***
Sigh…
Tsuyu put down her small tower after wiping her sweat and some dried blood. She looked up to the cold ceiling of Root HQ training ground.
She just stares at it for seconds.
It's really tiring…
For once she admitted it inwardly. She just wants a peaceful life. And looking back over the years so far… counting the time she's a child, back in the academy as a student, the daily antics of Naruto and others…
It's a life she had wanted really - if she excluded the need for her to train so hard. Even then, training is sort of her 'work' and there's no risk of death either given her actual strength. There's also fulfillment in gaining strength so she didn't feel burdened about training.
Then, there's her unreliable brother, the friends she made, the work she does - these brought her sense of normalcy, away from the battlefield, away from real danger to her life. Even the existence of 9 tails inside of her gives her assurance on her life somewhat because its power is unreasonable enough to make her feel safe in a weird way.
Close to 12 years of temporary peace… it's about to break soon.
Working as an ANBU isn't as hard as being a soldier. In fact most of the time during missions is used to gain information and for travelling. The battle part barely lasted a few minutes - so for a week or two it's more like vacation. She didn't have to eat tasteless MRE either as ANBU at work wear a disguise, use transformation jutsu and stop in towns and villages except when they had to intercept enemies at certain routes and they needed to camp. When she's back home, she can indulge in books and cuisines, having a few days of rest in the comfort of her own home after her work.
If this is not peace, what is?
I wonder if those guys are retired now… you guys better be alive. She murmured in her heart, recalling her subordinates in past life.
Kaito looks at Tsuyu with a questioning look. He wiped the blood on his blade. His eyes scan her deeply as if trying to see through her expression at the moment.
"Is there something on your mind, Tsuyu?"
"... Nothing, taichou… Let's go again." Tsuyu stood, ready to face Kaito once more.
"Very well."
I will keep this peace. Any means necessary…
***
After taijutsu training, Tsuyu made her decision.
She has the chakra. She has the power. She has the chances and opportunities. She has a cheat. She decided on the quickest, effective way for her to fight. As long as it didn't break Shinobi Code of Ethics. Not that there's any enforcement.
Kumo can hide their soldiers in the homes of civilians during war; plunder and do horrendous things to them, then they try to kidnap Hinata in the past. But magically Konoha is the one who executes Hizashi, giving his corpse to them to prevent war with Kumo. It's almost ridiculous.
Shinobi Code of Ethics (SCE) did nothing at all. There's no sanction since Land of Lightning is powerful only second to Land of Fire and other nations couldn't afford to do that to them. So for Tsuyu at the moment, SCE is nothing but a mere word of mouth.
Kagebunshin no jutsu!
Shadow clones and herself are put into intensive nature transformation training, trying to compress Earth chakra into the feather hard enough so it sinks into the water. Once she succeeds, she would want to use nature transformation into Rasengan.
***
The Chunin exam is held in just 2 weeks for Konoha to increase their soldiers. This time, they work in a squad of 3 and there's a special change on the exam based on Danzo's suggestions.
Tsunade looked at the papers in her hands. She is certain it's not Danzo's ideas but Tsuyu's. This time, she agreed to change the standard exam into a simulation during war time.
The exam is prolonged into 14 days inside the forest of death. The examinees are divided into two factions - Heaven and Earth, with the main base located at the opposite end of the forest.
The goal is to breach and capture the main base of the other side and hold onto the base for one day. Food and supplies are restricted - they have to be replenished through any of the members by meeting a proctor at assigned supply routes, and they have to carry the resources back to their supply depots. They have to manage themselves safely and distribute it themselves.
The locations of important simulated structures such as supply depots, command centers, and camps are all hidden from the other sides. Only the location of the main base that they need to capture is known.
Tsunade looked at the papers in her hand almost in awe and astonishment. It's too fantastic for Danzo out of all people to come up with such a thing. It must be Tsuyu. As for squads, they had made arrangements.
This time, 924 people applied pooling from new graduated genins and previous genins. Many fresh genins are added from the ease of graduation. Due to the large number of applicants, only 300 people participated for this session, selecting the most promising one first. It's planned to have 2 more sessions later.
This is by far the biggest chunnin exam ever done. Admitting defeat equal to 'death' and they are withdrawn from the battlefield in the forest of death. Konoha at the moment only had 10,000 shinobi to work with in the upcoming war, so they need to increase their number somehow.
There's a special guest on each side. On the Heaven side, Tsuyu is the special guest that would teach how to 'war' and give rough guidance. Despite Tsunade's refusal at first since clearly Tsuyu never been on the battlefield either - Danzo's words and Tsuyu's absurd theoretical knowledge made her reluctantly give it her way on account Heaven side would have 2 proctors. The other proctor is Jiraiya who has gone through 2 wars himself and also a part of those who made decisions in the 3rd Shinobi war.
On the opposing side, their guide is Shikaku Nara, father of Shikamaru. Shikaku had experience of being the Chief of Intelligence in the Command Center, and had been playing the battlefield like a chessboard. He has rich experience to describe war as well.
The guide would only give rough guidance and make suggestions on the division of the members at the beginning. They would not make any move personally.
***
1st Day of examination
Tsuyu in her standard ANBU uniform stood in front of rows of disorganised 150 people mostly made up of brats recently graduated and young shinobi that had been genin for years - totalling 50 squads. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke are among the ones at the front row.
Tsuyu walked up to them with Jiraiya. Her eyes turned very cold, as if she had brought herself onto the battlefield once more. The participants had been chattering in excitement or nervousness.
"SILENCE!"
Hearing the command, everyone shut their mouths and turned their heads. The 11 years old girl had her hands behind her back. Her eyes dead cold, as if looking at them like they are mere numbers.
"Hey… your little sister seems off." Sasuke whispered. He doesn't know why, but it's as if something switched.
"What is this? A festival? A picnic?" She said with deep scorn and sarcasm.
Jiraiya didn't get a chance to speak and he himself was stunned. The people's voices hushed, including Naruto's own. Tsuyu strides to the center, her sandal crunching the dry leaves beneath her.
"From this moment, you are Konoha's military assets. Your survival - and your squad's performance - will depend on coordination, discipline, and tactical clarity. Laugh, and you die. Wander off, and you are eliminated. Hesitate, and you are dead weight."
Konoha council and Tsunade watching using the crystal ball are both surprised as well.
"This simulation has command centers, supply chains, reconnaissance structures, and terrain advantages we artificially created. That is not for decoration and for you to see and think with your head. You are being evaluated not just as fighters, but as a soldier - either as a leader or as someone under one."
She takes a deep breath, before looking at Jiraiya finally remembering he's here too.
"Kuhum. Tsuyu, you haven't introduced yourself…"
"... I am Tan- Tsuyu Uzumaki. Jonin of Konoha. A part of ANBU. I may be your age, or even lower than most of you. But my hands are bloodied from my missions; unlike most of you who never knew how to take a life. If you ever treat me without respect, I would not hesitate to break your bones. Here I am your highest leader, second only to Jiraiya-sama. I am the Vice General here. Disrespect is unacceptable. Understand?"
Just then, Tsuyu's eyes darted to the backrow. A small miniscule laughter escaped from one of the examinees.
"Who laughed just now?"
Silence filled the surrounding. But Tsuyu's steps filled the silence with the sound of crunching leaves. The rowdy crowd moved and parted like the sea, eventually her gaze locking onto an ordinary looking young 17-ish teenager.
The boy had a little smile still lingering on his lips from whatever joke he heard, though his posture shows he's uneasy.
"Name. Squad number."
"Souta Hayashi… Squad 17…" His voice betrays his nervousness.
"Tell me what's so funny. Let's all hear it."
"I… it's nothing… um… sorry…". Souta has no idea how to address Tsuyu who's only half his height.
"Tell. Me."
"I… its… we thought you are…"
Tsuyu glared at him, waiting for him to finish. Naruto is about to step forward wanting to stop her from escalating all this, but Sasuke grabs his arm.
"Um… you are… you are… cute…"
"I really… didn't mean anything bad-" Before Souta could finish his words, without warning she drove her knee into his gut, knocking the wind from him. Before he can crumple, she grips his collar and slamming him flat into the dirt.
"Ahn…", he groaned in pain, his hands holding onto his stomach. Tsuyu stepped on him like a bug, grinding the sole of her foot on his chest pressing them down like a mountain.
"In a real war, looking down on your commander, daring to disobey, you get killed. Insubordination spreads rot like infection. I don't tolerate infection."
Everyone gasped inwardly. The groan of pain from Souta creates heavy pressure on everyone.
All of a sudden, Naruto comes forward from the crowd. Sasuke unable to hold him any longer.
"Tsu-chan! That's enough! You're doing too much!"
She cast a glance at Naruto. Her heart felt more annoyed and irritated. To think someone can speak at this moment, against her…! Her eyes turned almost bloodshot.
"Speaking out of line, especially to a superior officer, is insubordination. Even for you!"
Before Naruto could react, Tanya already grabbed Naruto's collar, twisting and pulling him towards her. She drove her knee to his side with brutality.
Crack. An audible sound of bones cracking made everyone shudder. Naruto was thrown away onto the dirt next to Souta, his face red with pain, his arms clutching his side. His breathing heavy, trying to hold the pain.
He turned his face with red eyes towards Tsuyu, not understanding what's wrong with her.
"I am not your little sister here. Dare speak out of line again, and I will personally disqualify you right now. And in this simulation, it means death"
Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes turned down, unable to look into her eyes nor utter any more words.
After seconds of silence. Jiraiya stepped forward and took over.
"Tsuyu, leave the rest to me. Medic, take him to the hospital site." A medic nin assigned to the exam picked Naruto up and brought him elsewhere. Souta wasn't injured and didn't need it.
Jiraiya cast a glance at Tsuyu for a moment, seeing her cold expression. Her arms still behind her back, silently watching each of the examinees. Jiraiya felt his heart in turmoil slightly. He never knew Tsuyu had this brutal side… this isn't a real war, and even if it is, it felt like she's being out of it. He decides to talk to Tsuyu later, to tell her to take it easy. He's not worried about Naruto physically since he would heal it fast anyways. But his emotions on the other hand…
"Everyone listen up!" Jiraiya takes out a huge scroll and opens it up.
"This is the map of the forest of death. Our location is here. The assigned camps and…" Jiraiya gave the overview over the sites in Forest of Death where their side had.
"In this exam, the enemy doesn't know any information except the location of our main base. The same as our side. It would be your task to gather intel as well, and to protect your own information from leaking and respond to it."
"Among you, there will be planted spies. Those people had their own missions to betray you for the sake of promotion!"
"You will be divided into 5 divisions. Assault, Recon, Logistic, Command, and finally Defense! Assault division is as it says. Composed of the main fighting force…" Jiraiya explained each role, and where they would be assigned.
"But if any of you want to form a special unit and division, either stealth or ambush unit, trap specialist units and such can arrange on your own! We and the other proctors watching from all over the forest will evaluate your performance and abilities"
"Organize your squads within the hour. Report at dusk to me after you have made your decisions on your roles!"
Jiraiya let out a long sigh before walking towards Tsuyu.
"Tsuyu, you can relax a little. I understand you want to make them listen and not underestimate you, but injuring Naruto is…"
"Jiraiya-sama, pardon my harshness. He would heal in the next few hours. I am clear on this. I need to make it clear so they understand the gravity of real war."
"... Sigh. Alright… I can't change your opinions. At least visit him later, understand?"
"Understood. I will see to it."
"...okay, good."
Contrary to Jiraiya's turmoil, Danzo, watching through the crystal ball along with others had a slight imperceptible smile.
You always surprise me…