Chapter 067
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
But deep inside, Kitahara Kaede was a little disappointed.
Yes.
Although Sasuke and Naruto had answered directly—
They hadn't considered the intentions of the one who created the test, nor had they considered the context in which the test was set.
So, they were just test-taking tools.
A truly excellent examinee would've already predicted the test questions before the test was even handed out.
The two of them were still far from excellent.
However, Kitahara Kaede's standards weren't that high. What he wanted to cultivate were just enforcers, so by that measure—they were qualified.
"Then go take the second round of the exam," Kitahara Kaede said, patting both of them on the shoulder.
"Okay!"
All members of Team 7 ran toward the destination of the second exam—The Forest of Death.
·······
The Chūnin Exams in Konoha were tightly scheduled. After the first round ended, the examinees who passed were immediately required to head to the venue of the second round.
However, the Third Hokage was still cautious, because all the participants from the Sound and Grass villages had been eliminated.
So rushing the candidates to the next round was likely a tactic to capture the Sound ninja from Orochimaru's group immediately.
This time, the only ones who dropped out were a few Konoha-symbolizing candidates, plus all of the Grass and Sound ninja.
The Grass ninja were just unlucky. Orochimaru had impersonated one of them, so the Third suspected even the Grass Village had issues.
But in private, Kitahara Kaede felt the Sound Village's girl, Kin, was not bad. Straight black hair, good figure.
Though her personality was a little arrogant, with some training, her future potential could be expected.
But when he looked to his left—Hinata Hyuga was walking beside him.
Hmm… best to focus on the exam for now and not think too much.
After all… he still had a mission assigned by the Third Hokage.
If the Sand Village squad showed signs of betrayal, then he was to stop them.
Not with ANBU or other ninja—but by relying on Kitahara Kaede.
The reason was simple: political concerns.
The Sand trio—Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara—were all children of the Kazekage. If Konoha surrounded them directly, it might provoke a conflict with Sunagakure.
But if it was just a "spar" between examinees, then there was no issue.
So—
"Sasuke, Naruto, the objective of the second round is only one."
Kitahara Kaede said, "Follow the Sand Village team. If they do anything strange—stop them."
"You mean that red-haired shorty…"
"Hmph!"
Sasuke snorted.
Clearly, Sasuke still remembered Gaara, who had been his first real challenge.
"Somehow… that Gaara guy feels kind of like me."
Unlike Sasuke, Naruto's feelings were more intuitive.
Similar people can understand each other. The aura they give off is something kindred souls can recognize.
"So…"
"Who do you think is the most dangerous, Kaede-kun?" Naruto asked.
"The prettiest village belle next door… oh wait, that's not what you meant…"
Kitahara Kaede stared at the Sand trio ahead.
Then he quickly realized they weren't talking about who was the prettiest.
"Dangerous, huh…"
"Gaara, probably," Kitahara Kaede said. "He's a One-Tails jinchūriki."
"And that's the main reason we need to keep a close eye on him," he added.
"Tail Beast… Jinchūriki?"
To Naruto, he'd only ever been called a demon fox—but he didn't know he was the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
"Yes," Kitahara Kaede explained,
"A Tailed Beast is a unique, collective life form."
"You've seen it in the library too."
"The Tailed Beasts can live for a very long time and possess great power."
"And they don't die—except for the Nine-Tails."
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: …
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: What's going on…
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: I have a bad feeling about this.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Relax, you idiot fox. We Tailed Beasts can't die.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Just ask the Three-Tails.
The Three-Tails—Isobu—was the Tailed Beast assigned to Kirigakure by the First Hokage when the beasts were divided.
The Three-Tails had gone through several jinchūriki. While the jinchūriki had died, the beast itself remained alive.
Its previous jinchūriki was Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage. Yagura had passed, but the Three-Tails still lived.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: What do you even know?
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: You can't even see through Kitahara Kaede's little white rabbit.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: ???
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Isn't that white ninja rabbit just the Five-Tails, Kokuō? What's there to see through?
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: The only Tailed Beast that looks like a female would be that one.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: But Kokuō pretending to be such a cute little bunny… seriously?
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Back when we were all young, I was clearly the cutest.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: Yeah right. If we're talking about cuteness, it's obviously me.
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Baby Tailed Beasts, huh?
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Come to think of it, we really don't have much info on them.
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: @Nine Tails, @One-Tail, you don't mind sharing some intel with us, right?
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: No, we do mind!
Kurama rejected her directly.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: Also, Mizukage, don't overthink it. Your Kirigakure's Three-Tails is the weakest.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: Even if you tame it, it's pretty much useless.
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Uh… isn't the strength of Tailed Beasts based on the number of tails?
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Nope, nope. I'm way stronger than Kokuō and the Three-Tails.
[Minato Namikaze]: Isn't the strength of Tailed Beasts based on the number of tails?
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Of course not!
[Minato Namikaze]: Then why is the Nine-Tails so strong?
Minato asked the question, and Kurama gave him a side-eye.
Because people like him and Hashirama always said such things after doing unforgivable stuff.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: …
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Damn, so the world's always thought I'm the weakest?
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: Stupid fox, say something! I'm not scared of you.
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: Then come fight me.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: …I probably can't beat you, but I'm not conceding!
[Nine Tails - Kurama]: …Exactly my point.
[One-Tail - Shukaku]: …
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: …
[Fifth Mizukage - Mei Terumi]: Alright then.
Mei Terumi had been entertaining some ideas.
Even though she had submitted to Kitahara Kaede during her visit to Konoha—acknowledging a strong man as a godfather wasn't shameful—her own side still needed to stand tall.
So even without many new ninjas…
She still had a Tailed Beast.
In the mountains behind Kirigakure, the Three-Tails Isobu still resided.
She wondered—if she could talk to it like they were chatting with Kurama and Shukaku, maybe the Three-Tails could still be useful to the Mist?
But if it's the weakest… then it's useless even if they get it.
[Timid Old Man - Ōnoki]: If that ninja white bunny really is the Five-Tails Kokuō, then it belongs to us in Iwagakure.
At this moment, Ōnoki joined the conversation.
Because…
If Kitahara Kaede's ninja rabbit really was Kokuō, then originally that was a property of Iwagakure, right?
If they could get their hands on that ninja rabbit…
Maybe a bite from it could grant something miraculous.
[Timid Old Man - Ōnoki]: If we in Iwagakure offer a hefty price… could Konoha lend us Kokuō for a few days?
Ōnoki thought his phrasing was already humble enough.
If Kokuō had been captured, he wouldn't even ask for it back, just politely request a short loan.
However—
There was someone in the group with a very clear mind.
Let's not even talk about how these idiots were linking the rabbit to Kokuō… but the connection between Lady Kaguya and Kokuō?
Kokuō wasn't even worthy of tying her shoes.
So—
[Filial Son - Black Zetsu]: …
[Filial Son - Black Zetsu]: What kind of bullsh*t are you even saying?
[Tobirama - Senju Tobirama]: All of you, shut the hell up!
Tobirama flew into a rage.
Because Black Zetsu was usually polite and humble, Ōnoki didn't take his words seriously.
But when he saw Tobirama go off, he was startled.
[Timid Old Man - Ōnoki]: W-Wait, Lord Tobirama, why are you suddenly so angry?!
[Tobirama - Senju Tobirama]: The Tailed Beasts all originated from my big brother and Uchiha Madara—
---
Chapter 130+ on my patreon.com/dzeref887