Chapter 52: Enrollment!

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 18-22 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 69 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 71-74

Discord invite: https://discord.gg/XHduApz

Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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[Arata Takeshi - POV.]

It's been a few days since Itachi and I had our heart-to-heart about Danzo. The weight of that conversation still lingered in the corners of my mind, but it also brought a sense of relief that I didn't know I needed. Sharing the burden, even partially, had made it more manageable. And as a bonus point, it had cleared my conscience about the possible threat that Danzo represented to Itachi.

Today, like most days, I was sparring with Itachi in the training grounds of the Uchiha Clan, the rhythm of our movements providing a sense of normalcy. We exchanged blows, dodged, and countered. It was a dance we both knew very well, and it allowed us to communicate without words, without anything but our fists.

After a few hours of continuous sparring, with me winning most of the matches, our training session eventually came to a halt, mostly so that my Uchiha friend could catch his breath. However, after a minute or two, I began to notice that there was something troubling him, in much the same way that I had been troubled a few days ago.

"Takeshi," he said, his tone serious, "I've been thinking about our conversation."

It seemed the very thing that had been troubling me a few days ago was now bothering him as well.

I nodded, wiping sweat from my forehead. I might not be tired, but I was still capable of sweating. "Yeah?"

He looked me in the eye, his expression firm. "We should tell Shisui about this. If Danzo is targeting geniuses, it's very likely he already has Shisui in his sights."

The thought had crossed my mind as well. Shisui was a monster, and it would make sense for Danzo to have an interest in him, just like he had in me. The main reason I had never even humored the thought of telling him was because despite considering him my friend, I didn't put him in the same category as Itachi.

Itachi was like my brother.

Shisui was not.

But he was still my friend.

I sighed. If Itachi thought it would be best to tell Shisui, we might as well do it. "If you think that would help, why not?"

Itachi gave a small smile, one of relief and determination. "I really think it will."

"Do you want to tell him now?" I asked, tilting my head.

He nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yes, the sooner the better. We don't know how much time we have before that man starts moving his pieces across the board, and the longer we wait, the higher the chances of us failing in our mission."

True.

Danzo didn't strike me as a man who gave up on his plans easily, meaning chances were he was currently setting up the board to his advantage. For what reason exactly? I had no idea. My knowledge about the man and his goals was heavily limited. All I knew was that he wanted me, and that's it. Anything more would just be speculation on my part.

Thankfully, I didn't have to know what his goals or motives were to know that I wanted to kill him.

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[Mr. Yamato - POV]

As I walked through the streets of Konoha, making my way towards the Hokage's office, my mind was busy with thoughts of my Genin team. It had been a few days since our last mission, and I had been mulling over the idea of enrolling them in the upcoming Chunin exams, despite the fact that two-thirds of my team had graduated less than six months ago.

Under normal circumstances, Genin taking the Chunin exams so close to their Genin graduation was a no-go. The average shinobi required years of experience, training, and growth before even thinking of enrolling in the exams.

However, my team was anything but normal.

Shisui alone was considered a genius among geniuses, some even calling him the best of his generation. His prowess and talent, despite being just a Genin, were recognized by everyone who had seen him in action. The only reason he was still a Genin was because he had retracted his Chunin application multiple times over the years for various reasons, the last one being because he wanted to be on the same team as his friends, Itachi and Takeshi.

I knew Shisui better than most, and I knew for a fact that he was more than ready to take the exams. Hell, he was overqualified for them. His prowess as a Shinobi was such that he could be a Jonin with ease.

Then there was Itachi, whose intellect, tactical mind, skill, and talent seemed nearly endless. At such a young age, his understanding of complex jutsu and strategic thinking was beyond exceptional. He had a natural ability to analyze situations and respond with precision and efficiency. His Sharingan, though not yet awakened, added another layer to what would become his full potential.

And last but not least, there was Takeshi, another genius, another monster in the making. His incredible skill as a sensor despite his inexperience was remarkable, his range alone was larger than most sensors I had ever encountered. Not only that, but he had an outstanding mastery in the art of kenjutsu, employing techniques that displayed a proclivity for creating new sword styles and techniques. His ability to wield his unique sword with such finesse and power was unparalleled. Moreover, his seemingly limitless stamina and huge chakra pool allowed him to outlast opponents who would otherwise be considered his equals.

As I walked, I couldn't help but reflect on how fortunate I was to have such an extraordinary team. Each of them brought unique strengths and perspectives that complemented one another perfectly.

Geniuses were a rare commodity in the elemental nations, and to have all the geniuses of a single generation under a single team was beyond rare. Which is why I wanted to enroll them in the exams, in order to give them a good amount of experience in a controlled environment.

The Chunin exams were something I believed would benefit them greatly. It would provide them with valuable experience and the opportunity to test their skills against a diverse range of opponents. While I had no doubt about Shisui's readiness to pass the test with flying colors, I knew Itachi and Takeshi could use the exams as practice. Despite their immense talent, they still had room to grow. They had little to no real experience, and the Chunin exams would push them to learn on the go.

Moreover, the exams would serve as a way for them to gain recognition within the elemental nations. While they were already known for their abilities around the village, officially taking the Chunin exams so young would solidify their reputations and open up new opportunities for them down the line. I believed this was a necessary step in their development as shinobi, and I wanted to ensure they were given every chance to succeed.

That was my duty as their teacher: to give them every tool at my disposal to nurture them into the next generation.

As I neared the Hokage's office, I made up my mind. I would speak with Lord Third and propose the idea of enrolling my team in the upcoming Chunin exams. It was time for them to take the next step in their journey and prove themselves on a larger stage.

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[Third Person POV - Hokage Tower.]

The leader of Team Yamato stood before the Third Hokage, who was seated behind his desk, shuffling through a stack of documents. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up as Yamato approached, setting his papers aside and offering a welcoming smile.

"Yamato, it's good to see you," Hiruzen said warmly. "What brings you here today?"

"Lord Third, I wanted to discuss the upcoming Chunin exams," Yamato began, his tone respectful yet determined. "I believe my team is ready to participate."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Your team? Are you sure about that? Itachi and Takeshi haven't been under your guidance for very long. Do you think they're prepared for such a challenge?"

Yamato nodded confidently. "I understand your concerns, Lord Third, but I have complete faith in their abilities. Shisui, as you know, is more than ready. He retracted his Chunin application last year just to remain with Itachi and Takeshi. His skills are exceptional, and his loyalty to his team is commendable."

"And what of Itachi and Takeshi?" Hiruzen pressed, his gaze sharp. "They are undoubtedly talented, but talent alone does not guarantee success in the exams or survival for that matter."

"Itachi and Takeshi are not just talented; they are extraordinary," Yamato replied without missing a beat. "Itachi's intellect, skill, and strategic thinking are beyond his years. He has a natural ability to analyze and respond to situations with precision." He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Takeshi, much like Itachi, is smart, capable of adapting to most situations with ease. His skill as a sensor is remarkable despite his inexperience, to the point that I believe without a doubt that he will become Konoha's best sensor in the next few years, if not the best sensor in the world. Not only that, but his kenjutsu techniques are beyond anything I have ever seen, most of which he has seemingly created himself from scratch, displaying a level of mastery over the art that is unparalleled."

Hiruzen listened intently, nodding slowly. "You have given this much thought, Yamato. However, the Chunin exams are not just about individual skills. They require teamwork, resilience, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges."

"And that's precisely why I believe they are ready, Lord Third," Yamato responded. "Their teamwork is beyond exceptional. Not only do they complement each other perfectly, but their combined strengths make them a powerful unit in the field. There's also the fact that they trust each other blindly, to the point that it looks like a unit of veterans in action, one who has spent years together to hone their trust and teamwork. They don't need to talk to act; when they move, the three simply know what the other will do and act accordingly."

Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Very well, Yamato. I trust your judgment. If you believe they are ready, I will support your decision."

"Thank you, Lord Third," Yamato said, bowing respectfully. "I appreciate your trust and support."

Hiruzen smiled warmly. "You have a remarkable team, Yamato. I look forward to seeing how they perform in the exams. Ensure they are well-prepared."

"I will, Lord Third," Yamato promised. "They won't disappoint."