The exams were over.
Shita Genichi had placed first, and his name was spreading once again.
He had been a genius before, but in truth, not many people knew it.
Now, things were different.
After the Chunin Exams, if someone performed well enough, their name would soon spread throughout the entire Konoha Ninja community.
Before, Shita Genichi had to pretend to be a genius. Now, even if he said he wasn't one, nobody would believe him.
When they left the exam grounds, Shita Genichi and the others saw Hatake Sakumo waiting beneath a tree. They immediately went over.
"You all did very well."
Hatake Sakumo smiled as he praised Shita Genichi and the others, but then his tone shifted. "Still, you have a long way to go. Don't get cocky."
Shita Genichi and the others all nodded in agreement.
After he finished speaking, Hatake Sakumo looked at Kakashi's team leader. "Yejuan, the results won't be out until tomorrow, but it's still early. Why don't we celebrate?"
The results would be out tomorrow, but Shita Genichi and Kakashi were certain to pass.
Mimura Hamaki nodded. "Kakashi and Genichi will definitely pass. Let's celebrate together!"
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Come on, I'll treat everyone to barbecue!"
Shita Genichi and the others cheered and thanked him, then crowded around the two Jonin team leaders as they headed to the barbecue restaurant.
Speaking of Kakashi's Jonin team leader, Shita Genichi remembered him too.
He was the commander of Konoha's border defense forces during the Third Shinobi World War. The Iwa Ninja had ambushed his unit, nearly wiping them out, before Namikaze Minato arrived to save the day.
That battle had been one of the factors that established Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage.
But that didn't mean Mimura Hamaki was weak.
Anyone who could become commander of the border defense forces had to be strong.
And there were no weak Jonin in Konoha.
Shita Genichi just didn't know what this Jonin specialized in.
Once they arrived at the barbecue restaurant,
while they waited for the meat, Shita Genichi had a thought and asked, "Teacher Sakumo, could I get permission to leave the village and travel around to train?"
His question left everyone stunned.
Hatake Sakumo looked at his outstanding student. "You want to leave the village and travel around to train?"
Shita Genichi nodded. "Yes, sensei. I've been thinking about it."
"I want to develop a series of Genjutsu similar to the Darkness Technique, such as ones that deprive people of their hearing or sense of smell..."
"I also want to look around outside the village for a suitable summoning beast."
Yamanaka En couldn't help giving a wry smile. "Genichi, aren't you rushing things a little?"
"You're making the rest of us look useless."
Even Uchiha Namiichi couldn't help nodding in agreement.
Shita Genichi quickly explained, "I'm not planning to leave right now."
"I'm just making preparations in advance."
Those weren't his only reasons for wanting to leave Konoha alone.
There were others.
For example, he could try to capture Zero-Tails.
Or see if he could snatch the Great Blade Samehada from Kirigakure.
As for waiting until the Third Shinobi World War gave him a chance?
In a war like that, even if Shita Genichi were a Jonin, he'd have to follow orders. He couldn't just run around on his own.
He wouldn't get to choose where he went to complete missions.
"There's no problem with leaving the village to travel and train."
Hatake Sakumo gave him a definite answer, then continued, "But Genichi, you're still too young. Leaving the village alone would be too dangerous."
Shita Genichi wasn't weak.
But what did that amount to in the Ninja World?
He was only a Chunin.
If he ran into a Jonin, he'd probably be done for.
And now that Shita Genichi had made a name for himself, the danger of leaving the village alone had increased considerably.
He shouldn't assume the other villages wouldn't target an enemy's prodigy.
Shita Genichi obediently nodded.
Of course, he wasn't planning to leave the village right now.
He wasn't so arrogant as to think he could handle that.
The barbecue soon arrived, and everyone chatted while they ate, the atmosphere lively and boisterous.
After they finished eating, Mimura Hamaki suggested taking everyone to the hot springs. The two teams spent another half hour soaking there.
The two teams grew closer.
After leaving the Hot Spring House, everyone went their separate ways.
Shita Genichi, however, didn't go home. Lost in thought, he wandered over to Konoha Hospital.
As expected, Shizune was here, busy helping Tsunade.
Besides Shizune, Shita Genichi also spotted a familiar figure.
Nohara Rin.
"Genichi!"
Nohara Rin was the first to notice Shita Genichi at the entrance.
Hearing her voice, Shizune quickly turned around, smiling broadly. "Genichi, are the exams over?"
"You definitely passed, right?"
Nohara Rin also looked at Shita Genichi expectantly. She wanted to know how Kakashi had done, even though she was completely confident that he'd pass.
Shita Genichi walked in and smiled. "Of course. No problem."
"Kakashi and I will definitely pass the exams."
Nohara Rin beamed. "Amazing!"
"Nothing special, nothing special!"
Shita Genichi put on an unashamedly smug act.
Shizune couldn't help laughing. She knew he was doing it on purpose.
Tsunade turned around just then. "You two, focus. And you, brat—if you're so free, get out."
Shizune and Nohara Rin quickly nodded, then went back to work.
Shita Genichi wasn't bothered at all by Tsunade's scolding. He went over to her, caught a faint scent, and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Tsunade didn't stand on ceremony. "I'm going to try an organ transplant on a mouse. Give me a hand."
Shita Genichi's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "No problem."
He went to get a lab coat, cap, mask, and the rest of the gear, put them on, then assisted Tsunade.
The next day.
The list of those who had passed the Chunin Exams was released, and, as expected, Shita Genichi and Kakashi were on it.
But Shita Genichi didn't even go to see the results. He continued helping Tsunade, until Yamanaka En showed up at his door two days later.
It was time to go on a mission!
"What a life of toil!"
"I'm only seven! This is child labor. How unreasonable."
Shita Genichi much preferred training at home or at Konoha Hospital.
He didn't like fighting and killing.
Improving his strength and expanding his knowledge gave him far more satisfaction than killing people or completing missions.
By the time he reached the village gate, Hatake Sakumo and the others were already waiting there.
Shita Genichi went over, apologized for being late, greeted them, and then left the village with the others.
"Genichi, now that you've become a Chunin, you can claim a C-rank ninjutsu from the village. Remember to collect it when you return after the mission."
Shita Genichi nodded obediently.
A C-rank ninjutsu was one suited to a Chunin's level.
It wasn't bad at all.
Yamanaka En asked curiously, "Genichi, what ninjutsu are you planning to choose?"
"Water Release?"
Shita Genichi shook his head. "I already know enough Water Release ninjutsu."
Yamanaka En suggested, "Maybe you could try a Sensory Ninjutsu."
"Your talent for Genjutsu is so high, Genichi. You should do well with sensory techniques too."
Sensory Ninjutsu?
Shita Genichi gave it some serious thought.
In a team, he didn't need a Sensory Ninjutsu.
Yamanaka En was already a sensory ninja.
But when he was out on his own, the more well-rounded he was, the better.
Still, were there any C-rank Sensory Ninjutsu?
And was it worth dividing his attention to learn Sensory Ninjutsu right now?
Before you continue