Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

"Esteemed colleagues, the Elders will be slightly delayed in attending this preliminary meeting for the Chunin Exams due to unforeseen circumstances. Please maintain your patience and remain quiet for now!"

As the meeting room filled with noise and complaints, the administrative ninja—who had previously seemed indifferent—was finally compelled to step forward and explain.

"I bet it's those mission document writers messing things up again!"

Since Hyuga Soushu and Kodou Jonin hadn't been keeping their discussion private, their words successfully provoked frustration among other high-ranking Jonin who, though unfamiliar with them, had also grown impatient waiting: "If this happens again next time, I'll initiate an impeachment proposal within the Jonin Unit!"

"Time is *money*, you know!" 

Hyuga Soushu chose the perfect moment to chime in sarcastically.

"Exactly! Exactly!" 

Kodou Jonin, always eager to stir trouble, immediately added fuel to the fire: "Everyone here are veteran ninja with both seniority and achievements. Making us sit around doing nothing like this is practically treating ninja lives as jokes!"

"Now, now, let's not overreact..."

The administrative ninja nervously wiped cold sweat from his forehead, hurrying to appease the angry Jonin: "The elders really are occupied. We've already sent people to notify them. Just please stay calm a little longer!"

"Bang!"

As the administrator tried explaining frantically, the meeting room doors suddenly slammed open violently!

Surrounded by several Root Division ninjas wearing mask patterns, Danzō appeared at the doorway, his expression dark and stormy.

The previously noisy room fell into absolute silence.

"What incredible authority Danzō displays!" 

Hyuga Soushu charged ahead once more: "I wonder whether Konoha has developed any privileged class? Whether the righteousness of the original Will of Fire still exists? For instance, should someone compensate extra for maliciously damaging public property?"

"In broad daylight—or rather, right under our noses—do we really need to call the Policing Department to deal with Root Division shinobi showing up in the village?" 

"You're so brave. Does your clan head know you act this way?" 

Danzō's face turned even darker with humiliation, glaring fixedly at the provocateur Hyuga Soushu, spitting out threatening words through clenched teeth.

"Will you run to your clan head if things go south?" 

Hyuga Soushu chuckled cynically, "It seems Danzō has grown used to intimidating others with his power. His threat tactics have dropped below academy student level!"

"Pfft!"

Several Chunin-ranked examiners-to-be couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Once someone started it, the suppressed amusement everyone had been holding back due to fear became uncontrollable. The entire meeting hall erupted in thunderous laughter.

Except for a few particularly clueless members of the Martial Faction, disliking and opposing Root forces led by Danzō represented political correctness for most ninja, especially those belonging to noble clans. Had the power balance between both sides not been so lopsided, someone probably would've attacked Danzō long ago. Therefore, nobody found Hyuga Soushu's mockery inappropriate; instead, they felt incredibly relieved and delighted!

Even Mitotou Kousuke, whose family was part of Konoha's legendary F4 alongside Danzō's faction, ended up chuckling along with the other ninja present. As for Kato Hayan, whose clan enjoys an alliance with the Senju, he laughed louder than anyone else.

For a moment, an unusually lighthearted mood swept through the meeting room.

Meanwhile, Danzo's expression turned darker and colder by the second—his fury growing as he became the unwitting star of the room's collective mockery. After all, how often did one witness such a rare scene where the ever-cunning and ruthless Danzo found himself at a complete loss?

When had the mighty Shadow of the Ninja World, feared by powerful clans within and known to silence crying children at night outside, lost his dignity and intimidation?

Amidst his frustration, a sudden thought struck Danzo—when exactly had his fearsome reputation, built through ruthlessness and iron-fisted control, completely shattered in just two short months?

And all of this could apparently be traced back to that detestable Branch House ninja, Soushu Hyuga!

Danzo had originally believed that after acquiring Chakra-infused metal in the post-war Land of Wind and using it to obtain some of the puppets from the Chikamatsu Collection—which were left behind by Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure—even if Soushu Hyuga didn't publicly show any signs of improving relations, at least tensions would ease rather than escalate further.

But now, it seemed that the peace offering he thought he was making meant absolutely nothing to Soushu Hyuga!

"This was nothing but foolish faith!"

Gritting his teeth tightly, Danzo glared fiercely at Soushu Hyuga—the instigator of this chaos—his heart filled with an urge to tear him apart on the spot! Right now, his murderous intent toward Soushu Hyuga had reached an unprecedented level!

Yet, glares can only wound in one's imagination. Since Danzo wasn't born into renowned Dojutsu bloodlines like Uchiha or Hyuga, naturally, his gaze held no real attack power whatsoever.

To the shinobi in the conference room, Danzo standing there motionless must have meant he'd been completely stunned into silence by Soushu Hyuga's bold defiance. Thus, previously timid chunin began murmuring loudly among themselves.

"What kind of example is Hokage Tower setting, making so much noise!"

Thankfully, Koharu Utatane hurried in soon after, quickly quelling the unrest in the meeting room. Humiliated and stripped of pride, Danzo could only let out a cold snort before leaving together with Root Division ninjas who were there for show.

"Today marks the start of a new year, and the delay was due to urgent village matters. Please understand," Koharu added as explanation, then swiftly shifted topics.

Since this Chunin Exams session was called together on short notice, aiming to rapidly promote capable genin to replenish military shortages, the Hokage Tower had simplified certain procedures accordingly.

The entire Chunin Exams consisted of two stages.

The first stage was a seven-day wilderness survival and squad competition trial. It tested each genin team's ability in intelligence gathering, tactical planning, and adaptability throughout. The method used was the traditional Heaven-and-Earth Scroll collection and contest style. Considering possible duplicates during the scroll fights, the estimated elimination rate was around or above 65%.

Those who survived this stage were either elite prodigies among the genin or plain lucky bastards.

The second phase would be one-on-one solo duels between ninja, aimed at eliminating those who barely survived the first round by luck.

Although this Chunin Exam might have been a bit shorter than usual, it still covered everything essential—especially battlefield skills.

According to Koharu Utatane, promotion to jonin wasn't just about winning matches. More importantly, it depended on displaying courage and wisdom throughout the entire exam. The proctors' responsibility was to monitor each squad closely during every stage and evaluate their performance, helping the village decide whether to approve their promotion.

Koharu also emphasized the real goal of this Chunin Exam was to find field agents urgently needed at the frontlines—what Soushu Hyuga sarcastically called "cannon fodder." So the examiners had to watch over the genin's safety and aim for zero casualties.

In Soushu's eyes, and those promoted straight from war zones, this exam held no challenge at all. Anyone struggling with these trials probably wouldn't have survived long on the battlefield anyway.

"Jonin Soushu."

Just when Soushu started dozing off from boredom, Kato Hayan beside him nudged his arm lightly, reminding, "Your assigned duty starts now."

"Oh!"

Soushu immediately came to his senses, leaning in closely to listen.

"Soushu Jonin is appointed as proctor over twelve chuunin, responsible for pre-exam preparations and environmental clearance at Examination Area No.44!"

Coincidentally, Koharu Utatane had reached this exact section.

"Training Ground No.44."

Soushu raised his eyebrows slightly.

"The Forest of Death."

Hayan explained.

"Great place!"

"Certainly is a great place," Soushu agreed, recalling his past escapades with Mahiru-chan deep inside the Forest of Death.

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