28 - Qualifications

The sound of a heavy fist hitting the table echoed through the Hokage's office.

Kushina Uzumaki glared fiercely at the Third Hokage. "Why? Minato's disciples are eligible to take the Chunin exam, but mine can't!?"

The Third Hokage looked at Kushina, his face contorted with a headache. He unconsciously stroked his beard and signaled with his eyes for her to calm down.

"Kushina, please, calm down," Minato Namikaze said with a wry smile, glancing at his girlfriend. "This decision was made by the elders. It can't be changed now. The slots are already limited. Adding your group would cause issues. Besides, your disciples' talents are clear to everyone. You shouldn't worry too much about the Chunin title."

But Kushina, far from being submissive, whirled around, her red hair bristling. "Your disciples are eligible, of course you don't care!" she retorted.

Minato was taken aback by her response, managing only an embarrassed smile. "Kakashi isn't participating," he offered weakly.

"Your legendary Kakashi is already a Chunin. Of course, he doesn't need to," Kushina snorted. "If Chiba was born a year earlier, the title might not necessarily belong to Kakashi!"

Minato, knowing his girlfriend's temperament, could only respond with a bitter smile. He looked at the Third Hokage, indicating his intention to leave.

The Third Hokage massaged his temples and sighed deeply. "Kushina, things are as they are. Moreover, although your three disciples are outstanding, they have only completed one mission. Allowing them to take the Chunin exam now might not be in their best interest."

He looked up at Kushina, only to see her huffing indignantly. Minato, observing from the side, offered a sympathetic smile.

The Third Hokage bit his pipe, coughed slightly, and said firmly, "Kushina, the decision is final."

"You favor Minato," Kushina exclaimed. "You always think his disciples are better than mine. You just believe I can't properly teach these three geniuses. You were hesitant to assign me as their Jonin-sensei!"

The Ninja assistant beside them couldn't help but chuckle at Kushina's dramatic posture, finding it endearing.

"Hmm!" The Third Hokage coughed loudly, giving the assistant a stern look. The assistant immediately sobered up, though a smile lingered.

Suddenly, Kushina's eyes lit up with an idea. "In that case! Let my disciple and Minato's disciple have a match. If my disciple wins, let them replace Minato's disciples in the Chunin exam!"

A competition? The three men exchanged glances, stunned.

"If my disciples lose, I won't mention the Chunin exam again!" Kushina added.

The Third Hokage looked at Minato, seeking his opinion. Kushina's gaze also shifted to her boyfriend, her eyes filled with an unspoken threat: 'If you don't agree, I won't talk to you again!'

Seeing Kushina's serious demeanor, Minato sighed. "Fine, let Chiba and my disciples compete."

"Kakashi is a prodigy among prodigies. He became a Chunin at the age of eight, but I want him to compete as well," Kushina added another condition.

Kakashi? This caught the Third Hokage's attention. No matter how skilled and talented Chiba might be, defeating Kakashi seemed unlikely. However, he considered the proposal. "Well, if Chiba can defeat Kakashi, I will place them under Minato's squad. Okay, Minato?"

Minato, who originally had no specific plans involving Kushina's team, agreed. "Okay."

"Then it's settled!" Kushina said with a bright smile, leaving the Hokage's office joyfully.

After she left, the Third Hokage and Minato wiped their brows, sighing in relief. The tension in the office gradually dissipated.

...

Later that day, during lunch break, Yukina approached Chiba, who was eagerly eating. She sat down beside him, with Hirohiko taking a seat on the other side.

Unknowingly, Chiba had become the center of their group. Hirohiko and Yukina naturally looked to him for decisions regarding their trio.

"Chiba, do you think we're ready for the Chunin exam?" Yukina asked, her pale eyes filled with curiosity.

Chiba, after a month of training and eating together with his teammates, felt comfortable sharing his true thoughts. "It's unlikely," he responded.

"Why?" Hirohiko asked succinctly, his dark eyes narrowing.

"We lack mission experience," Chiba explained, setting down his chopsticks.

Both were quick to understand, their disappointment evident. Unlike Chiba, they were looking forward to the Chunin exam. As heirs to prominent clans, they bore responsibilities Chiba didn't. Passing the Chunin exam and attaining that rank was a matter of family honor, a duty ingrained in them from childhood.

Seeing their disappointment, Chiba was taken aback. 'Did they really care so much about the Chunin exam?' He couldn't see the appeal. Even as Chunin, they would likely continue training under Kushina's strict guidance rather than undertaking missions, which held no allure for him.

Before Chiba could ponder further, Kushina approached hastily, grabbing his shoulders with such force it hurt.

"You must not lose in the competition three days from now!" Kushina declared, her eyes blazing with determination. "I will train you extremely rigorously for the next two days!"

'What?' Chiba's mind reeled, filled with a sense of foreboding. 'Three days later? What competition? Against whom?'

As Kushina's grip tightened, Chiba couldn't help but wonder: What exactly was going on?