Advancing to Chunin

Amid cheers from the crowd, Tomoko returned to the rest area, where her younger sister, Chikotake, immediately rushed to greet her, shouting from afar, "Sister, you're amazing!"

Seeing the admiration in Chikotake's eyes, Tomoko smiled slightly and, for the first time, patted Chikotake's head like an elder.

Kanno Tsuko nearby, looked at Tomoko and said, "Tomoko, let's have a match after the assessment."

When she said this, Kanno Tsuko dropped her bossy expression and looked serious.

When Tomoko returned to the rest area after drawing lots, Kanno Tsuko had a vague feeling that her newly acquainted little sister seemed a bit different.

However, since the two had just met, Kanno Tsuko thought she was probably overthinking things.

But the confidence that Tomoko rubbed Chikotake's head made her think of a certain possibility.

Born into a ninja clan, Kanno Tsuko possesses a level of insight unmatched by ordinary people. Even Tomoko herself is unaware that she has completed her transformation into Jonin, but Kanno Tsuko has discovered this secret.

To verify her own ideas, Kanno Tsuko proposed the contest.

Tomoko was taken aback for a moment, then quickly nodded. Although she might not be as strong as Kanno Tsuko, Tomoko did not back down at all.

Even when facing the infamous Great Witch from her time at the Ninja Academy, she showed no fear.

Shortly after Tomoko's match, it was Kanno Tsuko's turn. Kanno Tsuko then used Nintaijutsu that she shouldn't have mastered at her age to quickly and violently end the battle.

Among Yichen's three disciples, Kawakita Bei was the unluckiest, being one of the last to fight, and Kawakita opponent was stronger than the opponents of his two teammates.

Kawakita's opponent was one of the two men who were a year younger than him: Maruyama Sumire.

Although Maruyama Sumire is a year younger than Kawakita, he awakened the Explosion Release bloodline at a young age, making him one of the most outstanding Genin in this batch of participants in the assessment.

The two were already quite famous, so they attracted a lot of attention from the audience as soon as they came on stage.

This will be one of the most fiercely contested matches among the hundreds of games played today.

The group, already feeling their trip was worthwhile because of Tomoko's situation, became even more excited after witnessing the duel between the two. Simply put, it was worth the price of admission; although none of them had bought tickets, their feelings were the same.

As the possessor of the special Kekkei Genkai Explosion Release, Maruyama Sumire follows a path similar to Nintaijutsu, excelling in close combat.

As Sword Technique Ninja, Kawakita is also skilled in close combat.

So as soon as the examiner announced the start, the two of them rushed towards each other without prior arrangement.

The difference is that Maruyama Sumire's goal is to get close to Kawakita and win with a close-range explosion using Explosion Release. Kawakita's goal is to appropriately close the distance between them and then win with Sword Qi.

So, when the two sides closed in but before they engaged in close combat, Kawakita made his move, delivering a horizontal slash to Maruyama Sumire who was charging towards him.

Maruyama Sumire was clearly caught off guard by Kawakita's mastery of Sword Qi, and his rhythm was immediately disrupted. However, thanks to the combat experience carefully taught by his family elders, Maruyama Sumire remained calm, extending his arms straight out side by side in front of him.

With a loud boom, a shockwave emanated from Maruyama Sumire's hands, directly blasting away the approaching Sword Qi.

However, because the two sides are far apart, this explosion did not affect Kawakita.

Kawakita frowned. This was the first time he had encountered Kekkei Genkai, and he was somewhat alarmed by the power of the Explosion Release. He knew that although his Sword Qi was only at the beginner level and not very refined, it could still easily cut through ordinary C-rank Ninjutsu.

However, the Explosion Release was able to continue expanding outwards after dispersing the Sword Qi, so its power is probably no less than some B-rank Ninjutsu.

"Teacher Yichen is right. The power of Kekkei Genkai can often elevate Ninjutsu by almost a level."

"Judging from the relaxed expression on Maruyama Sumire's face when he used this move, it should be a C-rank Ninjutsu, but its actual power reached B-rank."

"Moreover, it seems that this Explosion Release technique does not require Hand Seals."

Thinking of this, Kawakita frowned slightly. If this Explosion Release technique didn't have any obvious weaknesses, this First Shinobi War might be dangerous.

Taking advantage of Maruyama Sumire's halted advance due to the explosion, Kawakita slashed diagonally again.

Maruyama Sumire frowned slightly as he looked at the Sword Qi, which also didn't require Hand Seals, finding his opponent equally troublesome.

In the past, Maruyama Sumire's opponents were no match for the strange attacks of the Explosion Release in close combat. After all, when two ninjas fight at close range, neither can deal with an enemy's seemingly Mu Qi punch suddenly turning into a bomb.

Ranged ninjas, relying on their Hand Seals speed, can only use C-rank Ninjutsu to interfere with Maruyama Sumire, and C-rank offensive Ninjutsu cannot break through the defense of Explosion Release. Therefore, the result is often that Maruyama Sumire can easily get close to them and then force them to admit defeat.

However, Kawakita's Sword Qi could be used at any distance and did not require Hand Seals, leaving Maruyama Sumire feeling at a loss for where to begin.

After a few moves, although Maruyama Sumire successfully deflected several of Kawakita's attacks by using his ability to generate explosions with each punch and palm strike, he also completely exposed a weakness of his Explosion Release.

That refers to attack range; Explosion Release can only be used for close-range explosions.

This is also an awkward aspect of Explosion Release Ninjutsu; Explosion Release is composed of both Lightning and Earth attributes, and naturally possesses the ability to explode.

This was originally an advantage, but a problem arose when using Explosion Release: the Explosion Release Chakra after leaving the body is very unstable. It's not that it can't be controlled, but that it's extremely difficult to control.

Maruyama Sumire's Chakra control is far from sufficient to achieve this.

Kawakita smirked, "I've found your weakness."

After a moment's thought, Kawakita devised a plan to defeat the enemy.

Facing Maruyama Sumire's attempt to close the distance, Kawakita deliberately created an opening. He gave Maruyama Sumire the impression that his Sword Qi was not yet proficient, not smooth enough, and that he suddenly lost his connection at a certain moment.

Maruyama Sumire fell for the trap as expected. Seizing the moment when Kawakita unleashed his Sword Qi, he accelerated and closed the distance between them.

As he closed the distance, Maruyama Sumire had already prepared to deal with Kawakita's Sword Qi.

But instead of the expected Sword Qi, a Kunai shot straight at them.

"Kunai?" Maruyama Sumire was somewhat puzzled. Although Kunai were a common weapon used by ninjas, capable of both close combat and as a concealed weapon, their power was too weak.

If even Sword Qi can't break through my defenses, what's the use of a mere Kunai? Isn't this just a waste of time?

However, before Maruyama Sumire could be happy, he noticed the Kakkō burning on the Kunai.

"Exploding Tag? Impossible. Does he know the characteristics of Explosion Release Ninja? Or did he figure out the principle of Explosion Release in that brief exchange?" Maruyama Sumire was very surprised.

Explosion Release Ninja use explosions to fight, and specifically close-range explosions. However, this doesn't mean that Explosion Release Ninja are immune to explosion damage.

Rather, it's because the Explosion Release Ninja controls the direction of the explosion while using Explosion Release.

However, while they can control the explosions they unleash, they cannot control other explosions, such as Exploding Tag.

Not only can it not be controlled, but the explosion of the Exploding Tag will also interfere with the control of the Explosion Release.

For a ninja like Maruyama Sumire, whose mastery of Explosion Release is not yet complete, this is a significant weakness. If given a few more years to further refine his skills, he might be able to master more advanced control methods and avoid being targeted by the enemy.

However, this won't work for Maruyama Sumire right now, because the explosion of the Exploding Tag will interfere with his Explosion Release, and Maruyama Sumire's Explosion Release can only be used at close range at this stage.

This means that if you use Explosion Release to counter the Exploding Tag, you are very likely to get injured.

Maruyama Sumire dared not take any risks. He could only forcibly suppress the Chakra gathered in his hands and change his direction of travel to avoid being injured by the explosion as much as possible.

Boom!

The detonation of the Exploding Tag arrived as expected. Thanks to his familiarity with the explosion, Maruyama Sumire adjusted his posture in time before the explosion occurred. Although he was impacted, he was not seriously injured and still had the strength to First Shinobi War.

But at that moment, a blade of Sword Qi grazed his body, slicing past his side and freezing Maruyama Sumire completely in place, who was about to make a move.

"I lost!" Maruyama Sumire was a little stunned, realizing that Kawakita's subordinates, otherwise he would have been dead just now.

But how could he have lost? This was the first time Maruyama Sumire had ever lost to an opponent of similar age, and the usually arrogant man couldn't accept it.

It wasn't until the examiner announced Kawakita's victory that Maruyama Sumire came to his senses, then looked at the calm Kawakita with a complicated expression.

Was this guy really a Dead Last- Advanced Class student a year ago? How could Dead Last become this amazing?

Maruyama Sumire didn't quite believe that the teachings of Jonin could have such a significant impact on a ninja, because he himself often received meticulous guidance from his Jonin seniors.

However, no matter how unwilling Maruyama Sumire was, the outcome of the defeat could not be changed.

Upon hearing the Chunin Examiner's results, the ninjas and civilians watching gasped in surprise.

Although Maruyama Sumire and Kawakita exchanged blows for several rounds, they both used Seal-less Ninjutsu and Sword Qi, making them extremely fast. So, although it looked complicated, it didn't actually take very long.

To the audience, it was almost a simple exchange of blows between the two, and then Kawakita won.

That's why the crowd erupted in surprised cheers.

"So this Kawakita is really that strong; even the Explosion Release genius Maruyama Sumire was defeated instantly."

"So being Jonin as a disciple by a Jonin really can change one's destiny so easily."

At this moment, Yichen's reputation in the village reached its peak.

Yichen's main purpose in taking on disciples was this, but he himself did not expect that day to come so quickly and so suddenly.

However, many people saw the whole process clearly, including Ikura. Ikura even discovered Kawakita's ability to find his opponent's weaknesses and seize the opportunity to win in one blow from Kawakita performance.

This ability is essential for a master swordsman and a high-ranking ninja.

Following Tomoko, Kawakita also gained Ikura's approval.

Amid cheers from the crowd, Kawakita returned to the rest area, and Kajiyamari congratulated Kawakita with a hint of envy.

This congratulations refers not only to Kawakita's victory, but also to his promotion to Chunin Kawakita.

As expected, Kawakita's performance just now was enough to make him a Chunin without taking up a spot.

Sure enough, after a while, once all the Genin matches were over, Ikura immediately announced the list of ninjas who would be directly promoted.

This includes: Tomoko, Kawakita... Maruyama Sumire... Kanno Tsuko...

Furthermore, Tomoko and Kawakita ranked first and second on the list, respectively.