Danzo, If You Can, You Do It

On the other side.

Aburame Hiyori grabbed the scroll and immediately sprinted toward the finish line.

But.

He hadn't gotten far before his bugs informed him of the situation—

Kanda Kyoichi was coming!

"So fast!"

Hiyori's heart jolted in alarm.

Lord Orochimaru and Hyuga Tao actually couldn't hold him back?

How was that possible?

Yet.

There was no time to be stunned.

Kyoichi had already caught up; he had to stop him and bring the scroll to the final finish line.

The Kikaichū flew out.

A swarm of Kikaichū, like a black fog, swept toward Kanda Kyoichi, but what shocked him happened—the other party ignored the bugs, charging through with a layer of Earth Release chakra.

"So fast!"

He quickened his pace.

But how could he match Kyoichi?

Without even activating First Activation or the Eight Gates, just using the Body Flicker Technique, Kyoichi could easily crush Aburame Hiyori.

Hiyori had barely darted a few steps when his newly divided bugs sensed it—

The other party was here.

Bam!

Konoha Whirlwind.

One kick, and Hiyori's body dissolved into a pile of bugs.

Insect Substitution.

Just as expected.

The next moment, his hands formed seals, and a water dragon soared up.

Boom!

With a roar, the ground was smashed into a large crater.

Hiyori stumbled out from the side.

As he ran, he coughed violently.

He was a bit injured internally.

Damn it.

That Water Dragon Bullet was way too powerful, wasn't it?

But.

The next moment, the other party had already caught up.

Hiyori didn't give up.

Yet.

Kyoichi showed no mercy, acting decisively—one kick sent him flying.

They weren't close, so why hold back?

Hiyori spat blood, barely able to run. Kyoichi confiscated his ninja tools, took the scroll, and left a Shadow Clone at the spot.

"The clone will give you basic treatment."

As he ran toward the finish line, he had already figured it out in his mind.

Orochimaru had mentioned the "chief examiner."

Clearly, in this exam, he hadn't infiltrated like in the manga, but had come in openly, or rather...

This was a bonus question.

A question for himself!

Kyoichi knew.

Having defeated Aburame Hiyori and Hyuga Tao, his biggest obstacle was now removed, and Orochimaru giving up the chase meant he acknowledged his strength.

The bonus question was complete, and his Jonin promotion was basically secured.

The third round?

It was completely irrelevant.

Arriving at the finish point, he stacked the scrolls together.

A moment later.

"Lord Kyoichi, we meet again."

Orochimaru appeared.

This was a Clone.

But he clearly wanted to have a chat with Kyoichi, so instead of immediately dispelling the clone, he smiled and said, "Lord Kyoichi, I am the chief examiner this time. Do you know why only you were pursued by me?"

"Tekuno and the other Aburame senior earned battlefield merits and were promoted. As for Senior Baiyun... if my guess is correct, he's Lord Hokage's man. I'm the only one lacking in combat achievements."

Kyoichi said.

"Hahaha, good, very good!"

Orochimaru's face carried a smile.

As expected.

A smart person understood without needing to be told.

"Thank you for holding back, my lord. Otherwise, how could This Humble One have possibly caught up to Aburame Hiyori?"

Kyoichi wasn't arrogant enough to think Orochimaru had only this much to offer.

The other party had clearly not gone all out.

For one thing, he'd barely used any ninjutsu, mostly relying on Taijutsu.

A ninjutsu master like Orochimaru, fighting with Taijutsu...

If that wasn't going easy, what was?

"Hahaha, head to the Hokage Building for the third exam."

Orochimaru's figure vanished.

Kyoichi lowered his head and followed closely toward the Hokage Building.

The exam was over!

As he had thought, whether there was a third exam or not didn't matter. The real test was this second stage—full of traps, pursuits, and missions. The others were just going through the motions; only he was truly being examined.

The subject was the three extra people.

Arriving at the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage was already waiting.

Besides Kyoichi, Baiyun Hayama and the other two had all passed without issue.

"My lord!"

"Good, good! All of you have passed the second exam. Especially Kanda Kyoichi... you've exceeded my expectations. I could say I never imagined you would complete it so brilliantly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi beamed.

He had originally only thought Kyoichi would definitely pass, but he never expected that Kyoichi wasn't just strong—he possessed all the comprehensive qualities required of a Jonin, even surpassing many of them.

On top of that, Kyoichi had also self-studied Medical Ninjutsu.

He was a well-rounded, perfect team leader!

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Kyoichi bowed in gratitude.

Tekuno looked around, scratched his head in confusion, and said, "My lord, the third exam..."

"Heh, there is no third exam."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Starting today, you are all Jonin of the village."

Aside from Tekuno, the other three were not surprised.

Baiyun Hayama and the Aburame clansman had already received word; this was just a formality, more ceremonial than anything. As for Kyoichi, he had long suspected.

With so many people, why was he the only one surrounded by three?

It was clearly aimed at him, and he understood the reason well—

The Senju bloodline.

"Did you get it?"

"No. He's strong. Hehehe... the Senju Clan, even through intermarriage and across generations, still possesses terrifying power. Truly awe-inspiring."

Orochimaru fiddled with his research, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

The Senju physique.

After so many years, to witness its brilliance once more!

"You couldn't get it even when you made a move?"

Danzo frowned, quite displeased.

Are you kidding me?

The Sannin are this?

"As the chief examiner, my duty is to conduct the test. Since he possesses sufficient strength, I cannot deliberately make things difficult for him."

"Danzo, if you're in such a hurry, why not make a move yourself?"

Orochimaru sneered, casting a glance at him.

Using him as a pawn?

He let out a cold laugh and said, "Lord Danzo, I'm only interested in Kanda Kyoichi, which is why I took on the role of chief examiner to test him and help you out on the side. If you really want to blame someone, blame your own subordinates for their incompetence."

Hyuga Tao was severely injured with one kick.

Aburame Hiyori had no power to resist, chased from start to finish, only thinking about completing the mission to stop Kyoichi from becoming a Jonin.

Your subordinates failed, and you come after me.

Do you really think I'm easy to mess with?

A flicker of killing intent flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

"I was also thinking about the cell research. Since there's some trouble, I'll look into it another day. There are plenty of opportunities, so why should we quarrel?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes, then a smile spread across his face.

Orochimaru said a few words and then went back to his own research.

He and Danzo each got what they wanted.

If Danzo truly thought he was above him, Orochimaru wouldn't show him any courtesy either.

Besides.

Teacher, during the day...

Orochimaru recalled Hiruzen Sarutobi's words in his mind.

Did he know something?

Probably not.

Even though he was currently using prisoners secretly hidden away, if Teacher knew, he wouldn't just brush it off with a single light reprimand.

That remark was probably about Kanda Kyoichi.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Danzo turned to go.

At the door, Orochimaru's voice came through.

"I'd advise you not to get any ideas about him anytime soon. Be careful—Old Man might come for you. He's not senile yet, and he definitely won't bear the cost of you touching the Senju."