Battle Against the Strongest Genin, Maruboshi Kosuke!

A month passed quickly, and the day for Chunin Exam registration arrived. Jiogan and his two teammates submitted their applications through their Team Leader, Kurama Heiji, which were approved. Now all they had to do was wait for the exam to begin!

The trio's special training became even more intense, especially for Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun. Jiogan specifically sparred with both of them, and they had improved significantly. Kurama Feiyun, in particular, had already reached a level of genjutsu proficiency comparable to Kurama Heiji's.

Meanwhile, Jiogan had nearly finished developing the Water Needle Technique. Its power couldn't match the Water Gun's, only reaching the level of ordinary shuriken and kunai, but its chakra consumption was minimal.

The biggest advantage was saving the cost of buying kunai and shuriken. As essential ninja tools, those were a major expense!

So developing the Water Needle Technique enriched Jiogan's ninjutsu arsenal while conserving resources. As for the small amount of chakra it consumed, Jiogan had long stopped worrying about chakra expenditure.

Moreover, the Water Needle Technique had a unique trait: water needles fired directly from Jiogan's mouth had greater power and penetration than those condensed from thin air. Jiogan theorized this might be related to the direct application of his breath when performing Water Release ninjutsu.

Similarly, the Water Gun was the same—spit directly from the mouth was forty percent more powerful than condensed from the air.

Based on Jiogan's assessment, if he ever learned the Water Severing Wave, its cutting power would also be enhanced!

With twenty-five days remaining, Might Duy completed his final mission before the Chunin Exam and began his pre-exam training.

Members of Patrol Squad 36, Anima and Okamura Taro, who had previously gone on patrol missions with Jiogan, also signed up for the Chunin Exam and returned to the village for special training.

Jiogan suddenly became very busy. Everyone knew his strength and that passing the Chunin Exam was a foregone conclusion, so they all contacted him, wanting to spar and identify their weaknesses.

Being used as a training partner, Jiogan didn't refuse. For him now, being able to help his close comrades was his greatest joy!

It also saved him from the boredom of training alone.

So Jiogan settled into a fulfilling routine: sparring with one person each morning, training Water Release in the afternoon, and practicing Tai Chi in the evening.

"Too bad, these spars don't help me improve much. If only Maruboshi Kosuke could let go of his hang-ups... Huh? Wait! If he won't come to me, I can go to him!" Jiogan suddenly realized.

No sooner said than done. With fifteen days left until the Chunin Exam, Jiogan finally caught Maruboshi Kosuke returning to the village after completing a mission.

Maruboshi Kosuke was a bit surprised to see Jiogan seeking him out, but he readily agreed to Jiogan's request for a sparring session.

After having lunch together, they headed to the Fourth Training Ground.

"Senior Kosuke, I know you're skilled in Water Release, and you know I am too. I'd really appreciate your guidance. Please don't hold back!" Jiogan said humbly at the Fourth Training Ground.

"No problem. I'm just a genin. It's my honor to be able to help you!" Maruboshi Kosuke replied.

"Senior Kosuke is too modest. I can tell your strength is far beyond genin level!" Jiogan said.

Neither of them stood on ceremony any longer. After forming the Opposing Seal, they quickly assumed their stances!

Jiogan struck first, using the Water Needle Technique. Over a dozen water needles condensed in front of him and shot toward Maruboshi Kosuke.

Maruboshi Kosuke dodged repeatedly, drew his combat blade, and slashed several needles apart, commenting, "The needles have decent power, reaching the level of ordinary shuriken!"

Jiogan hadn't expected the Water Needle Technique to affect Maruboshi Kosuke, so he unleashed the more powerful Water Gun, spitting out three deep blue water balls in succession!

Seeing the color of the Water Gun shots, Maruboshi Kosuke knew they were formidable. He decisively used the Water Wall, which, enhanced by the nearby river, was quite sturdy.

Even so, the three Water Gun blasts shattered it into spray!

This exchange made Maruboshi Kosuke take notice. He had clearly underestimated Jiogan's proficiency in Water Release.

"Jiogan, your Water Release is impressive. You have good talent, and you've clearly trained hard!" Maruboshi Kosuke praised.

"But you attacked first. Now it's my turn!" With that, Maruboshi Kosuke performed the four-hand-sign Water Release technique personally taught by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju: the Water Dragon Bullet!

This was the first time Jiogan had seen this iconic Water Release technique in this life. A water dragon, one and a half meters thick, rose from the river! It looked lifelike, spun in the air, and charged at Jiogan!

Jiogan didn't dare be careless. This was a famous Water Release technique, far more powerful than the Water Gun. He immediately activated his strongest Water Wall!

A spinning water tornado appeared around Jiogan, carrying considerable force. The water dragon slammed into the spinning water tornado, and Jiogan immediately felt immense pressure. He continuously consumed chakra to maintain the vortex, and after nearly ten seconds, he finally wore down the Water Dragon Bullet!

This was the first time since mastering his upgraded Water Wall that Jiogan had faced such pressure on the defensive end.

Maruboshi Kosuke was stunned when he saw Jiogan's spinning water tornado Water Wall. This was the first time he had seen such a level of Water Wall from anyone other than the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.

This meant Jiogan's mastery of Water Release exceeded his previous expectations and was not inferior to Lord Second Hokage Tobirama Senju!

As a true inheritor of the Will of Fire and an unofficial disciple of the Second Hokage, Maruboshi Kosuke made a decision. He wanted to see just how much more Jiogan could surprise him!

Without giving Jiogan a chance to catch his breath, Maruboshi Kosuke charged in with his blade. Jiogan drew a kunai, and they exchanged over a dozen rounds of taijutsu. Maruboshi Kosuke's swordsmanship was indeed exceptional—Jiogan had never faced a better sword-wielding ninja.

Jiogan stayed alert, knowing one of Maruboshi Kosuke's signature moves: Konoha Style Illusory Sword Technique: Willow!

Sure enough, Maruboshi Kosuke created some distance and used Willow! Jiogan saw willow leaves drifting in the wind before him, and the next moment, a blade slashed across his chest!

With a splash! Jiogan's figure dissolved into water! Clearly, the one struck was a Water Clone!

"When did he switch to a Water Clone?!" Maruboshi Kosuke exclaimed in surprise. "I see... it was when the Water Dragon Bullet was being worn down. The spray blocked my view, and I didn't see Jiogan's figure. He swapped then, didn't he? This kid has great battle awareness! He's a promising talent!"

"So that's the legendary Konoha Style Illusory Sword Technique: Willow! Truly lives up to its reputation—a very dangerous sword art!" Jiogan praised. "But be careful, Senior. I'm going to counterattack!"

With that, he formed hand seals, and five water palms appeared around Maruboshi Kosuke, attacking him!

"Is this the Water Palm Prison Technique that can restrain a person? What a clever idea!" Maruboshi Kosuke had written mission reports with Jiogan before and knew about this technique.

Maruboshi Kosuke remained calm and used the Water Dragon Bullet again. This time, not for attack, but to control the water dragon to coil around him, intercepting all the water palms!

The water dragon was unharmed, as the current Water Palm Prison Technique focused on restraint and lacked power, far inferior to the Water Gun.

So the water dragon blocked all the palms and surged toward Jiogan. Caught off guard by Maruboshi Kosuke's unconventional counter, Jiogan couldn't form the Water Wall in time!

The water vortex had just begun to form when it was shattered by the Water Dragon Bullet. Jiogan's body took the hit, and he was sent flying backward into the river!

Thus, the battle between these Water Release ninjas ended with Jiogan's defeat!