Konoha's bi-annual Chunin Exams began. Since the Chunin Exams for each major Ninja Village were conducted separately.
Therefore, all the candidates participating in the Chunin Exams were Konoha Ninja.
The first exam was a written test. Jiraiya, sitting in the examination room, was a bit restless, looking at the people around him. If he failed the exam, wouldn't he, Lord Jiraiya, not be able to become a Chunin?
The thought of Orochimaru and Tsunade becoming Chunin while he was still a Genin.
Jiraiya's expression became exaggerated, filled with unwillingness and fear.
No, no, no, how can I, Lord Jiraiya, fall in a place like this!
Even if it's just to avoid being mocked by Tsunade, I must pass the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin!
Is this guy, Jiraiya, going to be okay?
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya, a little worried that he might cause some unexpected situation.
Jiraiya turned his head, flashed her a confident smile, gave a thumbs-up, his pearly white teeth shining brightly under the lights, as if making a 'ding' sound.
Seeing Jiraiya's smile, Orochimaru became even more worried. The first exam tested the candidates' information gathering abilities. If you didn't know the answer, you had to find a way to cheat, provided the cheating method wasn't too clumsy.
After the papers were distributed, Orochimaru looked at Tsunade writing furiously, then at Jiraiya scratching his head.
Sure enough... after living with toads on Mount Myōboku for so long, he forgot everything he learned at the Ninja Academy?
When Jiraiya looked over, Orochimaru used Genjutsu on him, allowing him to see the correct answers when he looked at the paper.
You can even cheat this way... The proctor noticed Orochimaru using Genjutsu to help her companion cheat, sighed inwardly, a smile appearing on his face, but he didn't expose them.
The first exam of the Chunin Exams was to test the candidates' information gathering abilities. Knowing the answers to the paper itself demonstrated the ability to gather information. No matter what method was used, as long as they could write the answers on the paper, and as long as the cheating method wasn't too clumsy, the proctor would not eliminate them.
After eliminating those candidates with clumsy cheating methods, the first exam ended, and the proctor announced that the remaining people had passed the first exam.
Jiraiya gave Orochimaru a thumbs-up. The moment he was caught in the Genjutsu, he wanted to break free. When he saw the answers appearing on the paper, he knew who had used the Genjutsu on him.
Orochimaru being able to help him cheat in this way was something he hadn't expected.
"Orochimaru, did you find the paper difficult?"
Tsunade put her arm around Orochimaru's shoulder. She had realized the true meaning of this exam, but under the proctor's supervision, she really had no way to copy others' answers and could only grit her teeth and write slowly...
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade's gloomy little expression and said with a smile, "They were all things I knew."
"You did that on purpose!"
Tsunade pinched Orochimaru's cheek, realizing she was deliberately teasing her.
"How could I..."
Orochimaru looked away.
The second exam was a team battle, squad against squad. The losing squad would be eliminated, testing teamwork. There were no restrictions on the methods used to defeat opponents, the only requirement was not to kill. Anyone who killed and their squad would lose their Chunin Exams qualification.
Even without this rule, normally no one would kill a fellow Villager.
Orochimaru's squad encountered a Genin squad of very ordinary strength and, without any surprises, won the team battle.
The third exam was individual combat. Win by defeating your opponent.
Among the Konoha Higher-Ups who came to watch the matches were Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Assistant Hokage Danzo Shimura.
Boom—!
The moment the referee announced the start, Tsunade punched the ground, which shattered with a roar.
Everyone on the viewing platform was stunned by this scene, looking at Tsunade, who maintained her punching posture, with horrified expressions, and swallowed with difficulty.
"I, I surrender!"
Tsunade's opponent looked at the shattered ground, trembled with fear from the punch, and quickly conceded. Being hit by such a terrifying punch would leave one either dead or confined to a hospital bed for a long time.
"Then, the winner of the first round is Tsunade."
The referee announced the winner.
"Easy peasy."
Tsunade walked to the viewing platform without any pressure, stood beside Orochimaru, and provocatively looked at Jiraiya.
"Don't... don't get cocky!"
Jiraiya gritted his teeth, gripping the metal railing, anticipating his turn.
I knew it would be like this... Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the relaxed Tsunade, his mouth twitching. Among all the Genin participating in the Chunin Exams, only the geniuses from the major Ninja Clans, as well as Orochimaru and Jiraiya, could fight Tsunade.
Orochimaru... Hyuga Mio and Uchiha Yashiro, at different positions on the viewing platform, simultaneously looked at Orochimaru.
Hyuga Mio had a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She hadn't yet decided whether to seek out Orochimaru to research the Caged Bird Curse Mark on her forehead.
Unlike Hyuga Mio, Uchiha Yashiro, remembering his previous crushing defeat, clenched his fists. If his opponent were Orochimaru, he would definitely not lose so badly!
After the ground was repaired, the names of the two contestants for the next round appeared on the electronic scoreboard: Aburame Shiki vs. Nayumi.
The Aburame Clan, huh... Orochimaru watched the battle between Aburame Shiki and Nayumi with interest, and the result completely surprised her.
As soon as Kikaichu emerged from Aburame Shiki's body, the cute-looking Nayumi was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she ran towards the referee, crying and shouting that she wanted to surrender.
"..."
Aburame Shiki silently retracted his Kikaichu, his head slightly lowered. Wearing sunglasses and with most of his face obscured by his collar, it was impossible to discern his expression at that moment. Already taciturn, he now seemed even more so.
"The winner of the second round is Aburame Shiki."
The referee, trying hard to keep a straight face, announced the winner.
The third round was Nara Shikii vs. Kanzota, and the winner was Nara Shikii.
The fourth round was Inuzuka Nari vs. Takeshita Izumi.
"Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu: Four Legs Technique!"
Inuzuka Nari formed hand seals, dropped to all fours, his entire skeletal structure changed, his fingernails became sharp, more suitable for tearing, and his canine teeth grew longer and sharper as he bared them.
Takeshita Izumi saw Inuzuka Nari's transformation and threw shuriken.
The Inuzuka Clan's inherited secret technique was to transform oneself to be more like a beast.
Orochimaru observed Inuzuka Nari's physical changes. Having extensive research on the nature transformation of Yang Release, she believed that Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu was also a type of Yang Release Ninjutsu.
"Piercing Fang!"
Inuzuka Nari spun his body like a black drill, deflecting the shuriken and crashing into Takeshita Izumi's abdomen.
Takeshita Izumi screamed as he was sent flying into the air, then fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood and losing consciousness.
Piercing Fang... a single-target version of Fang Over Fang... It seems the Inuzuka Clan's Taijutsu techniques are all derived from Fang Over Fang.
Orochimaru looked at the Ninja dog not far from Inuzuka Nari, sitting on the ground, wagging its tail.
"The winner of the fourth round is Inuzuka Nari."
The referee stepped forward and announced the winner.
The electronic scoreboard for the fifth round displayed the names of two contestants: Sarutobi Antu vs. Shimura Kazama.
Seeing the names displayed on the electronic scoreboard, Danzo Shimura's attention to the match intensified.
One was from the Sarutobi Clan, skilled in Fire Release Ninjutsu, and the other was from the Shimura Clan, skilled in Wind Release. Their battle fully demonstrated how crucial elemental advantage is when strengths are nearly equal.
Ultimately, Shimura Kazama's Wind Release: Great Breakthrough amplified the power and range of Sarutobi Antu's Fire Release: Great Flame Technique, and he was engulfed in flames, losing his fighting ability and being defeated.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Danzo Shimura's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged.
"The winner of the fifth round is Sarutobi Antu."
The referee announced the winner.
The names displayed on the scoreboard for the sixth round were Jiraiya vs. Akimichi Kenji.
"It's finally Lord Jiraiya's turn to appear!"
Jiraiya saw his name appear on the electronic scoreboard, pressed his hands on the railing, jumped into the arena, and struck what he considered a cool pose.
"Come on! My opponent!"
"Idiot! Jiraiya, you better take this seriously!"
Tsunade clenched her fist, her other hand gripping the railing tightly. The metal railing in her hand was like play-doh, molded into the imprint of her grip.
The referee looked at the overconfident Jiraiya for a few seconds, then said, "Will the contestants on the scoreboard please step forward."
Akimichi Kenji slowly walked down from the viewing platform, looking at Jiraiya standing opposite him.
"Then, the match begins."
The referee, seeing that the contestants were ready, announced the start of the match.
"Multi-Size Technique! Human Bullet Tank!"
Akimichi Kenji, without any hesitation, used his inherited secret technique, transforming into a rapidly spinning Human Bullet Tank and charging towards Jiraiya.
Jiraiya leaped up, dodging the charging Human Bullet Tank.
"Don't think you can escape just like that!"
The Human Bullet Tank turned and bounced, crashing into Jiraiya.
It can bounce?!
Jiraiya hadn't expected the seemingly clumsy Akimichi Kenji to be so agile. He curled his body and took the impact of the Human Bullet Tank head-on. After landing on the ground, he quickly created distance, dodging the charging Human Bullet Tank.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals. As Akimichi Kenji charged again, he turned the ground beneath his feet into a swamp and jumped backward to create distance.
"What?!"
By the time Akimichi Kenji reacted, his body was already sinking into the Swamp of the Underworld, unable to move.
"The winner of the sixth round is Jiraiya."
The referee confirmed that Akimichi Kenji was no longer able to fight and announced Jiraiya as the winner.
"Hey! Grab my hair!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals and used the not-yet-proficient Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu. His elongated hair extended to Akimichi Kenji's hand.
Akimichi Kenji quickly grabbed the hair, and Jiraiya gritted his teeth, pulling him out of the Swamp of the Underworld with effort.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Jiraiya's growth, with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. However, as Hokage, he couldn't show it too obviously, as he also had to consider the feelings of the other Jonin instructors.
The seventh round was Hyuga Mio vs. Ogawa Hiroshi. The moment Hyuga Mio activated her Byakugan, she decisively defeated Ogawa Hiroshi with a single palm strike, securing victory.
The names displayed on the electronic scoreboard for the eighth round were Orochimaru vs. Uchiha Yashiro.
Uchiha, huh... Danzo Shimura didn't believe that the Uchiha brat could defeat Orochimaru.
"Please, contestants on the announcement board, step forward."
Orochimaru and Uchiha Yashiro stepped forward.
"Orochimaru, I won't lose to you this time."
Uchiha Yashiro pointed at Orochimaru, his narrowed eyes slowly opening.
"You say that with such passion, I thought your Sharingan had awakened."
Orochimaru looked at his unchanged eyes with disappointment. Fighting an Uchiha with a Sharingan would help her better understand the eye.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Yashiro had not awakened his Sharingan.
"You…"
Uchiha Yashiro was enraged by Orochimaru's dismissive attitude, fuming with anger. He glared at her and said, "I'll show you the consequences of looking down on an Uchiha!"
Orochimaru said in a way that would infuriate someone to death: "No… don't misunderstand. I'm looking down on you, Uchiha Yashiro, not the Uchiha Clan. You, who hasn't even awakened your Bloodline Limit Sharingan, should speak less of the Uchiha Clan. The glory of the clan isn't something for you to casually mention."
"You!"
Uchiha Yashiro's face was distorted with anger. If the referee hadn't announced the start yet, he would have already unleashed a Great Fireball Technique.
Such strong tempers… The referee sighed inwardly. The air was already thick with the smell of gunpowder before the fight even began.
"Are you ready to start?"
The referee asked Orochimaru and Uchiha Yashiro.
"Anytime," Orochimaru replied.
"Hurry up and start!" Uchiha Yashiro urged.
"Then, you may begin."
After the referee spoke, he quickly retreated to a safe distance.
Uchiha Yashiro reached into his Ninjutsu pouch and threw several shuriken.
Orochimaru hooked a Kunai from the Ninjutsu pouch tied to her leg with her finger, then swung the Kunai to deflect all the shuriken. Just then, Uchiha Yashiro waved his hands, and the shuriken she had knocked away flew back.
I got her!
Uchiha Yashiro looked excitedly at Orochimaru, who was about to be bound by steel wire.
Manipulating shuriken with steel wire, huh… "Wind Release: Night Wind!"
Orochimaru put her fingers together and raised her hand, generating a hurricane that spread outwards from her. The shuriken controlled by the steel wire were blown away by the wind, losing control.
"No hand seals… Ninjutsu?!"
The scene erupted in an uproar, everyone shocked by Orochimaru's Ninjutsu without hand seals.
Uchiha Yashiro looked at Orochimaru, who was protected by the hurricane. After a brief moment of shock, he was ecstatic. He quickly formed hand seals, completing the final Tiger seal.
This Ninjutsu is even more refined.
Danzo Shimura looked at Orochimaru with admiration.
Even if she is Hokage-sama's disciple, she is still too young. Sarutobi Antu and Shimura Kazama have already demonstrated the importance of elemental advantage.
Uchiha Yashiro's Jonin instructor saw this and believed Uchiha Yashiro had already secured victory.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball…"
"Ibuki Eisei!"
How could Orochimaru just watch Uchiha Yashiro use Fire Release Ninjutsu? She waved her hands, and the hurricane swept towards Uchiha Yashiro!
She actually launched Night Wind!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at this scene in surprise. When he saw the wind created by Wind Release Chakra swirling around Orochimaru, he understood why Night Wind didn't harm her when it was launched.
So that's it. It seems Orochimaru had already considered that this Ninjutsu could cause self-harm.
How could this be!
Uchiha Yashiro's Fire Release Ninjutsu was interrupted. He couldn't evade the rapidly approaching hurricane, and under the cutting of the wind blades, he let out a painful scream. Blood splattered onto the ground.
When the hurricane dissipated, he had multiple wounds on his body.
Was that a hurricane formed by countless wind blades?
Controlling such a hurricane attack without getting hurt herself.
Danzo Shimura once again marveled at Orochimaru's talent in Wind Release Ninjutsu.
Now's the time!
Uchiha Yashiro stood up straight, maintaining the Tiger seal with both hands.
So that's it, you want to exchange injuries for this attack opportunity?
Orochimaru saw the Tiger seal Uchiha Yashiro formed with his hands, realized his intention, and quickly formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Uchiha Yashiro and Orochimaru's Great Fireball Technique clashed, flames shot into the sky, and waves of heat spread in all directions.
The collision of the Fire Release Ninjutsu caused the temperature of the arena to rise sharply. Everyone in the spectator stands felt the temperature continuously increasing, their eyes fixed on the battle, afraid of missing the most crucial moments.
Such an intense clash of Fire Release Ninjutsu was rarely seen.
Soon, the result of the Fire Release Ninjutsu battle was clear: Orochimaru's Fire Release overpowered Uchiha Yashiro's Fire Release.
How is that possible!
Uchiha Yashiro's pupils constricted. He couldn't believe he lost to Orochimaru in his most proficient Fire Release Ninjutsu.
The flames dispersed in front of Uchiha Yashiro. Orochimaru took the opportunity to get to Uchiha Yashiro's side and punched him in the face!
The flesh on Uchiha Yashiro's face rippled, and he spun through the air before falling heavily to the ground.
Jiraiya saw this scene and felt a sense of familiarity; he was always sent flying by Tsunade in this exact posture.
"Round eight winner, Orochimaru!"
The referee looked at Uchiha Yashiro, who had no strength left to fight, and announced the match result.
If the match between Sarutobi Antu and Shimura Kazama showed everyone the importance of elemental advantage, then the match between Orochimaru and Uchiha Yashiro demonstrated what happens when the same Ninjutsu clash.
"Well done, Orochimaru!"
Tsunade and Jiraiya excitedly cheered for Orochimaru's victory.
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade and Jiraiya, a hint of a smile appearing on her cool and elegant face.
"I lost to you again."
Uchiha Yashiro barely managed to raise his head and look at Orochimaru. This time, he was thoroughly convinced of his defeat. Having lost in his most proficient Fire Release, he had nothing to say.
Orochimaru walked towards Uchiha Yashiro and extended her hand to him.
Just as Uchiha Yashiro thought Orochimaru wanted to shake his hand, he saw her outstretched hand with fingers spread apart, a gesture all too familiar to him.
"Next time you want to challenge me, remember to bring enough challenge fees."
Orochimaru's words were so shocking they could kill. Everyone looked at her in astonishment; they had never heard of needing to pay a challenge fee.
Orochimaru, can't you rein in your greedy nature a little?
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand to his forehead. His three disciples were undoubtedly excellent, but their flaws were also very obvious.
"You! Cough, cough, cough!"
Uchiha Yashiro felt an unprecedented insult, his face flushed with anger. Already badly injured, he coughed violently. Medical Ninja from the medical squad arrived with a stretcher and carried him away.
The Chunin Exams ended, and Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all promoted to Chunin.
For Orochimaru, the biggest benefit of becoming a Chunin was no longer having to do D-rank missions, allowing her to spend more time on training and research.
Once the Laboratory for the Iburi Clan was built, she could use the Iburi Clan as an excuse to go to her own Laboratory, then leave a Shadow Clone in the Laboratory, or have the Shadow Clone return to Konoha in her place, while she herself would stay in the Laboratory long-term.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade, we've all become Chunin. Should we go celebrate?"
Jiraiya showed a smile with a deeper meaning.
"Give up. Taverns don't allow children in."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. She needed to use a Transformation Jutsu to disguise herself as an adult to gamble at the Casino, let alone a tavern that minors weren't allowed into.
"Eh! Are you really not going to try? That's a world only adults can enter, you know!"
Seeing Tsunade unmoved, Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, don't you want to taste sake?"
"No interest. Alcohol affects my thinking."
Orochimaru was not interested in smoking or drinking, and even less interested in the "adult world" Jiraiya spoke of.
"What… you guys are too…"
Before Jiraiya could finish his sentence, he vanished in a puff of smoke in front of Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"He disappeared?!"
Tsunade looked at the spot where Jiraiya had vanished.
"It's Reverse Summoning. Jiraiya must have been summoned by the toads of Mount Myōboku."
For the toads of Mount Myōboku to summon Jiraiya so suddenly, could it be related to the prophecy?
"Then what about celebrating becoming Chunin?"
Tsunade said disappointedly. She still had a little interest in the unknown adult world.
No, you're actually interested!
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade in surprise. She had underestimated the allure of the unknown to children.
Children all have a rebellious streak; the more they are told not to touch something, the more they want to try it.
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