Terumi shook her head. She didn't believe in any so-called "passing by" during this trial. The other party had clearly been observing her for a long time—perhaps waiting for the perfect moment to launch a sneak attack.
Her hands paused.
"Since you won't tell me the truth, that's fine," she said coldly. "You're going to fall here anyway."
Water Release: Water Dragon Technique!
A massive, roaring water dragon surged into existence behind Terumi, its body thick and powerful as it lunged forward with overwhelming momentum.
Ryoma didn't move.
He simply stood there, arms hanging loosely at his sides.
The next instant, the ferocious water dragon came to an abrupt halt—blocked less than a meter away from him, as though it had slammed into an invisible wall. Like water fired from a cannon striking solid steel, the entire technique shattered apart, collapsing into scattered streams.
"What is this… Wind Release?"
Shock flashed through Terumi's eyes. She rapidly analyzed her opponent's strength.
He resisted my charm so easily… and blocked that attack without moving. At the very least, he's jōnin-level.
Damn it… how does someone like this appear in a chūnin exam?!
But she didn't hesitate.
No matter what, I can't hold back.
Chakra surged violently through her body. Her hand seals blurred, faster than before, leaving afterimages in the air.
Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!
Her crimson lips parted as a thick, corrosive mist burst forth, rolling like a raging river and swallowing everything in its path.
At the same time, she stepped forward.
Just as the dense fog was about to engulf Ryoma, she vanished—reappearing directly above him in a flash of speed.
Lava Release: Dissolving Monster Technique!
A magma-like liquid spewed from her mouth. In reality, it was an extremely viscous, highly corrosive acid. Once it touched a target, escape would be impossible—and the corrosion would cause devastating damage.
Yet even facing the combined might of her two Kekkei Genkai, Ryoma still didn't react.
Only when the attack was about to land did he raise his hand.
Index and middle fingers pressed together, he casually slashed forward.
Swoosh—
His pale fingers cut through the air like a blade across water. Space itself rippled violently, beautiful yet terrifying.
The invisible distortion expanded outward, as if it were about to cleave the world apart.
Shhh—
A razor-thin streak of light condensed in midair.
In the next instant, the boiling mist and corrosive lava collapsed completely—dispersing as though erased from existence.
"How… how is that possible?!"
Terumi stared in disbelief. She had unleashed everything she had, yet she hadn't even managed to touch him.
The gap in strength was suffocating.
I was too arrogant… I thought having two Kekkei Genkai meant no one here could challenge me.
Regret welled up in her heart. As she watched Ryoma walk toward her, despair quietly took root.
But the expected attack never came.
"You—what are you trying to do?!"
Terumi's face flushed red. She hugged her arms to her chest and shouted nervously, "Don't even think about it! Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!"
"If you dare touch me, I'll drag you down with me!"
Ryoma froze, genuinely stunned.
Then—
Bang.
A merciless fist struck the back of her head.
"Say one more word of nonsense," he said flatly, "and I'll tie you up."
Holding the back of her head, Terumi looked at him with tearful resentment. Ryoma couldn't help but find it a little amusing.
"Hey, kid," he said lightly. "Do you want to learn the technique I just used?"
...
At the same time, fierce battles were erupting in other examination arenas.
Out on the surface of the sea, a massive wave—seven or eight meters high—rose violently. A green-clad figure burst through it with a thunderous splash.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
A green whirlwind wrapped around the figure as his final kick sent the Water Release ninja flying.
"Konoha's Blue Beast—Might Guy is here!"
The sea breeze lifted his jet-black bowl cut. Beneath thick eyebrows burned a pair of unwavering, fiery eyes.
...
"Wind Blade!"
The attack came from a shinobi wearing a strange hat and mask. Chakra condensed at his fingertips into a sharp blade, slicing straight toward the Konoha ninja in front of him.
...
While the Chūnin Exams raged across multiple arenas, deep within Konoha stood a secluded cabin—quiet, isolated, and forgotten.
Its owner, once an elite shinobi renowned across the nations, had not shown his face outside for quite some time.
Inside the room, Minato Namikaze, dressed in a white tank top and shorts, stared at the screen before him with bloodshot eyes. His fingers flew across the mouse and keyboard at terrifying speed.
The glow of the monitor reflected off his face.
Where was the once dignified "Yellow Flash" of Konoha? What remained was a hardcore shut-in who hadn't stepped outside all day.
His voice echoed through the room, laced with unmistakable rage.
"Why weren't you there, idiot?!"
"You missed that too?!"
"Charge in already! Trash—damn it, you got us wiped!"
The word DEFEAT flashed across the screen.
Minato slammed his mouse down hard. The teammates he'd been matched with today were beyond hopeless—his rank had dropped all the way to the bottom.
"This is unhealthy… I really shouldn't play anymore."
He tilted his head back and downed a large gulp of soda, then glanced at the clock.
11:30 PM.
Time to order food.
Pulling out his phone, Minato opened an app called Ninja Delivery, a joint project by the Scientific Research Division and the Inuzuka Clan.
Unlike ordinary delivery services, food here wasn't delivered by people—but by specially trained ninja dogs equipped with transport gear.
He ordered a bowl of ramen.
Twenty minutes later, a husky appeared at his door.
"Your delivery has arrived."
A female voice came from the metal container on the dog's back. As it opened, a neatly packed bowl of ramen rose up.
While slurping the steaming noodles, Minato suddenly paused.
"Oh, right… didn't Jiraiya-sensei's Icha Icha Paradise update today?"
He immediately opened an online site.
Sure enough, Icha Icha Paradise had a new update.
This book was currently the most popular online work—restricted to verified users over eighteen. Its descriptions were vivid and immersive, filled with the author's personal experiences and observations from various regions. The "techniques" recorded within were… eye-opening, to say the least.
Of course, it wasn't perfect.
The biggest flaw was the author's chronic habit of skipping updates—often for the most outrageous reasons imaginable.
As Jiraiya's disciple and a devoted fan, Minato had long enabled auto-subscription and even upgraded to VIP just to read the latest chapters immediately.
He clicked in eagerly.
A notice popped up.
Leave Notice:
Sorry, dear readers. This immortal was caught peeping at the women's bathhouse and broke his right hand while escaping. I will be resting for one week starting today. I promise to make up for the missed chapters. Next time will definitely be next time.
Minato stared at the screen.
"…Is that really okay?"
"Sensei's injured? Who on earth could hurt him…?"
In the Land of Hot Water, Jiraiya was drinking with a group of young women when he suddenly sneezed.
Rubbing his nose, he muttered,
"Hmm? Which lovely lady is thinking about me again?"
(End of Chapter)
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