Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

Below, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado looked rather grim.

[The previous meeting was a high-level meeting, at which time Hiruzen Sarutobi was still somewhat restrained.]

However, now there's no way to even hide it anymore.

This meeting is being held in front of most of the Konoha ninja.

They actually just arranged for the two Hokage advisors to sit in the lower seats.

At that moment, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were extremely dissatisfied.

But he couldn't show it, so he could only secretly think about how to help Shimura Danzo get back on his feet.

"That is our respective task. Gentlemen, does anyone have any objections?"

Asma quickly got into the zone.

Now that the choice has been made, there's no turning back.

Furthermore, Asuma was unwilling to simply watch Kurenai Yuhi drift away from him.

He would never allow such a thing to happen.

[When Asuma returned after leaving in a huff, he saw that the girl he once admired had grown into a beautiful young woman, and he made up his mind to win her over.]

Things didn't go as planned.

[Originally, under his persistent pleading, Kurenai Yuhi's heart had begun to soften, or rather, she had compromised and started to try to accept him a little.]

But for some reason, their attitude suddenly changed.

Asuma still can't figure out when it started, or what caused it.

Tobirama Senju: "I'm also a little curious."

Mei Terumi: "The Second Hokage of Konoha doesn't seem to be that meticulous in this regard."

Kurotsuchi: "Isn't this easy to understand?"

Kurotsuchi: "The Second Hokage of Konoha was still single until his death."

Tobirama Senju: "..."

Mei Terumi: "..."

Uchiha Izuna: He devoted his entire life to his lineage of teachers, I can understand that.

Tobirama Senju: !!!

Never mind, let's just keep quiet.

"Please wait a moment!"

Just then.

A sudden sound rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

[Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, also opened them.]

He glanced at the person who had spoken, then secretly shook his head.

Asuma frowned.

"Iruka, is there a problem?"

His voice carried a warning tone.

[Everyone else is fine now, but this lowly ninja academy teacher suddenly jumps out. Doesn't he have any sense of propriety?]

Upon hearing this, Iruka not only did not back down, but instead stood up.

"Hokage Assistant, please allow me to say a word."

Having said that, Asuma could only nod.

But her complexion wasn't good.

This was his first time chairing a meeting.

[Since the power transition took place in front of everyone, even if one realized there was a problem with their own plan, they shouldn't have pointed it out in public.]

[Think about it later; you might even feel a little grateful to the other person.]

However, Iruka seemed to know nothing about it.

"Excuse my rudeness..."

Iruka paused, then said seriously, "The nine genin who accepted the recommendation mentioned earlier are all genin who graduated less than a year ago."

"At the Ninja Academy, I was the one who taught them and also served as their examiner."

"While they are indeed very talented, stronger than many genin, they are only recently graduated genin. Isn't it a bit too early to make them take the Chunin Exams?!"

[The words fell.]

Asuma's expression changed.

[Her brows furrowed slightly.]

Kakashi, who had initially intended to just observe, also looked at Iruka with a sharp, warning gaze.

However, Iruka remained unmoved.

As their teacher at the Ninja Academy, Iruka naturally had to stand up and consider his students' best interests.

Onoki: "He's a qualified teacher."

Onoki: "A teacher like this is indeed the most suitable to be an instructor at the Ninja Academy."

Mabui: "But... his chosen method was too radical."

Sakura Haruno: "That's true... but if he didn't, he wouldn't be Iruka-sensei."

Mei Terumi: "In this way, we'll offend more than just Asuma, the Hokage's assistant."

Kakashi looked at Iruka and sighed silently.

At this point, he certainly had reason to be angry.

However, after learning about Iruka's care for Naruto...

Kakashi was unwilling to get angry... and Iruka's actions were, in themselves, standing up for the others.

A hint of mild anger flickered across Kurenai's pretty face, but inwardly she nodded in approval.

Finally, Kurenai Yuhi glanced at Kakashi.

Left with no other option, Kakashi had to step in.

"I was already a Jonin when I was twelve."

"When they were promoted to Chunin, they were probably less than half their age."

"Whether you've just graduated or have been a genin for many years, once you put on the headband, you're a true ninja."

"Those children are not like you!" Iruka did not back down because of this.

"This is not a time of war, we cannot..."

Iruka was unable to finish speaking.

[If I say this, my teaching career will probably be over.]

Kakashi interrupted him directly.

【"Shut up!"】

"Are you going to ruin those children?!" Iruka said in a deep voice.

"They've already become genin, which means they're no longer your students, but our subordinates."

"Besides, the final outcome is their own business."

【Gah——】

Upon hearing this, Iruka fell silent.

Kakashi's words left Iruka with no grounds to speak further.

Even if he's unwilling, under the current ninja system, unless he's promoted to Jonin, he'll have no say anymore.

【call--】

[Hiruzen Sarutobi had somehow started smoking welding fumes.]

Glancing at Iruka, who was choked and unable to utter a word, it disliked the situation but still nodded secretly. With a teacher like this, it could somewhat trust Konohamaru to be entrusted to him.

Asuma gave Iruka a long, hard look.

He then said, "Alright, it's decided then."

"The meeting is adjourned."

[His decision to include newcomers wasn't solely his own.]

[It was his father's idea.]

Although Asuma didn't know why, seeing his father's confidence, as if nothing unexpected could happen, he had no more worries.

If Konoha's new recruits win... then this Chunin Exams will be perfect.

After the other Konoha ninjas left with varying expressions,

Asuma glanced at the three who had voluntarily stayed behind, then looked at the ANBU ninja standing to the side.

The ANBU ninja immediately presented the Chunin Exam application forms to Kurenai Yuhi, Kakashi, and Might Guy.

"I'll leave the notification to you."

Kakashi nodded slightly, accepted the Chunin Exams application form, and then did not wish to linger.

Seeing Kakashi leave, Might Guy quickly chased after him.

Kurenai Yuhi frowned slightly as she looked at Asuma, who had personally brought her the Chunin Exams application form.

【"red......"】

Before Asuma could finish speaking, Kurenai Yuhi took the Chunin Exams application form and turned to leave.

【"I see."】

Watching Kurenai's retreating figure as she left without hesitation.

Asuma's forced smile froze on his face.