Hatake Tatsuya in Naruto

Three days passed swiftly.

When a group of Konoha's high-ranking officials, led by the Fifth Hokage Namikaze Minato, gathered at the central tower of the Forest of Death, they couldn't help but marvel at the scene before them.

All nine newly graduated genin from Konoha's Shinobi Academy had successfully passed the second exam. In addition to them, there was the formidable team of Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten, led by Might Guy, who had graduated the previous year. The remaining candidates consisted of three from Sunagakure, three from Kirigakure, and three from Kumogakure.

"This year's rookies are unusually strong…" Neji observed, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd with a subtle frown.

"There are far too many participants. This could be a problem," Minato thought, scratching his cheek awkwardly. A total of 21 candidates had cleared the second test—far more than anticipated. Allowing such a large number to proceed to the finals would only drag out the event unnecessarily, which was far from ideal.

Minato sighed internally, then stepped forward. "It's a pity, but because of the overwhelming number of participants, we need to conduct an additional preliminary round."

The announcement came from Shiranui Genma, who stood casually with his trademark senbon between his teeth. His words immediately drew the attention of the candidates.

Genma's voice cut through the chatter like a blade, commanding the attention of the remaining candidates. His tone was steady, but the weight of his words was undeniable.

"The final round isn't just a test," he began, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd of young ninjas. "It's an opportunity—a stage for each village to showcase its strength to the world."

He gestured toward the assembled dignitaries and envoys watching from the stands. "These people aren't just spectators. They're the decision-makers of the ninja world—daimyos, wealthy merchants, and nobles. Their influence determines the flow of missions to our villages, from simple deliveries to life-threatening S-rank assignments. Missions are the lifeblood of a shinobi village. More missions mean more income, more resources, and greater standing among the Five Great Nations."

Genma's voice hardened as he continued, "This is why the Chūnin Exams exist. They're more than a rite of passage to be a chunin; they're a political tool—a demonstration of power and potential. For villages, it's an alternative to war. Instead of spilling blood on the battlefield, we prove our strength here. It's how alliances are forged, rivalries are settled, and futures are decided."

He straightened, his presence radiating authority. "But make no mistake—this isn't for everyone. Only the strongest can advance to the finals and stand before the eyes of the world. With this many of you left, half will be eliminated here."

A ripple of unease spread through the group.

"How can this be...?" Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, and a few others with less confidence in their abilities felt their hearts sink at the sudden declaration.

But while some despaired, one loud voice cut through the tension.

"Bring it on!" Naruto exclaimed with boundless energy, his grin widening.

Minato chuckled softly at his son's enthusiasm and gestured for Genma to proceed.

The attention of the room shifted to the large screen at the top of the tower. It flickered to life, the symbols spinning rapidly before stopping to display the first match-up:

[Uchiha Sasuke VS Omoi]

Minato's eyes briefly rested on the names. He couldn't help but note the symbolic significance of starting the preliminaries with a Uchiha—descendants of one of Konoha's most prominent clans. It would undoubtedly capture the audience's attention and set the tone for the rest of the event.

Despite the coincidence—or perhaps the machinations of fate—the Fifth Hokage remained calm. His focus now turned to the proceedings, curious to see how these young shinobi would rise to the challenge.

...

...

After several grueling hours of duels between the 21 candidates, only 11 emerged victorious, advancing to the final round.

The list of finalists included Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haku, Suigetsu Hōzuki, Hyūga Neji, Aburame Shino, Karui, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, and... Hyūga Hinata.

Hinata's advancement was somewhat fortuitous. With an odd number of participants, she moved on to the finals without having to fight. This stroke of luck left many battered candidates gritting their teeth in envy, their jealous stares hard to ignore.

Shikamaru Nara, who inherited his family's famed intellect, wasn't as fortunate. His opponent was Haku, one of the most skilled competitors in this group of prodigies. Haku, trained under Terumi Mei to become the Sixth Mizukage, was a formidable foe. While he might not rival the likes of Naruto or Sasuke during the Fourth Ninja War, his prowess at this stage far surpassed the average genin—save for outliers like Gaara or those capable of opening the Fifth Gate, like Rock Lee.

As the match concluded, Rin Nohara, Shikamaru's Jōnin instructor, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't be sad, you can become Chunin in the next exam," she said softly.

Shikamaru merely rolled his eyes and muttered, "I'm not sad. Too troublesome to care."

Despite his nonchalant demeanor, Rin couldn't hide her disappointment. None of her students had made it to the finals, and that fact weighed heavily on her.

The second match to stand out was Akimichi Chōji versus Karui. It was a close battle, with Karui eking out a narrow victory. The fight, though hard-fought, wasn't particularly memorable in terms of strategy or spectacle.

Tatsuya couldn't help but reflect on the irony of the situation. "How did these two—who don't exactly scream compatibility—end up married in the original timeline?" he mused to herself.

As the last announcements were settled and the finalists prepared for the next stage, the candidates, Jonins, and spectators alike felt the rising tension. The true test of strength, skill, and determination was just about to begin.

...

...

The Chūnin Exams were not just a test of skill—they were a grand spectacle, a political event to showcase the strength of the next generation and maintain alliances between nations. To accommodate the arrival of dignitaries and representatives from across the Ninja world, a full month was set aside to prepare.

This time also gave the candidates, having endured two grueling assessments, a chance to recover and refine their skills.

Namikaze Minato, the Fifth Hokage, took this opportunity to step away from his official duties and personally train his son, Naruto. It wasn't just a father's pride; Naruto, the Hokage's son, would soon be performing in front of the most influential figures in the world. He couldn't afford to embarrass himself—or his Konoha.

"Alright, Naruto. Focus. Try the Summoning Technique again," Minato instructed.

On the banks of a quiet river, Naruto mimicked his father's movements with enthusiasm. He bit his thumb, pressed his bloodied palm to the ground, and shouted, "Summoning Technique!"

A plume of white smoke erupted around him, and Minato's sharp eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope. Could he have succeeded?

As the smoke cleared, however, the object of Naruto's summoning came into view.

A... tadpole.

Minato stared, momentarily speechless. "Tadpole... Tadpole!?"

He almost let slip a curse but managed to restrain himself. Although he knew the Nine-Tails' chakra often interfered with Naruto's chakra control, this was... disappointing. How could his son, the future Hokage, produce something so pitiful?

Naruto, however, stood unbothered, examining the squirming tadpole with mild curiosity.

Minato coughed awkwardly, masking his exasperation. "Alright, let's change it up," he said, pulling out a water balloon from his satchel. He handed it to Naruto, carefully hiding his concern.

Deep down, Minato was overthinking. Naruto's confidence and determination were unshakable, even in the face of failure. For Naruto, every mistake was just another step forward.

Minato watched as his son grinned, determination lighting up his face. Whatever his shortcomings now, Minato knew that Naruto's strength didn't lie solely in his skill—it was in his spirit. And that was something no tadpole could undermine.

...

...

The month of preparation flew by, and Konoha bustled with an influx of dignitaries from across the Ninja world.

Among the visitors were wealthy merchants, influential business tycoons, and nobles who held sway over entire regions. These individuals weren't just guests; they were Konoha's most valuable clients—the ones who issued A-rank and higher missions to the Shinobi Villages. In essence, they were the money bags.

To Tatsuya, however, they were little more than fat sheep waiting to be sheared. These dignitaries came to assess the strength of the new generation, scouting for the village that could best fulfill their future commissions. This year's Chūnin Exams had drawn far more attention than usual, and for good reason.

The roster of participants was brimming with potential: the Hokage's son, a descendent of the Uchiha clan, the next generation of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, the three heirs of the Kazekage, and even a rumored candidate for the next Mizukage from the prestigious Yuki clan. These were the future pillars of the Shinobi world, and the assembled dignitaries weren't going to miss their chance to evaluate them firsthand.

At the Senju Clan estate, in front of Tatsuya's mansion, the scene was considerably less formal.

"Honey~!"

With a playful cry, Terumi Mei threw herself into Tatsuya's arms, rising on tiptoes to press a passionate kiss to his lips. Nearby, Hinata turned a deep shade of crimson and quickly busied herself with fetching water, her face practically steaming.

"Hey! Could you two be a little more appropriate? There are children here!"

Kurenai strode forward, her expression a mix of irritation and exasperation, physically separating the pair as she glared at them.

"Oh~ isn't this Kurenai? Still as fiery as ever after all these years," Terumi Mei said with a smirk, one hand on her hip as she twisted her body with serpentine grace. Her teasing tone carried an edge of challenge.

Kurenai's eyes narrowed, and her hands twitched as if itching to retaliate.

"Please, can we not start this again?" Rin Nohara sighed and stepped between the two women, her expression caught between amusement and resignation.

This was a familiar routine—whenever Terumi Mei and Kurenai crossed paths, a clash was inevitable, and Rin always ended up playing the peacemaker.

Once again, the "The Wall Trio," as Tatsuya liked to call them, had reunited in their chaotic glory.

And so, the preparations for the grand finale continued amidst laughter, tension, and the ever-present antics of those around Tatsuya.

---

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