The final day

Kazan passed the second round of the exams.

A day later, they would compete in the final round of sixteen at Konoha's Largest Training Arena.

In truth, most of the Genin who had made it this far already qualified for promotion.

But these Chunin Ninja Exams were unusual. Promotion was not the various Shinobi Villages' main objective.

Displaying their strength and winning over allies came first.

The final day of the Chunin Ninja Exams was bound to be lively.

"Where the hell have you been these past few days?"

Having passed the exams, all three teammates were in high spirits.

Put it this way.

Ninjas were divided into three ranks. Genin were widely regarded as cannon fodder, people without any talent as Ninjas who occupied the lowest rung in every Shinobi Village.

They could only carry out simple, harmless missions, such as carrying bags for some rich woman out shopping or finding lost cats.

Once they became Chunin, though,

things changed. Even if they could not be called the backbone of the village, Chunin were qualified to teach and nurture others. They were no longer mere cannon fodder.

As for Jonin,

they were the elite of every Shinobi Village, the core of a village's fighting strength.

"I went to train."

"Train?"

"Yeah."

Kazan did not elaborate, but the other two still envied him.

That was a Hokage's disciple for you. He was called away to train even during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Clearly, great things were expected of him.

"Hmph. If we face each other in the next round, I won't hold back, Kazan."

"Suit yourself."

Kazan remained utterly unruffled. He had only one opponent in these exams.

The Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii!

The day passed quickly.

That day, Konoha was as bustling as it was during New Year celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Ninjas of the ANBU and Root were out in full force, keeping watch over every corner of Konoha.

It was the final day of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and far too many important figures had come to Konoha.

Although the Chiefs of the other Shinobi Villages had not attended in person, they had all sent senior officials. With such distinguished guests as the Daimyo of the Land of Fire present as well, they could not afford a single mistake.

Besides them,

the villagers cheerfully put aside their work and headed to the Training Ground to watch.

Kurenai Yuhi was there too, of course, along with other students from Kazan's year.

"Over here, over here, Kurenai!"

"Anko, you're here so early!"

"Of course! Uncle Moriaki told me Kazan's been doing really well in the exams. If he gets promoted this time, he'll be the second Chunin from our year."

"I'm so jealous."

Rin Nohara's voice was full of longing.

She wondered when she would finally become a Chunin herself.

"You'll definitely become a Chunin soon, Rin. And so will I, of course."

Wearing his trademark goggles, Obito Uchiha raised his right arm and pointed his thumb at himself.

"Quit spouting nonsense, you Shame of the Uchiha!"

The speaker was Jing Uchiha.

He was not in a particularly good mood.

His mortal enemy Kazan was about to become a Chunin, while he, a proud Uchiha, had not even graduated yet.

"Who are you calling the Shame of the Uchiha? You haven't graduated either!"

"You..."

Jing Uchiha's expression turned cold.

Was he incapable of graduating? His parents had simply made him stay at the Ninja Academy.

In fact, after learning that Kazan was taking the Chunin Ninja Exams, he had even considered graduating immediately and entering alongside him.

But his parents had declared, "You're not ready to take the Chunin Ninja Exams yet."

Damn it!

"Come on, Obito, stop arguing. Let's hurry inside, or there won't be any seats left."

Rin Nohara quickly stepped in to stop their argument.

"Hmph."

Jing Uchiha did not want to waste his breath on this Shame of the Uchiha either.

He wanted to see for himself just how far behind Kazan he was.

He wanted to know whether he truly was unqualified to take the Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Minato, hurry up!"

"Slow down, Kushina. The exams haven't started yet."

The fiery-haired Kushina Uzumaki dragged a blond man toward the Training Ground.

They were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.

The two were already married. Although they had known each other since childhood, they were still deeply in love.

"Hurry, hurry! Let's go cheer for that little menace Kazan!"

"Hahahaha! Who would've thought Kazan would take the Chunin Ninja Exams so soon and even make it to the final round?"

"Tell me about it. That little brat practices Taijutsu instead of Ninjutsu. I was worried he'd end up like that eternal Genin, Might Duy."

"If that little rascal Kazan gets promoted, everything at my tavern will be half price tonight!"

"Oh!"

The villagers streamed into the Training Ground, chattering loudly.

Kazan's parents in this world had died early, so these people had practically watched him grow up.

They all knew what a huge appetite Kazan had. When he was little, they had often found excuses to bring him food. Even when a dog died at home, they could only turn a blind eye through their tears.

Despite constantly calling him a little brat or a little menace,

they all loved Kazan.

"Kazan? That little punk who rode a tiger around the village?"

At the mention of Kazan, Kushina bristled, her blood-red hair stirring without any wind.

Unfortunately, she had been caught up in several of Kazan's escapades.

"Haha..." Minato Namikaze could only laugh awkwardly. "Calm down, Kushina. Kazan is the Third Hokage's Fourth Disciple."

"So what if he's his Fourth Disciple? How many decent disciples could that dirty old man possibly have?"

Just look at the Sannin, experts in lust, gambling, and drugs. This Fourth Disciple certainly could not be much better.

He was already causing trouble everywhere at such a young age.

He would definitely be a menace when he grew up!

Minato Namikaze could only smile placatingly.

He thought Kushina and Kazan would probably get along quite well. There were not many people who dared call the Third Hokage an old man!

"Achoo!"

Kazan suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose.

"Which bastard is bad-mouthing me behind my back? I'd better not catch you, or you'll pay!"

Kazan knocked his fists together, brimming with fighting spirit.

Today would mark his first step toward making a name for himself in the Shinobi World.

"My opponent is a Jinchūriki who has perfect control over her tailed beast. Surely that'll earn me at least one achievement?"

The previous night, it had suddenly occurred to him that there were Nine Tailed Beasts in the Shinobi World.

If he beat up all Nine Tailed Beasts, would that unlock a hidden achievement too?

That gave him one more reason to send Yugito Nii flying.

"It's time. Head out!"