Konoha.
The sun is hanging high, and the atmosphere is cheerful.
Unlike before, the streets of Konoha are crowded with Shinobi from different villages.
Only a day is left to start the much-awaited Chunin Exam, and the number of people arriving from other villages isn't decreasing.
At the entrance gate of Konoha,
A long queue could be seen as people with traveling bags on their backs waiting to enter the village.
A small separate queue beside it consists of Shinobi wearing forehead protectors of different villages.
Contestants from other villages are required to prove their identity as Konoha Shinobi in front holding a form are recording the information of the contestants.
"Well, isn't this rare, Shinobi from Rain Village"
A Konoha Shinobi, who was responsible for checking the identity of the contestants, was surprised since he saw four people with forehead protectors of rain village.
"We are here on the orders of Hanzo Sama to participate in the Chunin Exams."
The leading Jonin was a tan-skinned muscular man with scars over his face and long black hair wearing the rain forehead protector.
The remaining three looked like they were twelve years old, but all three of them were eye-catching.
Two of them were twins with the same face and green hair; the only difference was their black and white clothes.
The last kid had short messy brown hair with a handsome face and wore black-rimmed glasses.
He was donned in a White Haori, and a sword was hung at his waist.
The only regret was his missing left arm.
Hearing the leading Jonin mentioning Hanzo, Konoha Shinobi immediately asked for their information with politeness.
Matsuhide
Matsunari
Aizen Sōsuke
The twins and the handsome-looking kid immediately reported their names as the Konoha Shinobi wrote them, and after asking some questions, he let them enter the village.
"I'm finally back."
Said Kozuki or Aizen or Shanks, looking at the familiar village he hadn't seen for more than a decade.
As pain had said, he needed to infiltrate Konoha, and so as a contestant, he took part in the exam.
When his template reached 20%, he received an old withered mask, but its function was handy.
It could change his face as well as the aura around him completely.
He only got it 3 months ago, and he had never used it before.
His get-up is like Aizen, but his looks weren't exactly like him.
If you look really carefully, a shadow of his authentic 12-year-old self could also be seen.
After all, he didn't want to completely look like the No 1 Conspirator.
His teammates and the leading Jonin are actually White Zetsu since a three-person squad was required to participate, and Zetsu, a master of disguise, naturally took this job.
"Don't cause trouble here,"
Kozuki glared at his other three mates, who immediately nodded, scared silly.
They weren't fooled by his disguise since they knew that this harmless-looking kid wearing glasses was actually the killer that the whole village was looking for.
Soon, the four of them were escorted to their residence by a Konoha Chunin. On the other hand, Minato was looking through the information he received about the candidates in the Hokage Office.
_______________
Hokage Office.
"Wasn't expecting the Shinobi of Rain to participate."
Minato sat on the Hokage seat as he commented after looking at the information.
"Hanzo has been quiet these years; he is getting old and must be worried about his enemies, so he must want to establish a good relationship with us."
Shikaku, who stood beside could only think of this reason behind the sudden emergence of Rain Shinobi.
Minato nodded after hearing his words as to him this was the most likely reason also.
"When are the Kage arriving?"
Asked Minato since he was looking forward to the news they would bring.
He hoped that the other Shinobi villages could have found the base of Akatsuki so they could be dealt with right away.
"They will be here before the start of the third exam."
"Good"
Said Minato and once again started looking through the information.
___________
"I'm going out to take a look; don't you dare mess around."
Returning to Konoha after 12 years, Kozuki naturally didn't want to stay in the room the whole day.
But before going out, he warned the three White Zetsu, who agreed quickly and didn't dare to defy his orders.
"It's still the same"
Walking through the streets of Konoha, Kozuki looked around and was able to spot a lot of familiar places.
The Dango shop where he used to go when he was a child or Konoha Bathhouse, where he had spotted a white hair guy quite a few times.
After a few minutes, Kozuki finally arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen.
"Boss, 3 servings of Miso Pork Ramen."
After sitting on one of the vacant stools, Kozuki immediately ordered three servings of ramen since his appetite demanded no less.
"Please enjoy"
Teuchi placed three bowls of ramen in front of Kozuki.
"It sure brings back memories."
As soon as the ramen was served, Kozuki immediately started to dig in and couldn't help but praise it since this taste had accompanied him for a long time.
"Tomorrow is the Chunin Exam, so to boost you up, let's have ramen."
"Hmph, you will treat my students also."
Kozuki's only hand holding the chopsticks trembled as even after so many years, he still remembered this voice clearly.
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