Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"The Jonin exam is about to begin. When your name is called, come receive your credentials... Tekuno kanden."

"yes!"

"Hayama Shirakumo."

"Yes!"

"Hyuga Natsu."

"..."

"Kanda Kyōichi."

"Here!"

Kyōichi stepped forward and respectfully received his credentials like the others.

After that, he carefully listened to the names.

Hayama Shirakumo didn't surprise him, as his distinctive appearance made him instantly recognizable.

However.

That slightly chubby young ninja turned out to be Tekuno, whom he had seen in the anime...

That was somewhat unexpected.

Kyōichi remembered him for a simple reason.

This person appeared quite often and was one of the few weapon masters like Tenten who combined ninja tools and summoning scrolls, eventually becoming a Jonin through these skills.

This showed his considerable expertise with ninja tools.

Kyōichi couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

Besides these two, there was also an elite Chunin who wasn't well-known, but...

On the contrary.

This person posed the greatest threat to Kyōichi, according to his chakra sensing abilities. He suspected this person might be someone in disguise.

Orochimaru?

It's possible.

He loves playing these games.

Kyōichi scanned the training ground and formed a general idea about this Jonin exam - most candidates were ninja who couldn't be promoted directly through battle achievements but had the necessary abilities.

"The first test will begin here. Please take your seats for the written exam, all seven of you."

The speaker was a Jonin.

Kyōichi recognized him as Yuhi Shinku, Yuhi Kurenai's father.

However.

This wasn't the time for meeting students' parents. He went forward to receive his test paper, quickly sat down at the pre-arranged spot in the training ground, and began answering questions.

Becoming a Jonin required certain knowledge.

Even Naruto in the manga couldn't escape this requirement and had to study hard for it.

Kyōichi looked at the test paper and felt slightly relieved.

The questions.

They were both difficult and simple - mostly about battlefield tactics and battle formations. Any experienced Chunin would know most of these.

Though Kyōichi couldn't say he understood everything, with his predecessor's knowledge and his previous life's experience from watching anime, it wasn't hard to answer these questions.

The others could answer even more easily.

Because here, Kanda Kyōichi was the youngest.

Becoming a Chunin at fourteen was quite slow, but if he could become a Jonin at fifteen, that wouldn't be bad at all. He was considered the focus of this exam.

In fact, Kyōichi understood that among the seven people in the exam room, half of them might be here because of him.

The first test was just the beginning.

He calmed himself, answering questions while observing others. Soon, the unremarkable Matsuno Hara finished first, followed by others submitting their papers.

Kyōichi was the last one.

It wasn't because he couldn't answer - he simply wanted to be last to observe everyone's condition.

Now he had some answers.

The two Aburame clan members were probably from Root, secretly observing him, while Hyuga Natsu might be genuinely here for the exam, having finished and submitted early.

"The second test is simple: there are two scrolls in the Forest of Death. The first four to gather the scrolls will qualify for the third test."

After Yuhi Shinku finished announcing, he gave the signal to disperse.

In the next moment, everyone vanished.

Kyōichi understood.

The second test examined information gathering, combat, and speed.

In terms of gathering information, nobody could match the Aburame clan and the Hyuga clan. These three were the main trouble in this exam, but these weren't all the challenges Kyōichi faced.

There was also Matsuno Hara.

Was he really here for the exam?

When they dispersed using the Body Flicker Technique, Kyōichi noticed he went in the same direction as himself. Everyone had Jonin-level abilities; he didn't believe the other couldn't sense his position.

Whatever.

It didn't matter, as finding two scrolls alone was unrealistic anyway. He had to rely on the Aburame clan and Hyuga clan members, who were excellent at reconnaissance.

Kyōichi ran while using chakra sensing to scan the surroundings.

Matsuno Hara was still following him.

This person must be in disguise, not here for Jonin promotion.

Kyōichi knew this well.

He didn't directly track him, but after following for a while and judging his speed, he kept himself within range to quickly catch up to Aburame Tobi.

"His position... interesting, sensing ability?"

Matsuno Hara licked his lips, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Senju.

How enviable!

Soon after.

Aburame Tobi found one scroll, then quickly headed in another direction. From his behavior, it was clear his insects had helped him locate another scroll.

Just as Kyōichi was about to catch up.

Whoosh~

Wearing a green vest, Matsuno Hara landed in front of Kyōichi, speaking in a slightly hoarse voice: "Kanda Kyōichi, there are only four spots in this exam. Do you want one?"

"..."

Orochimaru, you perverted freak.

Kyōichi cursed internally.

"Hehehe, I'm not interested in the scrolls, but I'm very interested in you. If you can defeat me, perhaps I can help you get the scrolls."

As Matsuno Hara said this, he couldn't help but lick his lips again.

This voice and behavior clearly indicated it was Orochimaru.

"I'm not interested in you."

Kyōichi wasn't surprised.

He had suspected this person was Orochimaru since the first test, because Jiraiya was handling peace negotiations with the Sunagakure on the frontlines, so Orochimaru must have returned to the village.

"Then you don't have a choice."

Matsuno Hara smiled.

He pulled out a kunai, instantly appearing beside Kyōichi.

However.

The next moment, the Kyōichi before him shattered into fragments.

Clone Technique?

No.

Such fast Body Flicker Technique!

Matsuno Hara became more excited.

As he raised his hand, a large snake appeared.

Damn it.

Not even trying to hide it anymore?

Kyōichi saw the snake land in front of him and cursed internally, but he didn't hesitate to act, immediately forming hand seals and spewing a water stream from his mouth.

Water Style: Severing Wave!

The sharp water jet cut the snake in half and changed direction toward the "Matsuno Hara" behind.

Matsuno Hara hadn't expected Kyōichi to use such a powerful jutsu.

However.

When the water stream cut through, his body turned into a pile of mud.

Earth Style Substitution!

This was the power of the Legendary Sannin.

Able to dodge jutsu attacks with minimal effort.

Kyōichi wasn't surprised and quickly chased after Aburame Tobi.

Orochimaru was like a sticky candy - impossible to beat and clingy. There was no point in engaging him. The key now was to get the scrolls and secure a spot.

Moreover.

Distinguishing friend from foe and completing the mission were also abilities required of a Jonin, so complaining would be useless.

But Orochimaru had become interested.

Initially, he just wanted to test Kyōichi's abilities and verify if the rumors were true, but after observing...

Kyōichi's strength far exceeded his expectations.

The modified Body Flicker Technique, the nearly lost Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave technique.

What else hadn't he anticipated?