Yusuke, Karin, and the others also noticed that unique Land of Stars' team with its distinct aura.
Yusuke nodded to Kakashi, speaking with a hint of apology: "It seems our leader has arrived. We need to go join them. See you in Konoha."
"Mm, see you at the exams." Kakashi nodded in response.
Yusuke's team quickly walked towards the Land of Stars group, exchanged a few low words with the leader, Uchiha Shisui, and then quietly fell in behind the group, heading together towards the registration point at the village entrance.
Their arrival made the already conspicuous Land of Stars team even more noticeable.
Naruto's eyes widened as he stared curiously at the red-and-white fan crest on Shisui's back. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed. He frowned, trying to search his memory, muttering: "That pattern... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before... it's so familiar..."
Just then, after briefly instructing his companions, Shisui actively turned and walked towards Kakashi.
A gentle smile graced his face, his pace unhurried, as if merely greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in a while.
"Kakashi-senpai, long time no see." Shisui stopped before Kakashi, his tone calm. The crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes also faded its sharpness, returning to ordinary black pupils, appearing sincere and friendly.
Kakashi's usually languid dead fish eye examined Shisui, especially the Star Ninja's forehead protector on his brow, so different from Konoha's.
After a two-second pause, Kakashi slowly spoke: "Ah, it has been a long time indeed. I didn't expect the Land of Stars' leader for this trip to be you... Uchiha Shisui."
"Uchiha?!" Naruto suddenly slapped his forehead in realization.
"Right! It's the pattern on that guy Sasuke's clothes! He's from the Uchiha Clan?! But... why is he wearing a Land of Stars' forehead protector?"
Naruto looked at Shisui, then at Kakashi, his small head filled with big questions, completely unable to understand the situation.
Shisui returned Naruto's curious gaze with a friendly glance, then looked back at Kakashi, his smile still gentle, but a flicker of complex emotion seemed to pass deep in his eyes. "Yeah, I never imagined myself that returning to Konoha again would be like this, in this manner."
He paused, his tone becoming somewhat lower, also carrying a hint of concern: "By the way... is he... doing well?"
Kakashi naturally knew that the 'he' Shisui referred to was Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother, and the only apparent survivor of the Uchiha Clan in Konoha today.
Kakashi's right eye narrowed slightly as he stared intently at Shisui, trying to discern his true intentions beneath that gentle expression.
Shisui was one of the key figures in the Night of Defection. He had led the surviving Uchiha in defecting from Konoha to join the Land of Stars.
Every one of those clansmen shared an irreconcilable blood feud with Itachi.
'Was Shisui asking about Sasuke now to take revenge for those clansmen, to vent that hatred on Itachi's younger brother?'
Kakashi didn't answer directly, instead asking in return: "Are you thinking of..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.
The air between them seemed to freeze for a moment. The chattering Naruto nearby also seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere, falling silent and looking at them questioningly.
Hearing this, Shisui slowly shook his head. The smile faded from his face, replaced by a deep nostalgia and a hint of melancholy.
He looked towards a certain direction outside the village, as if he could see through the forest the figure of that solitary boy who had just met his gaze.
"I just want to see how he's doing... as... an older brother." Shisui's voice was very soft, yet carried a sincerity.
'Older brother...' Kakashi fell silent.
He thought of that night Konoha called the [Night of Defection], of that youth who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and shouldered everything… Uchiha Itachi.
Itachi had mentioned Shisui to him, his words full of respect.
In Itachi's words, Shisui was a figure both a teacher and an older brother, the only light in his darkness.
It was only natural that Shisui had looked after Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke.
But times had changed, and people were no longer the same.
Now, Shisui is a Jonin of the Land of Stars.
And Sasuke is Konoha's orphaned Uchiha survivor, also heavily protected. It would be impossible to let Shisui approach Sasuke easily.
Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat subtle, two Land of Stars' Ninja walked over.
"Captain Shisui, the registration is complete. We can enter the village." Yukimi reported to Shisui.
She then looked at Kakashi, offering a smile that wasn't particularly warm but not distant either, raising a hand in greeting: "Yo, Kakashi, long time no see. Looks like you're still the same as always."
Neji's gaze, however, bypassed Kakashi and landed directly on Hinata.
He watched Hinata, pressed tightly against Menma, even instinctively holding Menma's hand. A flicker of complex emotion passed through his pale eyes, but it quickly calmed. He nodded slightly, his voice cool as he greeted: "Hinata... long time no see."
Kakashi looked at these 'old acquaintances' before him, sighing inwardly.
Yukimi, a member of the Iburi Clan, a friend of himself and Yamato, not only possessed the special Smoke Transformation Kekkei Genkai but had also developed the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
Hyuga Neji, son of the former Hyuga branch family's head, Hyuga Hizashi, had fled to the Land of Stars with a group of branch family's members on the Night of Defection, with the assistance of Star Ninja.
Plus Uchiha Shisui...
This Land of Stars delegation team was truly a 'hidden dragon and crouching tiger', not a simple character among them.
"Neji-niisan..." Hinata, seeing Neji, instinctively shrank back behind Menma, her grip on Menma's hand tightening slightly, responding softly.
Towards this exceptionally talented cousin who had once brought her immense pressure, Hinata still harbored a certain respectful fear and familial affection.
Menma could feel Hinata's nervousness. He gently patted the hand Hinata had on his arm, signaling her to relax, while calmly meeting Neji's scrutinizing gaze.
Neji's gaze lingered on Menma's face for a moment, a flicker of realization in his eyes, as if confirming something.
But he said nothing more, merely looking back at Hinata, his tone calm with a hint of recognition: "It seems you've grown considerably during this time. It's a shame I'm not participating in this Chunin Exams... otherwise, I could have asked for your guidance."
Upon hearing this, Hinata mustered her courage and looked up, her pale eyes seriously regarding Neji. She could sense that the Neji before her had a much more restrained and unfathomable aura compared to when he was in the Hyuga Clan's Compound.
"Neji-niisan has also... become much stronger," She said softly but affirmatively.
"Huh? Not only is there one of Sasuke's clansmen in the Land of Stars' team, but also a Hyuga?" Naruto was even more confused, looking at Neji's Byakugan, then at Shisui, feeling his brain wasn't keeping up.
"What's going on here, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi didn't answer Naruto immediately. He looked again at Shisui, his tone languid: "We can save the reminiscing for another time. You've come from afar... get settled first. The Chunin Exams will begin soon."
Shisui understood Kakashi's implication. He nodded, said no more, gestured to Kakashi, then turned with Yukimi and Neji to rejoin Yusuke's team. Guided by the Konoha's gate guards, they headed into the village.
Kakashi watched their retreating figures until they disappeared around a street corner. Then he withdrew his gaze and reached out to pat the still-confused Naruto's head. "Alright, stop spacing out. We should go turn in our mission too. As for your questions... you'll find out later."
"Once we've submitted the mission, I'll explain more to you about the Chunin Exams."
"Oh, okay, Kakashi-sensei." Although Naruto was full of questions, he obediently nodded.
Soon, under Kakashi's lead, Team 7 arrived at the mission issuance and handover hall in the Hokage Building.
They provided a detailed report to the mission administrator regarding the completion of the Land of Waves mission, the encounter with Missing-Nin, and the subsequent changes in the Land of Waves.
The mission rank was re-evaluated and ultimately set at B-rank.
Kakashi received a substantial reward. As per custom, he kept his portion as the Jonin Instructor, then evenly distributed the remaining money to Menma, Naruto, and Hinata.
"Wow! So much!" Naruto looked at the thick stack of bills in his hand, his eyes shining. This was the first time he had earned so much money from a real Ninja mission!
Although the process was dangerous, the sense of accomplishment at this moment was unparalleled.
Hinata also carefully put away her share, a happy smile on her face. This was also her first time receiving such a large reward.
Menma casually put his money into his wallet. For him, money was just a number.
Leaving the mission hall, Kakashi didn't disband the team immediately. Instead, he took the three of them to the observation deck atop the Hokage Rock.
The view here was wide, offering a panoramic view of the entire Konoha Village. A gentle breeze brushed their faces, making it a refreshing experience.
Kakashi leaned against the railing, his back to the bustling village, and looked at his three students. He confirmed once more: "So, I'll ask again. Are you sure you want to participate in this upcoming Joint Chunin Exams?"
"This is a team exam. The team is incomplete without any one member. Also, I must remind you again, this exam gathers elite Genin from various countries and villages. The competition will be exceptionally cruel. The rules allow a certain degree of casualties. The danger you faced in the Land of Waves might just be the norm for this exam, and this might even be... more intense. If you're not careful, you really could die, you know~"
His tone had shed its usual casualness, becoming considerably heavier.
Hinata and Naruto almost simultaneously turned their gaze to Menma.
After fighting side-by-side in the Land of Waves, Menma had undeniably become the core of their small team.
Menma stepped forward, stood before Kakashi, and a confident smile appeared on his face: "Kakashi-sensei, after all this time, are you still worried about us? Since we chose this path, we won't back down because of danger."
Naruto immediately pumped his fist, shouting with high morale: "Exactly! Exactly! Kakashi-sensei, we're not the same rookie Genin who just graduated anymore! We're true Ninja who have experienced life-and-death battles! What's the Chunin Exams? Watch me knock them all away!"
Hinata also took a deep breath. A blush appeared on her fair, small face. She clasped her hands before her chest, her voice not loud but exceptionally firm: "Mm! I want to take this exam with everyone too. I want to know, compared to Ninja from other villages, where I... actually stand... I won't hold everyone back!"
Seeing the burning fighting spirit in his three students' eyes and the unspoken trust between them, Kakashi's lips curved slightly beneath his mask.
He said no more, taking three already-prepared application forms from his ninja tool pouch and handing them to the three respectively.
"Fill these out and submit them to the Chunin Exams registration office by tomorrow. The specific time and location of the exam are written on the back of the form."
After speaking, Kakashi's form flickered and vanished, leaving behind only words that drifted away on the wind: "Prepare well, kids."
At the same time, in the Konoha's Anbu base.
The Anbu squad consisting of Sasuke, Sai, and Yugao were reporting the details of the Land of Waves escort mission to the Anbu Commander, Yamato.
After listening to the report, Yamato nodded, his voice steady: "Good work. The protection of the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki will be taken over by other squads from now on."
"You are temporarily relieved of your escort duties. Rest for two days first. Then, Sasuke and Sai, prepare to participate in the upcoming Joint Chunin Exams. Someone will inform you of the specific arrangements and identity disguises later."
"Yes." The three answered in unison.
After receiving their orders, Sai and Yugao left separately.
Sai needed to return to the Root's headquarters to report individually to Danzo, while Yugao stayed behind.
After Sasuke also left, looking preoccupied, Yugao removed her mask, revealing a delicate but worried face. She looked at Yamato and said quietly: "Commander, when we were at the village gate earlier, we encountered the Land of Stars' delegation coming to participate in the Chunin Exams. Their leader is..."
"Shisui, right?" Yamato interrupted her, sighing, his tone complex: "I've already been notified."
Yugao was momentarily stunned, then relieved.
That was only natural. Given Shisui's reputation in Konoha back then… the Uchiha genius [Shisui of the Body Flicker] who struck fear into enemies during the Third Great Ninja War… returning to Konoha so conspicuously, the Anbu wouldn't lack intelligence.
"I could sense that Sasuke... his emotions were incredibly volatile when he saw Shisui," Yugao voiced her concern.
"I'm worried this might affect his upcoming mission, or even... affect him personally."
Yamato walked to the window, looking out at the busy Anbu's members on the training ground below. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "I will report this matter personally to the Hokage-sama."
"However... the Uchiha clansmen Shisui took away back then share a blood feud with Uchiha Itachi. Their attitude towards Uchiha Itachi's younger brother is likely to be very complex. Acceptance? The possibility is extremely slim. More likely, it will be displaced anger, or exploitation."
Upon hearing this, Yugao's brow furrowed even tighter.
The feuds between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's higher-ups were far more complex and bloody than outsiders could see.
…
On the other side, deep within the Root's base.
Sai knelt on one knee in the dim room, expressionlessly reporting the mission details and the encounter with Shisui's group at the village gate to Danzo, who sat in the shadows.
When he heard the name 'Uchiha Shisui', Danzo's exposed left eye suddenly narrowed. From his right eye, wrapped in bandages, there seemed to be a faint phantom pain, causing his fingers resting on the armrest to unconsciously tighten slightly.
Just then, Aburame Tatsuma, who had been standing silently like a shadow beside Danzo, soundlessly stepped forward. He respectfully handed a newly arrived scroll to Danzo, saying in a low voice: "Danzo-sama, this is the detailed list of the Land of Stars' Chunin Exams delegation that was just filed with the Hokage Building's administrative office."
Danzo took the scroll and slowly unfurled it.
Under the dim yellow light, the names on the scroll came into view one by one:
Overall Leader: Uchiha Shisui (Special Envoy)
Participating Genin Teams (2):
Yukimi's Team:
Jonin Instructor: Yukimi
Members: Gaara, Temari, Kankuro
Iida Yusuke's Team:
Jonin Instructor: Iida Yusuke
Members: Uzumaki Karin, Kurotsuchi, Ranmaru
Accompanying Special Jonin (5):
Hyuga Neji, Kaguya Kimimaro, Yuki Haku, Otsutsuki Toneri, Oyashiro Chino
Accompanying Jonin (3):
Saionji Sato, Suzuhara Ai, Morishita Shunji
Accompanying Chunin and Administrative Staff: 10
Total: Twenty-six people.
His gaze fixed on the scroll, as if trying to burn through it.
'Without a sound, the Land of Stars had gathered so many orphans and geniuses from Kekkei Genkai Clans scattered across the Ninja World!'
'Uchiha, Hyuga, Uzumaki, Kaguya, Yuki Clan, Chinoike Clan... and even Wood Release!'
"Uchiha... Hyuga... Uzumaki... Wood Release..." Danzo repeated the names softly, the light in his single eye flickering uncertainly, like a viper poised to strike in the darkness.
He slowly rolled up the scroll, his voice cold and full of ambition: "Inform our people. Increase surveillance on the Land of Stars' delegation."
"Also, have our people give these Land of Stars 'geniuses' some 'special attention' during the Chunin Exams."
"Yes!" Tatsuma bowed, accepting the order, his figure silently melting into the shadows.
Danzo sat alone in the dim room, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his chair.
The Land of Stars' Kekkei Genkai were making him incredibly restless with desire.