Raikage nodded. "I've noticed that as well. Itachi Uchiha, heir of that damned Uchiha clan, is among the participants…" He waited for a moment before saying, "Let Darui participate in this Chunin Exam as well. Replace the weakest member of the team and make him the leader."
Darui, who was a couple of years older than Itachi, was still not a chunin. Like Konoha, A was also planning on using him to assert dominance in a Chunin Exam hosted by another village, but with the current situation, he needed to modify his plan.
Since there was no way he could let others win in his fortress, the ministers bowed and left the Raikage alone in his office, deep in thought. The storm clouds above the mountains seemed to mirror his mood.
---
Kaida, Kabuto, and Itachi, after briefly surveying their competitors, decided to explore more of Kumogakure with Jiraiya's permission. The unique structure of the village intrigued them, with its towering, rock-built houses and massive bridges that connected one part of the village to another. The village seemed to grow out of the mountains themselves, a testament to the strength and determination of the people of Kumogakure.
As they wandered through the streets, they came across a bustling market where vendors sold exotic goods not found in Konoha—spices, weaponry, and rare mountain herbs.
"This place feels like a fortress," Kabuto remarked, adjusting his glasses. "Even the streets are built for defense."
Itachi nodded, his sharp eyes catching sight of several shinobi strategically positioned on rooftops. "Kumogakure's focus has always been military might. They aren't interested in the diplomacy that Konoha values."
They walked past a blacksmith's shop where massive hammers clanged against metal, forging weapons Kaida had never seen before. Kabuto stopped to examine a particularly interesting blade—a serrated sword infused with what appeared to be lightning chakra.
"Interesting," Kabuto muttered. "It seems like Kumogakure uses chakra in their weapons more often than we do in Konoha." He also picked a sword for himself.
They moved on, eventually reaching one of Kumogakure's famous waterfalls that cascaded down from the cliffs, creating a natural barrier between the village and the world below.
Kaida stood for a moment, watching the water rush by. "Kumogakure is impressive," he said, his voice tinged with respect.
Itachi looked out over the view. "Yes, but these wonders come at a cost. Their people suffer more than ours."
Kaida nodded. His mind flashed back to the poor villages they had passed on the way here, but only for a second.
"Alas! There is nothing we can do for now. Let's just focus on the task ahead of us first and think about that after winning," Kabuto, the least affected among the three, said. Having lived his whole life in an orphanage and dealt with poverty too, it was not a foreign concept for him.
"You are right. There is no use thinking about it if we can't do anything. Let's focus on what's ahead of us," Kaida said.
"The waterfall…"
Kaida and Kabuto looked toward Itachi as if he were an intruder. They even dispersed their chakra to make sure they weren't under genjutsu.
"I was just joking, guys," Itachi said, turning his face away.
"Man, this is the first time he's tried to make a joke. Now I understand why he always remains serious—he's really bad at being funny," Kabuto said, laughing.
"Hey, don't discourage him. At least he's trying to improve," Kaida added, laughing as well.
"I'm going back," Itachi said, starting to walk back toward the hotel.
"Hey, we're coming too."
Kaida and Kabuto followed Itachi back toward their lodging, but the air between them remained light-hearted. It was a rare moment for them to relax and enjoy, especially since, from the time they came together as a team, the only thing they had done was train.
This was one of the reasons Jiraiya allowed them to go around and explore the village a little, particularly since the looming Chunin Exams promised fierce competition.
As they walked back through the crowded market, a team from Amegakure passed by, catching their attention. The rain ninja, dressed in their sleek, dark raincoats, moved silently, their faces hidden beneath large hats.
One of them, a silver-haired boy with a steely gaze, briefly made eye contact with Itachi before the group continued on their way.
"They say the rain never stops in their village," Kabuto murmured, watching them disappear into the crowd. "I wonder what kind of jutsu they'll bring to the table."
"Rain ninja are known for their stealth and water-based techniques," Itachi said. "But in a place like Kumogakure, they'll be at a disadvantage without constant rain."
"Without constant rain? See above us, captain—the atmosphere is always cloudy. Maybe luck will be on their side, and they can get their home advantage here too," Kaida said, pointing toward the sky, which was filled with dense clouds, thunder ringing from time to time.
"Yes, as sensei said, there's no need to underestimate anyone," Itachi added, maintaining his aloof persona.
'But by this time, Pain should be in charge of Amegakure. Why the hell is he sending ninja for something like this?' Kaida thought, but since there was no way to find out, he let go of his thoughts and decided to focus on what lay ahead.
---
Meanwhile, in the Raikage's office, preparations for the exams were in full swing. Raikage A sat behind his massive desk, reviewing reports from his scouts and intelligence officers.
"Darui has already been briefed," one of his senior ministers informed him. "He'll take charge of the team and represent Kumogakure."
Raikage A nodded in approval, but his mind was elsewhere. His eyes lingered on a map of the village laid out before him, showing the various exam locations and the security surrounding the Daimyo, as well as the locations where other teams had taken lodgings.
Normally, one or, at most, two Daimyo would come to watch a Chunin Exam, the distance between the countries being the major reason behind it. But this time, for some reason, three Daimyo had decided to visit: the Lightning Daimyo, the Fire Daimyo, and the earth Daimyo. With three Daimyo present, the responsibility of their security lay on Kumogakure's shoulders, especially because the number of foreign ninja in the village was unusually high during this time.
A, being a straightforward person, hated these hidden moves the most, but he also knew that such tactics were the most effective. That's why he was working extra hours to maintain order during the Chunin Exam, which was why he didn't pay much attention to Konoha. Even Iwagakure had sent Deidara for the exam this time, so for Konoha to send Itachi was not that big of a deal to him.
He looked out the window, watching the gathering clouds, his eyes narrowing in thought. Then, once again, he focused on the piles of work in front of him.
---
Back at the hotel, Kaida and his team finally arrived. Jiraiya was waiting for them outside, arms crossed, a casual smile on his face as he greeted them.
"You boys have a good look around?" Jiraiya asked.
Kaida nodded. "Kumogakure's quite impressive. Their weapons are heavily infused with chakra. Even its natural beauty doesn't fall behind Konoha that much. There were many breathtaking views, and their security is tight."