People in Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began with Demon Slayer

Moreover, merchants from outside Konoha felt that it was no longer a suitable place to do business and left one after another.

This led to a severe economic downturn in Konoha.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire was also very worried about the development of Konoha. He was increasingly dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi and kept implying that Hiruzen Sarutobi should step down. He said that if Hiruzen continued to be the Hokage, the entire Konoha would be ruined.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his reputation was ruined, he still had no intention of stepping down.

Because there are very few people in Konoha who are qualified to succeed as Hokage.

Kakashi has the potential to become Hokage, but he lacks the experience to become the Fifth Hokage and suppress the elders led by Danzo.

Then there's Sarutobi Asuma. Although he was Hiruzen Sarutobi's son, he was too emotional and not suitable to be the Hokage who led Konoha.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade were qualified to become the next Hokage; they had the experience and strength. However, they were now extremely disappointed with Konoha and left the village.

As the person in charge, Hiruzen Sarutobi intends to first create a relatively favorable environment for the next Hokage to take office.

The priority is to revive Konoha's depressed economy, restore the confidence of those small countries that have lost faith in Konoha, and get them to entrust their missions to Konoha again.

After much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to invite the surrounding small ninja villages to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, in order to demonstrate Konoha's strength to the neighboring countries.

Let everyone know that Konoha is still the same Konoha it always was!

Chapter 285 Konoha's Joint Chunin Exams

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Konoha leadership discussed which ninja villages from which countries to invite to participate in the Chunin Exams.

After some discussion...

Four ninja villages have been tentatively selected.

Amegakure, Kusagakure, Takigakure, and Yugakure.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado asked, "Hiruzen, are there any other ninja villages that can participate in the Chunin Exams? The number and quality of these four ninja villages are not very high, so they can't really demonstrate Konoha's strength."

"There's nothing we can do. Right now, only a few ninja villages have diplomatic relations with Konoha. Even if we invite other ninja villages, they might not come to the Chunin Exams."

Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly wanted to invite more ninja villages to participate, but things were different now. Many ninja villages were allies of Sunagakure or Iwagakure, making it difficult for Konoha to invite them.

Danzo suddenly asked, "Hiruzen, do you know about the Village of Blazing Sunlight?"

"That ninja village that was just rebuilt, discovered precious chakra metal, and then allied with Iwagakure?"

“That’s right. Chakra metal is an important strategic resource, so I sent reconnaissance ninjas to investigate whether what they found was really chakra metal. Guess what I found?”

"Danzo, just tell me straight, stop beating around the bush."

Danzo said in a sinister tone, "The two brothers, Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha!"

Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stood up abruptly.

"Furthermore, Itachi Uchiha was dressed in the attire of a leader, which means that the Village of Blazing Sunshine was very likely rebuilt by the Uchiha clan members who had escaped from Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately had an idea: "Perhaps we can persuade Itachi and the others to return to Konoha..."

Danzo scoffed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's wild ideas.

"Hiruzen, Konoha wiped out all the Uchiha clan members in Konoha, and now the Uchiha and Iwagakure are allies. Why should they want to come back to Konoha?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed that Danzo was up to no good again and warned him:

"Danzo, those three mysterious people who led the Uchiha clan back then, according to the Anbu's investigation, belonged to an organization in the ninja world called ^, and it is certain that Itachi was also a member of it."

Each member of the organization is incredibly powerful; even the hero of Sunagakure, Pakura, is a member of their organization.

Furthermore, the Village of Blazing Sunlight has now allied with the Village of Hidden Stones, so we cannot easily attack them. Konoha cannot withstand any more turmoil!

Danzo sneered, "Of course I know all that, but Hiruzen, you should be very clear about the value of chakra metal. Don't you want a piece of the pie?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware that with chakra metal, Konoha's economy would definitely improve.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Hokage, also had to consider the corresponding risks.

"Hiruzen, you can use the Uchiha identity to your advantage. For example, you can acknowledge the status of their Kagerou Village as a ninja village in the ninja world, and then use this as a basis to cooperate with Kagerou Village in mining chakra metal ore."

In this way, we can also find an opportunity to sow discord between the Village of Blazing Sunshine and the Village of Hidden Stones. Perhaps if we succeed, those Uchiha people will return to Konoha.

Even if the attempt to sow discord fails, as long as Kagero Village and Konoha cooperate, in the eyes of the entire ninja world, the Uchiha clan of Kagero Village will still be considered the Uchiha clan of Konoha.

Uchiha from Konoha...

Now, when Hiruzen Sarutobi heard these words, he felt a mix of emotions.

Only after losing the Uchiha clan did Hiruzen Sarutobi realize how important the Uchiha were to Konoha.

Koharu and Homura chimed in, "I think Danzo makes sense. Konoha can't withstand turmoil, but we can cooperate with Kagerou Village first, and then slowly try to win over the Uchiha clan of Kagerou Village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also agreed with Danzo's suggestion: "I'll take this suggestion. First, announce to the public that Konoha recognizes the status of the Kagerou Village. Then, send Kakashi, who had some dealings with Itachi, to Kagerou Village to invite their genin to participate in the Konoha Chunin Exams."

...

Hidden Rock Village.

Huang Tu rushed into the Tsuchikage's office: "Old man, Konoha has announced its recognition of Kagero's status as a ninja village, and they've already sent ninjas to Kagero. Should we send ninjas to intercept them?"

Onoki calmly lectured, "Yoto, I've told you many times, don't panic when you encounter problems, think calmly."

"Old man, how can we not be anxious? You must know that the Uchiha and Konoha have a very close relationship!"

"I'm asking you, Huang Tu, what was the final fate of the Uchiha clan in Konoha back then?"

"Uh...they were all wiped out by Konoha."

"That's good then. For the Uchiha, Konoha is their enemy. I can guess what Hiruzen Sarutobi is thinking. They discovered the Uchiha clansmen in the Village of Blazing Sun and want them to return to Konoha, but is that even possible?"

Huang Tu said thoughtfully, "So, the Village of Blazing Sunshine won't establish diplomatic relations with Konoha?"

"No, you've met Itachi Uchiha so many times, what's your opinion of Itachi Uchiha?"

"He is powerful, exceptionally talented, intelligent, rational, and good at thinking."

Onoki nodded and said, "That's right. For the sake of the future development of Kagero Village, he will definitely agree to Konoha's request to establish diplomatic relations, but that's all. The current Uchiha are the Uchiha of Kagero Village, not the Uchiha of Konoha."

The straightforward Huang Tu was a little confused: "So we're just going to do nothing?"

"That's not true. Our Iwagakure and Kagerou are now very close allies. Konoha invited Kagerou, so why not us? I've already sent people to Konoha. Our Iwagakure will also be participating in Konoha's Chunin Exams this year."

Huang Tu breathed a sigh of relief: "So you were prepared all along, old man."

Onoki admonished, "Yoto, how many times have I told you? As a candidate for Tsuchikage, you must consider issues from the perspective of a Kage, not always with a narrow view."

"I understand, old man. Have you chosen someone to participate in the Chunin Exams?"

"Of course, aren't all the geniuses from our Iwagakure village in Kagerou Village right now? We can just pick three from there. By the way, Kurotsuchi hasn't returned yet, has she?"

"Yes, Kurotsuchi is still in Yangyan Village."

Onoki's face darkened: "Then let Kurotsuchi also participate in the Chunin Exams in Konoha!"

"Kurotsuchi is going too? But she's already a Jonin!"

"Let her go to Konoha as the team leader Jonin. She'll be with that brat Deidara every day, and she'll definitely forget about training! Let Deidara go too, to annoy Konoha."

Chapter 286 Accepting the Invitation

Kagerou Village.

Itachi's office.

Kakashi, acting as an envoy, has arrived at the Village of Blazing Sun.

Looking at Itachi in front of him, Kakashi was filled with mixed emotions: "Itachi, it's been a long time."

Itachi remained calm and composed, because he now represented the entire Kagerou Village.

"Long time no see, Kakashi. What brings Konoha to our Kagerou Village this time?"

Seeing that Itachi had no intention of catching up with him, Kakashi adjusted his mindset and said, "Itachi, you should already know that Konoha has recognized the status of the Village of Blazing Sunshine, right?"

"Yes, as the leader of Yangyan Village, I am very grateful for your village's recognition."

Hearing Itachi's growing distance from Konoha, Kakashi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Itachi, on behalf of Konoha, I invite Kagero Village to participate in Konoha's Joint Chunin Exams."

Kakashi handed the document to Itachi.

Itachi opened the document and read the contents, which were roughly the Hokage's polite invitation and an introduction to the Chunin Exams process.

As the leader of Kagero Village, Itachi must consider the interests of the entire village.

Receiving Konoha's invitation to participate in the Chunin Exams would be beneficial to the development of Kagerou Village.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; Konoha is still one of the five great ninja villages.

Furthermore, Kagero Village, which has already been recognized as a ninja village, must also cultivate ninjas belonging to its own village.

Participating in the Joint Chunin Exams in Konoha allows one to experience real combat and improve.

It can also serve as an incentive for ninjas who did not participate in the Chunin Exams.

"Please convey my message to your village's Hokage that our village of Kagero is honored to participate, and we will send genin to your village to participate in the Chunin Exams."

Having completed his mission, Kakashi did not linger in Kagerou Village.

Before long, Huang Tu also arrived at Yangyan Village.

"Itachi, I'm here!"

When Itachi saw Huang Tu, a smile appeared on his lips: "Uncle Huang Tu, what brings you here?"

Huang Tu explained, "It's all because of that joint Chunin Exams organized by Konoha. They invited us too. It's really troublesome!"

Huang Tu, having been instructed by Onoki, told lies without batting an eye.

"Oh? So, what brings Uncle Huangtu here this time?"

“Our Hidden Stone Village’s most talented ninjas are all in the Village of Blazing Suns, so I’ve come to select a few to participate in the Chunin Exams in the Hidden Leaf Village.”

Itachi nodded and said, "Of course."

Huang Tu asked, "Itachi, where is Kurotsuchi now?"

"Kurotsuchi should be with Deidara. I've already notified them, and they should be here by now."