Final Preparations

Since he had chosen the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kanna needed to prepare some Flying Thunder God kunai, though he intended to make a few modifications.

The seal used to mark coordinates in the formula for the Flying Thunder God Technique he had extracted consisted of the four characters "Sword of Shinobi Love." This was Minato Namikaze's interpretation of his own ninja way, but it did not align with Kanna's perspective, so he prepared to change them to two different characters: "Above" and "Below."

Above and Below, I alone am honored. This "I" does not refer to the ego, but to the true self, the original nature—the "center" that remains only in the center. This phrase was a motto Kanna used to constantly remind himself not to forget his original intention and to uphold his true heart.

The process of replacing the seal was simple; the coordinates for the Flying Thunder God Technique were set according to the practitioner's intent. Kanna finished quickly and used it several times in his room to adapt to the new Flying Thunder God.

Finally, Kanna swapped Human Path: Mind Reading for Third Mizukage Style: Chakra Refinement Technique.

On the way home, Kanna took the time to use Mind Reading on a stray dog as an experiment. The result was clear: Kanna read some fragmented memories of the dog wandering and searching for food, and then the dog's soul was stripped from its body, killing it instantly.

This ninjutsu was far too dangerous; it was better to use it sparingly, even internally. In the few days leading up to the final exam, he would be better off honestly practicing with the Chakra Refinement Technique.

And so, Kanna spent his days tempering his bones, refining chakra, and memorizing the chakra circulatory system within his body, attempting to master this secret technique through his own power. Though the progress was slow, he was improving every moment, and Kanna did not feel bored; rather, he found joy in the process.

After Kanna Tokiomi returned home each day, he would tell Kanna about the progress of the Chunin Exams. As expected, things were developing in an unfavorable direction.

Zabuza was fine; he was now an Anbu member under the direct jurisdiction of the Mizukage. Coupled with the strict rules of the Anbu, he had merely defeated his opponents without killing anyone again. However, Amayuri, having heard of Kanna's "feat" of slaughtering examinees, had her temper ignited. She struck ruthlessly, killing an entire team of six examinees.

In the final two days, after his injuries stabilized, Fuyuki Sanzenryo was the last to strike, defeating the six fleeing examinees. With this, excluding the four pursuers including Kanna, all other examinees were eliminated.

Aside from the five points gifted to each, the other examinees hadn't managed to earn a single point!

The situation most feared by the Kirigakure high-level officials, led by the Mizukage, who insisted on reforming the exams, had finally arrived. No matter how they explained the merits of the new policy to the villagers, and regardless of whether the villagers accepted or opposed it, the examinees participating in the test had defied their intentions. The results were the same as in previous years: a few ninjas, far stronger than their peers, showed no mercy and slaughtered everyone, leaving the number of those promoted just as small as before.

Originally, the Mizukage and the others had anticipated that since Kanna was the son of the Mizukage Aide, he certainly wouldn't go against his old man. Zabuza was an Anbu member who had been sternly warned by his superiors not to kill at will, and Fuyuki had been cautioned by Yagura in advance. Therefore, the only unstable factor was Amayuri. However, according to intelligence, Amayuri's relationship with Kanna seemed quite good; with Kanna there, there shouldn't have been any issues on her end either.

As it turned out, Kanna, the one they were most assured of, was the first to cause a mishap. He killed twelve examinees, causing the number of candidates to shrink by a third, which greatly stimulated the nerves of Zabuza and the others. To avoid losing their chance at selection because their targets were snatched by others, they unleashed their true strength. The other examinees had no power to fight back and collapsed instantly, being disqualified or even killed.

On the final day, Tokiomi and Kanna had a long talk.

"You need to be prepared; we might reject your application for Chunin status," Kanna Tokiomi said indifferently, sitting cross-legged on the floor with his hands tucked into his sleeves.

"Even if I take first place in the final combat?" Kanna asked with a frown.

Tokiomi shook his head and said, "You saw Amayuri's exam the year before last. This time, it is very likely that Zabuza and Fuyuki will be promoted, and as for you two..."

Kanna felt a bit bitter. Although a ninja's rank was just a rank and strength was strength, if he took first place, no one would think he was lacking even if he weren't selected. But it still didn't feel good. How long had he prepared for this exam? How much effort had he expended?

Even Naruto and his friends, who participated in the Chunin Exams without any preparation, would give their all, holding the resolve that "even if I lose the qualification to take the exam in the future, I will keep going" until the final round. How could Kanna feel any less?

But Kanna possessed the mind of an adult, and he understood the Mizukage's hidden difficulties. Kirigakure had been bound by the rules established in the past for too long; someone had to stand up and break this stagnant situation.

Now the Third Mizukage had stepped forward. Although many opposed him, he remained unshaken and persistent. His own father was supporting him, yet he had accidentally helped in the wrong way. Although this incident was not Kanna's original intention, he had to take responsibility.

A man acts, a man takes responsibility. Kanna still had that much resolve.

Seeing Kanna's gloomy expression, Tokiomi smiled slightly.

"Besides, after this exam is over, although you won't be a Chunin, the Third might have a new mission for you."

"Hmm." Kanna hummed with a nasal sound, not holding any high expectations.

"The Third and the two elders have reached a consensus. Soon, the village will establish a new department, which I will lead," Tokiomi laughed. "This department will be responsible for taking over the village's external and internal exchange and trade, assisting the Third in completing the initial reforms..."

"Ah?" Kanna was startled. This was a major event.

Unless necessary, the Mizukage's aides and elders would not have their own troops, as this was unfavorable for the Mizukage to control the situation in the village. But now, the Third not only agreed to let Tokiomi form his own troops, but even devolved the power of external trade, which all the major families had been fighting for, to the new department. It seemed he had shown real courage.

"And, regarding the naming of the new department..." Tokiomi looked at Kanna meaningfully and said softly, "The Third said the 'Kan' character in your name is quite good. So, how about it? Are you interested in joining?"

"Kan Department? Me?" Kanna asked, pointing at his nose in disbelief. "Are you joking? Why is it my name?"

Tokiomi laughed dismissively and said, "Don't overthink it. The situation at the time was that when the Third convened the Jonin meeting to solicit names for the new department, I just mentioned that the character 'Kan' was good, and everyone agreed, so it was decided."

Kanna was silent for a moment, then curled his lip and said, "Fine, I'll join."

"If you can take first place in the final combat, you can get a better position when recommending candidates for the new department, such as a squad leader," Tokiomi advised. "So, do your best! Aside from not killing anyone, go all out!"

"No problem!"

That night, Kanna swapped the Chakra Refinement Technique for the B-rank ninjutsu Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere. His final preparations were complete, and he awaited the final duel.