On the seventh of July, shinobi from the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning arrived in the Land of Fire.
Although it was labeled a Jōnin Examination, in truth it was more of a high-level Chūnin competition—a selection process to elevate elite Chūnin into a special status: Tokubetsu Jōnin, or "Special Jōnin."
Essentially, they were Jōnin in training.
Mission ranks in the shinobi world were divided into five tiers, and each level of shinobi had access to different categories.
Genin were unique, as their missions were filtered through the presence of a Jōnin team leader. While they primarily handled D and C-rank missions, they could occasionally be part of an A-rank operation—though such cases were extremely rare.
Typically, Genin stuck to D and C missions—basic tasks.
Chūnin operated in independent squads and handled mostly B and C-rank assignments.
A-rank and above, including S-rank missions, were exclusively for full-fledged Jōnin.
This division of labor allowed for maximum mission efficiency while minimizing risk. It was a system fine-tuned over generations.
But the number of Jōnin in any village was limited.
And A-rank missions didn't wait around for available Jōnin to free up. That's where Tokubetsu Jōnin came in—high-performing Chūnin with specialized talents who could match Jōnin in select fields.
When grouped together, they could take on missions that demanded advanced capabilities.
Every A-rank mission they completed was logged in their record. Once they accumulated enough credit, the Hokage's Office would initiate a final exam—and if passed, they would officially shed the "Tokubetsu" and become full Jōnin.
Jōnin held immense authority and prestige. To be granted that rank was to be recognized as a superhuman among shinobi.
If Ishiki Kujo wanted to become Hokage, he needed to reach Jōnin rank within a few years. Only Jōnin were eligible for the title of Hokage.
Truthfully, given his achievements on the border frontlines, Ishiki was already qualified for direct promotion.
But due to suggestions from both the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, the three great nations agreed to hold this joint examination as a show of peace—which put Ishiki's advancement on hold.
He didn't care what Earth and Lightning thought. With Weather Report in his arsenal, he could unleash catastrophe on both nations at will.
If someone more ambitious than the Third Hokage were in charge, it would be easy to see them using Ishiki as a living weapon—conquering and expanding, spreading fear until Konoha ruled the entire shinobi world.
Nagato would probably find that idea quite appealing.
Then again, that kind of "unity" might be meaningless. After all, who would want to rule a world turned into snails?
Only three squads arrived from each nation.
Konoha likewise selected three squads for the Tokubetsu Jōnin Examination, and Ishiki was placed in one of them.
His squadmates were both familiar faces: Tokuma Hyūga and Muta Aburame.
But this squad wouldn't last long. The exam's structure had already been revealed.
At least on paper, it was a straightforward task—each three-man cell would undertake an A-rank mission.
However, the kicker was that the teams were to be reshuffled—randomly composed of shinobi from all three nations.
Meaning: Ishiki would have to complete this unknown A-rank mission alongside allies from the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning.
The official justification was that this would deepen cross-national ties—build bonds through cooperation and shared trials.
Ishiki didn't buy it for a second.
In his mind, it would've been more efficient to throw everyone into a battle royale and let the strongest emerge.
But he knew that was just an impulsive fantasy. Shinobi exams weren't about brute force alone—though it did play a major role.
Still, Ishiki was curious about who his new "comrades" would be. What kind of shinobi would Earth and Lightning assign him?
And what was the Third Hokage really planning behind the scenes?
If the two foreign nations truly came in peace, then letting Ishiki dominate the exam as Konoha's rising Chūnin would be fine.
But if Earth and Lightning were targeting him—planning to exploit the exam to eliminate him?
That was a different story.
After all, Heavy Rain and Howling Wind was no longer a secret. Its indiscriminate area-of-effect made it unsuitable for use within the village—or anywhere in the Land of Fire, really.
To both foreign villages, Ishiki's most terrifying ability was this very technique.
If that limitation could be exploited, it would make Ishiki much easier to neutralize.
And who knows? Maybe they even planned to force Konoha to experience his snailification first-hand.
Because make no mistake—Heavy Rain and Howling Wind was a double-edged sword.
Perhaps the Hokage had too much faith in Ishiki, trusting him to navigate the situation flawlessly.
If so, Ishiki could only offer this in response: Old man, you've got a damn good eye.
Soon enough, he spotted the shinobi from the Land of Lightning. Their team leader was someone Ishiki had heard plenty about: Tōtai.
A Jōnin of Kumogakure, personal retainer to the successive Raikage, and the certified master of the Liger Bomb—a secret Lightning Release technique.
He also wielded the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai.
The fact that Kumogakure sent Tōtai as their leader was a clear sign: they were taking this exam very seriously.
The others in the squad were less familiar, except for one striking girl who immediately caught Ishiki's attention.
Delicate yet cold features. A very full chest. Fair skin. Pale blonde cropped hair. In the crowd of Kumogakure shinobi, she stood out like a beacon.
When Ishiki looked at her, she noticed too.
Their eyes met—his jet-black gaze against her cyan-blue—and in that instant, no sparks flew, but both silently averted their gaze.
He recognized her: Samui, trusted by the Fourth Raikage, a high-ranking shinobi of the Land of Lightning. He hadn't expected her to still be a Chūnin.
The shinobi from the Land of Earth were also familiar to Ishiki.
Their squad leader was Shu, a user of Explosion Release.
Ishiki had heard of Shu multiple times—during his mission to the Land of Grass, and later in his battle against Diego—even if the man himself hadn't shown up, his reputation and techniques had.
Originally, Ishiki thought Ōnoki might send his own son, Kurotsuchi. Shu's credentials were solid, but didn't quite carry the same weight.
As for the Chūnin from the Land of Earth—they left no impression. They were all stocky, burly types, and oddly aged for Chūnin.
So be it. The exam was about to begin.