With the nations currently in turmoil and small-scale battles breaking out from time to time, the Genin examination was far stricter than it would be in the future. Besides mastering the Three Body Techniques, students had to pass additional tests.
The instructor explained to the students, "These tests are set by the Chunin and Jonin who have come to select students. You graduating children will choose for yourselves, with a limit of three per instructor. Those who are too slow won't get the teacher they want, so the test begins with each person's choice."
"And this time, some heavyweight Elite Jonin are coming, too."
The instructor's words piqued the students' interest, and they began discussing among themselves which ninja would be coming to select students.
Anyo and Minato stood quietly below, looking somewhat out of place amid the atmosphere around them.
Soon, a loud, showy voice rang out. "Yo! Graduation day again! Ah, the youth I remember so fondly! You're all welcome to choose me. East, west, north, or south, throughout the world, I'm unri-"
Before he could finish, a loud crash rang out, and the man speaking was punched to the ground, his entire head driven straight into the dirt.
A woman's voice rang out, barely suppressing her anger. "Shut up."
"Look! It's Lady Tsunade! She's so pretty, but so violent, too."
"Is that Lord Orochimaru beside her? He looks so cool."
The students recognized the first three arrivals and spoke excitedly. After all, they were the Third Hokage's prized disciples and were very popular in the village. As for the one buried in the dirt, that was naturally the future Toad Sage, Jiraiya.
They had not yet earned the title of Sannin, but their strength was beyond question, and they had plenty of devoted young fans, both boys and girls. Without a doubt, the three of them would be popular choices this time.
After their arrival, more Jonin and Chunin trickled in, but none caused much of a stir. Clearly, those three were the ones the instructor had meant, and their spots would see the fiercest competition shortly.
Anyo casually swept his gaze over them, pausing briefly on Tsunade. No other reason—her breasts were big.
She really does rank first in all of Naruto in that department. They were already that big when she was young. I wonder if they're real. I really want to give them a squeeze!
Tsunade noticed Anyo's gaze but paid it no mind. She probably could never have imagined that a half-grown child was harboring such filthy thoughts at that moment.
Anyo quickly looked away, then casually picked out a distracted-looking Chunin.
The Chunin probably assumed no one would choose him, so he looked relaxed, as though he had yet to wake up properly.
The instructor stood before the students with a solemn expression, raised both hands high, then brought them down sharply. "Go!"
The students charged like tigers released from their cages, their furious sprint kicking up clouds of dust. When the dust cleared, Anyo alone was ambling along at the rear, giving him a clear view of the competition ahead.
First was Minato, who led by an overwhelming margin, with an enormous gap even between him and second place. That was only natural, though. Anyo knew his current strength very well: he was definitely at the peak of Chunin level, capable of putting up a fight even against a Jonin and getting away unscathed.
Things were much more chaotic behind him, with some students even coming into conflict along the way. Unexpectedly, the greatest number headed toward Orochimaru. The discovery gave Anyo a rather strange expression. What fearless warriors!
Of course, some students did not choose those three, instead picking Jonin better suited to them. Hardly anyone headed for the Chunin. In truth, everyone understood that the Chunin were only there to pick up the leftovers. Only students who failed the Jonin's tests would fall to them to select.
Anyo alone headed straight for a Chunin. The instant the Chunin saw him, he was rather dumbfounded, but his surprise soon turned to delight. Whatever else, having someone choose him was a good thing, so he cleared his throat twice. "Ahem. Well, the test I've prepared for you is..."
Before the Chunin could finish, a figure suddenly appeared there and said in a somewhat sinister tone, "Let me test him first."
Hearing that voice, the Chunin's hair stood on end. He hurriedly stepped back twice and replied respectfully, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
The instant Anyo saw the pale-faced Orochimaru, the look in his eyes changed sharply. He had never imagined this sort of unexpected development in his Genin graduation examination. Why has Orochimaru come over?
What about the one over there?
Anyo looked over. Orochimaru was still there, and he immediately understood. The one before him was probably his Shadow Clone. But why had he taken notice of him? Alongside his nervousness, Anyo felt some confusion. He carefully reviewed everything he had experienced in the year since arriving here. Their paths should never have crossed.
The only possible occasion was when I stole the Scroll of Seals. Right, that one time.
Everything suddenly became clear to Anyo. Either the Third Hokage or this Orochimaru before him must have discovered him that time, but had not exposed him. It seemed he intended to cast a long line to catch a big fish, keeping Anyo close for long-term observation.
Having worked all this out in a very short time, Anyo let out a breath of relief and asked calmly, "Lord Orochimaru, may I ask what my graduation test is?"
Orochimaru smiled slightly, seemingly trying to put on a relatively kindly expression, but the smile only made him look more sinister. In a somewhat hoarse voice, he said, "Very simple. Last thirty seconds against it."
With that, Orochimaru formed hand seals and pressed a Summoning Technique onto the ground. An enormous python instantly appeared in the clearing, an overpowering foul stench rolling off its body and into Anyo's face.
The instant the enormous snake appeared, Anyo examined it carefully. Afterward, he breathed a sigh of relief. Good. Judging by its size and color, this isn't his strongest summon, Manda.
If it really had been that thing, never mind thirty seconds-he would not have lasted three. Anyo would absolutely have turned and run without the slightest hesitation.
At Orochimaru's command, the enormous snake opened its gaping maw and lunged at Anyo.
Anyo neither dodged nor moved aside, as though frightened senseless. Some of those watching grew nervous at the sight.
As expected, the enormous snake swallowed Anyo in one gulp.
With a poof, Anyo turned into a log inside the enormous snake's mouth. Substitution Technique.
Having missed its strike, the enormous snake sensed Anyo's presence through the surrounding temperature and lashed its massive tail into the air.
"That's amazing!"
Anyo was indeed in the air. At the very instant it lashed its tail, he finished the hand seals for his ninjutsu. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
After gathering chakra in his throat, Anyo spat an enormous fireball forward. Carrying searing heat, the fireball set the enormous snake's incoming tail ablaze.
With his strike successful, a ruthless glint flashed through Anyo's eyes. Just as he prepared to finish the enormous snake off, he suddenly abandoned the idea. He did not want to put on too dazzling a performance. He only had to last thirty seconds against an injured giant snake; that would be easy. He therefore leaped down to the ground without pressing his advantage.
Seeing the sorry state of his summon, Orochimaru showed no concern at all. Instead, he extended his long tongue and licked his upper lip a few times, then chuckled. "Interesting."
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