Chapter 181: Traitor Within and Fool Without

While the specifics of each Joint Chunin Exam varied, the overall structure followed a predictable pattern: a written test of some difficulty, a survival-style battle royale, and finally, one-on-one tournament matches.

As the exams drew near, an increasing number of foreign ninja entered Konoha, inevitably bringing security concerns. Consequently, Konoha's ANBU kept a close watch on everyone, from powerful villages like Sunagakure to weaker ones like Hoshigakure.

Some superficial intelligence leakage was unavoidable and didn't overly concern Konoha—observations about the former number one village's current state, the Third Hokage's disposition, and so on, which anyone could deduce just by looking. Acquiring genuinely sensitive information, however, was another matter entirely. Surely no one would be foolish enough to attempt stealing the Scroll of Seals during the Chunin Exams... right?

But as the saying goes, "It's hard to guard against a thief within your own house." If someone inside Konoha decided to help outsiders evade surveillance, even the most elite ANBU would be helpless.

At this very moment, somewhere in Konoha, certain individuals were engaging in illicit contact with external powers.

Danzo Shimura sat in the corner of a dimly lit room. As midnight approached, the door opened and someone entered. He was a male ninja appearing to be in his early twenties, his headband clearly indicating he wasn't from Konoha.

After entering and confirming Danzo's identity, the man spoke immediately. "Disguising myself as a Genin to enter Konoha involved immense risk, as you know. I trust you will provide the assistance you promised."

"But of course," Danzo replied, his tone smooth and confident, as if he were the very picture of integrity. "You understand, only Konoha can help you with this now. We have the capability. Long ago, even Kumogakure sought Konoha's aid for such matters."

"Then what do you require in return?" the ninja asked warily. "I must state upfront, I will not agree to anything detrimental to my village's interests." His village, obviously, was not Konoha.

"Takigakure has always maintained friendly relations with Konoha," Danzo offered a placid smile. "This friendship is the foundation of our willingness to help. As for my compensation... when the time comes, you will undertake three missions for me. Rest assured, they will be missions within the bounds of your principles."

Danzo was being surprisingly accommodating, adopting a stance of equal exchange rarely seen from him within Konoha itself.

Given Danzo's apparent attitude, and the fact that the Taki-nin desperately needed Konoha's help, he didn't hesitate long. He nodded. "Very well. It's a deal."

"A deal indeed," Danzo confirmed. "Now that we've agreed, you may come here each night during the Chunin Exams. We will assist you in controlling your power."

Although the decision to hold the joint exams came from the Third Hokage, Danzo had been responsible for liaising with the other villages. Since he was in charge, it wasn't surprising he used the opportunity to forge deeper, more covert connections with outside powers.

Of course, Danzo's posture of a fair transaction was entirely false. The old hawk viewed many Konoha ninja as outsiders to be eliminated, let alone those from other villages. Were foreign ninja even human in his eyes? Hardly. His words were smooth—offering help for future returns—but... did this Taki-nin even have a future?

Was Danzo truly someone who considered long-term benefits? Calling him calculating often felt like an overstatement. The recent rapid changes in Konoha unsettled Danzo just as much as they did the Third Hokage. If things continued this way, he'd never achieve his lifelong goal. He couldn't wait passively anymore; he had to take initiative, exercise his subjective agency.

It's just a little experiment, he likely reasoned. It won't kill anyone. Or at least, not too many. And certainly not me.

Kushina Uzumaki had recently decided to leave Konoha for a while. Her destination: the ruins of Uzushiogakure in the Land of Whirlpools. She planned a sort of 'preservation excavation' of her old home, hoping to unearth anything significant—a final reckoning with her hometown and the Uzumaki Clan.

She hadn't returned since coming to Konoha. Even though it was just ruins, the weight of the word 'hometown' was the same for anyone, compounded by the bittersweet feeling of returning to a place so changed... The emotions involved were complex.

Such archaeological work wasn't inherently dangerous, and Kushina certainly wouldn't go alone; she'd take at least a squad or two of ANBU. The only real issue was the timing—slightly inconvenient, with everyone busy preparing for the exams while she skipped town.

Since Kushina was leaving Konoha and couldn't possibly take her son—who was rapidly entering the universally dreaded stage where he was annoying to man and beast alike—she entrusted Naruto to the person in the organization deemed strongest and most capable of protecting him.

And the lucky winner? Habara, naturally.

Inside the small earthen building, Habara held Naruto Uzumaki stiffly in one arm, looking like a soldier clutching a demolition charge, ready to blow up a bunker at any moment.

How did things devolve to this stage? Habara lamented internally. It's illogical. I was researching the scientific expression of different chakra natures, how did my research somehow result in... this thing?

Naruto, however, displayed the boldness of a future leader. Seeing Habara standing motionless, he took action without hesitation, reaching up with both hands and yanking Habara's hair.

"Big brother! Big brother!"

Naruto's intelligence might be questionable, but not severely impaired; his brain wasn't organically damaged. Of course he recognized Habara—Habara and his associates were constantly buzzing around Kushina. It would be stranger if Naruto didn't know him.

"Stop that. And 'big brother' is forbidden." Habara gently pried Naruto's hands away. Behind him, Iron Sand stirred, rising to bind the boy, suspending him mid-air in a miniature crucifixion pose.

"Starting today, you're not Naruto anymore. Your name is Daigoro, and I'm Ogami Itto. Got it?" Habara attempted, somewhat futilely, to reason with the toddler.

Initially, Naruto seemed delighted by being suspended, kicking his legs happily. But when he realized he couldn't break free from the Iron Sand, his face began to twitch. His features scrunched together, and then he burst into loud wails.

"Damn it, what are you crying for?" Habara muttered. Honestly, Naruto's reaction wasn't an IQ problem now; Habara's expectations for a three-year-old were just ridiculously high.

Yet, Habara's criticism only made things worse. As Naruto wailed from his mouth... he also started 'crying' from below, a damp patch spreading rapidly on his pants.

"Stop! A dishonorable sneak attack!" Habara exclaimed, recoiling slightly. "You call yourself the son of the Yellow Flash?!"

Seriously, why did he think a human cub would obey him? Forget the Yellow Flash's son; even the Yellow Flash himself must have wet his pants when he was three years old. Probably.