News of the Chunin Exam

Behind the mountain, by a river, Jiogan and the other had finished their grilled fish and were lying on the grass talking.

"Jiogan, in half a year the village will hold a Chunin Exam. If you pass, you'll be promoted to Chunin, with better benefits and access to higher-level missions," Might Duy said.

"Oh? A Chunin Exam in half a year? This is the first I've heard of it," Jiogan said.

"Right now, the Chunin Exam isn't held on a fixed schedule. It's mainly based on mission performance—the Mission Hall staff compile the data and submit it to Lord Hokage. He roughly determines the number of participants based on how many C-rank missions Genin have completed and their performance on B-rank missions, then sets the exam date!" Might Duy said.

This was quite different from the Anime Timeline. In that timeline, the Chunin Exam had a fixed schedule, and participants were recommended by their Team Leaders.

In this era, the Chunin Exam was self-registered by Genin, with no requirement to form a three-person squad. The test involved evading capture by Chunin pursuit teams in the Forest of Death for three days.

Those who passed that round would be arranged for a Sparring Match with experienced Chunin. If their performance met the standard, they'd pass the Chunin Exam and become a Chunin.

After learning the current Chunin Exam content from Might Duy, Jiogan felt it was tougher than in the Anime Timeline, but not difficult for him.

For Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru, passing the first round wouldn't be hard, but the second round's outcome was uncertain. Still, with half a year until the exam, their strength could still improve. It seemed that in upcoming missions, he'd need to give Feiyun and Yoru more chances to shine, while he backed them up!

"Brother Duy, have you decided to take this Chunin Exam?" Jiogan said.

"Yeah, it's time to show an even more blazing Youth! The other two on my team have also decided to sign up. Jiogan, with your strength now, are you considering taking this exam?" Might Duy said.

"I do have that intention. My teammates are still a bit lacking, but with half a year left, I and the teacher will focus on training them in future missions. They still have time to grow. I'll see how they progress—I'll advance or fall back with my squad!" Jiogan said.

For Jiogan, ninja rank titles didn't matter, nor did political power. What he wanted was to strengthen himself, develop Water Release Ninjutsu surpassing the Second Hokage, and protect everything he cherished.

This was Jiogan's own ninja way!

"With half a year left, I've met your teammates. They're from Ninja Clans, so with mission experience and family help, they should be fine!" Might Duy said.

"Yeah, I believe they can make it to this Chunin Exam. Brother Duy, we can cooperate in the first round!" Jiogan said.

"Haha, no problem! With you there, our chances of passing the first round are much higher. As for the second round, that depends on individual strength!" Might Duy laughed.

After that, they exchanged experiences from their recent missions.

"Brother Duy, your mission is a Border Patrol on the Western Front. How's the situation there?" Jiogan said.

"The Western Front borders the Land of Rain, Land of Rivers, and Land of Grass. It's pretty chaotic—those small countries have been infiltrated by the great powers like sieves, with constant small-scale conflicts. But the border we patrol is relatively calm; the fighting mostly stays within the small countries," Might Duy said.

"Sigh, the great powers fight for profit, and the small countries suffer. They struggle to survive in the cracks," Jiogan sighed.

He knew that almost every Ninja World War's battlefield was in small countries. The northwestern line of the Land of Fire, sandwiched between three great powers and several small ones, was always a wartime battlefield and buffer zone.

Might Duy also sighed. Politics wasn't his thing—he just followed orders.

"Jiogan, how's the patrol situation on the Eastern Front?" Might Duy asked.

Jiogan then shared his experiences from the past two months on the east coast.

Time flew by. They talked until nearly dusk before parting ways and heading home.

Talking with Might Duy made Jiogan feel extremely relaxed. The mission pressure and hidden anxiety in his heart completely dissipated, leaving him feeling light and at ease.

"So missions and growth have been unknowingly affecting my mindset. This invisible influence is the biggest hidden danger!" Jiogan thought. Many powerful figures in the anime had twisted psyches—like the Akatsuki Organization members, all strong but troubled ninja!

He didn't want to become like them!

He went home and slept soundly. The next day, after delivering orders from his family's Fruit Shop, he invited Kurama Feiyun to go shopping and gave her a bouquet of flowers, making little Feiyun blush bright red.

Worth mentioning: the conch shell necklace he'd given his mother Mieko, he'd also given one to Kurama Feiyun, but that was during a break in the Patrol Mission.

It wasn't that he only remembered his mother and forgot his girl!

They strolled until midnight. Under the moonlight, Jiogan couldn't resist kissing Kurama Feiyun. After holding each other for a long time, he finally saw her home.

At the entrance of the Kurama Clan Compound, Jiogan saw his teacher Kurama Heiji's dark face. Guilty as charged, he hurriedly greeted him and fled!

Time passed quickly. Three days flew by, and Team 11 gathered again at Training Ground 4.

"You all look in good shape. Seems the three days of rest did you well. The reason I called you to the training ground is to assess your progress during this period!" Kurama Heiji got straight to the point.

"But this time, it's not three against one—it's one-on-one, to evaluate each of your individual improvements!" Kurama Heiji added.

Hearing this, Jiogan raised an eyebrow and immediately understood: the purpose of this assessment was to test how far their strength was from Chunin level.

No wonder Kurama Heiji had said three days ago that they'd test their strength before deciding on the next mission arrangements.

It seemed Kurama Heiji had known about the Chunin Exam in half a year for a while.

"Who wants to go first?" Kurama Heiji said.

Jiogan, Kurama Feiyun, and Inuzuka Yoru exchanged glances. "I'll go first!" Inuzuka Yoru said. Ranmaru on his head barked twice, signaling they'd take the lead.

Thus, the long-awaited Team 11 Sparring Match began again!

That guy Inuzuka Yoru had improved through recent mission experience, especially in tracking and sensing—his range had reached one kilometer, making him a qualified Sensor Ninja. Most importantly, his impulsive, hot-tempered nature was now well-controlled.

So Jiogan had some expectations for Inuzuka Yoru's performance!