As Kurenai’s words fell, the previously quiet Hokage office erupted into a buzz of conversation as the various team leaders began whispering and discussing the news.
Only Danzo’s expression was exceptionally ugly.
Suspicious by nature and jealous of those more talented than himself, a murderous intent began to brew in his heart toward Chiya.
He quickly found a justification for his feelings.
On one hand, Chiya was romantically involved with a girl from the Uchiha clan; he seriously suspected that Chiya had likely already secretly defected to the Uchiha or was planning to marry into their family.
On the other hand, this could very well be a second Minato Namikaze.
The current “Konoha F4” members were all aging.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi had reclaimed the Hokage seat, he would step down in ten years, or at most seven or eight.
When that time came, the campaign for the Fifth Hokage would begin.
Given Chiya’s talent, his spotless background as an orphan, and his apparent adoration for Hiruzen, Hiruzen might well groom Chiya as the second Minato to firmly grasp onto political power.
Once Chiya had the support of the Third Hokage, families like the Ino-Shika-Cho—traditionally loyal to the Hokage faction—would surely follow suit.
And as for the Uchiha clan, given Chiya’s relationship with their girl, they would likely stand up in his support as well.
He had waited so long for the Third to step down, only for Minato to take over.
He had waited so long for Minato to die in battle, only for the Third to reclaim the seat.
If a “Chiya” were to come next…
the cycle would repeat itself.
By then, Danzo’s own path to the Hokage seat would become infinitely distant.
This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
…
Hiruzen had no idea that Danzo had looked so far into the future in such a short time.
He was equally shocked by Chiya’s progress and felt a trace of wariness.
However, he immediately recalled that Chiya was not an Uchiha and possessed no Kekkei Genkai—he was a civilian with a “pure and red” background.
His potential had a ceiling; at most, he would be a second Kakashi or a second Shinku Yuhi.
With this thought, he felt relieved.
He exchanged glances with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who nodded in silent agreement, ready to speak.
Danzo, seeing this, grew anxious.
He did not want to give Chiya a chance to build prestige in the village.
He immediately employed the same old tactic he had used against Uchiha Itachi: “killing with praise” (or ‘baits-and-traps’).
Before Chiya’s worldview was fully formed, he would provide a little “guidance.” If possible, he wanted to lead him into the darkness, gradually making him a member of the Root.
Danzo spoke first: “Since Jōnin Kurenai believes Fujiwara Chiya already possesses Jōnin-level strength, then I think he need not participate in this Chunin Exam.” Danzo turned his gaze toward Hiruzen: “Hiruzen, how about this?
We, the upper echelon, will formulate a special assessment for him.
If he passes, he is directly promoted to Chunin.
What do you think?” “That is not impossible, but since the inception of the Chunin Exams, there has been no such precedent.” Hiruzen was, as always, indecisive.
However, Danzo’s suggestion aligned perfectly with his own needs.
The Uchiha clan was becoming increasingly restless—the situation was even worse than it had been while Shisui was alive.
If a civil war were to break out, it would be a catastrophe for Konoha.
Therefore, sending another mole into the Uchiha clan was an urgent necessity.
“Precedents are meant to be broken by someone, aren’t they?
Just like Uchiha Itachi; even in peacetime, he graduated from the Ninja Academy in only one year and grew to become a pillar of Konoha.” The conversations of old foxes are always filled with schemes.
Danzo knew Hiruzen was tempted.
By intentionally citing Itachi, his subtext was clear: I will approve your plan to have Chiya act as a mole in the Uchiha clan; you just need to let him become a Chunin early.
“Koharu, Homura.
What do you think?” Hiruzen had already agreed internally, but he asked the two advisors for their input as a formality.
Naturally, the two “wall-flower” advisors, who always wavered between Hiruzen and Danzo, did not object.
The matter was settled.
…
Walking out of the Hokage Building, Kurenai found Chiya and his two teammates to explain the arrangement for the Chunin Exams.
“That is the situation.
Chiya, you do not need to participate in the Chunin Exams in a month.
In a few days, the Hokage will arrange a separate assessment for you.
As for Airi and Panci, the Hokage will select a seasoned Genin to form a new three-man team for them.” Killing with praise, huh…
It seems those old geezers finally can’t hold back anymore.
But this is exactly what I wanted.
Now, let me make all of you prisoners of my Kyōka Suigetsu, Chiya thought with a cold smile.
Airi Akizuki, hearing this, threw her arms around Chiya and burst into tears, “Wuwu…
Chiya-kun, I can’t bear to see you go…” After half a year together, the three had developed a bond.
Although Chiya was usually cold and didn’t talk much, he was unexpectedly reliable at critical moments and had saved them from danger several times.
From the bottom of her heart, Airi was very fond of this little brother who was several years younger than her.
Of course, this was the love between an older sister and a younger brother.
After all, in this cutthroat Naruto world, the “lovestruck” were the minority.
People were more concerned with how to survive than thinking about dating every day.
Otherwise, they would have been dead a thousand times over.
Feeling the faint, pleasant fragrance of the young girl, Chiya felt both pained and happy, his face reddening slightly.
Kurenai, standing nearby, felt her teeth itching with annoyance.
Recalling their first meeting and the way he had confessed to her, along with the half a year they had spent together, she mentally reminded herself: Don’t get angry, don’t get angry…
Suddenly, a sour scent of jealousy seemed to permeate the air.
Meanwhile, Akimichi Panci continued his role as an innocent bystander, shoveling handfuls of potato chips into his mouth.
Noticing Kurenai’s odd demeanor, Chiya stopped enjoying the embrace and quickly extricated himself.
“Airi, don’t be like this.
We aren’t going to stop seeing each other just because of this.” “Wuwu…
but I still can’t bear it…” Only when Kurenai spoke up did Airi end the scene.
She suggested, “How about this: once Chiya-kun is promoted to Chunin, let’s all celebrate at my family’s barbecue restaurant!” “Barbecue…” At the mention of this, Panci, who had been an idle observer, instantly had his eyes light up, his round little eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Does your family own a barbecue restaurant?” Chiya asked, somewhat surprised.
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