The moment Tsunade finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.
Everyone understood that, according to Tsunade, although the requirements were extremely strict, anyone who met them would undoubtedly be one of the greatest geniuses in the entire Shinobi World!
"So... Lady Tsunade, you mean that Takizawa Dan is that person, right?"
One of the senior officials stood up and asked cautiously.
"Exactly. Based on my judgment, that's indeed the case!" Tsunade nodded, then pulled a small measuring device from her pocket.
"Takizawa Dan, use all your strength to squeeze this device. Don't worry about breaking it; it's been specially reinforced." Tsunade said to Takizawa Dan.
"Okay..."
Takizawa Dan took the device from Tsunade, gripped it, and squeezed hard!
Now that his identity and abilities had been exposed, there was no point in continuing to lie low.
He had to show his full potential. Only then could he get Konoha to take him seriously and ensure his own safety. After all, Konoha and the other ninja villages were surprisingly alike when it came to not raising useless people.
Beep, beep, beep—
As Takizawa Dan continued to squeeze, the device kept beeping!
Watching the indicator race upward, Takizawa Dan's heart stirred slightly.
The next moment, he discreetly eased his grip, letting the indicator slow down.
At last, it stopped completely. And at that point, Takizawa Dan had only used seventy percent of his strength!
It was always best to hold a little back, just in case he needed it later!
"We've got the result!"
Tsunade stared at the reading, her eyes lighting up!
She was standing closest, so she could see the result most clearly.
"Well done, Takizawa Dan! You already have the strength of a Special Jonin!"
Tsunade exclaimed.
Besides Genin, Chunin, and Jonin, Konoha's ninja ranks also included Special Jonin.
Special Jonin were also known as trainee Jonin.
They were stronger than ordinary Chunin, but not as well-rounded as true Jonin. To avoid an awkward gap, Konoha had created the rank of Special Jonin.
Even so, none of the children here could imagine possessing the strength of a Special Jonin.
For a thirteen-year-old like Takizawa Dan to have such terrifying strength—it really did seem that he had unlocked the Gene Lock.
At Tsunade's exclamation, the senior officials around them turned complicated looks toward Takizawa Dan.
They had thought he was nothing but a useless kid. Who would have guessed he'd achieved something so astonishing?
It was a good thing they hadn't treated him too harshly or singled him out in the past. Otherwise, if they'd driven such a talent into another ninja village, they would have suffered a terrible loss.
What they didn't know was that the person who had just breathed the biggest sigh of relief was none other than Takizawa Dan!
He was glad he'd held back thirty percent of his strength. Otherwise, the test result would have put him at Jonin level!
He was only taking the Chunin Ninja Exams, so being stronger than an ordinary Chunin was still manageable. But if he really had Jonin-level strength...
Then even if Tsunade wanted to protect him, she probably couldn't. He'd surely become a test subject for Danzo, Orochimaru, and their ilk, and be imprisoned for the rest of his life...
"All right, all right. Now that we've cleared things up, Takizawa Dan, don't worry too much. We'll protect you." Tsunade might have been worried that he was scared, so she reassured him gently.
"Everyone, starting today, Takizawa Dan is my student! From now on, I'll personally train him!"
Perhaps she felt her earlier declaration hadn't been enough. Or perhaps this had been on her mind for a long time. Whatever the reason, Tsunade made the announcement.
The moment she said it, all the senior officials were stunned!
What was she thinking? The Hokage's personal student... was practically the presumptive next Hokage!
The Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had been most proud of his beloved student, who later became the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato!
And before that, the teacher of the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had been the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!
Could it be... that Konoha's Sixth Hokage would be Takizawa Dan?!
"Lord Hokage, please reconsider!"
"Lord Hokage, this is no small matter. Please discuss it with everyone before making a decision!"
"Lord Hokage..."
One after another, the senior officials spoke up in opposition.
Danzo didn't speak directly, but the look he gave Takizawa Dan grew increasingly dangerous...
"Enough! All of you, be quiet! Am I the Hokage, or are you? Do you think you can push me around just because I'm easygoing?" Tsunade roared, slamming her hand on the table!
Bang!
The sturdy table shattered into pieces!
At the sight, everyone fell silent.
Only then did they remember that this stunning beauty might look delicate, but she wasn't someone who could be pushed around. She was the Hokage of Konoha, its highest authority!
"That settles it! From now on, Takizawa Dan is my personal student. None of you are to object!"
Tsunade lived up to her reputation as a heroine among women. No one dared contradict her.
"Dan, are you tired?"
But the very next second, Tsunade turned back to Takizawa Dan and spoke in that same gentle voice, like a friendly big sister. It made him feel extremely awkward.
"Uh... a little, I guess. I've fought twice in a row, so it'd be impossible not to be tired."
Takizawa Dan scratched his head and answered awkwardly.
He wasn't tired at all, actually, but to spare Tsunade's feelings, he could only say that.
"All right. Then that's it for today's Chunin Ninja Exams. We'll continue tomorrow. I'm going to spend today resting with my student." Tsunade nodded, then turned to Danzo beside her. "Shimura-kun, sorry for the trouble. Please announce it."
A glint of coldness flashed through Danzo's eyes!
But just as Takizawa Dan thought Danzo was about to do something, the man nodded and replied respectfully, "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Then Danzo went to the center of the arena and stopped the referees, who were preparing to continue the matches.
The referee was only a Chunin, so naturally he didn't dare disobey Danzo's order. He passed it on.
And just like that, the first day of the Chunin Ninja Exams ended in a bewildering fashion!
"Come on, Dan. Let's go to my place. I have a comfortable big bed, delicious food, and warm bathwater~"
Tsunade said to Takizawa Dan, her voice full of temptation.
Takizawa Dan could only laugh helplessly. Lady Tsunade, why did this feel so much like you were trying to kidnap an underage boy?
No, not like it. That was exactly what you were doing!
Before you continue