Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Kushina’s Teammates, The Chunin Exams Begin

Early morning, Natsuki and Nonou arrived at Uzumaki Mito’s residence.

"Natsuki, Nonou, long time no see!"

Kushina smiled and waved at them.

"Good morning."

Nawaki also stopped training and greeted them.

"I’ve already heard from Nawaki about your mission this time."

Kushina said with a face full of envy. "I wonder when I’ll be able to go on a mission with you guys."

"There will be opportunities in the future."

Natsuki thought for a moment. "Kushina, I brought you a gift."

"What gift?"

Kushina subconsciously leaned in, anticipation on her pretty little face.

Natsuki smelled a faint fragrance.

The post-graduation Kushina, although still somewhat green, was clearly already blossoming into a beauty.

Natsuki extended his hand.

Five pocket-sized dolls appeared one by one.

These were precisely the dolls from the Bickslow template.

"So cute!"

Kushina exclaimed, taking the five dolls into her hands to examine them carefully.

"When did you buy these dolls?"

Nawaki asked, confused.

In the Land of Rain, they were busy with missions every day. Logically speaking, there was no time to buy dolls.

"Bought them yesterday."

Natsuki paused. "I also bought a set for you guys."

After speaking, he summoned two more sets of five dolls.

"Since you’re giving them to me, I’ll accept them."

Nawaki wasn’t very interested in dolls, but he couldn’t refuse Natsuki’s goodwill.

Nonou took the dolls and, like Kushina, looked at them happily.

Natsuki gave them the dolls because he could control them with his soul.

If they encountered danger, he could help them at a critical moment.

In case they went missing or were kidnapped, he could also find them through the dolls.

"Is everyone here?"

Tsunade, having just met with Uzumaki Mito, walked out.

"Lady Tsunade."

Kushina suddenly remembered something. "Can I participate in the Chunin Exams?"

Just now, when Nawaki was telling her about the trip to the Land of Rain, he mentioned in passing that they were going to participate in the Chunin Exams.

"With your strength, you can indeed participate in the Chunin Exams."

Tsunade was slightly taken aback, then said thoughtfully. "The only problem is you don’t have teammates."

"Can’t I participate alone?"

Kushina clenched her fists and said fiercely. "I can send them all flying by myself!"

"Besides individual battles, the Chunin Exams also have team battles."

Tsunade thought for a moment. "I’ll ask Teacher and see how he arranges it."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"

Kushina was very happy.

Participating in the Chunin Exams wasn’t her goal. Participating with Natsuki and the others was.

And Tsunade agreed mainly because Kushina wasn’t the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki yet.

Since she was allowed to go to school, there was no reason to forbid her from participating in the Chunin Exams.

Besides, this Chunin Exam only involved Konoha Genin, so there wouldn’t be any danger.

"I have a candidate in mind."

Natsuki suddenly said. "I met a Genin named Might Duy while I was out running before."

He wasn’t lying.

He indeed saw Might Duy while running around Konoha.

Although the two had no interaction, Natsuki knew his strength very well.

At the same time, he felt pity for him.

In the original story, he remained a Genin until his death.

In comparison, Might Guy was much more normal—successfully rising to Chunin and eventually Jonin.

But the reason Guy could be normal was because Might Duy beat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into the "Three Auspicious Treasures"—which earned Guy recognition.

Besides Might Duy, Konoha had another eternal Genin: Maruboshi Kosuke.

He was a true veteran. Even the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had taught him Water Release.

In terms of seniority, he was in the same generation as Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn’t dare slight him.

The reason he remained an eternal Genin was because his impulsiveness caused the deaths of his teammates in his youth. This was his punishment for himself.

Due to his special circumstances, Natsuki didn’t recommend him.

Might Duy was more suitable.

He was still young right now—around nineteen or twenty, the perfect age to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Cases like Uzumaki Naruto and the others in the original story, participating in the Chunin Exams at such a young age, were actually exceptions.

After all, geniuses were always a minority.

Of course, Natsuki had another reason for recommending Might Duy.

The third stage of the Chunin Exams was individual battles.

He might be matched against Might Duy.

If he defeated Might Duy, who possessed the Eight Inner Gates, would he awaken a new character template?

Natsuki’s kenjutsu was very good now, but his pure taijutsu was somewhat lacking.

If he awakened a character skilled in taijutsu, it would make up for his weakness.

"Might Duy?"

Tsunade recalled for a moment and found she had no impression of him. "Is there anything special about him?"

"He’s a pure taijutsu ninja." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Natsuki replied.

"There’s actually a pure taijutsu ninja?"

Tsunade asked in surprise.

"How strong can a pure taijutsu ninja be?"

Nawaki shook his head. "Natsuki, don’t set Kushina up for failure."

"I believe in Natsuki!"

Kushina immediately expressed her support. "I choose him as my teammate!"

"You guys train first. I’m going to see Teacher."

Tsunade nodded slightly.

But in her heart, she was very dismissive of the Might Duy Natsuki mentioned.

However, she couldn’t be blamed.

At this stage, taijutsu ninjas were undoubtedly subjected to discrimination or skepticism.

The reason was simple: their weaknesses were too obvious.

Taijutsu ninjas were close-combat fighters.

Theoretically, other ninjas could kite them to death from a distance using ninjutsu.

Furthermore, genjutsu ninjas were their natural counters. A single genjutsu could render them unable to resist.

In short, the current ninja world advocated for ninjas to use both ninjutsu and taijutsu, prioritizing ninjutsu but never relying solely on taijutsu.

Actually, this disdain was not without reason.

Besides the father-son duo of Might Duy and Might Guy, there were hardly any taijutsu ninjas who could be called true powerhouses.

While there were plenty of powerhouse non-taijutsu ninjas.

"Natsuki, let me tell you some good news!"

After Tsunade left, Kushina said with a smile. "Half a month ago, I learned the Rasengan!"

"Very impressive."

Natsuki immediately praised.

He wasn’t surprised.

Kushina and Nonou had completed most of the Rasengan training by the time they graduated.

"What? You learned it?"

Nawaki immediately said. "I have to hurry up!"

"You’re almost there too—but definitely not as fast as Nonou."

Natsuki chuckled.

The reason Nonou hadn’t learned the Rasengan yet was because she had no time.

After graduating, she had been learning taijutsu.

Going to the Land of Rain for missions left even less time to learn.

But now that she had some free time, he estimated she would learn it this month—no, this week.

As for Natsuki, he was almost there too and should be able to learn it this month.

When the Rasengan made its debut in the Chunin Exams, it would surely surprise many people.

Natsuki could take advantage of the situation to deepen his persona as a creator-type ninja.

However, he still needed to learn five control-type ninjutsu.

Natsuki already had targets in mind.

He chose the five simplest control-type ninjutsu.

Three genjutsu: the D-Rank Demonic Illusion: Servant of the Mist Technique, and the C-Rank Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique and Sly Mind Affect Technique.

Two Water Release: the D-Rank Water Release: Water Binding and the C-Rank Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu.

Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu was a Kirigakure ninjutsu, but Konoha had it too.

Natsuki chose it yesterday after seeing it in the Hokage Building’s ninjutsu storage room.

The highest rank among these five control-type ninjutsu was C-Rank, so they wouldn’t be hard to learn.

Especially since his Water Release chakra nature transformation was at a very high level now.

He would learn these two Water Release ninjutsu in less than a month.

The three genjutsu would take a bit longer—probably about a month.

While Natsuki and the others were training, Tsunade walked into the Hokage’s office.

"You came just in time."

Seeing Tsunade, Sarutobi Hiruzen said. "Sunagakure has made a move."

"What move? Did they send someone to negotiate peace with us?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"No."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "After Ebizou returned to Sunagakure, the village went into high gear."

"It seems they are preparing to launch a large-scale war against Konoha."

Tsunade understood immediately.

Going into high gear actually meant Sunagakure was preparing war supplies and mobilizing ninjas.

"I estimate Sunagakure will formally deploy troops against us next month."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice. "After the Chunin Exams end, you will lead a group of ninjas to support Orochimaru and Jiraiya."

Tsunade nodded.

With the Second Shinobi World War dragging on to this point, she had long known that her becoming a battlefield commander was inevitable.

After all, there weren’t many ninjas in Konoha with the strength and status to be a battlefield commander.

Excluding Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, only the three of them and Hatake Sakumo were left.

As for Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and the others, they were relatively young—under twenty. Making them battlefield commanders might lead to problems.

"Did you come today for a specific reason?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked after finishing his arrangements.

"Kushina wants to participate in the Chunin Exams."

Tsunade nodded.

"If she wants to participate, that’s fine."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment and agreed. "I will arrange two teammates for her."

"Natsuki recommended a teammate for Kushina: Might Duy."

Tsunade added.

"Might Duy?"

A subtle expression appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face.

"Do you know him?"

Tsunade noticed his expression and asked curiously. "Is he very strong? Why don’t I have any impression of him?"

Geniuses were always famous.

For example, Natsuki and Minato were already quite famous when they were at the Ninja Academy.

But Might Duy... Tsunade truly didn’t remember such a Genin.

"He’s a pure taijutsu ninja. As for his strength, I can only say it’s passable."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "It’s just that his behavior is rather eccentric."

"Eccentric?"

Tsunade asked, confused.

"Always shouting some incomprehensible declarations about youth."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Because of this, no one is willing to team up with him."

"Is it that serious?"

Tsunade still couldn’t quite understand.

"You’ll understand when you meet him."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused. "Do you still plan to let him be Kushina’s teammate?"

"This was Natsuki’s recommendation, and Kushina agreed, so let him participate."

Tsunade thought for a moment.

"Alright then."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly. "I’ll send someone to notify him."

"I’ll be leaving first. If anything comes up, send the ANBU to find me."

Tsunade waved her hand and headed toward the Konoha Hospital.

She needed to test the poison obtained from Chiyo’s son and daughter-in-law.

On a road at the northern edge of Konoha.

A young man wearing a green jumpsuit was running on his hands.

Sweat rolled down his face, dripping onto the ground and forming a trail—but he didn’t care at all.

"Hot-blooded youth cannot admit defeat here!"

The young man suddenly shouted loudly. "Erupt, my youth!"

A surge of power welled up, increasing his speed considerably.

Right at that moment, a figure blocked his path, and he instinctively stopped.

"Are you Might Duy?"

A masked ANBU ninja asked.

"I am!"

Might Duy answered subconsciously.

"Lord Hokage wants you to participate in the Chunin Exams at the end of the month."

The ANBU ninja informed him. "You will be assigned two teammates then."

"What? The Chunin Exams?"

Might Duy suddenly did a kip-up and stood up.

He stared intently at the ANBU ninja. His body trembled.

"...?"

The ANBU ninja subconsciously took a half step back.

"Has my youth finally been recognized by Lord Hokage?"

Might Duy extended his hands, clenched his fists, and then tears streamed down his face as he shouted loudly. "Great! It’s time for my youth to blossom!"

The ANBU ninja watched him weeping bitterly and couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.

What’s going on?

Is there a need to be this excited about participating in a Chunin Exam?

He couldn’t understand.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to run away at the speed of light.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that this Might Duy seemed very abnormal.

May quickly drew to a close.

Konoha welcomed an event of moderate importance: the Chunin Exams.

At 8:30 AM.

Natsuki and the others arrived at the Ninja Academy on time.

The Chunin Exams included not only practical combat but also a theory exam.

The location of the theory exam was set at the Ninja Academy.

Upon arriving at the school gate, Natsuki and the others saw an unexpected figure: Orochimaru.

"Teacher!"

Nawaki instantly became excited and hurried forward. "Why are you back?"

"Nothing major is happening on the battlefield in the Land of Rain for now. Jiraiya staying there is enough."

Orochimaru explained. "It just so happens you are participating in the Chunin Exams, so I came back to participate with you."

Tsunade was ultimately just a substitute—not Team 1’s true Jonin instructor.

After becoming Team 1’s Jonin instructor, he hadn’t spent any time with them.

Logically and emotionally, he should come back for a visit.

Actually, under normal circumstances, Natsuki, Nawaki, and Nonou should have gone to the battlefield in the Land of Rain.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade both felt it was too early and that they should be allowed to grow a bit more before heading to an even more dangerous battlefield.

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