Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 75: Chūnin Exams - Three-on-Three

"Have any of you seen Kakashi recently?"

After thinking for a long time, Yuuji finally voiced the question that had been bothering him.

Honestly, Genma and Kurenai could guess a little about Kakashi's situation, but considering he always wore a mask and used his ANBU codename, it was obvious he was keeping a low profile.

Raitō, however, had no such concerns. He simply shook his head bluntly.

"Nope. Haven't heard anything about him in a long time either."

Yuuji turned to look at Kurenai and Genma, but they also shook their heads like waving drum rattles, leaving him even more confused.

It was as if Kakashi had completely disappeared from the world.

However, Yuuji wasn't the type to dwell endlessly on things he couldn't figure out. Realizing his bamboo rice was getting cold, he focused on finishing his meal.

Since the Chūnin Exams were happening the next day, Yuuji gave them some final instructions before dismissing them.

With half a day left, there wasn't much they could do. But Genma had shadow clones, so two of him working together meant he still had a full day's worth of training.

This time, he focused entirely on medical ninjutsu.

His team had two major weaknesses—

1. No one had sensory abilities.

2. They lacked healing techniques.

Their overall combat strength was solid, but their biggest vulnerability was their lack of support abilities.

Most ninja had some ability to detect enemies based on sound or movement, but their range was limited. If an enemy outside their range ambushed them, they'd be at a huge disadvantage.

So, Genma decided to prioritize medical ninjutsu. He wasn't aiming for anything advanced just yet—he just wanted to learn the Mystical Palm Technique.

He started by practicing on an octopus, then moved on to koi fish.

Healing fish was much harder than octopuses because their bodies were more delicate and their organs more fragile.

Still, the control training from his waterfall practice had significantly improved his chakra precision, and by midnight, he had finally managed to keep a fish alive for a longer period of time.

Though he still couldn't fully revive the fish, he was at least getting better at treating injuries.

Healing required precise control over the brain and heart.

Octopuses had multiple vital organs, so healing a few could keep them alive.

Fish, however, had only one set of organs, making healing far more demanding.

Genma wasn't impatient—his small improvements proved that he had natural talent in medical ninjutsu.

His shadow clones focused on studying theory, while his real body practiced healing techniques. At this rate, he was confident he could master basic medical ninjutsu soon.

Since the Chūnin Exams were the next day, he went to bed early to rest.

However, he left his shadow clone awake to keep reviewing medical knowledge—sleep and study didn't have to be mutually exclusive.

The Chūnin Exams Begin

The next morning, the three met up and headed to the exam site.

Genma already knew the exam format—

1. Written test (typically a theoretical knowledge exam).

2. Team-based elimination round.

3. Individual battle tournament.

The first stage was easy for them—none of them had any trouble with theoretical knowledge.

Unlike later versions of the Chūnin Exams, which focused on psychological pressure and team trust, this exam was just a normal written test.

To Genma's surprise, Kakashi showed up for the exam, still wearing his mask. He finished first and walked out confidently.

It was odd seeing him reveal his identity, but Genma was intrigued.

Rather than rushing, he took his time and finished normally. Seeing that Kurenai had also completed her test, he submitted early.

The exam questions weren't difficult, and even cheating was easy.

Unlike in later exams, intelligence wasn't a major focus here. Still, some less prepared candidates were clearly struggling.

Oddly enough, even Gai and Obito, who never studied, passed the exam.

Gai legitimately passed with decent scores.

Obito barely scraped by, thanks to Rin feeding him answers.

Genma clearly remembered this from the original story.

Surprisingly, all three teams from their graduating class passed the written test, which felt almost unbelievable.

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Three-on-Three Battles

The second stage was not the usual "Heaven and Earth Scrolls" survival test.

Instead, it was a straightforward three-on-three battle format.

It wasn't just one match—it was a best-of-three series, meaning teams had to win two out of three rounds to advance.

Twelve teams had passed the written test. The matchups were determined by random draws, but instead of drawing for themselves, the proctors did it for them.

When it was finally their turn to fight, they faced three older ninja—

1. A blue-haired swordsman.

2. A thin, black-haired boy with kunai.

3. A muscular, broad-shouldered boy wielding a spiked club.

Their opponents looked confident, almost cocky.

The big guy stepped forward, sneering at Raitō.

"Yo~ You kids just graduated, huh? I'd suggest you drop out now."

He smirked and continued, "The three of us have been ninja for two years. We've completed 25 C-rank missions and even one B-rank mission!

Scared yet?"

Genma, Kurenai, and Raitō remained in a solid triangular formation, but Raitō immediately got pissed off.

"Hah?! You've been ninja for two years and you're still genin? That's embarrassing."

Genma and Kurenai almost burst out laughing.

The big guy's face turned red with anger.

"You little—! You're dead, kid!"

He clenched his fists and swung them in frustration before storming back to his team.

Though the match had officially begun, his trash talk had delayed the fight.

But as soon as he returned to position—Raitō attacked first.

A dark blur streaked forward as he clashed blades with the big guy.

"Boom!"

Sparks flew as Raitō's blade met the spiked club, but he was visibly struggling to hold his ground.

Meanwhile, the black-haired kunai user tried to flank him, but Genma's shadow clone stopped him with an earth spike.

At the same time, Kurenai hit him with genjutsu, causing him to freeze up.

In that instant, Genma and his clone pressed their kunai against the throats of two enemies—

One against the big guy's back.

One against the frozen kunai user's neck.

This left only the blue-haired swordsman.

"Heh… Even alone, I can still fight!"

He lunged at Raitō, eyes full of desperation.

But then—

Poof!

The two captured enemies disappeared, replaced by wooden logs—Substitution Jutsu!

Genma and Raitō's expressions hardened.

"Clang!"

Raitō clashed swords with the blue-haired boy.

Meanwhile, the black-haired kunai user went for Kurenai's blind spot, stabbing at her back.

"Clang!"

She spun around, deflecting the attack.

At the same time, the big guy roared and swung at Genma.

"Boom!"

His attack landed, but—

"Poof!"

Genma vanished, replaced by a log.

Suddenly—

The big guy felt something cold at the back of his neck.

A kunai.

He froze—and realized, too late, that Genma had outmaneuvered him.

Four seconds passed.

He was disqualified.

From there, Genma and Kurenai quickly took down the kunai user, leaving only the swordsman.

Seeing no way to win, he reluctantly surrendered.

Victory!

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