[Haku]

The welfare benefits combined with the daily check-in rewards were enough for Akiyama Shun to perform twenty draws.

[Summoning]

[Gamahiro Shard x1 (13/100)]

[Secret Scroll]

[Water Style: Water Shield Shard x1 (5/5)]

[...]

[S-Rank Ninja]

[Otsutsuki Toneri (Final Chapter) Shard x4 (4/100)]

[A-Rank Ninja]

[Haruno Sakura Shard x4 (8/40)]

[B-Rank Ninja]

[Haku Shard x4 (40/40)]

[Orochimaru (Konoha Sannin) Shard x4 (24/40)]

[C-Rank Ninja]

[...]

Perfect!

Seeing the results of this draw, Akiyama Shun nearly laughed out loud.

Not only were the Gamahiro shards increasing steadily, but he had also acquired a new Secret Scroll: [Water Style: Water Shield]!

The effect was exactly as the name suggested; upon use, it would leave a circular water shield in place.

In the Naruto mobile game, [Water Style: Water Shield] had the effect of blocking projectiles while simultaneously knocking back any enemy that touched it.

However, in reality, it certainly wouldn't have a knockback effect on enemies. The shield's function was merely to block projectiles, and even that wasn't absolute—if the opponent's attack was too fierce, the water shield would dissipate.

At the very least, the [Water Style: Water Shield] that Akiyama Shun could cast right now definitely wouldn't be able to block a single breath of fire from Uchiha Madara.

But that was only in cases where the gap in stats was too vast; in battles between opponents of the same level, it was more than sufficient.

The S-Rank and A-Rank ninja shards were decent, but they were far too distant from being synthesized, so there was no need to dwell on them.

The most important thing was [Haku]!

He had finally reached 40 shards—he could synthesize him!

Haku, a descendant of the Yuki Clan and a follower of Momochi Zabuza, possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai inherited from his mother. He was male.

He was such a beautiful "little sister" that when Akiyama Shun first saw Haku, he truly thought he was a big sister.

In the original work, Haku had fought against the reincarnations of Indra and Asura simultaneously, even achieving a crushing performance; his combat power was nothing short of terrifying. In the end, he died shielding Zabuza from a blade.

After synthesizing [Haku], Akiyama Shun didn't hesitate at all, immediately removing [Tsunade (Youth)] from his lineup and deploying [Haku].

The moment [Haku] was deployed, a strange sensation immediately flooded Akiyama Shun's entire body.

He knew exactly what this was: Kekkei Genkai! Ice Release!

[Haku] brought with him many ninjutsu, the most basic of which was Ice Release chakra infusion. Haku's most common attack involved infusing Ice Release chakra into steel needles. Akiyama Shun didn't have steel needles, but he did have shuriken and the like.

Next were Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles, Ice Release: Ice Pillar Swallow, and most importantly, Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!

The first two were standard lethal ninjutsu, nothing much to say there, but Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals was different. The effect of this ninjutsu was to condense ice mirrors around the enemy, and the caster could move between these mirrors at the speed of light.

In a sense, this could be considered a "youth version" of the Flying Thunder God, which could greatly enhance Akiyama Shun's mobility!

Furthermore, Akiyama Shun had to admit that the names of the Ice Release ninjutsu sounded much cooler; for instance, something like Thousand Flying Water Needles sounded incredibly high-class just by hearing it.

Seemingly sensing that Akiyama Shun was in a good mood, Kakashi, who had been training, suddenly turned his head to look at him: "What is it?"

Akiyama Shun hummed a little tune and looked at Kakashi: "Nothing, just thought of something happy."

"Something happy?" Kakashi was full of confusion. The two of them had basically been inseparable during this period, so how could he not know what happy thing Akiyama Shun had encountered?

"Well, maybe it's because I have delicious food to eat," Akiyama Shun laughed.

Kakashi: "..."

The next day.

The final stage of the Chunin Exams had finally arrived.

Live combat!

First was the Chunin Exam preliminary round; only the winners could advance to the next stage.

Then came the official Chunin Exam tournament. It was a knockout format, but passing the exam wasn't solely dependent on winning; it was determined by one's performance during the battle to judge whether they were qualified to become a Chunin.

There were no special trials—it was a pure test of strength!

At this moment, the Third Hokage and Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the main seats on the left and right, surrounded by high-ranking officials from every village.

However, compared to the combat strength of Konoha, the delegation from Sunagakure appeared somewhat meager.

Chiyo had gone into seclusion, so only Rasa had come.

The Third Kazekage felt a sense of regret in his heart; he had actually wanted Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, to come and see this as well.

He knew that Sasori's strength was immense—a true genius who possessed extraordinary power at such a young age. He had not only mastered all of Chiyo's puppet techniques but even showed signs of advancing them further.

It was just a pity that when he sent someone to find Sasori, the boy seemed to be busy with something and was unwilling to come.

Sigh.

Thinking of this, the Third Kazekage let out a sigh. In truth, he knew that because of the death of his parents, Sasori harbored hatred toward him. But after all, he was still a child of Sunagakure, and although he did not know what Sasori was busy with, he still hoped the boy would succeed.

While the Third Kazekage was lost in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly spoke up from the side:

"Sunagakure is also full of talent; during the exams these past two days, I have seen many excellent juniors from your village."

Of course, they were certainly not as good as Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen added that silently to himself.

In reality, Sarutobi Hiruzen also held some expectations for Akiyama Shun's battles; after all, every time that child appeared, he was able to give him a surprise.

He wondered what new ninjutsu the boy had learned during this time, or if he had created any new ones himself?

"Konoha is not bad either, especially those two named Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi. I imagine everyone participating in the Chunin Exams has memorized those two names."

After the Third Kazekage finished speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled modestly, and the two politely exchanged pleasantries.

While the two of them were displaying their social graces.

Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi were also sitting in the spectator stands, beginning to look toward the dueling arena.

At this time, the first battle had already begun.

It was a match between Konoha and Kusagakure, and there was no suspense to the fight; the Konoha ninja basically crushed their opponent.

The gap in resources between a large village and a small village was simply too vast. With equal talent, small ninja villages had basically no possibility of victory.

The following few battles were all of a similar level.

Only occasionally, when Konoha faced off against Sunagakure, did the matches seem to have any suspense at all.

However, Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi were too lazy to watch.

"Too weak."

After watching for a while, Hatake Kakashi began to close his eyes to rest; watching these hollow battles was a waste of time to him.

The only thing he looked forward to now was Akiyama Shun's battle.

Of course, it would be even better if he could be matched against Akiyama Shun.

Soon, Hatake Kakashi's wish was granted.

After the match between Konoha and Sunagakure concluded with a victory for Sunagakure.

The proctor took a look at the match list and announced:

"Next match, Akiyama Shun versus Shoumon Tetsu!"