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Published at 18th of January 2024 10:18:22 AM


Chapter 269

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Rooftop.

"My name is Hyuga Hinata, I..."

Hyuga Hinata, shy and bashful, was introducing herself in a soft voice, followed by Haku.

"I am Haku from the Land of Water, possessing the Ice Kekkei Genkai, skilled in medical ninjutsu. I hope to heal everyone..."

Haku, with a gentle personality, always maintained a warm smile on his face.

The last student, Yamanaka Ino, with her golden ponytail, introduced herself with a spirited and resolute character.

"Yamanaka Ino, skilled in medical ninjutsu and Yamanaka secret techniques, likes..., dislikes..."

As Yamanaka Ino spoke about her dislikes, her gaze obviously drifted towards a trio of students from another group, also the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

After all four classes had introduced themselves, Sarutobi Asuma, the team leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho, with a cigarette in his mouth, smiled at the trio.

"Tonight, I'll treat you to barbecue."

"Yay," cheered Akimichi Choji, a young boy with a chubby physique, while Nara Shikamaru, a ninja replacing Ino, also had a full smile on his face.

Though Shikamaru had his own thoughts, they were not many. All of this was observed by Shikamaru.

Shikamaru, appearing lazy and yawning, had actually analyzed everyone.

"What a drag."

Though he complained, Sarutobi Asuma's eyes never left Shikamaru, indicating they were well acquainted.

"You guys wait here, I'll go invite them."

Sarutobi Asuma found an excuse, put out his cigarette, and headed towards Kakashi.

Watching all this, Shikamaru also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that teacher Asuma was wise and knew when to bow his head.

The four elite Jounin on the rooftop, with Kakashi being the confidant of Uchiha Yoru, were famous for their reputation and strength, second only to the two Hokages.

Kurenai Yuhi, renowned for her genjutsu, also needs no introduction.

Another, Momochi Zabuza, notorious as the "Demon of the Mist," was an elite Jounin from the Mist Village, and the class division was quite apparent.

"Kakashi, barbecue tonight."

Sarutobi Asuma greeted the three with a cheerful smile. As classmates, Hatake Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi naturally wouldn't refuse.

Seeing Kakashi going, Zabuza also decided to join, especially since someone else was paying.

Barbecue Q shop.

In a luxurious private room in the evening, four Jounin sat at an elegant small table, while their students sat around a larger table.

These students, fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy, were still unaware of, or perhaps even if they had experienced some missions, they didn't understand the political implications.

Among them, only Nara Shikamaru understood some of the reasons. In recent years, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans and the Sarutobi clan had been relocated to the outskirts, leading a less than ideal life.

"Cheers."

The young ones, not yet burdened with worries, excitedly ate barbecue and drank juice.

However, there was an out-of-place scene, such as Yamanaka Ino scornfully looking at Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji.

"Fatty, even though your teacher is treating us, please maintain some manners."

Having been abandoned by his clan after his parents sacrificed their lives, Yamanaka Ino's character had become more independent and mature compared to the others.

Looking at Akimichi Choji gobbling down meat without any manners, Yamanaka Ino couldn't tolerate such bad habits.

After his sharp comment, Akimichi Choji's face turned red with anger, a simple child's world where an insult leads to rage.

"Choji."

Nara Shikamaru is unaware of the tension between life and death as he tugs at Akimichi Choji's clothes, while Yamanaka Hi awkwardly gives Choji a look.

Now, Yamanaka Ino is not the same as before, having succeeded in becoming Tsunade's apprentice, and their future development is something they cannot afford to provoke.

Only the simple-minded Choji is holding back his anger. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't beat the other party, he would have exploded.

When Yamanaka Ino saw this, she coldly sneered in disdain and elegantly distributed meat into the bowls of Haku and Hinata, while more meat was still being grilled over the charcoal fire.

It's clear that everyone needs to eat, not just one person. It's selfish to only think about oneself and not leave any for others. Why not just continue grilling after eating, instead of letting others watch you eat?

"Ino," said Haku gently, like a big sister next door, showing an apologetic smile to Choji and the others, and then turned to look at Ino with a gentle smile.

Under Haku's gentle smile and Hinata's soft gaze, Ino finally gave in and reluctantly pouted.

"Alright, alright, let's just eat our meal, okay?"

Yamanaka Ino is known to have conflicts with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio in their class, which is common knowledge, so it's no surprise.

Kitohime, a dark-haired girl, seems a bit unfamiliar to everyone, who shows curiosity.

Inuzuka Kiba, who has a hot-blooded personality, excitedly introduces her: "This is Kotohime, our teammate from the Sound Village, a ninja under Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, still operates outside of Konoha, and his exact activities and whereabouts are unknown. However, it's known that Orochimaru has his own forces in the ninja world.

Recently, each year during the ninja graduation season, ninjas under Orochimaru come to join, proving their existence.

"Hello, everyone," says Kotohime, the black-haired girl, calmly nodding in self-introduction. As Kiba excitedly tries to say more, she cuts him off without hesitation.

"Ninjas only like the strong."

With just one sentence, Kitohime makes Kiba feel awkward and scratch his head.

And then, Aburame Shino, who usually has the least presence, suddenly makes a comment that turns the atmosphere cold.

"The strongest in the ninja world right now is the ‘Night God', Uchiha Yoru."

Shino, as always, ends the topic.

"Of course," replies Uchiha Sasuke, who is usually arrogant. He speaks as if to say, "Look who's talking."

“I, Uzumaki Naruto will definitely surpass this so-called 'Night God' in the future!" exclaims Naruto enthusiastically, as if declaring his goal to everyone.

Some laugh, others become cold, like Hinata, Ino, and Haku, who look displeased.

Kitohime from the Sound Village coldly says: "Shut up, you blond brat. Your arrogance will be your downfall. You'll understand when you die on a mission, insignificant as an ant."

Sasuke, unfazed, nods in agreement.

"Naruto, you don't understand the strength of Teacher Yoru. As for surpassing him? Hah."

Naruto is confused by the turn of events, not understanding why everyone is against him.

Even Kiba looks at him with a smirk, as if mocking his overconfidence. Haku, in an attempt to ease the awkward atmosphere, points to the meat on the grill, suggesting they should eat before it burns.

"Ah, my grilled meat!"

Under the loud and noisy voice of Naruto, it seemed as if the atmosphere was restored. However, it was clear that the people were divided into three small groups.

Most of them represent the village's rising new power, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio represents the ostracized old power, and the remaining one, the neutral and ignorant Naruto.

It was obvious to Nara Shikamaru, who knew about Naruto's situation, that his eyes were gleaming with intelligence.

At the Jounin's table.

The atmosphere was somewhat calm. Momochi Zabuza, who was silent and spoke little, had eyes only for Kakashi and grilled meat, while Kurenai Yuhi occasionally looked at the student's table, clearly distracted.

This scene made Sarutobi Asuma secretly sigh. Kurenai Yuhi didn't want to cause herself trouble, after all, she was the woman of Uchiha Yoru.

She could be capricious, but when it came to political affairs, Kurenai Yuhi was extremely smart. She never interfered or asked questions.

A man can tolerate a lot from you, but he will never tolerate you meddling in his career.

Only Kakashi, lazily looking at Asuma, raised his glass and said softly, "Asuma, don't think too much."

"The situation has gradually slowed down in the last two years."

With Kakashi's reassurance, Sarutobi Asuma also showed a smile on his face. Indeed, in the past two years, as Uchiha Yoru fully took control, the suppression of the Sarutobi clan had indeed slowed down.

Otherwise, how could he and Kakashi be arranged to lead the students this time? Even the current Ino-Shika-Cho trio entered Class A, which proved everything.

"Thanks."

This time, Sarutobi Asuma's treat and bonding with everyone were, plainly speaking, a political signal, wanting to ease the relationship.

Although nothing was said, the relaxed smile on Kakashi's face under this signal meant that the village was lowering its guard, and the Sarutobi clan could slowly mend the relationship and regain mutual trust.

It was extremely ironic.

Once, the Uchiha clan was marginalized and sought to repair relations with the village, only to face increasing vigilance and distrust.

But now, it was the Sarutobi clan's turn.

"Kakashi, I heard you've picked up the swordsmanship you put aside before?"

The usually silent and reserved Momochi Zabuza suddenly spoke, immediately arousing everyone's curiosity.

Kakashi lazily smiled and nodded, "I used to focus on one thing due to limited energy. People said it was better to specialize in one thing than to practice everything. So, I mainly focused on ninjutsu, but now I'm old."

"At our age, the body's chakra is almost set, entering a stable period. I can only pick up the swordsmanship I left behind."

However, hearing this, Momochi Zabuza snorted coldly, "The White Fang's swordsmanship seems ordinary in your mouth. Let's have a sparring match someday."

At this, everyone looked at the giant Kubikiribōchō next to Momochi Zabuza's seat. Kakashi's eyes twitched, realizing why Momochi Zabuza, who usually kept to himself, had come today; he was clearly here to show off.

"Yo, Biwa Jūzō actually willing to hand over the Kubikiribōchō?"

Kakashi curiously raised this topic, but Momochi Zabuza, who usually had a deadpan face, showed a barely visible smile.

"I heard that recently Biwa Jūzō and Karin sparred with the Kubikiribōchō against Tailed Beast Bombs, resulting in the Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei scolding them severely. Now, his main weapon is Shibuki."

It was clear that Momochi Zabuza's eyes flashed with schadenfreude, and upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Especially Kakashi, even under his expressionless mask, the corners of his mouth twitched. Using a big sword against Tailed Beast Bombs was indeed brave.

"It seems the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are about to appear."

At this point, Kakashi, rarely showing curiosity, looked at Momochi Zabuza and asked, "Could you tell who the current wielders of the seven swords are?"

Seeing that even Kakashi was curious, Momochi Zabuza's mouth under his bandages curled up, and he snorted coldly.

"Secret! But you'll know at next year's Chunin Exams."

"But I can tell you that not all the seven swordsmen this time are from the Mist Village, but from Konoha!"

At this moment, Momochi Zabuza looked at Kakashi with a mocking tone: "You even put aside the sword techniques of the White Fang to choose one sword master from Konoha."

What a guy, Momochi Zabuza really knows how to take a dig at Kakashi whenever he gets a chance.

Kakashi, already used to this, nodded in realization, "Indeed, I thought so. The ninjas of Konoha never rely on external forces."

What a guy! Kakashi doesn't take any losses at all.

"Alright, you two and Might Guy, I can hardly imagine next year's class reunion."

At this moment, Kurenai Yuhi interrupted their banter with a light laugh, "Next year's Chunin Exam is starting, got any plans?"

Suddenly, Kurenai Yuhi's eyes shone brightly, making Kakashi awkwardly say, "Kurenai, I think you should spend less time with Tsunade, gambling is not good."

"I think it's quite good."

Momochi Zabuza casually spoke, but his gaze was fixed on Kakashi, clearly wanting to join the competition.

"However, Kakashi, your two students can't be counted in this."

Clearly aware of the uniqueness of Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, Momochi Zabuza is not foolish.

Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi immediately got excited, "I heard Guy missed it, next year's competition is going to be fierce."

"But Guy has found his own successor, so this time let's focus on the achievements of the successors we've found, not the students we're leading. Let's agree in advance, no cheating."

Kurenai Yuhi's words obviously referred to Ino, Hinata, Haku, and Naruto, as they had already undergone special training and weren't really considered their own disciples' successors.

Hearing this, Momochi Zabuza fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of something, his lips curling into a smile.

"Sure, the Chunin Exam starts next July, there's plenty of time, and I might already have a suitable candidate."

Seeing the curious looks from everyone, Momochi Zabuza remained silent, but the fighting spirit in his eyes was unmistakable.

Kurenai Yuhi also smiled, looking at the young girl from the Sound Village on the table, "Zabuza, I've looked into this young girl's file. She has potential in genjutsu."

Her meaning was clear, suggesting that he should train her well, and she would personally train her in her spare time.

"No problem."

Fair and reasonable, the honest Momochi Zabuza nodded, even patting his chest as he assured, "Don't worry, I'll treat all three of them equally."

There it was, the situation was set, leaving only Sarutobi Asuma and Kakashi revealing helpless expressions.

~~~

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