A month passed quickly, and the day to register for the Chunin Exam arrived. Jiogan and the other two submitted their applications through their team instructor, Kurama Heiji. Their applications were approved, and all that remained was to wait for the exam to begin!
The trio's special training grew even more intense, especially for Inuzuka Yoru and Kurama Feiyun. Jiogan specifically sparred with both of them, and they improved greatly. Kurama Feiyun in particular had brought her Genjutsu close to Kurama Heiji's level.
Jiogan had also nearly completed the development of the Water Needle Technique. Its power could not compare to the Water Release: Water Gun, reaching only the level of ordinary shuriken and Kunai, but it consumed little Chakra.
Most importantly, it saved him the expense of buying Kunai and shuriken. As standard ninja tools, Kunai and shuriken made up a major portion of a ninja's expenses!
Thus, developing the Water Needle Technique enriched Jiogan's Ninjutsu arsenal while conserving resources. As for that tiny bit of Chakra consumption, Jiogan had long since stopped caring about it!
Moreover, the Water Needle Technique had a special trait. The Water Needles Jiogan spat from his mouth were stronger and more penetrating than Water Needles condensed out of thin air. Jiogan guessed it might be related to the direct effect of his breath when using Water Release Ninjutsu.
The Water Release: Water Gun was the same. Firing it directly from his mouth made it forty percent more powerful than condensing it from thin air.
According to Jiogan's judgment, if he learned Water Release: Water Severing Wave in the future, its cutting power would also be greater!
With twenty-five days remaining, Might Duy completed his final mission before the Chunin Exam and began training in preparation for it.
Anima and Okamura Taro, members of Patrol Squad 36 who had previously carried out a Patrol Mission with Jiogan's group, had also registered for the Chunin Exam. They had already returned to the village for special pre-exam training.
Jiogan suddenly became busy. Everyone knew how strong he was, and that passing the Chunin Exam would be no challenge for him, so they all contacted him, hoping to spar and make up for their weaknesses.
Jiogan did not refuse being treated as a sparring tool. For the current Jiogan, being able to help his close companions was his greatest joy!
It also meant he would not have to train alone in boredom.
Thus, Jiogan began living a fulfilling life: sparring with one person every morning, cultivating Water Release in the afternoon, and practicing Tai Chi at night.
"Sadly, sparring with them does little to improve me. If only Maruboshi Kosuke could let go of his Heart Knot... Hm? That's not right! If he won't come looking for me, I can go find him!" Jiogan suddenly realized.
He acted immediately. With fifteen days left before the Chunin Exam, Jiogan finally caught Maruboshi Kosuke as he returned to the village after completing a mission.
Maruboshi Kosuke was somewhat surprised to see Jiogan seek him out, but he readily agreed to Jiogan's request for sparring guidance.
After having lunch together, the two headed to the Fourth Training Ground.
"Senior Kosuke, I know you excel at Water Release, and you know that I do as well. That is why I especially wanted to receive your guidance. I hope you will not hesitate to teach me," Jiogan said humbly at the Fourth Training Ground.
"No problem. I'm only a Genin. It would be my honor if I can help you," Maruboshi Kosuke said.
"You're too modest, Senior. I can tell that your strength is definitely beyond the Genin level," Jiogan said.
Neither side stood on ceremony any longer. After forming the Opposing Seal, they swiftly assumed their stances!
Jiogan made the first move, unleashing the Water Release: Water Needle Technique. More than ten Water Needles instantly condensed before him and shot toward Maruboshi Kosuke.
Maruboshi Kosuke dodged repeatedly, drawing his combat blade and cutting apart several Water Needles. He commented, "These Water Needles are quite powerful. They can match ordinary shuriken!"
Jiogan had not expected the Water Needle Technique to work against Maruboshi Kosuke, so he used the more powerful Water Release: Water Gun, firing three deep-blue Water Balls in succession!
The moment Maruboshi Kosuke saw the color of the Water Release: Water Guns, he knew the three attacks were anything but ordinary. He decisively used Water Release: Water Wall. With the river nearby, the Water Wall was exceptionally sturdy.
Even so, the three Water Release: Water Guns blasted it into sprays of water!
That exchange made Maruboshi Kosuke look at Jiogan in a new light. He had clearly underestimated Jiogan's attainments in Water Release.
"Jiogan, your Water Release is quite powerful. You clearly have great talent, and you must train very diligently as well!" Maruboshi Kosuke praised.
"However, you were the one attacking earlier. Next, it's my turn!" With that, Maruboshi Kosuke unleashed the four-seal Water Release Ninjutsu personally taught by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju—Water Dragon Bullet!
This was Jiogan's first time in this life seeing this Water Release Ninjutsu, one that ran throughout the entire history of the Hokage. A water dragon five feet thick rose from the river, lifelike as it spun through the air before flying toward Jiogan!
Jiogan did not dare be careless. This was a famous Water Release Ninjutsu, far more powerful than the Water Release: Water Gun. He immediately unleashed his strongest Water Wall!
A rotating Water Tornado formed around Jiogan, carrying considerable force as well. When the water dragon crashed into the spinning Water Tornado, Jiogan immediately felt immense pressure. He continuously expended Chakra to maintain the spinning Water Tornado, and only after nearly ten seconds did he finally grind the Water Dragon Bullet away completely!
Since mastering the upgraded Water Wall, this was the first time Jiogan had faced such enormous pressure on the defensive end!
When Maruboshi Kosuke saw Jiogan use a Water Wall in the form of a rotating Water Tornado, shock appeared on his face. This was the first time he had seen a Water Wall of this level from anyone other than the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.
In other words, Jiogan's attainments in Water Release exceeded even Maruboshi Kosuke's previous expectations. They were no less than those of Lord Second Hokage Tobirama Senju!
As a true inheritor of the Will of Fire and a registered disciple of the Second Hokage, Maruboshi Kosuke made a decision. He wanted to see just how many more surprises this kid Jiogan could bring him!
So, before Jiogan could even catch his breath, Maruboshi Kosuke raised his blade and attacked. Jiogan drew a Kunai, and the two exchanged more than ten rounds of Taijutsu. Maruboshi Kosuke's swordsmanship was indeed formidable; Jiogan had never encountered a sword-wielding ninja more skilled than him.
Jiogan did not dare relax, because he knew that one of Maruboshi Kosuke's trump cards was Konoha-style Illusion Sword Technique: Willow!
Sure enough, Maruboshi Kosuke pulled back a short distance and unleashed Willow! Willow leaves drifted in the wind before Jiogan's eyes, and in the next instant, a blade slashed open his chest!
Splash! Jiogan's figure dissolved into a puddle of water. The one struck had clearly been a Water Clone!
"When did you switch to a Water Clone?!" Maruboshi Kosuke said in surprise. "I understand now. It was when the Water Dragon Bullet was completely worn away. The splashing water blocked my view, and I couldn't see Jiogan's figure. Was that when he switched with the Water Clone?! This kid has good combat awareness! He's promising!"
"So this is the legendary Konoha-style Illusion Sword Technique: Willow! It truly lives up to its reputation—an extremely dangerous sword technique!" Jiogan exclaimed. "But be careful, Senior. I'm about to counterattack!"
With that, he formed hand seals. Five Water Palms appeared around Maruboshi Kosuke and attacked him!
"Is this the Water Palm Prison Technique that can restrain people? What an excellent idea!" Maruboshi Kosuke had learned of Jiogan's technique when they wrote the mission report after carrying out a mission together.
Maruboshi Kosuke showed no panic at all. He used Water Dragon Bullet Technique again, but this time not to attack. Instead, he controlled the water dragon to coil around his body, and all the Water Palms struck the dragon!
The water dragon was completely unharmed. At this stage, the Water Palm Prison Technique primarily focused on restraining enemies, and its power was far inferior to the Water Release: Water Gun.
Thus, the water dragon blocked every Water Palm and seized the chance to charge at Jiogan. Jiogan had never expected Maruboshi Kosuke to counter the Water Palm Prison Technique in this way, and by the time he brought his hands together to use Water Wall, it was already too late!
A water vortex had only just appeared when the Water Dragon Bullet shattered it before it could display its might. Jiogan was struck and sent flying backward, falling into the river!
Thus, this battle between Water Release ninja ended with Jiogan's defeat!
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