The veteran Ninjas responded in unison and swiftly dispersed, demonstrating remarkable execution.
"Let's go." Hyuga Iroha patted Aokawa on the shoulder from the side. "You were probably assigned to the Inventory Group too, right? They say the Byakugan makes counting faster."
Hyuga Iroha was about to turn around when he noticed Aokawa standing motionless in place.
"Why aren't you coming?"
"I'm a Genin," Aokawa stated matter-of-factly.
Hyuga Iroha was taken aback for a moment, then smacked his own forehead, his expression turning utterly comical. "Oh right... you're still a damn Genin."
After seeing Aokawa beat Kumogakure experts like dogs over the past few days, bombarding them and even soloing a Jinchuriki, he had subconsciously started treating this guy as someone on the level of a Frontline Commander.
Now he remembered: according to his file, this guy was indeed still a Genin who had just graduated not long ago.
"Pfft..." Hyuga Iroha couldn't help but chuckle, gleefully patting Aokawa's shoulder. "Alright then, Lord Genin, you listen to the briefing slowly. You were on the Jonin Assembly List last time, and now you're here for the Genin Assembly. Pulling off this bizarre feat of being in both groups is something only you could manage."
After saying that, Hyuga Iroha waved his hand and left, humming a little tune as he followed the main group.
In the blink of an eye, the previously crowded Training Ground was more than half empty, leaving only a sparse group of Genin still standing in place.
There were many familiar faces among them.
Hyuga Kamon stood at the front with a stern face, Uchiha Tetsubi was polishing his Kunai, and Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara were huddled together, whispering.
The most conspicuous one was Uchiha Obito.
This guy was wrapped in several layers of bandages but was still as energetic as a monkey, standing on tiptoe and looking around in the crowd.
"Where's Kakashi? Where did that guy Kakashi run off to?"
Obito scratched his head, looking annoyed. "How dare he leave early at a time like this?"
"Obito, Kakashi has already left," Rin Nohara pointed at the distant silver-haired figure following the Chunin team and said helplessly.
"What?! Why can he leave?!"
"Because he's a Chunin," Rin Nohara explained.
"Damn you, Kakashi! Always one step ahead of me!!" Uchiha Obito yelled furiously, shaking his fist at the sky and swearing, "This time, I will definitely surpass him! I'm going to become a Chunin too! No, I'm going straight for Hokage!"
Beside him, Might Guy gave a thumbs-up, flashing a dazzling white smile. "That's the spirit of youth, Obito! To catch up to Kakashi, let's run five hundred laps around the Training Ground on our hands!"
"Get lost! Who wants to run with you!"
"Everyone, quiet down."
On the high platform, Minato Namikaze looked down at this group of vibrant youths, the smile in his eyes growing warmer.
This is Konoha's future.
"We kept you behind for a special reason."
Minato Namikaze announced clearly, "By order of Hokage-sama, to test the strength of the new generation of Ninjas from each Village and to select outstanding talent, the Village has decided to jointly hold a Chunin Selection Exam one month from now."
"All Genin present here will begin returning to the Village in groups with the main forces starting tomorrow for rest and preparation!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted.
"The Chunin Exams? That's great!"
"I've finally waited for this day!"
"This time, I must get promoted to Chunin and show my family!"
For these Genin who had just experienced the brutal baptism of war, an exam with rules seemed almost like child's play.
They had killed people on the Battlefield, seen blood; their practical experience and mentality far surpassed their peers.
"That's great, Rin! As long as I pass the exam, I can catch up to Kakashi!" Uchiha Obito danced excitedly. "When I become a Chunin, I'm going to mercilessly mock that guy!"
Uchiha Tetsubi also clenched his fist, Battle Intent burning in his eyes. Although he performed well on the Battlefield, he was always overshadowed by Kakashi's brilliance. This exam was a perfect opportunity to prove the glory of the Uchiha Clan.
Even the usually steady Hyuga Kamon couldn't help but straighten his back at this moment, his gaze blazing.
However.
Just as this heated atmosphere reached its peak.
Someone suddenly turned their head and glanced at Aokawa, who was standing at the edge of the crowd, looking down at ants moving their home.
That glance was like some kind of contagion.
The excitement on that person's face instantly froze, then turned into horror.
Immediately after, the second, the third... The originally noisy discussions were swiftly silenced, as if choked by an invisible hand.
A dozen seconds later, the entire Training Ground fell deathly silent.
All the Genin turned their heads in unison, their gazes converging on the young man in the white training uniform.
An absurd, despairing, and incredulous emotion spread wildly through the air.
Uchiha Obito's laughter caught in his throat, sounding like a duck whose neck had been stepped on: "Gah...?"
He mechanically turned his neck to look at Aokawa, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
Wait.
This guy... seems to be a Genin too?
Doesn't that mean... we have to take the exam with him?
Compete on the same stage as him?
Fight... him?
"Gulp."
Someone swallowed hard, the sound unusually loud in the deathly silence.
Are you kidding me!
Rumors about Aokawa had already spread throughout the entire camp over the past few days.
Tearing apart Iwagakure puppeteers with his bare hands, blowing Kumogakure's supply lines sky-high, bombarding hundreds of enemies single-handedly in this campaign, and there were even rumors he had faced a Tailed Beast head-on!
Taking an exam with this monster who treats the Battlefield like his own backyard?
Is this an exam in Ninjutsu?
This is an exam in reincarnation skills!
"Um... Lord Minato..."
Finally, a slightly braver Genin shakily raised his hand, his voice carrying a hint of a sob. "Is Aokawa... is Aokawa-kun also taking the Chunin exam?"
Minato Namikaze blinked and asked deliberately, "Of course. Aokawa is also a Genin. According to the rules, he must participate."
"Then I'm not taking it!!"
That Genin shouted in collapse, "I withdraw! Being in an exam hall with that kind of monster, I'll die! I really will die! I want to live a few more years!"
"Yeah, Lord Minato! This isn't fair!"
"This is like letting a T-Rex mix into a Kindergarten!"
"With Aokawa's strength, he should have been a Chunin long ago."
"Lord Minato, please be merciful and just give him a Chunin Certificate directly. Don't let him come torment us!"
Even the highly ambitious Uchiha Tetsubi was now pale-faced, his corners of the mouthtwitching. He wanted to prove himself, but he didn't want to seek death.
If he really got paired with Aokawa in a match, he felt it would be more dignified to just commit Seppuku.
Looking down at his subordinates, who were full of fighting spirit just moments ago but now looked utterly crestfallen, Minato Namikaze finally couldn't hold back his laughter.
His earlier deliberate pause was precisely to see these kids' reactions.
Sure enough, the effect was spectacular.
Aokawa's deterrent power among the new generation needed no further proof.
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