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[NTU] [ARC-04-CHUNIN-EXAMS] Chapter : 54
🕑 Added 2024-06-01 12:03:47 +0000 UTCKirishima's dilemma was interrupted when he saw Asuka signal to him. Feeling relieved, he silently cursed the invigilators for not seating him closer to his teammates. He still failed to realize that this was intentional to prevent easy cheating.
He took off his forehead protector, placing it on his desk at an angle. This allowed him to see the reflection behind him, where Toshiro was seated four rows behind him, staring at the forehead protector.
There was a brief flash of red from Toshiro's Sharingan, which indicated that he had used an illusion. Kirishima became stiff suddenly for 10 seconds. In that short amount of time, Toshiro had given him all the answers. Kirishima then returned to writing as if nothing had happened.
Most invigilators remained oblivious, except for one who glanced suspiciously at Kirishima and Toshiro but chose not to act. He realized that the invigilator had likely noticed their trick but chose to overlook it, understanding the dynamics of the exam and the need to identify potential chunin among the candidates.
In the back seat, when Toshiro saw that everything was on track, he didn't hesitate; he stood up and walked directly to the podium, handing his test paper to the invigilator. As he exited the classroom, he noticed a large group of underperforming students looking at him with envy.
As for Asuka, Toshiro knew that, despite the questions being somewhat difficult, they were manageable for her. Asuka had always been intelligent, taking her studies seriously. She had even spent the past few days preparing specifically for the Chūnin Exam, so he wasn't worried about her.
Just as Toshiro exited the classroom, he spotted a familiar figure emerging from the room opposite.
"Yo! Is that you, Kakashi? Are you taking the Chūnin Exam too?" Toshiro greeted.
Kakashi was in his characteristic white hair and black short sleeves. He ignored him, hands in pockets, heading for the exit.
"Still as cold as ever!" Toshiro sighed, unfazed. He caught up with Kakashi, matching his pace.
"Anyway, don't be so cold. If you keep this up, you won't make any friends!" he chided.
“.”
"Have you taken the advice I gave you last time?"
“.”
"Tsk! You still haven't changed!"
“.”
Kakashi's unchanging expression and silence didn't anger him. Instead, he sighed. This world had turned a six-year-old child into someone so cold and detached. In his previous life, six-year-olds were carefree and full of mischief. It was the most joyful age. But in this twisted world, reality had transformed Kakashi into this somber state.
'I wonder if Sakumo knows what his son has become. Would he regret his decisions? Would he be able to rest in peace in the afterlife?' Toshiro mused.
His eyes then fell on the sword Kakashi carried on his back. It seemed oversized for his thin frame, unlike when it was wielded by Sakumo, who was invincible with it in his hand.
'Could it be that Sakumo’s soul resides in that sword?' Toshiro's thoughts drifted, unaware of the peculiar look Kakashi was giving him.
Kakashi was used to this talkative guy. Their acquaintance began when Toshiro accidentally bumped into him during a shopping trip, back when both of Kakashi's parents were still alive. Toshiro had even given him a mask that he had dropped, but memories of that time were a bit hazy. Despite his cold exterior, Kakashi didn’t dislike Toshiro; he just didn’t know how to respond, choosing silence as his reply.
When he saw Toshiro looking at his sword, he initially felt puzzled, then remembered something that made his expression more solemn. He had no intention of conversing further.
As their footsteps faded in the corridor, Toshiro’s also stopped talking, just walking alongside Kakashi.
"Toshiro!" a voice called from the distance as they exited the academy. It was Mei, whom Toshiro hadn't seen in a while. She wore a green jōnin vest over the traditional Uchiha dark sweater and common ninja pants. Her figure was fuller and more feminine, and she was smiling fully, showing the happiness of her married life.
"Kakashi, see you next time," Toshiro said, waving goodbye before heading toward Mei.
"Goodbye.." Kakashi replied in a small voice, his expression even more forlorn, though he managed to say farewell.
Surprised at Kakashi speaking, Toshiro turned back, smiling and waving, before running toward Mei.
"Let's go home!" Mei greeted him, embracing Toshiro warmly. To her, he was still the little boy who used to sit on her lap, despite being a ninja and taking the Chūnin Exam.
"Everyone's waiting for you at home! I’ve prepared a big meal with all your favorite dishes to cheer you on," she said, leading him away.
Meanwhile, Kakashi watched them leave, feeling a deep loneliness. Unlike Toshiro, there was no family waiting for him anywhere.
A week later, in the mountains behind Konoha Village, outside the infamous Forest of Death, at Training Ground No. 44, a large group of nearly two hundred genin had gathered. They wore a variety of clothes, and their appearances were equally diverse. Some were in groups of three, while others were in larger groups.
Each one wore a solemn expression, trying to hide their gazes while subtly observing the other ninjas, especially those from prominent clans, and identifying them based on clan emblems or notable features.
These ninjas were gathering intelligence in preparation for the next exam. Although everyone was from the same village, they might not have seen the ninjutsu, secret jutsu, or bloodline limits of each other's families, but they had heard of them. By checking in advance, they could make targeted preparations for the upcoming test.
"This kind of reconaissance is really annoying!" Asuka complained loudly, feeling frustrated by the constant covert glances.
"Asuka, not every ninja knows the information of each clan like we do. Most of those observing us are from civilian backgrounds or from the Genin Corps and lack dedicated Jonins. It's normal they would observe us now," Toshiro explained, trying to calm his impatient teammate. He knew that if Asuka got upset, it could cause trouble.
Meanwhile, their other teammate, Kirishima, was the opposite of Asuka. He stared blatantly, his curious eyes darting around as if trying to see through everyone around them. He didn't care about the reactions of others, presenting a bright and blatant demeanor. If it weren't for the Uchiha clan crest they wore and the presence of other Uchihas, a fight might have already broken out.
Sighing, Toshiro resigned himself to Kirishima's behavior. This kid would only learn through experience.
Kirishima made no effort to conceal his interest, often staring at people with unique attire or prominent family traits, indifferent to how others might react. His blatant observations, especially toward girls with fuller breasts and behinds, further irked Asuka.
Toshiro, observing the situation, wisely chose to remain silent, avoiding drawing attention to himself.
"Asuka, are you okay? You seem upset," Kirishima asked, finally sensing the chill from behind.
"It's nothing! I'm fine!" Asuka responded with a forced smile, clearly annoyed.
Realizing too late that he might have angered Asuka, Kirishima looked to Toshiro for help, hoping for some.
'Well, buddy, you're on your own for this,' Toshiro thought, deciding not to intervene in their squabble.
Just then, a voice interrupted, drawing everyone's attention and saving Kirishima.
A massive burst of white smoke exploded, enveloping the central area outside of Training Ground No. 44. As the smoke cleared, a figure emerged. This figure, with long, messy white hair, stood in the center, having summoned a green-skinned toad standing five or six meters tall. He struck a dramatic pose and, in a tone reminiscent of Kabuki, announced, "Mount Myoboku's Toad Sage, The Gallant Jiraya-sama, fantasy of ladies everywhere!"
The field fell silent. The nearly two hundred participants in the Chūnin Exam stared blankly at the man and his toad, unsure how to react.
Toshiro, recognizing Jiraiya, couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth. 'The Third Hokage sure has a talent for choosing 'unique' ninjas as examiners,' he thought.
"Who is this idiot? Is he really an examiner?" Someone finally voiced the question on everyone's mind. Doubts arose about the Third Hokage's decision to send such an eccentric figure to oversee the Chūnin Exam.
"Ugh~~~"
"You fools have no appreciation for greatness!"
Despite his carefully crafted new appearance, Jiraiya failed to achieve the desired effect. Instead, he provoked skepticism among the young ninjas about his identity. Completely unaware of the problem, this 'pervert' stood on a large, green-skinned toad adorned with vulgar red lipstick.
Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin and a disciple of the Third Hokage, seemed more like a show-off than a shadow-level powerhouse skilled in immortal arts. However, only the idiotic dared to mock him openly. Those who knew his true identity and strength, either through family elders or personal knowledge, dared not underestimate this eccentric proctor.
The Third Hokage had a valid reason for choosing Jiraiya to oversee this Chūnin exam. With tensions high, the Hokage had to stay in the village, coordinating the forces. He couldn't spare time for the exam, and the chosen examiner position remained vacant. Tsunade was uninterested, and she was leaving the village in a few days, and Orochimaru was deemed too risky, as involving him might invite trouble from Danzo and result in unacceptable casualties.
Jiraiya, though he often shows his idiotic side, proved to be surprisingly dependable. He had signed a summoning contract with Mount Myōboku and learned the rare Senjutsu. Despite his quirks and constant search for a 'Child of Prophecy,' he was a strong candidate.
Jiraiya, heartbroken over Tsunade's rejection the day before, hoped to relax but was instead asked to proctor the second phase of the exam.
"Look at your ridiculous outfit. You definitely don't have a girlfriend!"
Someone's remark hit Jiraiya hard, reopening his wounds about Tsunade. He fell into self-doubt, reflecting on his failed attempts with her and wondering if his flamboyant attire was to blame. Lost in his thoughts, he forgot about the exam until silence reminded him.
Turning to a tree near the training ground, he called out, "Minato, this is your responsibility now!"
Without waiting for a response, he vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Toshiro, upon hearing the name 'Minato,' grew excited. He was eager to meet the future "Yellow Flash," even though Minato was likely only around sixteen years old and still far from attaining his legendary 'Flee on sight' status.
Before Toshiro could locate Minato, a golden flash zipped past his line of sight.
"Huh!!"
A collective gasp arose, not from Toshiro but from the other ninjas who also tried to spot 'Minato.' They were equally astonished by the speed on display. They recognized the significance of the ultra-high-speed movement, having only heard of it in legends until now.
'That's some insane Shunshin speed!' Toshiro was genuinely impressed.
The blonde young man standing where Jiraiya had pointed was none other than Minato Namikaze. His mastery of the Shunshin was extraordinary, laying the foundation for his future 'Hiraishin jutsu' and earning him the title of 'Golden Flash.'
"Ahh, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Minato greeted everyone warmly, exuding a big-brotherly charm.
"Due to special circumstances, I will be proctoring the next exam," he announced with a gentle smile, nodding at everyone present.
