"Overall, you all did very well this time. Li's offensive techniques are powerful, Kushina's Sealing Jutsu is impressive, and Minato knows how to read the situation. All three of you did great!"
After the training exercise, Jiraiya sat down with Li and the others and began to evaluate their performance.
"Li in particular deserves praise. When Kushina's position was exposed, you made a series of decisions and took action without hesitation. That's no small feat. What's even more commendable is that you found a way to coordinate with your teammates before making your move. Well done!"
Jiraiya thought highly of Li. From the moment Li struck until the exercise ended, every move had flowed seamlessly into the next. The unusual way Li threw Kunai had especially opened Jiraiya's eyes. Most of all, Jiraiya appreciated that Li had worked with his teammates instead of looking down on everyone because of his strength.
"Ding! Jiraiya has praised you. Mission complete. Reward: 1,000 points. Please claim your reward!"
At the system's prompt, Li finally breathed a sigh of relief. No matter how well he had performed or how much Jiraiya praised him, if the system didn't acknowledge it, the mission wouldn't be complete.
"All right, I have a general understanding of your abilities. I'll arrange your training from here on out. It's just that..." Jiraiya trailed off, looking at Li with some embarrassment. Li was very strong, and aside from a few secret techniques he kept in reserve, Jiraiya didn't have much to teach him. Those secret techniques couldn't be passed on, of course. Jiraiya hadn't even taught them to his three direct disciples, Nagato and the others, let alone Li.
"Teacher Jiraiya, my clan has already arranged my training," Li said calmly, understanding Jiraiya's predicament. He hadn't expected to learn Sage Mode from Jiraiya anyway. As long as he had enough points, he could exchange them for a Sage Body himself. Then, learning Sage Mode would be a piece of cake.
Jiraiya nodded awkwardly. As a teacher, being unable to instruct a student was indeed rather embarrassing. If Li hadn't belonged to the Uchiha Clan, Jiraiya might have taken him on as a student himself.
Their first meeting ended on an awkward note. After saying goodbye to Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze, Li and Kushina left together, much to Minato Namikaze's envy.
Time passed quickly. Two weeks flew by after Li, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina formed a Genin squad. That day, Konoha was bustling with activity. Crowds filled the streets, and people from other villages kept arriving. Security was especially tight, with ten ninja stationed at the gate alone to inspect visitors.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are about to begin. I've put your names forward for this exam, but whether you want to participate is up to you. Here are the application forms. If you've made up your minds, write your names on them. But there's one thing I want you to remember: the Chunin Ninja Exams require teams of three. If any one of you withdraws, all of you will lose the chance to compete!"
At the Third Training Ground, Jiraiya handed the three forms to Li and the others, his expression serious. Taking part in the Chunin Ninja Exams was no small matter; they would face countless dangers. Another village might deliberately disguise one or two Jonin as Genin and enter them in the exam, with the aim of weakening its rivals' forces. For that reason, Jiraiya wouldn't force the three to make a choice.
After taking the forms, Li glanced at Kushina, then at Minato Namikaze. Kushina looked excited. Minato Namikaze was more restrained, but the gleam in his eyes made his feelings clear. Kushina was determined, and Minato Namikaze wanted to prove himself just as much. Neither had any reason to turn down such a good opportunity.
"Everyone's sure about this, right?" Li wrote his name on the form without hesitation, then calmly asked Kushina and Minato Namikaze.
"Of course! How could a little Chunin exam make me back down?" Kushina raised a fist, then picked up a pen and filled out her form too.
Minato Namikaze smiled and casually wrote down his name. Then the two of them handed their forms to Li.
Li took the forms, nodded, and handed them to Jiraiya. "Teacher Jiraiya, these are our three applications. Sorry for the trouble—please submit them for us."
Jiraiya had been watching the three of them the whole time. Seeing that they had all filled out their forms without the slightest hesitation, he gave them an approving look. He took the forms with a small smile and said, "All right, you brats. Since you've decided to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams, get some rest today. The exam officially begins tomorrow. I want you to be in the best possible shape for it. Understand?"
"Understood, Teacher Jiraiya!"
Jiraiya had told them to rest, but Kushina and Minato Namikaze clearly had other ideas. The two dragged Li around the streets, claiming they were scouting the competition. Judging by how close Kushina was to playing herself into a frenzy, Li could only smile helplessly.
I'll just spend some time with Kushina. Various things had kept them apart lately, so he might as well use this chance to make up for it. But... Li glanced at Minato Namikaze beside him, feeling a little annoyed. Right now, the guy was just getting in the way.
Minato Namikaze, however, was apparently oblivious. He kept looking around with a smile, his gaze occasionally lingering on ninja passing by. They were all from other villages.
Li didn't know what to do with him. He couldn't exactly tell him to leave, could he? Just then, Li's pupils narrowed slightly. Four ninja up ahead had caught his attention, mainly because their eyes kept lingering on him.
"Sand Ninja are here too?" Li narrowed his eyes slightly. Three years ago, after the war ended, Sunagakure had signed a reparations treaty and then an alliance treaty with Konoha. That alliance was what allowed them to attend the Chunin Ninja Exams held by Konoha. But they didn't look particularly friendly.
"Kushina!" Li stepped forward and pulled Kushina away from her excited wandering, shaking his head. Then he glanced at Minato Namikaze. Minato Namikaze had clearly noticed the four Sand Ninja too. He gave a slight nod, and the three of them headed straight into a nearby alley.
Aside from the Jonin leading them, the other three ninja gave Li a bad feeling too. They were probably more than ordinary Genin.
"Is that black-haired brat the Uchiha Clan's number-one genius, Mirai Uchiha, the one Lord Kazekage and Elder Chiyo mentioned?" A burly, middle-aged man with a bristly beard asked in a deep voice, addressing the leaner middle-aged man leading the group.
Before you continue