Learning Chidori

With the remaining matches over, the third round of the Chunin Exams would officially begin one month later.

Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was speaking in low tones with the Kazekage disguised by Orochimaru. On the surface, they were discussing cooperation between Sunagakure and Konoha, but in truth, both were secretly probing the other's cards.

The Kazekage disguised by Orochimaru spoke in an even tone, but his eyes were sharp as knives, constantly watching Hiruzen Sarutobi's reactions, trying to catch any flaw and pave the way for his next plan.

And though Hiruzen Sarutobi was advanced in years, his many years as Hokage had long since forged in him an unshakable calm. He dealt with it all without showing a thing.

"Although Duanmu and Gaara's battle ended in a draw, I believe that based on their performance just now, both of them are fully qualified to enter the next round," Hiruzen Sarutobi took the initiative to suggest. "After all, the Chunin Exams are not only a test of strength, but also a tempering of a ninja's will and teamwork in desperate situations. Duanmu was still able to break through an absolute defense after exhausting his chakra, while Gaara, despite losing control, displayed the tremendous potential of a tailed beast. Both traits are necessary for future ninja. Letting them remain in the exam may bring the other candidates even more insight."

A sharp glint flashed through the eyes of the Kazekage disguised by Orochimaru, and he followed the Third Hokage's lead. "Lord Hokage is absolutely right. Sunagakure and Konoha are allies to begin with. Gaara's growth requires harsher trials, and an opponent like Duanmu is precisely the best catalyst to push him forward."

The two looked at each other and smiled, seeming to have reached a consensus, while in truth each harbored their own thoughts, secretly calculating the storm that was about to rise behind this exam.

Elsewhere, Kakashi brought Naruto and the others to the hospital to visit Duanmu.

As soon as they entered the ward, they saw Duanmu leaning against the hospital bed, reading through a ninjutsu scroll. Sunlight poured through the window and fell over him, adding a touch of warmth to his pale face.

The moment Naruto entered, he rushed over noisily. "Duanmu! How's your recovery? The doctor said you overused your chakra really badly this time, and that you almost didn't wake up!"

Duanmu set down the scroll, raised his hand, and ruffled Naruto's fluffy head, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile. "Don't worry, I won't die. The medical team treated me in time. My chakra has already recovered by thirty percent, and I should be able to leave the hospital in a few more days."

Kakashi walked to the bedside, his gaze falling on the thick bandages wrapped around Duanmu's right arm. Behind his lenses, his eyes carried a trace of gravity. "Gaara's Sand Release is corrosive. The wound is healing more slowly than expected. The fact that you survived him this time has already exceeded everyone's expectations."

Sasuke stood to one side, his gaze sweeping over the Lightning Release Chakra Refinement Technique notes placed on the bedside table. He said quietly, "Your Rasengan still needs practice."

Duanmu raised an eyebrow at that, then pushed the scroll in front of Sasuke. "This is the Lightning Release Ninjutsu Analysis I compiled based on the traits of your Sharingan. It might help you develop a new move."

Duanmu knew that next, Kakashi should be teaching Sasuke Chidori. Duanmu sat up straight and looked toward Kakashi. He wanted to learn Chidori too.

"Teacher Kakashi, I want to learn Chidori too."

Hearing this, Kakashi's gaze lingered on Duanmu for a moment before he slowly spoke. "Training in Chidori requires extreme speed and precise control of Lightning Release chakra. The slightest mistake can injure you. You've only just been through a major battle, and your chakra foundation still isn't stable. Training in it now is too risky."

But Duanmu did not back down. His eyes met Kakashi's with firm resolve. "I know the risks, but only by mastering stronger power can I protect myself and my companions in the crises to come. The undercurrents behind the Chunin Exams are already surging. I can't stay passive like before."

Naruto nodded hard from the side. "Yeah, Teacher Kakashi! Duanmu's so strong, he can definitely learn Chidori! Then the three of us can all get stronger together!"

Even Sasuke rarely chimed in. "His talent is enough to control a technique like that."

Kakashi looked at the persistence in the three of their eyes. After a moment of silence, he gave a soft sigh. "Fine. But before formally training in Chidori, you must first complete high-density Lightning Release chakra refinement training, and raise your body speed to the point where you can accurately hit a Shuriken target's bull's-eye while moving. That is the foundation, and also the prerequisite for protecting yourself."

Duanmu was delighted and immediately replied, "No problem! I'll meet the requirements as soon as possible!"

"What about me, Teacher Kakashi?" Naruto looked at Kakashi excitedly.

"Well, Naruto, I'll find another teacher to guide your training in a moment."

Duanmu knew that Kakashi was preparing to dump Naruto onto Ebisu.

"Um, Teacher Kakashi, I know someone who can teach Naruto." Duanmu remembered that in the original work, although Ebisu was good at teaching the basics, his personality was far too rigid and might not be able to draw out Naruto's potential.

By comparison, Jiraiya was not only one of the Sannin, but also the teacher of Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze. He had unique experience in guiding the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Only with him teaching Naruto could Naruto truly master the tailed beast power within him.

"Oh? Who is it?" Kakashi was interested now.

Duanmu looked at Naruto. "Naruto, later, go to the women's bathhouse. There's a white-haired uncle over there peeping at girls bathing. If you ask him, he'll say he's some kind of sage and that he's gathering material there."

When Naruto heard Duanmu's words, reluctance was written all over his face. How could an uncle who peeped at girls bathing possibly be an amazing teacher?

But seeing Duanmu's serious expression, then remembering that Duanmu had just been strong enough to force even Gaara into a draw, he could only mutter, "Fine, fine, I'll go take a look," while his steps dragged toward the door. In his heart, he cursed Duanmu a hundred times—this guy was definitely messing with me on purpose!

After Kakashi heard Duanmu's words, he thought carefully, trying to figure out who would make Naruto go to the women's bathhouse to find a "white-haired uncle peeping at people bathing."

He froze for a moment, then a figure flashed through his mind: a man with white hair, always wearing a lazy smile, along with those absurd rumors about his "material-gathering."

"Could it be... Lord Jiraiya?" Kakashi's tone carried some uncertainty. After all, that senior, one of the Sannin, had always acted outrageously, and no one knew he had already returned to Konoha.

Duanmu nodded and continued, "Once, when I was training outside, I happened to see him in the dense woods near the hot springs. At the time, he was hiding behind a big tree, holding a scroll and scribbling on it, while muttering, 'That pose isn't bad. It's suitable for adding to the sequel of Icha Icha Paradise.' Later, I heard from the nearby villagers that this person often appeared around this area and called himself the 'Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku.' Although his behavior is strange, his strength is unfathomable, and even the older generation of ninja in the village respects him greatly. I think perhaps only a powerful person like that can truly draw out the hidden power inside Naruto."

Of course, the so-called sighting during training was all made up by Duanmu. He could not exactly say that he was a transmigrator who knew Jiraiya would return to Konoha at this point in time and that Naruto needed to be guided into meeting him.

But those details were not important. What mattered was getting Naruto to find the right guide.

Kakashi fell silent for a moment, and a trace of understanding flashed through his eyes. If Lord Jiraiya truly was in Konoha, then having him guide Naruto was indeed the best choice.

That lord was not only among the strongest in the ninja world, but his understanding of tailed beasts was also unmatched. Perhaps only he could unlock the shackles on Naruto.

"In that case, let Naruto give it a try," Kakashi finally nodded in agreement. "But you have to make sure Naruto doesn't cause trouble. That lord's temper isn't exactly good."

Duanmu smiled. "Don't worry. Naruto's luck has always been good. Maybe he'll even earn Lord Jiraiya's favor."

Just as the words fell, the ward door was suddenly pushed open. A medical ninja wearing a forehead protector walked in with a tray of medicine. "Duanmu, it's time to change your dressing." Seeing this, Kakashi said to Duanmu, "Rest well. We'll head back first. As for Naruto, I'll have someone secretly follow him to make sure he safely finds Lord Jiraiya."

Sasuke and Naruto followed Kakashi out of the ward, and the ward fell quiet once more.