Minato, being an extremely intelligent person, immediately understood Menma's intent.
This was a classic 'upper-level route'.
Using the Land of Stars' strong economic influence and its vested interest relationship with the Land of Fire's Daimyo's office to apply pressure directly from the political level, circumventing outright rejection by Konoha's top brass.
And Hiruzen, as the Hokage, had to consider the Daimyo's attitude on issues involving bilateral relations.
Moreover, the very fact that Konoha was hosting a Joint Chunin Exam indicated an intent to expand its influence. If major nations like the Land of Stars and Iwagakure participated, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance the 'prestige' and attention of the exam, which might not be entirely a bad thing for Konoha.
Hiruzen might also go along with the idea, using the opportunity to observe the strength of the Land of Stars' new generation.
Thinking this, Minato hesitated no longer, and slowly nodded. "That makes sense. Those nobles in the Daimyo's office do care a great deal about reputation. If the Land of Stars formally requests participation under the guise of 'promoting exchange between the younger generation', the Daimyo, in order to showcase the Land of Fire's magnanimity, or even just out of a whim, would likely pressure Konoha to agree."
"Moreover," Hikari added softly, "This is also a good opportunity to collect intelligence. Konoha is holding such a large-scale Chunin Exam, with various Ninja Villages gathering. It's the perfect chance to observe the strength and movements of each village."
Minato finally nodded. "Alright, I'll arrange the personnel tomorrow. I'll personally brief the Foreign Minister."
Menma nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to the three Sand Siblings beside Mikoto. "What about you three? Interested in taking the Chunin Exam?"
"Us?" The three Sand Siblings were all stunned.
Kankuro and Temari instinctively looked at Gaara. Although Gaara was the younger brother, he was the strongest and the Jinchuriki, and unconsciously, he had become the core of this little team.
Gaara murmured softly, "The Chunin Exam, huh..."
His gaze unconsciously drifted to Mikoto beside him.
He recalled that this aunt, who had cared for them like a mother for so many years, had a biological son, Uchiha Sasuke, who was still in Konoha.
Gaara had heard her mention bits and pieces about that child more than once.
'If I could go to Konoha, I might be able to see him.'
'Aunt Mikoto must miss her son very much...'
Gaara then looked at Menma.
This older brother, who had rescued him from his 'cage', had given him a new life, new family, a new path.
If this was something Menma wanted him to do...
"I'm willing to participate." Gaara raised his head, his green eyes looking at Menma, and nodded calmly but firmly.
Kankuro and Temari exchanged a glance, then immediately nodded as well. "We'll participate too!"
Menma smiled slightly, then looked at Hikari. "Let Karin and the others participate too, for the experience."
Hikari was eating a piece of radish in small bites. Hearing this, she looked up. "Karin's team includes Kurotsuchi, who is from Iwagakure. If Iwagakure also sends its own team, how will the quotas be coordinated? Besides, are we only sending two teams?"
Menma thought for a moment.
Aside from Gaara's team and Karin's team, he didn't want to expose too many of the Land of Stars' other Genin.
Sending two teams would be sufficient… enough to demonstrate strength without revealing too many cards.
Moreover, Gaara and Karin were the strongest geniuses among Genin around the age of twelve.
As for Iwagakure...
"Just have Onoki send one team." Menma finally decided. "Three teams, nine people. A moderate scale, won't be too conspicuous, and it's enough for us to observe."
Dinner continued with subsequent casual conversation.
The oden broth gradually ran low, and the side dishes were mostly finished.
When the last piece of tofu was picked up, Kushina announced, "There's dessert too! I made strawberry daifuku!"
Amid cheers, dinner drew to a sweet close.
After the meal, everyone began clearing the table.
Gaara and Ajisai proactively helped wash the dishes and bowls, while Kankuro and Temari wiped the table.
Mikoto and Kushina gathered the chopsticks and bowls into the kitchen, preparing to wash them.
Menma walked over to Mikoto and took a photograph from his pocket.
"Aunt Mikoto, this is for you."
Mikoto dried the water stains from her hands and took the photo with some confusion.
When her eyes fell on the photo, her body trembled violently!
It was a group graduation photo from Konoha's Ninja Academy.
The 63rd-year graduates stood neatly in three rows, each face bearing a smile, except for the black-haired boy standing in the middle of the second row.
He had his hands in his pockets, his expression cool, looking somewhat impatient, but his black eyes were still bright.
Uchiha Sasuke.
Mikoto's fingers trembled slightly.
She traced her son's face on the photo, tears uncontrollably welling up in her eyes, instantly blurring her vision.
Five years. Since being rescued by Kushina that night, she hadn't seen her son again.
She could only learn that Sasuke was still alive, growing up in Konoha, from the occasional news and photos Menma brought back.
"He..." Mikoto's voice choked. "He's grown up..."
Sasuke in the photo was much taller than she remembered. The childishness on his face had faded, replaced by the sharpness of youth.
But in his eyes, besides the figure she recognized, there was also a deep, unyielding hatred.
"Thank you... thank you..." Mikoto clutched the photo tightly, tears falling onto the paper.
Gaara, who was tidying the tables and chairs, looked up and saw the photo in Mikoto's hand.
Although he had never met Sasuke, his gaze immediately locked onto the cool-looking boy in the group.
For some reason, watching Mikoto cry for her son stirred a complex feeling of bitterness in Gaara's heart.
Then, that bitterness gradually turned into jealousy.
…
The night deepened, and the guests began to leave one by one.
When Mikoto left with the three Sand Siblings, she was still clutching that photo tightly in her hand.
Ajisai also went to her room after helping wash the dishes... she had early morning classes the next day.
Only Minato, Kushina, Hikari, and Menma remained in the living room.
"As for Iwagakure," Minato began, "Who do you plan to send to notify Onoki?"
"Inabi is the head of the military advisory group in Iwagakure." Menma said calmly. "Just have him do it. Onoki wouldn't dare refuse."
Hikari gave a soft snort. "That stubborn old man probably hates our guts."
"Hating is useless." Menma rested his cheek on one hand, his tone cold and proud. "The defeated have no right to choose."
…
The next day, Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
The massive rock buildings appeared and disappeared within the gray-yellow mountains. The air was thick with the smell of dust.
Compared to the bright modernity of the Star City, this place felt rough, oppressive, and gloomy.
In the highest level of the Tsuchikage Building, inside Third Tsuchikage, Onoki's office, the atmosphere was so heavy it could wring water.
Uchiha Inabi stood before the desk, his posture straight as a pine.
He wore the Star Ninja's uniform, the Uchiha Clan crest embroidered on his dark blue coat, and a sleeve insignia on his left arm representing his position as head of the advisory group.
His expression was cold, his eyes carrying the characteristic pride of the Uchiha Clan's Ninja.
"Third Tsuchikage-dono," Inabi's voice was steady, but each word fell like a stone hitting the ground. "The Land of Stars has decided to send two Genin teams to participate in Konoha's joint Chunin Exam."
"By Shura-sama's orders, Iwagakure also needs to send one team to participate. Please finalize the selection as soon as possible and submit the roster to me within three days."
Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of the Two Scales, floated in mid-air with his small stature, his expression gloomy, his figure somewhat stooped.
He stood with his back to Inabi, facing the window, looking out at the scenery of Iwagakure.
The devastating defeat five years ago had not only cost the Land of Earth vast, fertile territories but had also nearly broken Iwagakure's backbone.
Now, the Land of Stars' capital, goods, and even ideas were continuously seeping into the Land of Earth through various channels.
That [Will of Stars]… opposing the Daimyo and nobles, opposing the old system, advocating change… was spreading like wildfire among the lower-class people and some young Ninja.
The Land of Earth's Daimyo sent samurai and Ninja to suppress it, but it backfired. More and more people resisted, and the cracks in the old system deepened.
He, the Third Tsuchikage, was now more like a puppet manipulated by the Land of Stars, maintaining Iwagakure's surface independence with difficulty.
"I know." Onoki finally said, his voice hoarse. "You'll have the roster within three days."
Inabi nodded, without any pleasantries, and turned to leave.
The office door closed behind him with a soft click.
That sound was particularly jarring in the silent office.
The faces of the Iwagakure's Jonin in the office… Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Monga, and others were all grim, their eyes suppressing anger and humiliation.
"Father!" Kitsuchi said in a low voice, his fists clenched. "Regarding Konoha's Joint Chunin Exam this time, intelligence from the Anbu Intelligence Section shows that Takigakure, Kusagakure, Amegakure, Otogakure, and even Kumogakure have received invitations. But why is the Land of Stars suddenly wanting to participate? What are they really trying to do?"
Akatsuchi added quietly, "And only allowing us to send one team... this is clearly limiting our participation."
Monga was even more direct: "Tsuchikage-sama, could this be some kind of probe by the Land of Stars? Or a... trap?"
Onoki slowly turned around.
The morning light shone through the window, illuminating the deep wrinkles on his face.
This Kage-level powerhouse, once as famous as the Third Hokage and the Third Raikage, now looked twenty years older.
His gaze swept over the Jonin present. Each one avoided his eyes.
Not out of disrespect, but because they couldn't bear to see the deep fatigue in the Tsuchikage's eyes.
"Kitsuchi," Onoki finally spoke after a long silence, his voice hoarse and tired. "Bring Deidara here."
"Everyone else, you may leave for now."
"Father!" Kitsuchi wanted to say more.
"Leave." Onoki repeated, his tone firmer.
Kitsuchi opened his mouth, but finally lowered his head. "Yes."
He led Akatsuchi, Monga, and the others out of the office.
The heavy door closed again, leaving only Onoki alone in the room.
He slowly descended from the air and sat in that wide Tsuchikage chair.
After a moment, a fierce glint, completely different from his usual demeanor, suddenly flashed in his eyes!
"Ku," He called out softly.
From the shadows, a man walked out silently.
He wore the standard Ninja uniform of Iwagakure, with a red coat of the Tsuchikage's guard over it. He had medium-short brown hair, with a slanted fringe covering his right eye, leaving only his brown left eye visible.
His face was ordinary, with the rough features common among Iwagakure's Ninja. He wasn't tall, but his stance exuded a rock-solid calmness and... deadness.
Ku, Onoki's last trump card!
Ku walked up to Onoki, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head deeply. "Master, please give your orders."