The Chūnin Exams were divided into three stages.
The first stage was a written test.
It tested knowledge related to shinobi.
Natsume, Kabuto Yakushi, and Hana Inuzuka were all well-rounded shinobi, so the written test posed no problem at all.
They did not need to rely on their own methods to cheat like Sasuke Uchiha and the others had in the original story.
"Time's up. All examinees, please hand in your papers."
Jiraiya's voice came over the broadcast.
Natsume had thought there would be a final question like in the original story, but there wasn't.
The papers were collected.
The examinees left one after another.
The second stage would take place in the Forest of Death: a battle to seize scrolls.
The time was eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
That was to give the graders time to prepare.
"Natsume."
Tsunade waved to him from beneath a tree not far away.
Sunlight scattered across her, making her smile even more radiant.
"Big Sister, you've been waiting for me?"
Natsume was somewhat surprised and touched.
"Not really."
Tsunade rolled her eyes and said, "I'm waiting for my three disciples."
With that, she waved to Kabuto Yakushi and Hana Inuzuka as well.
Hmph, what a stubborn woman.
Natsume did not expose her.
Kabuto Yakushi and Hana Inuzuka lived in different directions from them.
Why had Tsunade waited for them?
At the school entrance, the group went their separate ways.
Natsume took Tsunade's hand of his own accord, and a warm, soft sensation traveled back to him.
He secretly marveled at how powerful the Yin Seal was.
It could keep a person eternally youthful—not only their appearance, but their body as well.
Tsunade had originally wanted to pull her hand away, but when she saw his adorable and handsome face, she could not bring herself