Early Konoha Year 42
Hokage Building – Small Conference Room
After the New Year, the village of Konoha resumed normal operations.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, smoking his pipe and holding a letter in his hand, exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke in a deep tone:
"After five years of recovery since the Second Great Ninja War, our new generation of shinobi has matured.
I've decided to hold a Chūnin Examination.
Koharu, Homura, spread the word and invite the leaders of the surrounding nations and shinobi villages."
"Understood, Third Hokage."
"Tsunade, prepare the medical emergency response team for the Chūnin Exams."
"Got it, old man."
It had been five years since the end of the Second Ninja War. During this time of peace, a new wave of ninja had risen in the village.
However, the shinobi world was beginning to stir again. Conflicts during mission assignments had become more intense, as nations competed for lucrative commissions.
To boost morale and prestige, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned all major department heads and senior advisors of Konoha and announced the plan to host a Chūnin Exam — to showcase Konoha's strength and attract more missions from clients.
Sarutobi issued his orders, and every high-ranking official left with their assignments.
Sitting below, Uchiha Naraku listened silently. The Police Force (Konoha Military Police Force, led by Uchiha) had not been given any role.
"Hokage-sama, regarding the safety of the Chūnin Exam — would you like the Police Force to assist with maintaining order?"
The room grew quiet for a moment.
Naraku seized the opportunity to offer support. Even though the Police Force was often viewed coldly, this was a chance to improve their public image. The Guard Department often had to play the villain. But in an event like this, if they could help secure the area, it would let the people — villagers, Genin, and visiting Chūnin — see the Guard not just as enforcers, but as protectors.
The Chūnin Exam was not just about promotion — it was a public show of Konoha's prosperity and military strength. A strong, well-run village attracted more clients and missions, benefitting all clans and shinobi.
Publicly, the Third Hokage still treated Naraku with courtesy. When some Uchiha went missing, he had even dispatched Anbu to help investigate. But behind closed doors, he still withheld approval for certain funding requests — especially those related to the Police Force.
Still, Hiruzen was impressed by Naraku's sincerity and initiative. Stroking his beard, he thought for a moment before replying:
"Naraku, you'll lead the Police Force in charge of outer perimeter security — protecting the audience and handling emergencies."
"Yes, sir."
The Police Force being responsible for external safety gave a sense of security. Naraku wisely did not press for inner perimeter duties — that had always been the domain of Anbu.
"The event will proceed as planned. The date is set for February 5th. This meeting is adjourned."
Sarutobi concluded and dismissed the group. The department heads quietly left the Hokage Building.
---
Outside the Hokage Building
Naraku and Tsunade walked side by side.
"Naraku, you're a consultant in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Department at Konoha Hospital, yet you haven't visited in a while."
Naraku had previously cast two mind-healing illusions on Tsunade, helping her stabilize emotionally after suffering guilt and trauma from the deaths of her brother and her lover. These illusions helped mend the fragments of her psyche.
Now, Tsunade was in high spirits again — training medical ninjas and guiding new generations at Konoha Hospital.
Naraku suspected Tsunade's hemophobia had been cured. But since she still refused to treat patients directly, leaving it to her students, he couldn't be certain.
"Tsunade, as the head of the Police Force, I've been quite busy."
Naraku had gradually grown more composed. He no longer lost his poise around her.
"Haha, I caught you now. You're coming back to Konoha Hospital today — no excuses."
Tsunade laughed and gave Naraku a teasing glance. She summoned him like a worker to move bricks. Her personality — carefree, bold, still fond of gambling and drinking — had now become iconic. Her image as a heroic woman was becoming more and more defined.
Naraku used to think her gambling and drinking were methods of escape. Now, he realized — it was just her hobby.
"Well, I did run into you today. And honestly, I was planning to go check on things at the hospital anyway."
Naraku didn't dodge. It had been a while since his last visit. It was a good chance to check in on the Uchiha medical trainees learning under Tsunade, and see how far their skills had developed.
Tsunade's Medical Training Class had about 30 students per class, covering:
Basic medicine
Medical ninjutsu
Clinical trials and hands-on learning
Eventually, they would be trained into certified medical-nin.
"Really?"
Tsunade suddenly turned serious, giving Naraku a look that surprised him.
Her expression was complicated — filled with reluctance, guilt, attachment, and happiness.
As a master of genjutsu (illusion), Naraku was highly attuned to emotional fluctuations. He could usually read people well.
But Tsunade's gaze left him confused.
"This... isn't how you look at a friend, is it?"
Naraku stayed silent, thinking it over. He didn't understand Tsunade's intentions. They had only met a few times, and while they shared some personal friendship, this intensity seemed out of place.
Still, a soft look appeared in his eyes. With a gentle voice, he answered:
"It's true."
Naraku was usually buried in studying ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, clan matters, and police work. Time for anything else was rare.
But standing beside Tsunade now, seeing her demeanor — he felt a bit more relaxed. A faint smile crossed his face.
"Heh."
Tsunade chuckled dismissively and turned away, saying nothing more.
The two walked together in silence until they reached Konoha Hospital. Without waiting, Tsunade entered the building first.
Naraku was left puzzled.
"What's going on with her? Her expression changed again…"
He paused briefly, then followed.
---
Konoha Hospital – Medical Ninja Training Class
Tsunade immediately summoned her students and began teaching.
Meanwhile, Naraku visited the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Department, which had been running smoothly in his absence. Once the foundational genjutsu treatment protocols were established, any ninja with talent in illusions could fill the role — it just required practice.
Afterward, he went to check on the Uchiha clan trainees in the medical class.
The classroom resembled a lab: equipped with tools, scrolls, and numerous fish tanks. These tanks were essential — students practiced their medical ninjutsu on fish before progressing to humans. Even experienced medics used fish to refine their chakra control.
At that moment, a female student was performing medical ninjutsu over one of the fish tanks, her hands glowing with green chakra.
"Sharingan."
Naraku activated his Sharingan and stood by the window, silently observing the chakra flow within her body.
Through the lens of the Sharingan, he could clearly see the chakra pathways and the fluctuations in chakra control.
Tsunade glanced at him but didn't stop him — nor did she close the window.
---