Attributes

Over the next month, Chiba added ninjutsu training to his independent practice. However, he usually only began that training deep in the forest, so even Hirohiko and Yukina knew nothing about it.

He also confirmed his Chakra attributes: Earth and Water. He apparently could not use Wind Release, Lightning Release, or Fire Release.

That left Chiba somewhat depressed. He would not be able to learn Chidori or Rasengan, the two ninjutsu that ran throughout the original work.

Still, Chiba did not lose heart. Chakra Nature Transformation could be trained. As long as he worked hard, it was not impossible for him to master Wind Nature Transformation and Lightning Nature Transformation as well.

Besides, Earth and Water were not bad either. The Second Hokage had Water Release, while the current Third Hokage also had Earth Release. During the Fourth Ninja World War, the Iwa-nin had an explosive presence, and all kinds of Earth Release ninjutsu were highly practical.

Over the past month, sparring with Kushina every day had rapidly improved Chiba's combat experience. Now, Kushina could no longer beat him flat onto the ground, and he could last through a full two hours of sparring. His taijutsu, ninjutsu, and even his Chakra reserves outside Gate of Life Mode had all increased considerably. Even without Gate of Life Mode, his Monster Strength already carried some power.

Chiba was now confident that dealing with Elite Chunin would not be a problem! However, after adding Monster Strength training to his recent independent practice, he discovered that his Monster Strength was still very immature. Gathering Chakra required a certain amount of time. Though it did not affect its power, in actual combat, that tiny amount of time could sometimes determine the outcome. To unleash Monster Strength with every punch like Tsunade, Chiba still needed to work hard.

Moreover, the foundation of Monster Strength was also Chakra. The greater the Chakra reserves, the greater the power. Chiba did not need to worry about Chakra control—his precise Chakra manipulation would probably amaze even Tsunade.

The key was Chakra reserves! Chiba punched a tree at the edge of the forest with a dull thud. Wood chips scattered down, and a faint fist mark was left behind.

Five hundred proper punches, complete.

The Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain... I really want to open it soon!

Chiba vaguely sensed that his physical condition was nearly up to standard. The Fourth Gate could be opened very soon; he was only a tiny bit away. That encouraged him greatly, and he trained even harder. Without a doubt, Kushina Uzumaki's devilish training had been highly effective. He had originally thought he would need another year to open the Fourth Gate, but now he was only a little short.

Yet Chiba had sensed that "little short" point half a month ago. Over the past half month, though, that little shortfall had remained a little shortfall, with no sign of closing.

It made Chiba somewhat restless.

However, discovering his Chakra attributes gave Chiba a goal on the path of ninjutsu. Over the past month, he had also been going to Konoha's Library much more diligently, and much of his restlessness faded.

Through his frequent trips to the Library, he discovered that B-rank ninjutsu and below in Konoha's collection were all common ninjutsu. As long as someone in the village was willing to teach them, anyone could learn them. Still, there were not that many in number.

Chiba's ability to learn ninjutsu was astonishing, yet over the past month, he had only mastered three: two Earth Release ninjutsu and one Water Style Ninjutsu.

At the same time, Chiba discovered that his Ninjutsu Talent truly allowed him to remember the hand seal sequence after seeing it once and learn the ninjutsu. But when reading scrolls, that miraculous effect did not seem to apply. He still had to practice diligently.

He had memorized no fewer than ten ninjutsu, but he had only learned these three.

This also shifted Chiba's attention from opening the Fourth Gate to ninjutsu, preventing him from becoming overly obsessed with the Fourth Gate, rushing for quick results, and causing irreversible consequences.

The Eight Gates was a dangerous Forbidden Jutsu. It absolutely could not be forcibly opened. Being a little short—even by the slightest amount—was not acceptable.

After Chiba finished five hundred proper punches and was about to begin five hundred side kicks, Kushina Uzumaki's voice suddenly rang out. "Stop what you're doing and gather up!"

Chiba merely turned around in confusion, but Hirohiko nearly injured himself with his fancy Shurikenjutsu. One moment of carelessness threw off the rebound angle, and a shuriken flew past his cheek, nearly ruining his face.

The shuriken happened to fly toward Yukina, who was practicing Gentle Fist in the clearing. Fortunately, Yukina had her Byakugan activated. With its three-hundred-and-sixty-degree vision, she barely dodged the shuriken with a turn of her face. If she had failed to dodge it, a disfigured face would likely have been the least of her worries.

"Teacher Kushina, don't scare us like that! People could die!" Chiba naturally noticed what had happened and broke out in a cold sweat as he spoke to Kushina Uzumaki.

Kushina Uzumaki had seen it too. She had not expected such a thing to happen and hurriedly apologized. "Sorry! I just have something to tell you!"

As she spoke, joy appeared on Kushina Uzumaki's face.

The three of them exchanged looks, all wearing puzzled expressions.

Teacher Kushina was obviously very happy. Was something good happening?

Before they had even gathered together, Kushina Uzumaki impatiently announced, "The Chunin Exams will be held in ten days!"

The Chunin Exams?

Chiba froze.

Not only Chiba—Uchiha Hirohiko and Hyuga Yukina were stunned as well.

"I already signed you all up today!" Kushina Uzumaki was clearly excited. Without waiting for their reactions, she continued.

"Ah—the Chunin Exams..." Chiba sounded uninterested. Right now, his mind was entirely focused on training. He did not care much about something like the Chunin Exams. Besides, becoming a Chunin did not come with any special benefits, so there was no need.

Thump!

Before Chiba could finish, a fist had already struck the top of his head. A large bump, red and swollen after a long absence, rose on his scalp.

"Take this seriously!" Kushina Uzumaki's red hair lifted slightly.

Hirohiko and Yukina immediately nodded repeatedly, looking as though they would definitely take it seriously.

"But we only became Genin a few days ago. The Third Hokage probably won't agree to us signing up for the Chunin Exams already..." Chiba said.

"Anyway, you're already signed up. I have faith in you." Kushina Uzumaki looked at them, her eyes shining brightly.

She was proud. Even when she used her full strength, they could endure two hours of sparring. The Chunin Exams would definitely be easy for them.

They were the finest students she had ever seen! Seeing Kushina Uzumaki's expression, Chiba rubbed his nose.

Well, forget it. We haven't completed a single mission since becoming Genin. There's no way the Third Hokage will agree to let us take the Chunin Exams.

A ninja was not judged solely by personal strength, but also by their performance during missions!

Still, Chiba did not say those words aloud. He did not want to ruin Kushina Uzumaki's good mood.

"Ahem! Then, Hirohiko, Yukina, we need to train even harder!" Chiba cleared his throat and put on an expression that said, "We need to work harder."

Hirohiko and Yukina nodded repeatedly.

Then, the three returned to their independent training.

Kushina Uzumaki watched them with a smile on her face.

Then tomorrow, I'll train them even more strictly! she thought.