418. Gathering

As time passed, the date of the Chunin Exams drew closer.

With extensive coverage from the *Shinobi World United News* and other newspapers, the number of visitors to the Leaf Village had surged dramatically.

This led to a sharp increase in the workload for the Police Force, led by Fugaku. Officers from all over had gone months without a break...

Fortunately, they understood the importance of this event for the Leaf Village, and with ample funding approved by the higher-ups, these officers continued to work tirelessly on the front lines.

However, the sheer volume of visitors was more than the Police Force could handle alone.

After all, many of these visitors were ninjas themselves, making crowd control a significant challenge.

To address this, Minato stationed military ninjas at high-traffic areas, and within the capital, numerous ninja patrols were deployed.

In the shadows, elite ANBU operatives kept a close watch to prevent any major incidents caused by visiting ninjas.

Thanks to these measures, the pressure on the Police Force was somewhat alleviated.

But as the exam date approached, the number of visitors to the Leaf Village was bound to increase further. That would be the real test of the new Leaf Village's capabilities.

"Lord Hokage, Elder Danzo, the participating nations and villages have sent their lists of competitors and attendees," Shikaku Nara reported, handing over several documents. The dark circles under his eyes were a clear indication of the immense pressure this event had placed on him.

"You've been working hard, Shikaku," Danzo said, offering some comfort as he noticed Shikaku's exhausted appearance.

Shikaku simply smiled wryly and shook his head. "It's my duty."

As the Leaf Village's top strategist, there were far too many things for him to coordinate and communicate. Being overworked was nothing new for him.

Of course, Minato, the Hokage, wasn't faring much better.

He hadn't been home in a month, as evidenced by the folding cot in the corner of his office.

Even Kushina had complained to Danzo several times...

But such was the burden of being a high-ranking official in the Leaf Village.

"I didn't expect so many people to respond this time," Minato remarked, impressed as he looked through the lists.

Not only were all four major nations participating, but the Land of Lightning had even sent its daimyo and the Raikage together, making it a grand affair.

The Land of Water and the Land of Earth were represented by their respective Kage.

Only the Kazekage, Rasa, had sent his trusted aide, Baki, as a representative.

As for their daimyo...

Well, they were too busy opposing the Land of Fire's aggressive reforms to attend!

However, what surprised the Leaf Village's higher-ups the most was—

"Although the Land of Earth's daimyo didn't come, a delegation led by his eldest son has already arrived at the border checkpoint," Shikaku reported.

When Shikaku shared this news, Minato couldn't help but exclaim:

"Huh?!"

Realizing he might have been too loud, Minato quickly covered his mouth and coughed, then asked in surprise:

"Has the internal conflict in the Land of Earth escalated to the point where they need to send two separate delegations?"

After all, while the major ninja villages and their respective nations operated somewhat independently, they were still nominally part of the same country.

They should either send a single delegation or none at all, to avoid making a fool of themselves in front of outsiders.

But now, sending two delegations, with one arriving early—what did that mean?

"It seems the conflict between Ōnoki and the Land of Earth's daimyo has reached an irreconcilable point," Danzo said, sipping his tea with a hint of mockery in his tone.

Back when the Leaf Village first began its reforms, these guys were the ones opposing and resisting every step of the way.

Now, the tables had turned, and it was their turn to feel the pressure.

Of course, the most important factor was the synthetic ninja brigade that the Yellow Group had created for the Land of Earth's daimyo, giving him the confidence to openly clash with Ōnoki.

Indeed, no one could resist the allure of power.

Danzo narrowed his eyes with satisfaction, then looked out at the bustling streets and declared with confidence:

"In that case, let's use this competition to show the world just how correct the path the Leaf Village has taken truly is!!"

Though Danzo's voice was soft and slightly hoarse, to Minato and Shikaku, it rang out like the bell of a new era, resounding and powerful.

————————

Outside the capital of the Land of Rice.

The Land of Lightning's delegation was slowly making its way through the countryside.

"Is this the Land of Rice that the Leaf Village took from us?" Omoi, with his white hair, leaned against the window, chewing on a blade of grass as he curiously observed the lush fields outside.

Amidst the vast farmland, occasional farmers cast curious glances at their convoy.

But upon seeing the Land of Lightning's emblem, their expressions quickly turned to fear, anger, and...

disgust.

"It seems the people here don't welcome us much," Omoi frowned.

According to the Land of Lightning's propaganda, the people of the Land of Rice were supposed to be sympathetic to their cause.

They were merely occupied by the Leaf Village, the true aggressors.

But the scene before him made him question whether the people of the Land of Rice truly felt that way...

Hearing Omoi's untimely remarks, Karui immediately retorted:

"Idiot, these people have just been brainwashed by the Leaf Village."

"If they showed any sign of favoring the Land of Lightning, the Leaf's garrison would brutally kill them!"

Karui's words were firm and confident.

Omoi didn't argue back as he usually would, instead falling into silent thought.

Until the authoritative voice of the Fourth Raikage came from the front.

"We've arrived at the capital of the Land of Rice."

A, the Fourth Raikage, looked at the revitalized capital before him, his expression shifting slightly.

While it wasn't particularly bustling, it was a vast improvement from before.

The streets were no longer filled with beggars, and the dirt roads had been repaved, now four times wider than before!

The houses on either side were neatly arranged, all two-story buildings.

The people on the streets looked healthier, no longer dressed in rags. Moreover, a few steam-powered cars were slowly making their way down the roads, heralding the dawn of a new era.

The arrival of the Land of Lightning's delegation immediately drew many eyes.

Fortunately, Shisui Uchiha had made arrangements in advance. As soon as they arrived, he greeted them with a warm smile.

"Your Excellency, Daimyo. Lord Raikage. It's been a while. You must be tired from the journey."

Shisui's smile was as gentle as a spring breeze.

On the surface, no one could imagine how many Land of Lightning ninjas had met their end at his hands over the past two years.

The title of "Little Darkness of the Shinobi" wasn't something Shisui had given himself—it was earned through his ruthless actions on the battlefield!