Chapter 537: Chunin Exams Grand Occasion

Chunin Exams!

The significance of this event is not merely to select ninjas.

If the goal were simply to determine whether a genin is qualified to become a chunin, asking their supervising jonin would suffice.

However, the true purpose of the Chunin Exams is singular:

To showcase military strength.

In essence, it serves the same purpose as a military parade to intimidate other nations and ninja villages.

At the same time, it subtly conveys to ordinary people that ninjas possess power far beyond their imagination.

Of course, displaying this power is best left to the genin. If jonin or Kage were to demonstrate their strength,

it might leave too deep an impression on the civilians, which isn't ideal.

Therefore!

It's enough for the genin to showcase their abilities, while also fostering a sense of awe and admiration for ninjas among the common folk.

This makes it easier for the various ninja villages to maintain control, and it compels nations to establish their own ninja villages as military forces.

This is the true purpose of the Chunin Exams. Selecting chunin is merely an excuse.

However, in the current era of the Allied Shinobi Villages, the need to intimidate other nations has diminished.

But the Chunin Exams still serve another important purpose: making money!

Yes, watching the matches of the Chunin Exams costs money.

And this has become one of the major revenue streams for the Five Great Nations, much like a concert.

Sasuke, standing in the arena, looked around at the packed audience seats, with not a single empty spot.

Many people were even standing at the very back.

This arena could easily accommodate over 50,000 people.

It's indeed a massive money-making event!

"The Allied Shinobi Villages Chunin Exams now officially begin!"

"Next, we invite the Five Kage to deliver their speeches!"

As the announcer's voice faded, Naruto, the Sixth Hokage of Konoha, stepped onto the high platform.

Naruto's prestige in the village was exceptionally high.

With all Five Kage present for the Chunin Exams, it was only natural that Naruto wouldn't be the only one to speak.

The other Kage also stepped forward to make their appearances.

First was Darui, the Fifth Raikage of Kumogakure, who had finally inherited the position of Raikage.

His strength was... decent. In Sasuke's eyes, he wasn't much different from his former self, perhaps having learned a few more powerful Lightning Release techniques.

His abilities had improved, but he was still too weak.

For a Raikage, he couldn't even fully utilize the power of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

After the Raikage came the Kazekage. Gaara, now firmly seated as the Fifth Kazekage, appeared to be the strongest among them.

Despite losing his Tailed Beast, Gaara's mastery of Magnet Release had grown even more formidable.

Next was Kurotsuchi, the Fourth Tsuchikage, who had matured and significantly increased her strength.

But as the Tsuchikage, her inability to inherit Iwagakure's Dust Release made her seem, in Sasuke's eyes, a step below her predecessors.

The Mizukage, however, was someone Sasuke hadn't expected.

"Haku!"

The Sixth Mizukage, Haku, appeared, her powerful chakra radiating and her body faintly reflecting light like ice crystals.

She looked almost like a woman made of crystal.

As Haku stepped onto the stage, her first action wasn't to speak but to scan the audience, as if searching for someone.

The next moment, her gaze met Sasuke's.

Their eyes locked.

At that moment, Haku felt as if the entire noisy arena had fallen silent.

In the competitors' lounge, Sarada and the others watched as the Mizukage remained silent.

"What's the Mizukage doing?"

"Why did she suddenly stop talking?"

"What is she looking at? She seems completely entranced."

But the next second, the Mizukage leaped into the air, heading straight for the audience stands.

This move left everyone stunned.

The Chunin Exams were going smoothly what was the Mizukage trying to do?

However, the next moment, Haku landed in the audience, right in front of Sasuke.

The cameras captured Sasuke's figure.

Haku stood before Sasuke, her expression filled with excitement as she looked at him.

"Lord Sasuke, welcome back!"

With that, she threw herself into Sasuke's arms.

This scene left the entire audience in shock.

The Sixth Mizukage of Kirigakure, known for her aloof demeanor and extraordinary strength,

was rumored to have once frozen an entire sea during a storm-triggered tsunami attack on the village.

In an instant!

She had frozen a vast expanse of the ocean.

For three days, the frozen sea showed no signs of melting.

This left Kirigakure, a village reliant on ships for communication with other regions, completely cut off for three days.

Such a powerful and cold woman was now crying in a man's arms like a young girl.

And this man appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old.

The Mizukage was a fully grown adult.

What was this?

An older woman chasing after a younger man?

Not only were the civilians stunned, but even Haku's bodyguard, Chojuro, was dumbfounded.

This wasn't like Haku at all!

Compared to the civilians, those who had lived through the Fourth Great Ninja War were even more shocked upon seeing Sasuke.

'Uchiha... Sasuke... has returned?'

'That legendary ninja, the most fearsome shinobi in history... has reappeared.'

Naruto's worst fear had come true.

He quickly ordered ninjas to escort Sasuke and Haku away. This was drawing too much attention.

Using his authority as Hokage, Naruto swiftly redirected the audience's focus back to himself.

Sasuke and Haku were taken away, but Sarada, who had seen the scene on TV, was completely baffled.

That was one of her idols, the strongest ninja of Kirigakure, the Mizukage!

And yet... she seemed to have a romantic connection with her uncle.

What was going on?

Her uncle looked so young, yet he seemed to have some kind of relationship with the Mizukage.

The age gap between them was huge!

And who could have imagined that the cold and aloof Mizukage would show such a girlish side?

Sarada felt the contrast was too great, almost unreal.

And what was the deal with her uncle?

How did he have such a connection with the Mizukage?

From the footage, Sasuke had looked somewhat resigned and helpless.

Though their relationship was unclear, the Mizukage was undeniably a beauty!

Yet Sasuke seemed almost reluctant and annoyed.

"Sarada, did you see that man the Mizukage hugged? He's so handsome!"

"I've never seen anyone so good-looking!"

Chocho, having caught a glimpse of Sasuke, was already smitten.

Sarada couldn't help but shiver slightly. If Chocho found out that Sasuke was her uncle, and she hadn't told her, things could get awkward.

"I didn't notice. I was too busy watching the Mizukage. She's as beautiful as ever!"

As they spoke, the announcement echoed through the arena:

"The Chunin Exams now begin! The finals will follow a one-on-one format. Winners advance, losers are eliminated, but elimination does not mean failure. Passing is determined by individual performance!"

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