"Why isn't Ren-sensei here yet?"
The training ground was occupied by the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, waiting for their jonin teacher.
"Maybe he got held up by something," Shikamaru said.
"Does that mean we don't have to train today?" Choji asked, sitting cross-legged on the ground, more interested in that possibility than anything else.
"If Ren-sensei doesn't come, we can't just wait here forever," Shikamaru, who was leaning against a wooden post, added.
"Ren-sensei would never ditch us!" Ino, sitting on top of a post, reached out to smack Shikamaru on the head.
"I'm not saying anything bad about him, just that he might be delayed," Shikamaru said, rubbing his head in resignation.
Ino always defended Ren without question, not allowing them to say anything negative about him even in private.
"But have you guys noticed something strange?" Shikamaru asked, glancing at the other two.
Ino and Choji exchanged puzzled looks. "What do you mean?"
"Every other team spends their days completing missions. We're the only team that's training non-stop," Shikamaru pointed out. "We haven't been on any missions for a while. It's just been high-intensity training day after day. Ren-sensei doesn't need to push us this hard."
"Now that you mention it… yeah," Choji nodded thoughtfully. "But either way, after missions, Ren-sensei treats us to barbecue, and after training, he treats us to barbecue too."
"You meathead, is food all you think about?" Shikamaru sighed, hand on his forehead.
"Ren-sensei must be doing this for our benefit," Ino said. "He just wants to make us stronger."
Yeah, that's rich coming from someone who complains and cries during training… Shikamaru thought but dared not say aloud. Ino was the queen bee of their team, only showing her gentle side when it came to Ren-sensei. Crossing her meant trouble.
As they were talking, Ren's figure appeared in the distance, walking slowly toward them.
"Ren-sensei!" Ino was the first to greet him.
Shikamaru and Choji joined in, standing up or getting down from the posts.
Ren reached them and took out three sheets of paper that looked like application forms.
"I just came from a meeting about the Chunin Exams. Here are your registration forms; you're already signed up."
"Chunin Exams?" The trio was taken aback, each taking a form and examining it.
"The exam is in a week. On the day of, report to classroom 301 at the academy at 3 PM," Ren explained.
"Chunin Exams…" Shikamaru muttered, feeling the weight of it.
"Ren-sensei, isn't it a bit early for us to take the Chunin Exams?" Ino hesitated. "I heard that participants are usually experienced genin, but we just graduated."
"It's not too early. I think you're ready," Ren said.
"Your teamwork is much better than most genin, and the special training I've been giving you hasn't been for nothing. You can handle it."
Shikamaru, after carefully reading the form, suddenly noticed something and looked up. "Ren-sensei, isn't the Chunin Exam voluntary?"
Ren's calm gaze met his, making Shikamaru feel uneasy.
"Yes."
"So… can we choose not to participate?"
"No."
Straight and simple.
I knew it…
Shikamaru slumped his head in defeat. He realized now why their teacher had been so diligent in training them.
It was all preparation for this exam.
"The Chunin Exams are being hosted by the Leaf Village and involve multiple nations. Your peers will be participating, and you'll face genin from other villages," Ren continued.
"I don't expect you to outperform Sasuke, but if your performance is disgraceful…" His eyes scanned over the trio with a steady gaze.
"…you might as well commit seppuku."
"…!"
The three of them shivered at his words.
Scary…
Even though Ren-sensei's threat wouldn't likely play out to that extreme, failing to meet his expectations would undoubtedly lead to harsh consequences.
They had learned through experience not to cross Ren-sensei.
Despite Shikamaru's internal grumbling about his teacher being a sadist.
"I'm just letting you know about the Chunin Exams so you can prepare mentally. No training today," Ren finished, and his figure dissolved into white smoke.
A shadow clone…
The trio looked at each other, bewildered.
"We're doomed. This is going to be a disaster," Shikamaru muttered with a resigned look.
"Sakura and Sasuke are participating too," Ino said thoughtfully.
Choji pulled out a bag of chips and started munching. He didn't have much to say; if Shikamaru and Ino were going, so would he.
"If there's no training today, does that mean no barbecue either?"
...
Hokage's Office.
"Orochimaru… will interfere in this exam?" Hiruzen said, surprised as he looked at Ren.
"He has established a village in the Land of Rice Fields, called the Sound Village," Ren said.
Hiruzen rummaged through some documents on his desk and found that the Sound Village had indeed registered to participate in the exam.
"Orochimaru…" Hiruzen fell silent, his eyes thoughtful.
"He's allied with the Sand Village and plans to attack the Leaf during the exam," Ren continued.
Hiruzen considered this for a moment and did not doubt the information's authenticity.
"Should we prepare in advance?" Hiruzen asked.
"When the time comes, just focus on protecting the villagers. This is a job for the ANBU," Ren said.
Hiruzen was taken aback, surprise flashing across his face.
What does he mean? Shouldn't we prevent this before it happens?
"Orochimaru is notorious in the ninja world and a rogue of the Leaf. If I were to kill him while he attacks, I would become a hero of the village," Ren said slowly.
"This is the most effective way to build prestige."
Hiruzen opened his mouth to argue but ended up nodding. "Understood. I'll make the arrangements."
"But Orochimaru is formidable. I can't guarantee that I can defeat him," Hiruzen admitted, uncertain of Ren's true capabilities.
"I'm confident," Ren said calmly.
Killing Orochimaru would be challenging, as Ren didn't know techniques like the Reaper Death Seal, nor did he intend to have Hiruzen sacrifice himself. Keeping the Third Hokage alive was more beneficial to him.
All he needed was to kill Orochimaru once, in front of everyone—that would be enough.
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