Meanwhile.
Aburame Hiyori took the scroll and immediately ran toward the finish line.
However.
He had not run far when the insects informed him of the situation—
Kanda Kyoichi was here!
"So fast!"
Aburame Hiyori was secretly shocked.
Lord Orochimaru and Hyuga Tao had actually failed to stop him?
How was that possible?
But.
There was no time for him to be stunned.
Kyoichi had already caught up. He had to stop him and, at the same time, carry the scroll to the final destination.
Kikaichū flew out.
The Kikaichū filled the sky like a black fog, surging toward Kanda Kyoichi. To his surprise, however, the other party ignored the insects and charged outward with a layer of Earth Release chakra covering him.
"What incredible speed!"
He quickened his pace.
But how could he compare with Kyoichi?
Without activating First Activation or the Eight Gates, Kyoichi could crush Aburame Hiyori with only the Body Flicker Technique.
Aburame Hiyori had only leaped forward a few steps when the newly divided insects sensed it—
He was here.
Bang!
Konoha Whirlwind.
With one kick, Aburame Hiyori's body turned into a pile of insects.
Insect Substitution.
Just as expected.
The next moment, he formed hand seals, and a water dragon soared into the air.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the ground was smashed into a huge crater.
Aburame Hiyori staggered out from the side.
He ran while coughing violently.
He had suffered some internal injuries.
Damn it.
This Water Dragon Bullet was a little too powerful, wasn't it?
However.
The next moment, the other party had already caught up.
Aburame Hiyori did not give up.
But.
Kyoichi showed no mercy either. He acted decisively, kicking him flying with one blow.
They were not familiar with each other. Why would he hold back?
Aburame Hiyori spat blood and could barely run anymore. Kyoichi confiscated his ninja tools, took the scroll, and left a Shadow Clone behind.
"The clone will give you basic treatment."
As he ran toward the finish line, he had already figured things out to some extent.
Orochimaru had mentioned the "chief examiner."
Clearly, during this exam, he had not infiltrated the village like in the manga. Instead, he had entered openly—or rather...
This was an additional question.
A question meant for him!
Kyoichi knew that after defeating Aburame Hiyori and Hyuga Tao, his most important obstacles had been eliminated. Orochimaru abandoning the pursuit meant that he acknowledged his strength.
With the additional question completed, becoming a Jonin was basically assured.
The third round?
It did not matter at all.
When he reached the finish line, he overlapped the scrolls.
A short while later.
"Kyoichi, we meet again."
Orochimaru appeared.
It was a clone.
He clearly wanted to talk with Kyoichi, so he did not dispel the clone immediately. Instead, he smiled and said, "Kyoichi, I am the chief examiner for this exam. Do you know why I was the only one who pursued you?"
"Tekuno and another senior from the Aburame family earned battlefield merits and were promoted. As for Senior Baiyun... if my guess is correct, he should be someone from Lord Hokage's faction. I was the only one whose battle merits were insufficient."
Kyoichi replied.
"Hahaha, good, very good!"
Orochimaru smiled.
As expected.
Smart people understood without needing explanations.
"Thank you for holding back, Lord Orochimaru. Otherwise, how could I possibly have caught up with Aburame Hiyori?"
Kyoichi was not arrogant enough to think that Orochimaru was only this strong.
The other party definitely had not used his full strength.
Not to mention anything else, he had barely used any Ninjutsu. Most of the battle had been fought with Taijutsu.
A Ninjutsu expert like Orochimaru had instead fought with Taijutsu...
If that was not going easy on him, what was?
"Hahaha, go to the Hokage Building and take the third exam."
Orochimaru's figure disappeared.
Kyoichi lowered his head, then followed closely behind toward the Hokage Building.
The exam was over!
Just as he had expected, whether there was a third round was completely unimportant. The focus had been on the second round, which was filled with traps, pursuit, and missions. The others had merely gone through the motions, while he was the only one who had truly been tested.
The questions were the three extra people.
When he arrived at the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage was already waiting.
Aside from Kyoichi, Baiyun Hayama and the other three had indeed all passed.
"Lord Hokage!"
"Good, good! You have all passed the second exam. Especially you, Kanda Kyoichi... You have far exceeded my expectations. I can say that I never imagined you would complete it so excellently."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was beaming.
He had originally thought that Kyoichi would definitely pass. He had never expected that Kyoichi would not only possess great strength, but also lack none of the comprehensive qualities required of a Jonin. He was even stronger than many Jonin.
In addition, Kyoichi had taught himself Medical Ninjutsu.
He was practically a comprehensive and perfect team leader!
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Kyoichi bowed in thanks.
Tekuno looked around, scratching his head in confusion. "Lord Hokage, the third exam..."
"Hehe, there is no third exam."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Starting today, you are all Jonin of the village."
Other than Tekuno, the other three were not surprised.
Baiyun Hayama and the Aburame clansman had received the news long ago. This had merely been a formality, something more symbolic than anything else. As for Kyoichi, he had already guessed.
So many people, and he was the only one surrounded by three others.
Clearly, they had come for him, and the reason was obvious—
The Senju bloodline.
"Did you get it?"
"No. He is very strong. Hehehe, the Senju Clan is truly terrifying. Even after intermarriage and passing through generations, they still possess such frightening power. It is truly awe-inspiring."
Orochimaru conducted research on the materials in his hands, his eyes filled with excitement.
The Senju physique.
After so many years, he had actually witnessed its glory once more!
"You made a move and still failed to get it?"
Danzo frowned, clearly displeased.
Are you kidding me?
Is this all the Sannin are capable of?
"As the chief examiner, my duty was to conduct the exam. Since he possessed sufficient strength, I could not deliberately make things difficult for him."
"Danzo, if you are in such a hurry, why not make a move yourself?"
Orochimaru sneered and cast him a glance.
Did he think he could use him as a weapon?
He sneered and said, "Lord Danzo, I was only interested in Kanda Kyoichi, which was why I became the chief examiner to test him and help you in passing. If you truly wish to blame someone, blame your subordinates for being too incompetent."
Hyuga Tao had been heavily injured by a single kick.
Aburame Hiyori had been completely unable to fight back, chased from beginning to end as he focused only on completing the mission and stopping Kyoichi from becoming a Jonin.
His subordinate had failed to do the job, and now he was coming after me.
Did he really think I was easy to bully?
A murderous glint flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
"I was only thinking about the cell research. Since there are some difficulties, we can look into it later. In any case, there will be plenty of opportunities. Why should we argue?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes, then a smile appeared on his face.
Orochimaru said no more and continued his research.
He and Danzo each took what they needed.
If Danzo truly thought himself superior to him, Orochimaru would not be polite with him either.
Besides.
Teacher, during the day...
Orochimaru recalled Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
Did he know something?
Probably not.
Although he was currently using captives hidden away in secret, if his teacher knew about it, he would definitely not merely give him a casual warning.
Those words should have been referring to Kanda Kyoichi.
"Then I will leave first."
Danzo was about to go.
When he reached the door, Orochimaru's voice came from behind.
"I advise you not to entertain any ideas about him for the time being. Be careful that the old man does not come looking for you. He is not senile and muddle-headed yet. He absolutely will not bear the cost of you laying a hand on the Senju."
Before you continue