Chunin Exam Opens!

After the battle, Jiogan grilled fish by the river while Maruboshi Kosuke set up a pot nearby and made soup. The two divided their work clearly, cooperated seamlessly, and enjoyed a hearty lunch together!

"Senior Kosuke, with strength like yours, why are you still only a Genin?" Jiogan had watched the anime and knew about Maruboshi Kosuke's story, but for now, he had to pretend he didn't.

During this period, only the direct disciples and guard members of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju knew about Maruboshi Kosuke's past—not even the Sannin were aware.

Just like in the anime, Maruboshi Kosuke told Jiogan his life story without holding anything back, almost exactly the same as when Jiogan had watched it in his previous life.

"Senior Kosuke, you're incredible! I deeply respect your way of thinking! Actually, my thoughts are pretty similar to yours. If Yoru and Feiyun lost their lives because of my mistake, I would never forgive myself either!" Jiogan said, the atmosphere growing heavy.

"Jiogan, I can tell you're someone who values bonds deeply. Through those two months of missions, I could feel how strong your connection with your teammates is. You're mature—far more mature than I was back then!" Maruboshi Kosuke said.

"With great strength, a sharp mind, and strong bonds... Jiogan, honestly, I envy you!" Maruboshi Kosuke gazed into the distance, his voice thick with emotion.

Jiogan watched Maruboshi Kosuke's expression and didn't know how to comfort him for a moment. After a brief silence, it was Maruboshi Kosuke who spoke first.

"From our fight just now, honestly, your Water Release talent far surpasses mine. At your age, I was nowhere near your level. If we fought at the same age, you wouldn't last more than a few moves against me. Your talent can rival the Second Hokage's!" Jiogan said.

"You flatter me, Senior. The Second Hokage has always been the ninja I admire most. Comparing myself to him, I feel ashamed." Jiogan said modestly.

"Your combat awareness and tactical imagination are both excellent. And you've developed practical techniques like the Water Needle Technique and Water Palm Prison Technique. Losing to me this time was because you lack combat experience!" Maruboshi Kosuke said.

"But once you're promoted to Chunin, you'll have plenty of chances to face stronger opponents and gain experience. Only through life-and-death trials can true gold be forged!" Maruboshi Kosuke said.

"Powerful ninjas all emerge from mountains of corpses and seas of blood!"

As a university student from Blue Star, Jiogan hadn't experienced large-scale battles in this life. The mountains of corpses and seas of blood only appeared in his dreams. In reality, Jiogan subconsciously wanted to avoid them.

That was why Jiogan hadn't developed the Water Coffin Technique but instead created the Water Palm Prison.

The impact of mountains of corpses and seas of blood was simply too overwhelming!

"You could actually change your approach to the Water Palm Prison Technique and turn it into a powerful offensive jutsu. That way, if you encountered a situation like earlier, you could use the immense force of the water palm to tear apart the Water Dragon Bullet! Then I wouldn't have been able to continue attacking you with the water dragon, and the outcome would have been different!" Maruboshi Kosuke advised.

Maruboshi Kosuke's advice aligned with what Jiogan had been thinking, but Jiogan couldn't yet break through that psychological barrier. The scene from his dream—that sea of blood—made Jiogan frown.

Maruboshi Kosuke saw Jiogan's expression and understood he had his own thoughts. Developing and improving jutsu was extremely difficult anyway, so there was no rush!

"Senior Kosuke, what are your plans next? Anima and Okamura Taro have both signed up for the Chunin Exam. Are you still not participating?" Jiogan asked.

"No, I'll keep my promise. I'll remain a Genin for life!" Maruboshi Kosuke said without hesitation.

"Maybe someday I'll have the chance to work under you as your subordinate on a mission!"

Jiogan said, "In my eyes, you'll always be my senior. I don't care about ninja titles or ranks. We're comrades—comrades who would give their lives for each other!"

Maruboshi Kosuke showed an approving expression after hearing that. After a moment of thought, he said, "With your current strength, passing the Chunin Exam is more than enough. You still have half a month. I suggest you increase your rest time and clear your mind. It might actually benefit you more!"

"Mm, Senior Kosuke, I'll seriously consider your advice!" Jiogan said.

"Tomorrow, I'm heading out on my next patrol mission. This one will probably take about two months as well. But when I get back, I'll give you a big gift to celebrate your promotion!" Maruboshi Kosuke said.

"You're too kind, Senior. I'm looking forward to that big gift!" Jiogan said.

The two chatted for a while longer before parting ways and heading home.

Over the next half month, Jiogan took Maruboshi Kosuke's advice. Aside from sparring with Anima and the others, he spent the rest of his time resting and helping out at his family's fruit shop. His mindset was extremely relaxed, and his condition was better than ever!

Indeed, balancing work and rest—the ancients of Blue Star weren't wrong!

Finally, the day of the Chunin Exam assembly arrived.

Forty-eight people signed up for this Chunin Exam. Jiogan knew quite a few of them. Besides Team 11, Might Duy, Anima, and Okamura Taro, there were also some of his former classmates from the Ninja Academy: Dōton Akimichi, Nawa Uchiha, and others.

Dōton Akimichi was fine—his relationship with Jiogan and the others was neither close nor distant, just passable. But Nawa Uchiha had a poor relationship with Team 11. Back in school, they didn't get along and had several conflicts. Nawa Uchiha always looked down his nose at people, arrogant and overbearing.

Another thing worth mentioning was that Might Duy's teammates were two of his civilian classmates from the same year, Tōji and Kusama. They weren't from his original squad. His squad members had been injured on a previous mission and couldn't participate, so Might Duy had to form a new team!

The current Chunin Exam didn't have a written test. It only had two stages: the Forest of Death survival challenge and the Chunin tournament. Only Genin who passed the Forest of Death survival challenge were eligible for the tournament.

The chief examiner for this Chunin Exam was the Third Hokage's disciple, Jonin Orochimaru.

Orochimaru at this time was a cool, handsome, sharp-looking guy—nothing like the twisted, creepy villain from the anime.

This was also Jiogan's first time meeting a member of the Sannin. He hadn't seen Jiraiya or Tsunade yet.

The examinees gathered at the edge of the Forest of Death. After a ninja from the Nara Clan, serving as the assistant examiner, announced the rules of the Chunin Exam, Orochimaru gave the order, and the Chunin Exam officially began!

In an instant, the forty-eight participants dashed into the Forest of Death, quickly disappearing into the dense woods!

Inside the forest, Team 11 moved together. After an hour of travel, the three stopped at a concealed spot by a river in the northeastern part of the Forest of Death.

"Feiyun, Yoru. Half a day from now, the village's pursuit squad will set out to sweep the Forest of Death. We need to avoid capture for the next two and a half days. Luckily, both Yoru and I are Sensor Ninjas. Our strategy is to evade and steer clear of the village's pursuit squad!" Jiogan said to Kurama Feiyun and Inuzuka Yoru.

After the two acknowledged, the trio took up positions in the forested area by the river.

Jiogan used the Qi Sensing Technique to scan the area within a ten-kilometer radius. He detected Might Duy's team hiding six kilometers directly north of their position—not too close, not too far.

"When we move later, I'll head toward Brother Duy's direction. With the two of us working together, even if we have to face the pursuit squad head-on, we won't have to worry!" Jiogan thought.

The pursuit squad for the Chunin Exam was led by a Special Jonin at most, with the rest being Chunin-level members.