Chapter Thirteen: Reaching a Consensus!

Without Naruto's persuasive speech from the original story, far fewer candidates remained after the first exam. When Anko Mitarashi shattered the window and burst into the proctor’s room as examiner for the second test, she was greeted by only a handful of teams.

“Well done, Ibiki! You actually managed to eliminate two-thirds of the candidates!” Anko clapped Ibiki on the shoulder in genuine admiration. Ibiki could only give a silent, bitter smile; this year’s candidates were hardly as simple as those from the past.

“I am the proctor for the second exam, Anko Mitarashi! Now, follow me!” Anko raised her right hand and declared boldly… but the room fell silent—a stark contrast between the two examiners was all too apparent.

If Ibiki Morino, the proctor for the first test, was a cold and intimidating interrogator, then Anko Mitarashi was his complete opposite—a lively, open-hearted beauty with an exceptional figure, known for her fishnet stockings and a cheerful, uninhibited presence.

“Look at this atmosphere… Anko, you’re embarrassing us…” Ibiki muttered, covering his face. As fellow examiners, he truly felt mortified.

Especially faced with the candidates’ indescribable expressions, Anko herself was so abashed that she almost wanted to hide her face.

“It’s fine. Once the exam begins, they’ll understand.” Anko’s expression didn’t change, only her tone, and in an instant, the tense atmosphere of the first test returned.

“In the second exam, we’ll need to eliminate at least half again…” she continued, “Now, all of you, follow me to the venue for the second exam—the Forest of Death!”

…

The candidates followed Anko to the next venue to hear the rules: simply put, it was a scroll-capturing test. There were two types of scrolls, Heaven and Earth. Teams needed both scrolls and had to deliver them to the central tower to pass.

The second exam would begin the next day… Meanwhile, as the candidates listened to the explanation, Haoyun had already returned from the Land of Rain and settled back into his home.

He'd barely arrived when the door was knocked upon—opening it, he found none other than the Third Hokage himself.

“To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the Third Hokage?” Haoyun stepped aside to let Hiruzen Sarutobi enter. Truth be told, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had been his apprentices for nearly two months now; even Kakashi, upon his return, had come by daily. The Third Hokage, only arriving now, truly lived up to his reputation for patience.

If it had been him, he might not have lasted a single day!

The Third entered, removed his hat, and surveyed his surroundings. Compared to the former Uchiha residence, there was more life and warmth here. Beyond that, he noticed little change.

“Might I ask where you come from, sir, and as the Third Hokage, may I inquire as to your intentions?” Hiruzen was at least polite, not directly questioning why he was living with Naruto and Sasuke.

Haoyun offered him tea with the air of a proper host. “As for my origins, I believe Kakashi has already reported them. As for my intentions, well, does taking on a few students count?”

“Oh?” The Third’s eyes brightened. “Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are all your students?”

“Of course. And I intend to take on a few more—Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuga…” Haoyun started counting on his fingers, naming all twelve of Konoha’s so-called “Rookie Twelve,” the ones he deemed promising. After all, considering Konoha’s future, only these twelve would play significant roles in the ultimate battles—there was little point in considering the other children.

The longer the Third listened, the more his face darkened. As the leader of Konoha, he knew very well that these twelve were the village’s new generation—future elite jonin, the strongest and most promising of their peers.

“Don’t you think the number of students you want is a bit excessive?” When Haoyun was about to add Hanabi and others to the list, the Third interrupted him, his tone decidedly unfriendly.

Haoyun’s lips curled in a half-smile. This was only the beginning—if the Third ever learned that Haoyun intended to take all of Konoha under his wing for a complete reform, his heart might not withstand the shock.

“Too many? I don’t think so. Besides, in the current Konoha, who but me is qualified to teach them?” As he spoke, Haoyun exuded an aura of dominance.

In truth, he was simply channeling the full power of a Level 5 Electromaster. Even the sky above seemed to draw in currents of electricity, as massive bolts of lightning danced among the dark clouds overhead, responding to him. The oppressive force, lightning threading through the clouds, was far more direct and tangible than any vague sense of menace or grandeur.

The Third Hokage looked thoroughly unsettled. Hey, I only asked a question; it’s not as though I declared war—must you escalate things so much?

Such strength—was he not on par with the legendary First Hokage?

Yes, after developing the genetic serum, Haoyun had administered a dose to himself. His bloodline had been purified, and his Sage Body had reached its perfect form. In terms of cultivation, it was akin to a bloodline reversion and the successful establishment of his foundation. By the standards of the shinobi world, this was super-Kage level—though not quite at the “Six Paths” tier.

Suppressing the urge to summon the Monkey King Enma and his Adamantine Staff, the Third barely maintained his composure as the village leader, waving off the Anbu guards.

“I trust that in taking on students, you have no intention of becoming Konoha’s enemy?” As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling man. Given the Third’s restraint, Haoyun did not press further but withdrew his power, smiling as he raised his teacup.

“Naturally, I’m here only to train apprentices. In the future, I plan to settle in Konoha and hope for its prosperity as well.” His tone shifted, and he issued a warning. “But I expect Konoha to treat me as one of its own—no more Root surveillance or underhanded schemes. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to destroy Konoha myself.”

“After all, I’m not Orochimaru. I have no desire to harm the village, do I?”

With that, Haoyun had extended his last measure of goodwill. Of course, he didn’t really believe the Third was entirely ignorant of Orochimaru’s plans; if he truly was, then he was unfit to lead Konoha.

“Let’s hope you keep your word. As for Danzo, I’ll see to warning him myself.” The Third replaced his hat, giving Haoyun a long, searching look—a tacit understanding reached.

Simply put, the Third would not obstruct Haoyun’s recruitment of students, so long as Haoyun caused no trouble in Konoha.

Haoyun had judged correctly: the Third was old and had lost his taste for power struggles. Now, he only wished for an honorable death in battle, not to die quietly in his bed. Perhaps Orochimaru understood this as well, which was why he chose this moment to invade Konoha.

Otherwise, when have you ever seen an attacking force suffer greater losses than the defenders in a battle they did not lose? That was what happened with Sunagakure in the original story—not only did their Fourth Kazekage die, but they also had to sign a reparations agreement after the war. No one fared worse than the Sand.