Chapter 64: I'm the Only One Still a Jōnin
"It looks like all the candidates have made their choice. Now, it's time to reveal the answer!"
As Sai's voice fell, the large screen behind the platform began flashing alternating Xs and circles. After a while, both the X and the circle appeared on the screen at the same time.
Before anyone could react, a massive hole suddenly opened up beneath their feet.
"Ink—an ink pool. So that's what it meant by 'turning completely black'... In other words, this test isn't about a ninja's memory or retained knowledge, but about how a ninja reacts when suddenly thrown into danger."
While falling, Shuyu twisted his body midair, pulled out a kunai, and drove it into the wall to slow his descent. At the same time, he reached out with his other hand and grabbed Sumire Kakei.
"Ah, thank you, Shuyu."
By now, Sumire had also come to her senses. She pulled out her own kunai and mimicked Shuyu's movements to slow her fall.
Shuyu gave a nod and continued, "Gather chakra at the soles of your feet, then run up."
This test wasn't difficult. Almost everyone participating could already walk on trees and water—climbing walls was even easier. The real challenge was quickly regaining composure when suddenly faced with danger, and holding onto the conviction to never give up.
"I get it now. Whether the answer is right or wrong doesn't matter—the question itself was nonsense from the start. 'Those who fail turn black and lose qualification'—that's what the examiner said. Meaning, as long as we don't turn black, we pass. Not falling into the ink pool is the key, right, Shuyu?"
After adjusting her mindset, Sumire ran up the wall with Shuyu and returned to the ground.
"Those who saw the ink pool below and immediately assumed they chose wrong, who resigned themselves to turning black—people like that aren't qualified to be Chunin. The real decision in this first test came down to one thing when cornered: give up, or not. The correct choice was to not fall into the ink pool."
"I now declare the first round of the Chunin Exams officially over. All candidates who haven't fallen into the ink pool have passed. The second round will take place the day after tomorrow."
——
"Boruto, congratulations on passing the first round of the Chunin Exams. Do your best in the second round too… Tch, just a message? He can't even be bothered to send a shadow clone anymore. Damn old man."
"…Just you wait. I'll show off big time in the second round. I'll make you recognize my strength!"
Even though he resented his father, Boruto had fantasized more than once about acing the Chunin Exams and earning Naruto's recognition.
The day before the second round, Boruto continued training under Sasuke.
"Damn it! I failed again!"
Determined to turn his fantasy into reality, Boruto had made up his mind—he would pass the Chunin Exams and shine in the process.
"Watch closely. I'll do it one more time."
As he spoke, Sasuke threw two shuriken. After colliding midair, one of them curved sharply and struck the target.
"Throwing techniques… Sarada's much better at this. She is Uncle Sasuke's daughter, and a Uchiha. But I…"
Repeated attempts failed to produce the signature Uchiha-style throwing curve. Frustrated, Boruto grew increasingly agitated. After all, the second round of the exams was only a day away.
"Boruto, by that logic, Shadow Clone Jutsu should be your specialty, right? But how many can you actually create now—four, five at most? At your age, Naruto could already create hundreds," Sasuke said, watching Boruto's frustration.
"No way!"
Boruto couldn't even fathom that his father, at his age, could summon hundreds of shadow clones.
"Nothing's impossible. Back then, even kids had to give everything they had just to survive. And Naruto… his parents died when he was still very young," Sasuke went on. "Without Naruto and Hinata, how long do you think you could survive in that era of peace, let alone during wartime? Boruto, don't underestimate those who survived through the war era."
——
"Young Master, what's wrong?"
"Are you worried about the upcoming Chunin Exams?"
"As an adult, I can clearly see your strength. With your abilities, passing the Chunin Exams should be no problem at all. However… this Chunin Exam is unlike any before it."
"Because it's the first joint exam between all five villages, it's drawing attention from across the ninja world. The other villages, intimidated by the strength of the Konoha Genin—especially you, Young Master—have resorted to sending Chunin disguised as Genin to participate. It's disgraceful."
"In light of that, I imagine you'll find things quite tough. After all, your father is the Hokage. If you don't perform outstandingly in the Chunin Exams, it could reflect poorly on him as well."
"That's why this is the perfect time to use my proudest invention—Scientific Ninja Tools."
Boruto had very few adult friends, and the head of the Scientific Ninja Tools team was one of them. He never treated Boruto like a kid and always gave him new games. Whenever Boruto hit a tough level, he'd even make cheat devices for him.
"Dr. Katasuke, what exactly are Scientific Ninja Tools?"
Unlike usual, Boruto wasn't beaming with pride from the doctor's praise. Still feeling defeated, he remained slouched and lifeless.
Unable to contain his pride, Katasuke smiled and said, "This is my proudest creation. Wear it on your wrist, and you can use any rank of ninjutsu without hand signs. Want to give it a try, Boruto?"
Scientific Ninja Tools Testing Facility
Boruto strapped the device to his wrist, inserted a small scroll, and pressed the switch. A gust of wind suddenly swept through the room.
"Such a powerful Wind Release…"
Though it was just a simple C-rank Wind Release, the force it unleashed was at Chunin level.
"With this, you're guaranteed to pass the upcoming Chunin Exams," Katasuke said, adjusting his glasses.
To be honest, the idea to have Boruto use the Scientific Ninja Tools during the Chunin Exams had only just come to him after seeing the boy. If people saw their power during the exams, his research funding would almost certainly get approved.
"But… this is cheating, isn't it?"
Boruto was tempted, but still hesitant.
"Boruto, using tools in the Chunin Exams isn't cheating. Scientific Ninja Tools are just like kunai—just much more powerful. Think of them as something like the legendary ninja blades of the Hidden Mist."
Boruto stared at the Scientific Ninja Tool on his wrist and nodded.
"Come on, Young Master. Pick out some ninjutsu you like. If you run out of scrolls, just come back to me anytime."
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