Second Raikage.
"Do you really think it's impossible for us to do such a thing?" Sora couldn't help but ask.
"To say it's absolutely impossible, just like we never thought the Land of Lightning would launch a war a few years after the First Five Kage Summit, but it did, and it was a completely unpredictable lightning war,"Fumori Masaki frankly admitted.
"Your suspicion is relatively low, in my personal estimation, less than half a percent, so there's no need to rush.
Wait until the highly suspicious targets are ruled out, and besides..."
Kazamori Masaki's smile vanished, and he said, "Even if it really was you or some other country plotting this, I don't believe the Leaf would be defeated because of it, and the conspirators would surely pay the price to atone for those who sacrificed their lives due to this conspiracy."
"Still the same old 'righteous war' rhetoric, huh?
As long as someone tries to disrupt the ninja world's order, they become a target that all peace-loving people in the ninja world must eliminate," Sora chuckled upon hearing this.
"The Hidden Leaf Village will absolutely continue to serve as the maintainer of the ninja world's order, upholding the will of the First Hokage,"Fumori Masaki said.
"With that, you should understand, shouldn't you, Miss Sora?"
"Yes, I will patiently await the results." Sora nodded.
Perhaps it was because the other party's expression was direct and heartfelt, but she now had no worries and felt that the Hidden Leaf Village would handle the case with fairness.
"Then I still have a few things to discuss with you regarding the Chunin Exams." After talking with Sora for a while,Fumori Masaki took his leave.
He exchanged information with Yamanaka Takuma, who had been observing from the side, confirming that the Hidden Cloud Village's suspicion was very low.
Thus, they proceeded to their next target.