For the Chunin Exam, Forward!

As Jiogan released the Water Palm Prison Technique, the Water Prison trapping Kurama Heiji shattered. Soaked from head to toe, Kurama Heiji dropped to one knee and gasped for breath. That Water Prison had not only sealed his Chakra, but also prevented him from breathing.

Kurama Feiyun hurried over to support her father. Kurama Heiji wished he could crawl into a hole in the ground. This was utterly humiliating!

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

Aside from Kurama Feiyun, who had seen Jiogan use this method before, the others looked as though they had seen a ghost.

Kurama Heiji: "...!!!"

Inuzuka Yoru: "...!!!"

Ranmaru: "...!!!"

After a long while, Kurama Heiji let out a sigh. "Jiogan, your growth has shocked me beyond words! Of everyone I've met, you possess the greatest talent as a ninja. In my view, you are no less talented than any of the previous Lord Hokage!"

Although he had lost a great deal of face today, Kurama Heiji still praised him sincerely. He greatly admired Jiogan.

"Teacher, you did not use your full strength. I only won today because you underestimated my strength and lacked information about me, so I caught you off guard. If we fought again, I would not be your match," Jiogan said.

"Before this, I believed I had already rated you highly enough. Yet I still underestimated you. As for catching me off guard, that is precisely what I meant when I spoke of your outstanding talent as a ninja!" Kurama Heiji said.

"From the moment our battle began, I had already fallen into your scheme. Your opening Water Release: Water Gun forced me toward the river so you could unleash Water Wave!"

"Water Wave destroyed the surrounding terrain and covered the area in pools and puddles, making it easier for you to use the Water Palm Prison Technique. What I never expected was that your Water Palm Prison Technique could be used to such an extent! You could cast it directly from puddles in every direction!"

"I had no choice but to use an Explosive Tag, but I never expected that you had already anticipated that move! You used a Water Clone to engage me in close combat, intending to entangle me. By the time I realized it, it was too late. At such close range, the Water Clone turned into a Water Palm, and I had nowhere to evade. I could only be trapped inside the Water Prison and surrender helplessly!" Kurama Heiji sighed.

"Jiogan, although you have only been out of the academy for a few months and lack much combat experience, the talent you displayed in this battle is something many ninjas could never achieve in their entire lives. That is why I say your talent as a ninja is the best I have ever seen!" Kurama Heiji said.

Listening to Kurama Heiji break down the battle, Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru were even more astonished. They had never expected Jiogan to have planned everything from the very beginning. If he were an enemy, he would be terrifying!

Even Ranmaru whimpered twice in fear and edged farther away from Jiogan.

"Heh heh, heh heh, I'm not as amazing as you say, Teacher." Faced with his teacher's praise, Jiogan could only respond with his signature foolish grin.

Jiogan did not mention that if the Water Clone had failed as well, he still had other backup plans.

After forming the Seal of Reconciliation, everyone sat on a large rock by the river to rest.

"This sparring match was because of the Chunin Exam half a year from now. I needed to assess your strengths!" Kurama Heiji said.

"After this assessment, only Jiogan possesses the absolute strength to pass the Chunin Exam. Feiyun and Yoru, you two are still lacking."

"Therefore, over the next half year, the missions Team 11 accepts will focus mainly on the two of you, Feiyun and Yoru. I hope you can grow quickly."

"Registration for the Chunin Exam will begin one month before the exam. Whether individually or as a team, either is allowed. If your strength does not satisfy me by then, I will not let you register. In that case, only Jiogan will be able to take the Chunin Exam!" Kurama Heiji said.

After hearing Kurama Heiji's words, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun both clenched their fists and looked awkwardly at Jiogan. They both knew that once Jiogan passed the Chunin Exam, he would no longer return to Team 11. Chunin were qualified to carry out higher-ranking missions alone or form their own teams. That would mean the disbandment of Team 11!

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

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

"No, Jiogan, don't get all full of yourself! I'll definitely enter the Chunin Exam half a year from now. I won't drag you down!" Inuzuka Yoru jumped up and said.

Those words were exactly like Inuzuka Yoru.

"Jiogan-kun, me too. In half a year, I will meet Father's requirements. We will take the Chunin Exam together!" Kurama Feiyun said as well.

Jiogan jumped down from the boulder, walked toward the riverbank, then turned around and raised his fist at everyone. "Good! For the next half year, for the goal of the Chunin Exam! Let's move forward!"

Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru also raised their fists in response. "For the Chunin Exam! Forward!"

Ranmaru: "Woof woof! Woof woof!"

After making their agreement, everyone went to a yakiniku restaurant for grilled meat. Then they went their separate ways and returned home, preparing for the brand-new missions of the next day.

To guide Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru in actual combat, Team 11 did not accept any Patrol Missions over the next four months. Instead, they continually chose escort and bandit-suppression missions.

The missions were mainly completed by Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru, with Kurama Heiji personally guiding them. Jiogan rarely made a move. Instead, he took the opportunity to further refine his Water Release Ninjutsu.

He had initially mastered Water Transformation of All Things. Of course, this was accomplished with Qi's guidance and assistance. To Jiogan, Chakra was no longer nearly as important as Qi.

Through Qi's Effect, Jiogan had initially achieved the ability to transform water between forms such as barriers, water bullets, Water Palms, and Water Clones. He had even developed the offensive Ninjutsu Water Needle, though its power had yet to reach the level of kunai or shuriken and needed further improvement.

For Jiogan, as long as he could create an environment with water, he dared to exchange blows with a Jonin-level ninja!

After completing fifteen C-rank Missions and ten B-rank Missions over four months, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun had also grown noticeably.

With two months remaining until the Chunin Exam, Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun passed Kurama Heiji's evaluation. Inuzuka Yoru said his clan would give him special training before the Chunin Exam, while Kurama Feiyun also needed targeted Genjutsu training arranged by her clan. Thus, Team 11 would not accept any more missions for the next two months and entered a full-team special training period. Jiogan, meanwhile, trained almost every day at the training ground and the back mountain.

The development of his Water Release Ninjutsu was progressing smoothly!