Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

On the other side.

Aburame Tobi obtained the scroll and immediately ran towards the finish line.

However.

He hadn't run far when his insects informed him of the situation—

Kanda Kyōichi was coming!

"So fast!"

Aburame Tobi was secretly shocked.

Lord Orochimaru and Hyuga Natsu couldn't stop him?

How is that possible!

But.

There was no time for him to be shocked.

Kyōichi had already caught up, and he had to stop him while taking the scroll to the final destination.

The parasitic insects flew out.

Like a black mist, countless parasitic insects swept towards Kyōichi, but something surprising happened—the opponent ignored the parasitic insects, pushing through with a layer of Earth Release chakra.

"Such incredible speed!"

He quickened his pace.

But how could he compare to Kyōichi?

Without even activating first of the Eight Gates, Kyōichi could overwhelm Aburame Tobi with just Body Flicker Technique.

Aburame Tobi had barely taken a few steps when his newly dispersed insects sensed—

The opponent had arrived.

Bang!

Leaf Whirlwind.

With one kick, Aburame Tobi's body transformed into a mass of insects.

Bug Clone.

As expected.

The next moment, a water dragon rose up.

Boom!

A loud sound rang out, and the ground was smashed into a large crater.

Aburame Tobi stumbled out from the side.

He ran while coughing violently.

He was slightly injured internally.

Damn it.

This Water Dragon Bullet was too powerful, wasn't it?

However.

The next moment, the opponent had caught up again.

Aburame Tobi didn't give up.

But.

Kyōichi showed no mercy, acting decisively with a kick that sent him flying.

They weren't familiar with each other, so why show mercy?

Aburame Tobi spat blood, barely able to run anymore, and Kyōichi confiscated his ninja tools before taking the scroll and leaving a shadow clone behind.

"The clone will give you basic treatment."

Running towards the finish line, he had already begun to understand in his heart.

Orochimaru mentioned "chief examiner."

Evidently, this exam wasn't like in the manga where he sneaked in, but rather he had entered openly, or rather...

This was a bonus question.

A question for himself!

Kyōichi knew.

After defeating Aburame Tobi and Hyuga Natsu, the main obstacles were removed, and Orochimaru giving up the chase meant he acknowledged his strength.

The bonus question was completed, and his promotion to Jonin was basically secured.

The third round?

It didn't matter at all.

Arriving at the finish line, he overlapped the scrolls.

Soon after.

"Kyōichi-kun, we meet again."

Orochimaru appeared.

This was a clone.

However, he clearly wanted to talk with Kyōichi, so instead of immediately dispelling the clone, he smiled and said, "Kyōichi-kun, I am this exam's chief examiner. Do you know why you were the only one I pursued?"

"Tekuno and the other Aburame-senpai were promoted for their battlefield achievements, and as for Shirakumo-senpai... if I'm not mistaken, he must be one of Lord Hokage's people. Only I lack battlefield achievements."

Kyōichi said.

"Hahaha, not bad, you're very good!"

Orochimaru wore a smile.

As expected.

Smart people understand without needing explanations.

"Thank you for holding back, Lord Orochimaru. Otherwise, how could I possibly have caught up to Aburame Tobi?"

Kyōichi wasn't arrogant enough to think this was the extent of Orochimaru's abilities.

The other party definitely hadn't used full power.

Not to mention, he barely used any ninjutsu, focusing more on taijutsu combat.

For a ninjutsu master like Orochimaru to fight with taijutsu...

If that wasn't holding back, what was?

"Hahaha, go to the Hokage Tower for the third round."

Orochimaru's figure disappeared.

Kyōichi lowered his head and headed straight for the Hokage Tower.

The exam was over!

As he thought, whether there was a third round or not didn't matter. 

The focus was on this second round, filled with traps, pursuit, and missions. 

The others were just going through the motions—only he had to take a real exam.

The question was the additional three people.

Arriving at the Hokage Tower, the Third was already waiting.

Kyōichi, Shirakumo, Tekuno, and the three others had all passed.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Good! You've all passed the second round of the exam, especially Kanda Kyōichi... you've really surprised me. I never expected you to complete it so excellently."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was full of smiles.

He had originally only thought Kyōichi would definitely pass but didn't have high expectations. 

Unexpectedly, Kyōichi wasn't just powerful, but his comprehensive qualities needed as a Jonin weren't lacking at all, even surpassing many Jonin.

Moreover, Kyōichi had self-studied medical ninjutsu knowledge.

He could be called a complete, perfect team leader!

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Kyōichi bowed in gratitude.

Tekuno looked around, scratching his head in confusion and said, "Lord Hokage, the third round of the exam..."

"Haha, there is no third round"

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, "From today on, you are all Konoha Jōnin."

Except for Tekuno, the other three weren't surprised.

Shirakumo and Aburame Tobi had already received news that this was just a formality, more of a procedural thing, while Kyōichi had already guessed.

Among so many people, he was the only one surrounded by three opponents.

Obviously it was aimed at him, and he clearly knew the reason—

The Senju lineage.

...

"Did you get it?"

"No, he's very strong. Hehe, the Senju clan, even through marriage and generations, still possesses terrifyingly impressive power. It's truly awe-inspiring."

Orochimaru worked on his research, his eyes full of excitement.

The Senju constitution.

After so many years, to see its glory again!

"You couldn't get it even though you participated?"

Danzo frowned, quite displeased.

Are you kidding me!

Is this all the Three Legendary Sannin amount to?

"As the chief examiner, my duty was to test. Since he possessed sufficient strength, I couldn't deliberately make things difficult."

"Danzo, if you're in such a hurry, why don't you take action yourself?"

Orochimaru gave a cold laugh, glancing at him.

Using him as a pawn?

He laughed coldly and said, "Lord Danzo, I'm only interested in Kanda Kyōichi, which is why I became the chief examiner to test him, and helped you along the way. If you want to blame someone, blame your own subordinates for being too incompetent."

Hyuga Natsu was severely injured with one kick.

Aburame Tobi had no power to resist at all, being chased from start to finish, only thinking about completing the mission to prevent Kyōichi from becoming a Jonin.

When subordinates fail to complete their tasks, you come after me.

Do you really think I'm that easy of a target?

A hint of killing intent flashed acrossOrochimaru's eyes.

"I'm also thinking about cell research. Since there are some troubles, we'll see about it in the future. After all, there will be plenty of opportunities, so why should we argue?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes, then a smile appeared on his face.

Orochimaru said his piece, then went back to his research.

He and Danzo each had their own interests.

If Danzo really thought himself above him, he won't be so thoughtful either.

Moreover.

Sensei during the exam...

Orochimaru recalled Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.

Did he know something?

Probably not.

Although he was now using secretly hidden captives, if his sensei knew, he definitely wouldn't just give a light warning with a single sentence.

That sentence must have been referring to Kanda Kyōichi.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Just when Danzo stepped outside.

Orochimaru's voice came through.

"I advise you not to have any ideas about him for now. Be careful of the old man coming after you. He hasn't become senile yet, and he definitely won't bear the consequences of moving against the Senju on your behalf."