Naruto: Being a Shinobi with no System But... Chapter 171: 171 - Entering Kumogakure!!

Kumo's investnt in this Chunin Exams is truly on another level…

The thought surfaced in Roshi's mind as the massive, perfectly circular stadium carved into the mountainside ca fully into view.

Konoha had hosted joint Chunin Exams before, but even at its peak, its venue had never reached this level of scale or audacity.

"Our personnel will guide the participating Genin teams to their designated lodging areas."

Samui spoke calmly as several Kumo ninja stepped forward, positioning themselves to lead Konoha's Genin away in another direction.

The intent was clear—Konoha's teams would not be granted direct access to Kumo itself.

Roshi showed no sign of objection. He rely turned to Hayate and Yūgao, giving them a slight nod. The two t his gaze and responded in kind, silently acknowledging the responsibility to keep watch over the teams.

Samui continued evenly, "Please understand—this is for unified managent. All visiting ninja villages are housed in a designated zone outside the village proper. We have already prepared sufficient supplies to et all daily needs."

"If there are personal requirents, several shops around the venue are open to provide services."

"Within the designated area, movent is unrestricted. There will be no unnecessary supervision."

For Kumogakure's first ti hosting a joint Chunin Exams, such caution was entirely reasonable. Roshi found the arrangent acceptable—if anything, preferable. Being kept outside the village ant fewer eyes watching their every move.

Seeing that Konoha's young team leader raised no resistance, Samui led Roshi through the main gate of Kumo.

The contrast was imdiate.

Unlike the grand, almost ostentatious competition venue outside, Kumogakure itself was tightly nestled among sheer, rugged mountain ranges. Buildings clung to the cliffs, layered vertically, while narrow, winding paths snaked between them.

Without prior familiarity, losing one's way here would be effortless.

Roshi had visited the Kazekage's Office before. The Hokage Building, especially during last year's relentless overti, had practically beco a second ho.

By comparison, the Fourth Raikage's office was the most austere—and the most intimidating—of any Kage's office he had seen.

The room was spacious but bare. Aside from a sturdy desk, a few chairs, and filing cabinets, the only other furnishings were training tools—dumbbells, grip strengtheners, and other equipnt tucked into one corner.

This was the office of a man who treated physical strength as policy.

"The Hokage sent you personally, huh?" A said, lounging casually on a sofa. "Last ti we t was last year, wasn't it, Roshi?"

"Raikage-sama has an impressive mory," Roshi replied evenly.

"Enough pleasantries." A waved a hand, cutting straight to the point. "There's sothing we need to make clear to Konoha in advance."

His sharp gaze locked onto Roshi.

"As for this Chunin Exam, Kumogakure's approach differs sowhat from Konoha's previous practices. We have our own standards—and our own thods."

"Written tests and basic assessnts are skills any ninja aspiring to Chunin should already possess. Considering individual circumstances, we're willing to retain that portion."

"But the outdoor survival assessnt is unnecessary."

A's tone hardened slightly.

"If a ninja lacks even that level of capability and still makes it into the Chunin Exams, then the responsibility lies with the village that sent them."

Roshi listened in silence, not at all surprised by Kumo's intention to alter the exam procedures. In fact, the mont he had seen the massive, resource-intensive stadium built outside the Kumo, he had already anticipated sothing like this.

Since Kumo was openly selling tickets, increasing the entertainnt value of the Chunin Exams was inevitable.

The written exam, while essential, was fast-paced and visually dull. If Kumogakure wished, they could easily adjust its difficulty to allow a large number of candidates to pass, ensuring a sufficient pool of participants for the main tournant.

The outdoor survival assessnt, however, was another matter entirely.

It involved too many uncontrollable variables—especially in an era without mature long-range surveillance or image transmission techniques. The process was lengthy, scattered, and nearly impossible to present directly to spectators.

From Kumogakure's perspective, this stage offered little return. It required significant manpower and resources, yet produced no imdiate economic benefit.

Worse still, if too many Genin suffered casualties or were eliminated during the survival phase, the main tournant would be left with too few competitors, forcing the carefully planned event schedule to be compressed.

In other words, it would end up like Konoha's—finished in a single day.

"Regarding the decision to cancel the outdoor survival assessnt and retain only the written exam," the Raikage continued, his gaze fixed firmly on Roshi, "I have already discussed this matter with the representatives of Yugakure and the Land of Frost. They have both agreed."

"Now, all that remains is Konoha's final response."

Roshi did not imdiately state his position. Instead, he raised a key concern.

"Since a major portion of the assessnt has been removed," he said calmly, "to ensure the fairness and completeness of the evaluation, will the structure, procedures, and scoring standards of the main tournant be adjusted accordingly?"

At that mont, Mabui—who had been standing quietly beside the Raikage, docunts in hand—spoke up.

"Regarding the main tournant," she said evenly, "including its format, rules, procedures, and scoring criteria, Kumogakure will provide a complete written explanation for your review."

Samui stood a short distance behind Roshi. The Raikage and his secretary both turned their attention fully toward him, and an invisible pressure filled the room.

After a brief pause, Roshi replied evenly, "In that case, for the sake of the participating Genin, I request ti to thoroughly review the detailed rules before issuing Konoha's formal response."

A stared at him for several seconds.

Finally, he spoke in a deep voice. "Very well. You'll have one day. Bring Konoha's answer at this ti tomorrow."

"Samui, see him back."

—

When Roshi returned to Konoha's designated station area under Samui's escort, he imdiately noticed the change in atmosphere.

Nurous Kumo ninja had gathered around the periter.

They kept their distance, but their gazes were open and unrestrained—scrutiny mixed with barely concealed provocation.

The Konoha ninja being watched showed clear signs of tension. So wore guarded expressions; others looked distinctly uneasy.

Yūgao and Hayate blended into the crowd. As long as Kumogakure made no overt move, neither of them would act.

Samui surveyed the scene, her eyes sweeping across the gathered ninja before abruptly locking onto a familiar figure. Her brow furrowed.

She strode over and whispered sharply, "Atsui! What are you doing here?!"

"Big sis!" the blond youth replied loudly. "I just wanted to see the Konoha ninja who beat C-senpai! I heard he's insanely strong—super hot!"

"This isn't the place for that. Go back!" Samui snapped, grabbing his arm.

As she dragged him away, Atsui continued protesting loudly—complaints about "lack of passion" and "just wanting to see for himself"—until she forcibly hauled him more than ten ters away.

Only then did Samui turn back toward Roshi and offer a brief apology.

"I'm sorry about that. I hope it didn't offend you."

Her apology was directed solely at her brother's behavior, completely ignoring the other Kumo ninja who were still watching from nearby.

Roshi said nothing, rely watching the siblings depart before turning and walking into Konoha's station.

"Everyone, co inside," he said, addressing the Konoha ninja who were still standing outside. "I need to explain so important matters regarding the Chunin Exams."

He had no intention of outright rejecting Kumo's proposal.

But before agreeing, he needed to examine the fine print carefully.

From the current situation, Kumo likely did not intend to directly target Konoha. However, they would certainly welco—and perhaps subtly encourage—any incidents where Konoha's ninja were embarrassed or lost montum in the matches.

After all, this was their ho ground.

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