The Chunin Exams Are Here

With that, Su Bai stepped forward, gathered chakra, and lunged ahead with Flash Step.

In an instant, ten figures of Su Bai appeared across the battlefield.

This was not an illusion technique, but afterimages created by Su Bai's high-speed movements.

"Upgrading Basic Flash Step to Intermediate Flash Step has at least doubled my speed!"

Gatō's subordinates immediately panicked. The sight of ten people wielding flaming longswords terrified them.

One slash from that thing would leave them dead or badly wounded!

Overcome by fear, the thugs scattered in all directions. Some were so frantic that they missed their footing and fell into the sea.

Kakashi was dumbfounded. At first, he had thought it was the Shadow Clone Technique, but upon closer inspection, he realized that these were merely illusions created by Su Bai's speed.

"It seems Su Bai has made tremendous progress in this battle again. He truly is a genius of Konoha Village."

Kakashi silently marveled, filled with anticipation for this extraordinarily talented student.

Su Bai had driven off the enemy, yet he showed no hint of pride.

He calmly lowered his stance, as if everything that had happened was only natural.

Inari and the villagers, however, burst into cheers. They crowded around Su Bai and treated him as a hero.

Su Bai merely smiled faintly and humbly said, "This was Team 7's achievement. Everyone contributed."

This thrilling battle finally came to a satisfying end.

The Land of Waves regained its peace, and Team 7 would remember this mission well.

After completing the mission, Team 7 prepared to return to Konoha Village.

Before they left, Inari came to Su Bai in person to sincerely express his gratitude.

Inari walked up to Su Bai, a bright smile still on his face.

He looked up, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

"Brother Su Bai, thank you for saving us."

Inari said excitedly, "That horrible Gatō can never bully us again."

Looking at Inari's childish face, Su Bai felt a surge of sympathy.

He crouched down until they were eye level and said gently, "Inari, remember this: none of the unhappy things that happened to you were your fault."

Though Su Bai's tone was calm, every word carried encouragement and concern. "You were bullied not because you were weak. Your father's death was even less your fault because you were incapable. Life has given you many hardships, but you must learn to face them and learn to grow."

Inari widened his eyes and nodded, half understanding.

Su Bai smiled slightly and patted his head. "One day, you'll understand that only by becoming stronger can you protect the people you cherish. Keep it up."

Inari said firmly, "Brother Su Bai, I've decided! I want to become someone like my dad!"

"I'll definitely work hard. I want to protect Mom and everyone else!"

The others from Team 7 were also moved by this heartwarming scene, their faces filled with relieved smiles.

Finally, Inari solemnly told them, "I'm going to name this bridge the 'Su Bai Bridge'! That way, I'll never forget Brother Su Bai!"

Though Su Bai was somewhat surprised, he accepted this special gift with a smile.

It was not merely praise for him personally, but the highest tribute to all of Team 7.

Having completed their escort mission in the Land of Waves, Team 7 finally returned safely to Konoha Village.

After saying goodbye to Team 7, Su Bai briskly made his way home.

The warm early-summer breeze brushed past his hair, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the Moonlight Clan residence.

"Uncle, I'm back."

Su Bai called softly as he stepped through the door.

"Welcome back."

A gentle, refined voice came from the inner room, followed by a bout of coughing.

It was Su Bai's uncle, Hayate Gekko.

"Uncle."

Su Bai respectfully bowed.

Hayate stepped forward and warmly patted Su Bai on the shoulder. "It's good that you're back. Come, sit in the study and tell me about this mission."

Su Bai nodded and followed his uncle into the spacious study.

The bright windows, spotless room, and scent of books all spoke of its owner's deep learning and elegant disposition.

The two sat cross-legged on the tatami as Su Bai slowly recounted the events of the escort mission:

How Team 7 had accepted this C-rank mission, how they had encountered the rogue ninja Zabuza along the way, how they had fought him to the death, and how they had ultimately completed their mission.

Hayate drank tea and listened quietly, nodding at times and frowning at others.

When Su Bai spoke of facing Zabuza head-on and successfully suppressing him with swordsmanship, Hayate could no longer contain his delight.

He praised him aloud, "As expected of my nephew! You've only just graduated from the Ninja Academy, yet you can already trade blows with an A-rank rogue ninja and come away completely unscathed!"

Su Bai lowered his head modestly. "That is all thanks to Uncle's usual guidance."

"You're too modest. Cough, cough."

Hayate smiled and shook his head. "With your current strength, you can already be considered one of the best genin in all of Konoha Village. Keep training this diligently, and before long, you'll join the ranks of the village's strongest ninja!"

The two continued chatting for a long while, reminiscing about every little moment from Su Bai's childhood.

Hayate was filled with emotion, his relief and pride plain to see.

Listening to his uncle's words, Su Bai felt his heart fill with strength.

After bidding his uncle farewell, Su Bai returned alone to his room and began carefully reviewing what he had gained from this mission.

During his time away from the village, his fusion rate with the Bleach Template had increased by 2%. He had mastered the Kido spell "Way of Destruction No. 4: White Lightning," and his Flash Step had risen from the basic level to the intermediate level.

His life-and-death battles with Zabuza and the other Hidden Mist ninja had taught him how to overcome his inner fear when facing powerful enemies.

In terms of practical combat, Su Bai had integrated swordsmanship, Hakuda, Flash Step, Kido, and other abilities, unleashing combat power far beyond that of ordinary people.

After carefully analyzing everything, Su Bai reached a conclusion:

If his opponent did not use ninjutsu, his current strength had already reached the level of a jonin.

However, considering overall strength with ninjutsu included, he was probably only at the level of a chunin.

"According to the original plot, the next place where I can gain a massive amount of experience is the Chunin Exams."

"The Chunin Exams are an early-game paradise for experience!"

The Chunin Exams were about to begin, and this was a very important moment for Su Bai.

Besides experience, there was something else he had to do.

That was to change his uncle Hayate Gekko's fate.

He clearly remembered that in the original story, his uncle Hayate Gekko would be killed by a jonin from Sunagakure.

"To change Uncle Hayate's fate, I must raise my combat strength as quickly as possible—at least until I can fight a jonin from Hidden Sand Village."

His intuition told him that Ryujin Jakka's Shikai should unlock at a 10% fusion rate!

Su Bai began planning his next steps in his mind.

The Chunin Exams were undoubtedly an excellent opportunity to accumulate experience. He intended to use this chance to raise his fusion rate with the Bleach Template to 10%.

Once I unlock Ryujin Jakka's Shikai, my strength will undergo a qualitative leap.

That Sunagakure jonin who kills Uncle Hayate will become a ghost beneath my blade!