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With Yuuhi Kurenai's command, all the participating teams surged into the dark forest like wild horses, quickly vanishing from sight.
Sasame, Yakushi Kabuto, and Inuzuka Hana were the fastest.
Because they were the strongest.
With Uchiha Itachi no longer in the running, Sasame planned to set a record for the fastest completion.
Kurenai withdrew her gaze, only to stiffen in alarm as she quickly stepped in front of a certain someone.
"Lady Tsunade, according to the rules, you cannot enter."
"I'm not going in. I'll just watch from the sidelines."
Tsunade spoke while subtly inching forward.
"Lady Tsunade…"
Kurenai sighed helplessly. At least stop moving! "You're making this difficult for us."
"How about this—you come with me."
Tsunade's eyes remained fixed on the direction Sasame had disappeared. "With you here, there's nothing to worry about, right?"
Clearly, she wasn't giving up so easily.
Kurenai finally relented. "But you cannot interfere with the exam or assist your students."
"Of course not."
Tsunade grinned. "Kurenai, you're underestimating my students."
Kurenai recalled Sasame's absurd combat records from the war between Konoha and Kumogakure.
Honestly, she found it hard to believe.
Back then, Sasame was only nine, with no Kekkei Genkai, yet he'd supposedly taken down several jōnin—including the Magnet Release user, Toroi.
She suspected Tsunade had crippled them first, leaving the finishing blows to her students.
"Lady Tsunade, slow down!"
Kurenai's thoughts lasted only three seconds before Tsunade shot off like an arrow.
She hurried after her.
Soon, they caught sight of Sasame's team—three people and a dog.
Since the exam had just begun, they hadn't encountered any enemies yet.
Currently, they were relying on Gurō the Husky's sense of smell to track their targets.
A minute later—success.
Standing beside Tsunade, Kurenai blinked. "Charging in like this… isn't that too reckless?"
Sasame's team had located another squad and, without any traps or stealth, were barreling straight toward them.
"No need to waste time."
Tsunade understood Sasame well. Seeing his urgency, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
But then she paused, thoughtful.
This isn't like him. He's usually so lazy. Why is he so fired up for the Chūnin Exams?
Then it hit her—her promise of a reward.
Tsunade froze.
She'd said it offhandedly, never expecting Sasame to take it seriously.
Oh no. If I don't give him something now, he won't let this go.
"An A-rank Water Release?!"
Kurenai's jaw dropped, her face a picture of shock.
So the rumors were true.
Sasame could casually wield an A-rank jutsu, proving his strength was indeed at jōnin level.
Does that mean… I might not even be a match for him?
But this was overkill.
Their opponents were genin! This shouldn't be happening!
Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts, saw Kurenai's expression, and proudly puffed out her chest.
"My students are exceptional, of course."
Kurenai's eyes flicked downward—then immediately dimmed in despair.
The comparison was enough to make any woman weep.
"Jealous?"
Tsunade smirked, noticing her glance. "In a few years, you can be a team leader too. But whether you get good students… that's up to luck."
"Seems their luck is great."
Kurenai hurriedly changed the subject.
Sasame's team was already heading for the central tower—meaning they'd secured the necessary scrolls.
"I'll go meet them at the tower. That's not against the rules, right?"
Tsunade's grin never faded.
Though she'd known Sasame would pass with ease, showing off in front of others was another matter entirely.
Why do people always ask about grades or salaries during family gatherings? Same principle.
"Once they enter the tower, the second round ends. The third won't begin until all remaining teams arrive."
Despite suffering a double blow to her pride, Kurenai remained professional. "The waiting period isn't part of the exam, so it's not a violation."
Tower at the Center of the Forest of Death
When Sasame's team stepped inside, a young man appeared before them in a flash.
His face betrayed surprise. "It's only been twenty minutes. Did you really get both scrolls?"
For genin, just reaching the tower from the starting point should take over half an hour.
How is this possible?
"Right here."
Sasame handed over the Heaven and Earth scrolls.
After inspecting them, the proctor fell silent.
Konoha's genin… are terrifying.
He thanked his lucky stars he hadn't faced monsters like this during his own Chūnin Exams.
"The third round is individual matches. Head to the waiting room to prepare."
He pointed the way.
"Thanks."
The three followed his directions into a sparsely furnished resting area.
Before long, Tsunade walked in.
Kurenai had returned to her duties as proctor.
"Teacher."
All three spoke in unison—including Hana.
During their training, she'd improved dramatically.
So much so that she now viewed her former instructor as… well, lacking.
Ahem.
Not that she meant any disrespect.
But comparisons were inevitable.
"You did well. I asked around—you've set the fastest record in Chūnin Exam history."
"Speed isn't the only thing."
Sasame, hearing her praise, quickly added.
Being too fast is a bad thing, after all.
"Your strength is top-tier too."
Tsunade patted his head like he was a child, tacking on the reassurance.
Kabuto and Hana had grown accustomed to this dynamic.
Sasame might as well have been her biological son, while they were the adopted strays.
In the original storyline, the joint Chūnin Exams had a month-long break between the second and third rounds.
But those were special—meant to showcase talent for daimyo and nobles, influencing future missions.
A regular exam like this was just a formality.
Tsunade didn't linger long, soon moving to the observation deck.
Her presence would only pressure the other candidates—and make Sasame's team seem like nepotism cases.
Afternoon – Third Round Begins
By now, half the teams had been eliminated, leaving only five squads.
The individual matches were straightforward.
Sasame's biggest threat would've been Uchiha Itachi—but he'd already graduated.
The same went for Mitarashi Anko and Yūhi Kurenai's protégé, Mōryō.
In the end, Sasame took first place.
Kabuto ranked second, while Hana placed fifth.
But rankings were secondary—all three had successfully become chūnin.
Throughout the matches, Tsunade noticed Sasame's chakra had grown significantly. He might be ready to train in Sage Mode.
"Nee-chan."
Sasame seized a moment alone with her. "I'm a chūnin now. So… about that reward?"
Fresh from battle, his cheeks were flushed, adding a touch of charm to his already handsome face.
Combined with his hopeful, gleaming eyes—it was a look no woman could resist.
Tsunade stiffened, repeating "This is the last time" in her mind like a mantra.
But her heart had already sunk.
Someone—save me!
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 120 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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