With the end of the battle between Natsuki and Might Duy, this Chunin Exam also came to a close.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood in place, pondering which Genin could be promoted to Chunin.

Currently, it was a time of war, so the standards didn’t need to be too high.

For example, medical ninjas like Nonou and Inuzuka Suzume could directly become Chunin, skipping the assessment of their medical ninjutsu.

As the Hokage, he understood their medical ninjutsu level very well.

Natsuki and the others walked up to Might Duy.

He had already passed out and was lying on the ground, receiving treatment from Tsunade.

"Although the Eight Inner Gates is powerful, its side effects are also huge."

Nawaki took a look at Might Duy’s miserable state and couldn’t help but say softly.

"This is why the Eight Inner Gates is classified as a forbidden jutsu."

Minato thought of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Also an S-Rank ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God Technique didn’t have many side effects.

Although in terms of sheer power, it was far inferior to the Eight Inner Gates, they each had their own uses.

If used properly, the impact of the Flying Thunder God Technique was no less than that of the Eight Inner Gates.

Thinking of this, Minato couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency.

Natsuki’s strength was improving too fast.

Although learning the Flying Thunder God Technique didn’t guarantee victory, if he didn’t learn it, he wouldn’t even be able to touch Natsuki’s shadow.

Time slowly passed.

Tsunade finished the treatment and withdrew her hands.

"Sister, how is Duy’s condition?"

Nawaki hurriedly asked.

Although Might Duy’s personality and behavior were rather eccentric, he was indeed a good person.

"He’s fine. He’s out of danger. He just needs to rest in Konoha Hospital for a while to recover."

After Tsunade finished speaking, she waved to the medical ninjas not far away.

Two medical ninjas stepped forward and, under her instructions, carried Might Duy to Konoha Hospital.

"Lord Hokage is about to announce the promotion list for this Chunin Exam."

Inuzuka Gaku walked over and reminded them.

Natsuki and the others immediately looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Before announcing the list, I will briefly mention six points..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at them and began to speak with a smile.

Perhaps because Natsuki and the others’ performance was too outstanding, it aroused his desire to give a speech.

From this Chunin Exam, he talked about the Will of Fire, and then extended to the future of Konoha, talking endlessly.

"It’s almost noon, Teacher."

Tsunade, feeling a bit impatient, reminded him.

"Then I will now announce the promotion list for this Chunin Exam."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t mind being interrupted and read. "Natsuki, Might Duy, Nawaki... Inuzuka Suzume."

"Great!"

Hearing this, Nawaki said excitedly. "All members of our three squads have become Chunin!"

Minato and the others also smiled.

This was undoubtedly a happy ending for everyone.

Natsuki was even happier that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s speech had ended.

Listening to a long-winded speech was truly a headache.

Tsunade was still the most considerate, stopping him in time.

Unfortunately, this Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wouldn’t retire anytime soon.

He just didn’t know if the Fourth Hokage would still be Minato.

Natsuki felt it might be a bit difficult.

An Orochimaru who hadn’t turned evil was still a very strong competitor.

"Congratulations on becoming Chunin."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said, very satisfied. "I look forward to your future performance."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Everyone answered in unison.

"Your Jonin instructors will handle the specific procedures for you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused. "This Chunin Exam ends here. You’ve all worked hard today. Go back and rest early."

After speaking, he disappeared from his spot.

Everyone looked at each other.

Compared to the speech just now, his departure was very swift.

Minato thought for a moment and took the initiative to say goodbye.

His teammates, Kae and Inuzuka Suzume, also left with him.

"Lady Tsunade, Kushina, and Duy who isn’t here—thank you so much for your help this time, allowing me to become a Chunin."

Nara Suzaku bowed slightly.

"No need to thank us."

Kushina shook her head. "We helped each other."

If she hadn’t teamed up with Nara Suzaku and Might Duy, she wouldn’t have been able to become a Chunin either.

"Then I’ll be leaving first. See you when we have the chance."

Nara Suzaku was only temporarily teamed up with Kushina and Might Duy.

He had his own Jonin instructor and teammates.

Now that he had become a Chunin, it was time to go find them.

After Nara Suzaku left, only Natsuki, Nonou, Nawaki, and Kushina remained.

"I’ll give you two days off. Get a good rest."

Tsunade thought for a moment.

In her impression, Natsuki and the others had been constantly training.

Diligence was certainly good, but one must also balance work and rest.

It just so happened that they had passed the Chunin Exams, so she would give them a two-day break.

"I have no objections."

Orochimaru agreed.

"Thank you, Sister! Thank you, Teacher!"

Nawaki instantly cheered.

"In that case, let’s go shopping tomorrow!"

Kushina rolled her pretty eyes and immediately asked. "Natsuki, what do you think?"

"I want to go too."

Nonou followed closely.

"Nawaki, are you going?"

Natsuki looked at Nawaki.

"I... I’m not going!"

Nawaki felt Kushina’s gaze and hurriedly refused.

Tsunade couldn’t help but smile.

Little girls sure have a lot on their minds.

"Alright then."

Natsuki nodded. "We’ll go shopping tomorrow."

"Come find me tomorrow!"

Kushina said with a face full of smiles.

Although there was an extra Nonou, at least her goal was achieved.

After chatting, the group parted ways.

Tsunade, Kushina, and Nawaki returned to Uzumaki Mito’s residence.

Orochimaru returned alone.

Natsuki and Nonou headed toward the Konoha Orphanage.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Bickslow Template Ability 3: Doll — X Formation.]

Looking at the line of text appearing before his eyes, Natsuki couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

He remembered the unlock condition for Doll: X Formation was defeating five Chunin.

It only appeared now because the Genin he defeated in this Chunin Exam had all been promoted to Chunin, right?

This system is quite rigorous.

[You have awakened the Shuzo Template.]

Right at that moment, a new line of text appeared.

Is it the Shuzo from One Piece?

Natsuki subconsciously looked at his newly acquired character template.

[Name: Shuzo]

[Period: Z’s Ambition Arc]

[World: One Piece]

[Rank: A-Rank]

[Ability 1: Soru — UNLOCKED] Effect: Kick the ground dozens of times in the blink of an eye to generate a powerful reaction force, using this force to achieve high-speed movement.

[Ability 2: Geppo — LOCKED] Effect: Use strong leg power to kick the air, generating strong hang time for mid-air walking. Cannot stay in the air for too long. Unlock Condition: Defeat five Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin in mid-air.

[Ability 3: Shigan — LOCKED] Effect: First gather the body’s strength into the index finger, then use the hardened finger to perform an ultra-high-speed piercing attack, capable of penetrating the human body. Unlock Condition: Learn Konoha Whirlwind, Konoha Great Whirlwind, and Konoha Strong Whirlwind.

[Ability 4: Tekkai — LOCKED] Effect: Make the body as hard as iron for defense. But while using Tekkai, one cannot move freely. Unlock Condition: Take enemy attacks head-on with the body in five battles.

[Ability 5: Armament Haki — LOCKED] Effect: Attach to the body and ninja tools to enhance defense and attack. Unlock Condition: Defeat five Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin using taijutsu.

It really was the Shuzo from One Piece.

More accurately, the anime-original Shuzo.

He was from the Longarm Tribe, a former Commodore of the Marine Headquarters, and a core disciple of the former Chief Instructor Zephyr.

Natsuki stroked his chin.

The Shuzo template was undoubtedly awakened because he defeated Might Duy.

The most similar aspect between the two was that they both excelled in taijutsu.

In fact, it was true. Four of the five abilities of the Shuzo template were related to taijutsu.

In a sense, Ability 5, Armament Haki, could also be related to taijutsu.

Abilities 1, 2, 3, and 4 all came from the so-called Marine Rokushiki.

Marine Rokushiki, as the name suggested, were six taijutsu techniques learned by Marines: Soru, Tekkai, Kami-e, Geppo, Shigan, and Rankyaku.

Unfortunately, the Shuzo template only had four techniques: Soru, Geppo, Shigan, and Tekkai.

But Natsuki wasn’t greedy. Having four techniques was already very good.

Ability 1: Soru.

In terms of effect, it was very similar to the Body Flicker Technique—both involving instantaneous movement over a certain distance.

But there were several types of Body Flicker Techniques.

The most basic Body Flicker Technique was D-Rank, which just used chakra to accelerate the feet.

Mid-level Body Flicker Techniques incorporated chakra nature transformation, such as Water Release: Water Body Flicker.

The highest-level Body Flicker Technique was S-Rank, such as the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Soru was roughly equivalent to a mid-level Body Flicker Technique.

For Natsuki, it made up for his lack of speed.

Ability 2: Geppo.

In Natsuki’s view, among these four Marine Rokushiki techniques, Geppo was the most valuable.

Because it was equivalent to half a flight ninjutsu.

Although Natsuki had White Launcher, its flight capabilities were very limited.

Now with Geppo, his aerial flight and combat capabilities would be further enriched.

Its unlock condition was to defeat five Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin in mid-air.

With Natsuki’s current strength, plus White Launcher, fulfilling this unlock condition wouldn’t be difficult.

It could even be unlocked together with Abilities 4 and 5 of the Bickslow template.

Ability 3: Shigan.

Soru and Geppo leaned toward support, while Shigan was a pure offensive taijutsu.

It sounded similar to kenjutsu: one thrust could penetrate the target.

Its requirement was to learn Konoha Whirlwind, Konoha Great Whirlwind, and Konoha Strong Whirlwind.

This unlock condition wasn’t difficult.

The father-son duo, Might Duy and Might Guy, were the type of honest people who would pour their hearts out if you helped them.

In the original story, Hatake Kakashi even learned the Eight Inner Gates from Might Guy.

Natsuki helped Might Duy become a Chunin, so learning three taijutsu techniques wouldn’t be a big problem.

Ability 4: Tekkai.

Tekkai was a rare defensive taijutsu.

The only problem was that after using Tekkai, one couldn’t move freely and could only stand and take a beating.

But if the enemy’s attack was too powerful and could break the defense, then Tekkai would become a clown skill.

Its unlock condition was quite difficult—requiring him to take enemy attacks head-on with his body in five battles.

Fortunately, it didn’t specify that he had to fight Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin.

Otherwise, Natsuki would have lost confidence in completing it.

He basically had no defensive abilities or ninjutsu.

Ability 5 involved another classic concept from One Piece besides Devil Fruits: Haki.

There were three types of Haki, but the Shuzo template only had one: Armament Haki.

It felt like Reinforcement Magecraft to Natsuki.

It could strengthen the body and also strengthen ninja tools.

Its unlock condition was to defeat five Tokubetsu Jonin or Jonin using taijutsu.

For the current Natsuki, it was slightly troublesome.

Because his taijutsu could only be considered passable.

However, once he learned the Konoha Whirlwind series and unlocked the four taijutsu techniques of the Shuzo template, fulfilling this requirement wouldn’t be particularly difficult.

After returning to the Konoha Orphanage, Natsuki tested Soru in his room.

His feet instantly stomped the ground, and he disappeared from his spot.

When he reappeared, he was already in the corner on the other side of the room.

Natsuki nodded slightly.

This speed was indeed faster than the D-Rank Body Flicker Technique.

After testing it, he didn’t continue training and went to get a good night’s sleep.

A new day.

Natsuki opened his eyes on time.

He changed his clothes and went to the kitchen to cook.

"Good morning, Natsuki."

Nonou’s voice rang out at the door.

Natsuki turned to look at her.

He couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback.

Nonou was leaning against the door frame, revealing snow-white shoulders.

Perhaps because she had just woken up, a golden ahoge was sticking up from her head.

Natsuki walked over, reached out, and pulled up her pajama strap, then raised his hand and pressed down her ahoge.

After doing all this, he turned around and continued cooking.

Nonou was slightly taken aback, smiled gently, turned, and went back to her room.

After breakfast, the two arrived at Uzumaki Mito’s residence.

"I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!"

Kushina took the initiative to greet them, grabbed Nonou’s wrist, and headed out.

"Where do you guys plan to go shopping?"

Natsuki walked behind them, looking at them holding hands, and asked with a smile.

"Shopping doesn’t need a destination!"

Kushina thought for a moment.

Actually, she didn’t know how to answer this question.

After all, she only proposed shopping yesterday on a whim.

"Then let’s just walk around."

Natsuki didn’t have any particular place he wanted to go either.

Nonou even less so.

With her personality, it didn’t matter where they went.

"How about we go to Konoha Hospital to visit Duy?"

After walking for a while, Kushina suggested.

"Sure."

Natsuki nodded.

He could be considered one of the main culprits for Might Duy being hospitalized.

"Our squad has disbanded. What will Duy do in the future?"

Kushina suddenly remembered something.

"You don’t need to worry."

Natsuki chuckled. "Duy is now a ninja highly valued by Lord Hokage. He will definitely be properly arranged."

Kushina was slightly taken aback, then understood.

Having mastered the Eight Inner Gates, Sarutobi Hiruzen would naturally treat Might Duy well.

"Duy has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel."

Kushina sighed emotionally.

"Why didn’t he take the initiative to go to Lord Hokage and reveal that he had learned the Eight Inner Gates?"

Nonou looked at Natsuki.

"First, because he didn’t know he was very strong."

Natsuki pondered for a moment. "Second, because pure taijutsu ninjas have always been looked down upon."

He guessed Might Duy had also grown up being bullied.

The three chatted and soon arrived at Konoha Hospital.

But to their surprise, Might Duy was already out of bed and running inside the hospital.

"This level of hard work... can only be described as terrifying."

Natsuki couldn’t help but say.

Kushina and Nonou both nodded in agreement.

"Natsuki! Kushina! Nonou!"

Might Duy noticed them and shouted. "Seeing you guys, I feel my youth has come alive again! I’m going to run another hundred laps!"

Natsuki wanted to complain but didn’t know where to start.

People who can learn the Eight Inner Gates really aren’t normal.

"How is your body?"

Natsuki thought for a moment. "You’re still hospitalized. It’s not recommended to do such extreme exercise."

"This little bit of exercise isn’t extreme. It’s a warm-up at most."

Might Duy said carelessly. "My body has recovered very well. I only started exercising after getting Lady Tsunade’s permission."

"I see."

Hearing this, Natsuki felt relieved.

"Duy, after you’re discharged, our three squads will go eat together to celebrate all of us becoming Chunin."

Kushina smiled.

"Youth is truly beautiful!"

Might Duy was stunned for a moment, then began to cry profusely.

"..."

Seeing this, Kushina was instantly speechless.

"Duy, I’ll need your help with something later."

Natsuki waited for him to finish crying. "I want to learn your Konoha Whirlwind, Konoha Great Whirlwind, and Konoha Strong Whirlwind."

"No problem!"

Might Duy wiped his tears. "Youth is all about mutual exchange!"

"Then get some good rest."

Natsuki nodded. "We’ll come pick you up when you’re discharged."

The three said goodbye to Might Duy and left Konoha Hospital.

"Do you guys want to buy clothes?"

Natsuki noticed they had wandered into the commercial street. "I’ll buy them for you."

"Let’s take a look first."

Kushina pulled Nonou into the nearest clothing store.

Natsuki followed behind them and walked in.

Perhaps because it was a weekday, the clothing store was empty—with only one female shop assistant.

He scanned the area.

This clothing store had a fairly complete range of categories. They had all types.

"If you see any clothes you like, you can try them on."

Natsuki said casually.

He was a rich man now. The cost of a few pieces of clothing was nothing to him. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Then we’ll go change clothes first!"

Kushina and Nonou walked into the fitting room.

A moment later, they walked out.

Natsuki looked over and couldn’t help but feel his eyes light up.

Nonou had changed into a white kimono, her soft blonde hair pinned up, looking very intellectual.

Kushina was different. Her personality was bolder.

She changed into a red slip dress, her red hair tied up into a high ponytail.

She also applied lip balm, making her lips look moist and glossy.

The hem of the dress stopped at her thighs, revealing her snow-white legs.

She wasn’t wearing shoes, her ankles bare, her jade-like feet stepping firmly on the floor.

"Very beautiful."

Natsuki praised.

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