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Neji reminded Hinata, then began performing strikes into the air.
Soon, Neji completed a full demonstration of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
"Lady Hinata, try it again."
After finishing the demonstration, Neji turned and addressed Hinata calmly.
Hinata nodded and once again assumed the Jūken (Gentle Fist) stance.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
The sounds of their sparring echoed throughout the training field. Hinata's palm strikes grew faster and more precise. After observing Neji's performance, her understanding of the technique had clearly deepened.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Finally, Hinata cried out, landing all sixty-four strikes in a burst of chakra-infused blows. Neji met her strikes head-on, neutralizing each one with his own sequence of palm techniques.
"Very good, Lady Hinata. You did it." Neji smiled. Then, lifting his hand, he declared, "I concede."
The spectators were dumbfounded. It was the most blatant staged match they had ever seen, with no attempt to disguise it. Yet, none of them could object—after all, both sides had agreed to it, and no rules were technically broken.
"Brother Neji…"
Hinata tried to speak, but Neji raised a hand to stop her.
"With your current strength, Lady Hinata, you're fully qualified to be promoted to Chūnin. Winning or losing this match doesn't matter anymore. I'll definitely earn my promotion during the next exam. You don't have to say anything more."
Neji smiled and waved her off.
From the stands, Minato Namikaze looked visibly awkward. The other Kage had expressions that practically shouted, Are you messing with us?
Minato glanced toward Hiashi Hyuga, but the Hyuga Clan Head averted his gaze, pretending to admire the scenery outside the arena. Internally, he was quite pleased. Though Hinata and Neji still couldn't compare to the two monstrous talents from Fugaku's family, they were now considered rare geniuses among the Hyuga. Very few passed the Chūnin Exams on their first attempt. The strength Hinata displayed today had clearly met the standards for promotion.
"The third round of the Chūnin Exam official matches... the winner is Hyuga Hinata." Genma Shiranui announced, clearly uncomfortable, while the audience remained frozen in awkward silence.
Sasuke Uchiha observed Neji with quiet respect. Even though the match was staged, he admired the way Neji used it to acknowledge and uplift Hinata.
The official matches of the Chūnin Exam lasted the entire day. Initially, Sasuke had watched with interest, but as the matches dragged on, his attention waned and he returned to quietly meditating and refining his chakra and spiritual pressure.
After the conclusion of the matches, the shinobi from the other villages departed. Each village would now evaluate its own candidates for promotion based on their performance.
The following day, Minato gathered all the genin who had reached the final stage of the official tournament.
"I believe you all know why I've called you here. The final results of the Chūnin Exams are in." Minato smiled warmly at Sasuke and the others.
"After evaluation by myself and the other jōnin instructors, the following shinobi have been promoted to Chūnin: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Neji, Hyuga Hinata, Nara Shikamaru, and Aburame Shino." Minato delivered the news directly.
Sasuke found the results acceptable. Not many from Konoha had reached the finals, and the chosen six all displayed notable strength and growth.
In the original timeline, only Shikamaru was promoted to Chūnin, which Sasuke always found questionable. If promotions were that rare, how did Konoha end up with so many Chūnin and jōnin? Of course, back then, Konoha had been in a crisis, so standards may have shifted.
Minato handed each new Chūnin their standard-issue green flak vest. Sasuke looked at his and silently swore never to wear it—That thing's hideous.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask—how does one qualify to become a jōnin?" Sasuke asked after receiving his vest and Chūnin certificate.
The others turned toward Minato, also curious.
"Under normal circumstances, there are several requirements to become a jōnin," Minato began. "First, you must complete at least one A-rank mission. Second, you must pass a written examination. Third, you must have a minimum of three years of field experience. Lastly, you must demonstrate the ability to survive for the duration of two incense sticks against any jōnin in the village."
Minato paused, then added, "However, there is a special alternative. If you believe you are strong enough, you may challenge three different jōnin at random. If all three unanimously recognize your strength, you will be promoted immediately."
After hearing this, Sasuke instantly made up his mind. The written test? Absolutely not.
"What a drag," Shikamaru muttered, scratching his head.
"You're already thinking about jōnin promotions right after becoming Chūnin?" Minato chuckled. "It's still early for all of you. Keep working hard, and one day, you'll become the pillars of the next generation."
Afterward, everyone began filing out of the Hokage's office—except Sasuke.
"Hokage-sama, I'd like to apply for promotion via the second method," Sasuke said calmly after the others had left.
Minato blinked, then nodded, thinking back to Sasuke's performance during the exams.
"Are you sure? The jōnin won't go easy on you. If they don't acknowledge your strength, you won't pass."
"I'm sure," Sasuke said without hesitation.
"Very well. I'll notify you when your challengers have been selected." Minato gave a firm nod, understanding Sasuke's determination.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Sasuke bowed slightly, then left the office.
---
In the Root Division's underground base
A serpent marked with summoning tattoos slithered up to Danzo and disgorged a scroll.
Danzo opened the scroll, scanned its contents, and turned to the Root operative beside him. "I'm heading out. Make sure no one detects my absence."
"Yes, sir." The Root ninja bowed respectfully.
"My lord, shall we accompany you?" asked Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame.
"No. If you come with me, it increases the risk of exposure. If anything happens in the village while I'm away, report to me immediately." Danzo's voice was cold and resolute.
He walked out of the hidden base alone.
---
At the same time, Sasuke received a similar scroll delivered by a summoned serpent.
"They want confirmation that the conditions are in place... Seems Orochimaru is eager to advance the Yikui technology. He's moving sooner than I expected. I thought he'd have Kabuto test it first. But this works better—without Danzo, there's less interference."
After reading the scroll, Sasuke incinerated it with a burst of Katon chakra.
"I'll have to find a way to leave the village undetected."
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