A few days later.
The joint Chunin Exams are about to begin.
The exam content is very simple, with no written tests or tournament matches, just one single task.
All participating ninjas are divided into twenty groups. The group size is not strictly limited, with ten Heaven Scrolls and ten Earth Scrolls randomly distributed among the groups.
Each group that acquires a pair of Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reaches the destination through the Forest of Death will be deemed as having passed the Chunin Exams.
This strange competition format made the ninjas from other villages sense something unusual.
Konoha seems to be hiding its own ninjas, unwilling to expose the abilities of its Genin through various exams and directly fast-forwarding to a team battle.
From the rules to the details, there is a sense of roughness and perfunctoriness, revealing a feeling of "no matter what, please finish quickly..."
Outside the Forest of Death, Kitsuchi stood with the village's "Genin," his face tense as he watched the Konoha ninjas coming and going.
Except for Uchiha Obito, who indeed seemed to be the age of a normal Genin, the other ninjas had the physiques of adults.
Among them was a strange man in a green tight-fitting suit, with muscles as robust as the Third Raikage from the Hidden Cloud Village.
"Lord Hokage, is this person also one of your Genin?"
Kitsuchi pointed at Might Duy, standing next to Uchiha Obito, with a twitch in his expression.
It seems, not only does Iwagakure lack integrity, sending a bunch of Jonin posing as Genin, but Konoha isn't even pretending anymore.
Especially their poor acting skills, with Might Duy occasionally shouting about youth beside Uchiha Obito and even tearing up at times, made Kitsuchi barely able to maintain his composure.
Isn't this taking people for fools?
Even though Might Duy's tone was full of emotion, and his stance when shouting about youth seemed very natural, no one would truly believe he was still a teenager!
"This person is indeed one of our Konoha's Genin, Jonin Kitsuchi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a complex tone: "He does look somewhat old, doesn't he?"
Kitsuchi hesitated, is Konoha's nutrition really that good?
But looking at veterans like Fumiya and Higashi Shibito from his own village, Kitsuchi couldn't say much more...
The other villages sent mainly young ninjas, with no one sending complete novice Genin.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glossed over the somewhat awkward topic, smiling as he said:
"Though it's a joint Chunin Exam, the focus is on the upcoming peace treaty signing ceremony, gentlemen..."
"I announce that this joint Chunin Exam is officially starting!"
The gates of the Forest of Death slowly opened, and the ninjas from each village quickly slipped inside.
"Lord Hokage, where can we observe this exam live?"
Chiyo, the Hidden Sand advisor, said gravely: "The performance of the young from each village still needs to be scrutinized by us, the older generation."
Kitsuchi and Suikazan Fuguki nodded, and Dodai also chimed in: "That's exactly right, Lord Hokage."
Even though they had witnessed the conflicts between the Uchiha Clan and the higher-ups, as well as Konoha's desire for a peace treaty, it's always better to see firsthand the combat power of Konoha's ninjas.
Facing the pressure from the leading Jonin of each Hidden Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed lightly, pulled out his pipe, took a leisurely puff, and following Aomi's advice, said:
"This matter is quite crucial, it's not that Konoha hasn't considered it. It is indeed an aspect worth paying attention to..."
"But compared to other matters, the joint Chunin Exams are relatively less important, like the upcoming peace agreement..."
"I've already sent people to invite the Daimyo for discussions. They're likely on their way now, and we should also be present to participate in the negotiation details of the peace agreement. As for observing these kids' exams, there will be other opportunities. Let's hold off for now..."
Chiyo narrowed her eyes unfavorably.
To hide the true situation of the Konoha Genin, not only were the normal exam procedures cut short, but even the Daimyo were invited?
If the Daimyo were truly present, as Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned, then Chiyo had no choice but to go.
The relationship between the Hidden Sand Village and the Land of Wind was tense, and although Chiyo was confident that she could persuade the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to provide military funding to the Hidden Sand Village, considering Konoha's weakened state, recent behavior towards the Land of Wind Daimyo had been increasingly respectful. It wouldn't be possible to leave this financial backer waiting while all the Daimyos were gathered...
The other Hidden Village Jonin shared the same sentiment.
In the current system where the nation and village are still functioning, the Daimyo, as the economic and legal overseer of the Hidden Village, although lacking extraordinary strength, still hold an unyielding position due to societal and ideological inertia.
Perhaps in decades, these powerless rulers might naturally be overthrown by the ninjas, but that time isn't now.
Under the current circumstances, the existence of the Daimyo represents a form of justice, legitimacy, and an antiquated customary agreement.
Ninjas, despite their dissatisfaction with the authorities above them, the first village to act against the Daimyo would undoubtedly be attacked and eradicated by others, becoming the first sacrifice for reform.
In such a scenario of internal conflict among ninjas, the Daimyo remains in a superior position, consciously controlling the powers of each major Hidden Village, striving to prolong their rule as long as possible.