Chapter 87

“Well then, maybe he’ll just grab you and find out all the secrets of the fog?” – the Raikage indifferently addressed the calm shinobi Kiri.

“As I already said, what important information can an ordinary shinobi like me know?” – A little taken aback, he shook his head.

After these words, shinobi Kiri took out a scroll and handed it to Ei.

Then Mabui hurriedly stepped forward, taking the scroll instead of the Raikage, and carefully checked it.

Only after this did the scroll reach Ey.

- Well, look at me, you will stay here forever for interrupting my training, if there is nothing really important there! – the Fourth Raikage said coldly, unfolding and starting to read the scroll of the Kiri envoy.

As for what was said, he really did not care deeply about the consequences that killing the envoy could entail.

But the longer Ay read the scroll, the more serious his face became.

– Hmm, I admit, very interesting information! – after a long silence, his lips curved into a smile, and something new appeared in his gaze, then he turned to his assistant. “And I didn’t think that anyone other than Konoha would be able to find out the secret of that day.” Mabui... give him THAT information about Konoha!

Mabui, who was standing next to her, was very confused by what she heard, that’s how much she did not expect such a request from the Fourth Raikage.

Noticing this, A raised his eyebrows in surprise, because for the first time in all these years, the assistant could not give him an immediate answer.

But it’s not surprising if you remember the last time this question was raised...

With these thoughts in mind, he leaned over and whispered something to Mabui, after which she nodded in surprise and hurriedly walked away.

Ay then went back to reading the scroll. But this time his gaze was attentive and stern, and his expression was thoughtful.

I had to wait until Mabui returned with the old scroll.

Her previously clean and tidy clothes were stained with dust.

It is completely unclear how and where the assistant unearthed this scroll, but one thing is for sure - it took her a lot of time.

- Now get out! – the Fourth Raikage said impatiently, taking Mabui from his hands and throwing the scroll towards the nondescript messenger Kiri.

After which he, without much change in his face, caught the scroll, politely bowed to the leader of Kumo and hastily left.

– Is this good? That’s the thing... we signed an agreement with Konoha then... – Mabui couldn’t resist and asked curiously shortly after the Kiri envoy left.

But the Fourth Raikage did not answer. Instead, he turned and walked towards the central mountain, tossing the scroll to his assistant.

– Let Darui get ready! – he said seriously as he left.

Then Mabui, following the back of the departing Ei, lowered her head and tremblingly read the scroll.

Only now did she understand the meaning of the Raikage’s silence, because if this was true, there was no longer any need to comply with that agreement.

***

Around the same time, Konoha, which was in conflict with Kiri, publicly announced that it would hold a joint Chūnin Exam with Suna in exactly two weeks.

After which Suna announced that the Kazekage was being sent to Konoha to personally attend the exam.

It cannot be denied that the personal meeting of the two Kage was a very significant event, but the shinobi community took this news more or less calmly, because the great villages hold the exam almost every year.

To put it bluntly, the Chuunin Exams are an opportunity to flex your muscles and show off your strength to the other great villages.

But it is obvious that this time Konoha was trying to put pressure on the unusually stubborn Kiri.

The Kages aren't going to meet just to watch the Genin games, right? Rather, Konoha was making it clear to Kiri that it was in a close alliance with Suna.

And not in vain, because the previously tough and unyielding Kiri softened his position a little soon after the news was published.

Upon receiving this news, a rare smile appeared on Hiruzen's face.

Great news for Konoha!

And here it is worth mentioning that he still agreed to Iruka’s request.

On the roof of one of the Konoha buildings.

- Why did you call us so suddenly, teacher? – Naruto turned sadly to Iruka.

Uzumaki began to train hard, constantly oohing and ahhing about his incredible super genius, after discovering that his learning speed had increased several times over.

Therefore, he was a little indignant at Iruka's sudden challenge.

Sasuke, nearby, also didn’t really try to hide his displeasure, he just didn’t have the habit of making faces like Naruto.

-Have you heard about the Chuunin Exams? – Iruka asked seriously, loading up a delicious bream on the grimacing Uzumaki.

Chuunin Exam?

The teacher's question puzzled Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura.

Apparently they had never heard of any Chuunin Exams.

Seeing the Genin's reaction, Iruka smiled and explained everything clearly.

“Master, does this mean that you will allow us to take part in the Chuunin Exams?” – Sakura asked in surprise.

- This is true! – Iruka nodded seriously.

“But we... just graduated...” the kunoichi swallowed nervously.

She could not even imagine that Iruka, who initially gave the impression of a reliable teacher, would decide to take such an adventure!

– Well, the sooner you familiarize yourself with the exam, the easier it will be later, and in general, who knows, maybe you’ll pass right away? – Iruka smiled in response, although he himself did not believe what he was saying at the end.

By this point, Naruto and Sasuke were already excited, as if their despondency had transferred entirely to Sakura.

“I have become much stronger than when I studied with Uncle Yoshiro, and I will definitely pass this Chuunin Exam of yours!” – Uzumaki exclaimed excitedly, but at the mention of Yoshiro, the image of a good-naturedly smiling uncle appeared in his head, and sadness flashed in his blue eyes.