The Approaching Chūnin Exams (Third and Fourth Update)

Never mind, we'll talk about it later.

Tsunade inwardly, thinking that even if Qingyu had seen something of her, it wouldn't have any negative impact on his psyche.

After all, this kid is very clever; he'd only be at a disadvantage if his thoughts were seen.

Thinking of this, Tsunade into her nightgown, her expression changing from awkward to composed.

Not long after, Tsunade changed her clothes and came downstairs.

She was wearing a dark green short-sleeved loungewear top and loose-fitting trousers, her long blonde hair casually draped over her shoulders.

That bright and radiant face no longer showed any signs of sleepiness; instead, it displayed a hint of anticipation for dinner.

Qingyu sat at the dining table, with three dishes and a soup laid out in front of her.

Shredded pork with green peppers, braised eggplant, stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, and a steaming pot of tofu miso soup.

These are all dishes that Qingyu liked to eat in her previous life.

Compared to the Japanese food that Tsunade was already tired of, these cuisines undoubtedly gave Tsunade a sense of novelty.

Shizune was serving rice to everyone when she saw Tsunade come downstairs and said, "Lady Tsunade, Qingyu prepared all the dishes tonight."

"I can smell it."

Tsunade said.

Strangely enough, Tsunade had no idea what Qingyu had put in the food, but it smelled and tasted delicious.

She sat down at the table, picked up her chopsticks, took a slice of eggplant, and put it in her mouth.

She squinted her eyes.

"Mmm... that's the taste."

Qingyu ladled a bowl of tofu miso soup for her and pushed it to her side.

"Kid, has the Chunin Ninja Exams been scheduled yet?"

Tsunade picked up the soup bowl and took a sip; it was so hot that she blew on it several times before swallowing.

"It should be soon, definitely next month."

Qingyu said.

"Lord Orochimaru has already written my letter of recommendation."

Qingyu took the envelope out of her Ninja Tool Pouch and placed it on the dining table.

Tsunade glanced at the lacquered seal on the envelope and recognized it as Orochimaru's work.

Orochimaru is certainly diligent.

She put down the soup bowl.

"Next month, but this is just the old man's preliminary plan. The specific date will need to be adjusted based on the situation at the front. If the border situation is tense, the Chunin Ninja Exams may be brought forward; otherwise, they may be postponed."

Qingyu nodded and carefully put the letter of recommendation away.

What reward will I get if I come in first place?

Qingyu asked.

Tsunade paused, her chopsticks still holding food, as if suddenly remembering something.

This kid is targeting her.

Previously, when they were at Kushina's house, Tsunade asked Qingyu to cook, saying she would give him a reward later.

But the matter was ultimately left unresolved.

"Ahem, you'll definitely get your share."

Tsunade said.

Giving some rewards would be good; it could boost Qingyu's motivation.

Both Qingyu and Shizune were raised by Tsunade, so she has some experience and insights into raising children.

The next day, early morning.

Third Training Ground.

While everyone else was training, Qingyu was tending to the Muramasa left behind by Izuna Uchiha.

"Qingyu!"

A voice came from the entrance to the Training Ground.

Qingyu turned his head and saw Sarutobi Asuma striding towards him.

"Asuma."

Qingyu nodded slightly to him.

--

Sarutobi Asuma took the lollipop out of his mouth and pointed the stick at Qingyu.

"I heard you're also taking the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

"Right."

Qingyu sheathed Muramasa.

"The same to you?"

"Of course!"

Asuma put the lollipop back into her mouth.

"I heard from the old man that only people from our village are participating in this Chunin Ninja Exams. That's perfect, we don't have to scheme against those guys from other ninja villages."

He paused, his gaze falling on the Muramasa at Qingyu's waist, his eyebrows slightly raised.

"Why did you change your sword? What happened to your Sword of the Thunder God?"

"Inside the sealed scroll."

Qingyu patted the hilt of Muramasa's sword.

"This ninja tool is pretty good too."

Although Sarutobi Asuma didn't know much about katanas, he had seen quite a few ninja tools and could tell at a glance that the sword in Qingyu's hand was no ordinary item.

"That's perfect, I'd like to have a friendly spar with you."

"A friendly exchange?"

Qingyu raised an eyebrow slightly as she looked at the serious expression on Asuma's face.

Why do you suddenly want to spar with me?

I want to see what level I'm at right now.

Asuma unsheathed the Chakra Blade from his waist and held it in his hand.

"After watching you fight Lady Tsunade at the Training Ground last time, I've been wanting to have a match with you ever since. Now that the Chunin Ninja Exams are coming up soon, a match with you will allow me to see where I'm lacking."

Seeing Asuma's serious expression, Qingyu said, "Alright, let's go."

Qingyu drew Muramasa from its sheath.

The two walked to the open space of the Training Ground and formed Seal of Confrontation according to the rules of ninja sparring.

At the edge of the Training Ground, Yūhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara had arrived without anyone noticing.

Yūhi Kurenai leaned against a large tree, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Red, who do you think will win?"

Rin Nohara closed her notebook and looked up at Yūhi Kurenai.

Need I say more?

Yūhi Kurenai didn't even turn her head, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

It must be Qingyu.

Upon hearing this, Rin Nohara smiled gently.

"Let's begin."

Qingyu spoke.

Sarutobi Asuma took a deep breath, refined his Wind Release Chakra, and channeled it into the Chakra Blade in his hand.

A thin, sharp layer of wind blades began to swirl around the surface of the Chakra Blade.

"They're here!"

Asuma exerted force with his feet, and his whole body rushed towards Qingyu like a car traveling at high speed.

Qingyu also channeled his Wind Release Chakra into Muramasa.

Buzz.

A low, soft hum rang out from the blade, and a visible wind blade extended from it, twice the length of the wind blade in Sarutobi Asuma's hand.

"!

Sarutobi Asuma was somewhat stunned.

Why are Qingyu's wind blades so long?

An inch longer means an inch stronger.

For every centimeter the wind blade extends, it means an additional centimeter of suppression range in close combat.

With each additional centimeter, the demands on Chakra control also increase significantly.

But it was too late for him to change his tactics.

Clang!

The moment the Chakra Blade clashed with Muramasa, Asuma felt a jolt in his hand.

Qingyu's wind blade was not only longer than his, but also sharper.

The wind blades swirling on Sarutobi Asuma's Chakra Blade collided head-on with Qingyu's blade. After only a brief stalemate, his wind blades were forced back.

Sarutobi Asuma quickly gathered Chakra in the soles of his feet to dodge.

"Again!"

Sarutobi Asuma shouted, channeling even more Chakra into his Chakra Blade.

Wind Release Chakra condensed into a ball on the blade, and with a swing of his arm, an arc-shaped wind blade detached from the blade and shot towards Qingyu.

Wind Release: Wind Swallow Cut!

Seeing this, Qingyu also swung his sword.

Wind Release Chakra condensed into an even more solid wind blade on Muramasa's blade.

With the [Darkness of the Shinobi] trait, Qingyu's Wind Release power was greatly enhanced.

Boom!

The two wind blades collided head-on in mid-air.

White gusts of air kicked up dust from the ground, which then spread in all directions.

The gust of air blew the strands of hair on Yūhi Kurenai's forehead backward, and she instinctively raised her hand to shield her face.

The outcome of the battle was a foregone conclusion.

Qingyu's wind blade cleaved Asuma's wind blade in two, and the two halves of the wind blade flew to the sides.

Qingyu's wind blades continued their relentless attack, slashing towards Asuma's location.

Sarutobi Asuma contracted, and he hastily dodged to the side.

The wind blade grazed his shoulder and sliced the wooden stake behind him in half.

The cut is smooth and even, with no burrs on the edges.

Sarutobi Asuma glanced back at the severed wooden stake, then turned to look at the Muramasa in Qingyu's hand, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Qingyu held back.

If it hit him, Sarutobi Asuma would probably have his chainmail cut through.

"It still doesn't work."

Sarutobi Asuma sheathed his Chakra Blade at his waist and waved to Qingyu.

"Whether it's Wind Release or close-quarters combat, you completely outclass me. Continuing to fight will only be pointless."

Seeing Qingyu, Muramasa also sheathed Muramasa.

[Collectible trait detected: Facing the Gale]

[D-Rank Trait: Facing the Gale]

[Effect: Wind Release talent increased by 30%]

"Your Wind Release is already quite good."

Qingyu spoke, then closed the special trait panel.

Sarutobi Asuma will indeed be a very strong Wind Release ninja in the future, but he matures a bit late.

"There's still room for improvement in your Chakra control. The length of the wind blade can't be increased simply by injecting more Chakra; the key lies in compression and condensation."

Sarutobi Asuma raised his head and looked into Qingyu's eyes.

He could tell that Qingyu meant what she said sincerely, and it wasn't just empty words to comfort him.

"You're even so skilled in Wind Release."

Sarutobi Asuma felt bitter.

"No wonder the old man always talks about you, saying how amazing you are. I used to be unconvinced, but now I'm completely convinced."

Sarutobi Asuma sighed.

It seems that Hong really can't compete with Qingyu.

Besides, Qingyu didn't need to snatch it at all.

I always felt that Sarutobi Asuma was more proactive, was he?

"Qingyu, I'm afraid no one can beat you in this Chunin Ninja Exams."

"There's more than one spot available for the Chunin Ninja Exams."

Qingyu shook her head.

"Asuma, with your current strength, passing the exam shouldn't be a problem."

Asuma paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"I'm not asking if I can pass, I'm just thinking—never mind, let's not talk about this."

He reached out and patted Qingyu on the shoulder.

"Anyway, playing against you has shown me where my weaknesses lie. Thanks."

Qingyu nodded.

At the Training Ground, Yūhi Kurenai and Rin Nohara watched the two people walking back from the field, and stood up at the same time.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from Training Ground.

Obito's goggles were askew on his forehead, and his black hair was soaked with sweat.

"Phew... phew... I'm not late, am I?"

He ran up to the crowd, hands on his knees, panting heavily.

Kakashi followed not far behind Obito, his hands in his pockets, his mask covering most of his face, revealing only a pair of lazy eyes.

I waited for you at the village entrance for ages, only to find out you were going to help an old lady carry water buckets.

Kakashi frowned.

Obito insisted on going with him, which resulted in him completely wasting his own time.

"What can I do? The old lady has a bad back; I can't just stand by and do nothing!"

Obito said helplessly.

"By the way, Qingyu, are you guys sparring?"

"Yes, Asuma and I had a match."

Qingyu nodded.

Obito's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

What was the result?

"We lost."

Sarutobi Asuma said.

"Is it like this again?"

Obito is no longer a surprise.

Sarutobi Asuma's Wind Release skills are definitely top-tier among his peers.

But he never managed to beat Qingyu.

Just how strong is Qingyu?

Obito recalled the news he had heard from Genma Shiranui not long ago: Qingyu had sealed a great demon called something like Mōryō in the Land of Demons with the priestess.

Are those rumors all true?

"That----"

Obito scratched the back of his head, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Are you all going to the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Obito has heard a lot about the Chunin Ninja Exams these past few days.

"Of course I'll go."

Sarutobi Asuma said.

"Qingyu is going, I'm going too, Ginka is preparing as well."

Kakashi said.

Upon Obito, Obito's expression became somewhat subtle.

"Then I'll do it too—"

"You're participating too?"

Kakashi looked at Obito.

"Obito, are you sure you can pass the theory test?"

"Poor theoretical scores don't preclude you from participating; there's a practical combat component after the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

Obito clenched his fist.

"The battles to come will definitely be a winning one!"

Regardless, Obito felt it was worth a try.

Seeing this, Kakashi said nothing more.

Qingyu, however, saw Obito's stubborn expression and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Obito is right."

Qingyu spoke.

"There's no limit to the number of times Chunin Ninja Exams. If you fail this year, you can try again next year. It's always good to gain more experience."

Obito's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing Qingyu's words.

"Right, Qingyu, you also think I should give it a try, right?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Rin Nohara.

Rin Nohara smiled somewhat embarrassedly when Obito stared at Obito like that.

"I agree with Qingyu —I actually want to participate in this Chunin Ninja Exams too."

"Lin is participating too?"

Obito quickly asked.

"Yes, even if we don't succeed, it's good to gain more experience. Qingyu said that accumulating experience is very important, and I agree."

Rin Nohara nodded.

"The team needs everyone's agreement, and I reckon Genma Shiranui wants to go too."

Obito attached.

If it were just him, he might not necessarily participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Now even Lin wants to go, so he can take the exam and have Lin with him.

That's wonderful!

Obito felt determined to show his true colors in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Time slips away quietly amidst spiritual practice and daily life.

The notices for the Chunin Ninja Exams were quickly posted all over the bulletin board at the entrance of the Hokage Building.

Genin who wish to participate Genin register in teams of three, and a letter of recommendation from the Jonin leading the team is a mandatory requirement for registration.

Long queues formed in front of the registration windows at the Hokage Building. Genin from various teams gathered together, some whispering about the exam's content, others encouraging their teammates.

After submitting their registration forms, Qingyu, Kakashi, and Jingxiang Yinhua stepped out from the crowd and stood on the steps outside the Hokage Building.

I'm not too worried about the written test.

Kakashi's tone was flat.

He's not Obito, who completely misunderstands the first theory.

--

On the contrary, Kakashi's arguments are very solid.

Kakashi, who consistently ranks second in the Ninja Academy, only behind Qingyu, excels in both theory and practice.