For the Chunin Exam, Forward!

As Jiogan-kun dispelled the Water Palm Prison Technique, the water prison trapping Kurama Heiji shattered. Kurama Heiji was soaked through, kneeling on one hand and gasping for air—the prison had not only sealed his chakra but also prevented him from breathing.

Kurama Feiyun quickly rushed over to support her father. Kurama Heiji wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into; he had lost face completely!

Jiogan-kun walked over and clasped his hands together again. The water stains on Kurama Heiji's body were instantly drawn out and fell to the ground, leaving him dry once more.

Aside from Kurama Feiyun, who had seen Jiogan-kun use this technique before, the others stared as if they had seen a ghost.

Kurama Heiji "...!!!"

Inuzuka Yoru "...!!!"

Ranmaru "...!!!"

After a long pause, Kurama Heiji sighed. "Sigh, Jiogan-kun, your growth has shocked me! You are the most talented ninja I have ever seen. In my opinion, you are no less than any past Lord Hokage!"

Though he had lost considerable face today, Kurama Heiji still praised him, genuine admiration in his heart.

"Teacher, you weren't using your full strength. I only won today because you underestimated my abilities and lacked intel, catching you off guard. If we fought again, I wouldn't be your match," Jiogan-kun said.

"Before this, I thought I had already overestimated you, but I didn't expect to still underestimate you. As for being caught off guard, that's exactly what I meant—it comes from your outstanding ninja talent!" Kurama Heiji said.

"From the start of our battle, I fell into your trap. Your opening Water Release: Water Gun forced me to move toward the river, setting up your Water Wave!"

"The Water Wave destroyed the surrounding terrain, covering the area with puddles and water pits, making it easy for you to unleash the Water Palm Prison. I never imagined you could use the Water Palm Prison Technique to such a degree—directly activating it from every puddle and water pit around!"

"I had no choice but to use an Explosive Tag, but I didn't expect you to have already anticipated that step! You used a Water Clone to engage me in close combat, trying to entangle me. By the time I realized it, it was too late. At such close range, the Water Clone turned into water palms, and I had no way to dodge. I could only be trapped in the water prison and surrender!" Kurama Heiji sighed.

"Jiogan-kun, though you've only graduated a few months ago and lack combat experience, the ninja talent you displayed in this battle is something many ninja could never achieve in a lifetime. That's why I say your ninja talent is the best I've ever seen!" Kurama Heiji said.

Listening to Kurama Heiji's breakdown of the battle, Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru were even more astonished. They hadn't realized Jiogan-kun had planned everything from the very beginning. If he were an enemy, that would be terrifying!

Even Ranmaru whimpered in fear and moved a little farther from Jiogan-kun.

"Hehe, hehe, it's not as impressive as you say, Teacher." Faced with his teacher's praise, Jiogan-kun could only respond with his signature silly grin.

Jiogan-kun didn't mention that if the Water Clone hadn't worked, he had other contingency plans.

The two performed the Seal of Reconciliation, and everyone rested on a large rock by the riverbank.

"This spar was to assess your strength for the Chunin Exam six months from now!" Kurama Heiji said.

"From this single assessment, only Jiogan-kun has the absolute strength to pass the Chunin Exam. Feiyun and Yoru, you two still fall short."

"So, for the next six months, the missions Team 11 takes on will focus on you two, Feiyun and Yoru. I hope you can grow quickly."

"Registration for the Chunin Exam will open one month before the exam, whether as individuals or teams. If your strength doesn't satisfy me by then, I won't let you register. That would mean only Jiogan-kun can take the Chunin Exam!" Kurama Heiji said.

After hearing Kurama Heiji's words, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun both clenched their fists, their expressions uneasy as they glanced at Jiogan-kun. They knew that once Jiogan-kun passed the Chunin Exam, he wouldn't return to Team 11. A Chunin had the right to take on higher-level missions alone or form their own team, which would mean the disbandment of Team 11!

Seeing the looks on Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru's faces, Jiogan-kun understood exactly what they were thinking. He said, "Teacher, I won't register for the Chunin Exam alone! Our Team 11 will pass the Chunin Exam together! If not this time, then next time!"

Kurama Heiji was somewhat surprised by Jiogan-kun's words, but not entirely. He nodded and said, "Feiyun, Yoru, you heard him. With Jiogan-kun's strength, he's willing to wait for you two. But do you really want to make him wait?!"

"No, Jiogan-kun, don't get cocky! I'll definitely take the Chunin Exam in six months, and I won't hold you back!" Inuzuka Yoru jumped up and said.

The words fit Inuzuka Yoru's character perfectly.

"Jiogan-kun, me too. In six months, I'll meet Father's requirements, and we'll take the Chunin Exam together!" Kurama Feiyun also said.

Jiogan-kun jumped off the giant rock, walked toward the riverbank, then turned around, raised his fist, and said to everyone, "Alright! For the next six months, toward the goal of the Chunin Exam, let's move forward!"

Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru also raised their fists and responded, "For the Chunin Exam, forward!"

Ranmaru: "Woof! Woof!"

With their pact made, everyone went to a yakiniku restaurant for grilled meat, then disbanded and returned home, ready for the new missions the next day.

To guide Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru in real combat, Team 11 stopped taking patrol missions for the next four months, instead consistently choosing escort and bandit-suppression missions.

Mission completion was primarily handled by Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru, with Kurama Heiji personally guiding them. Jiogan-kun barely intervened, using this time to further refine his Water Release Ninjutsu.

He had initially mastered Water Transformation of all things, of course, with the guidance and assistance of Qi. For Jiogan-kun, the importance of chakra had long been eclipsed by Qi.

Under the influence of Qi, Jiogan-kun had initially achieved the ability to transition water between states like barriers, water bullets, water palms, and Water Clones, and even developed a Water Needle attack technique. However, its power didn't yet reach the level of kunai or shuriken and needed further improvement.

For Jiogan-kun, as long as he could create a water environment, he dared to spar with ninja at the Jonin level!

After completing 15 C-rank missions and 10 B-rank missions over four months, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun had also grown noticeably.

With two months left until the Chunin Exam, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun passed Kurama Heiji's assessment. Inuzuka Yoru said his clan would give him special training before the exam, and Kurama Feiyun also needed to undergo targeted genjutsu training under her family's arrangements. So, for the next two months, Team 11 stopped taking missions and entered full training mode. Jiogan-kun trained almost daily at the training ground and the back mountain.

The development of his Water Release Ninjutsu was progressing smoothly!