Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In mid-July of Konoha Year 48, the Chunin Exams were held as scheduled.

The tense atmosphere in the village has eased somewhat due to the outstanding results achieved by the Konoha ninja in the Land of Rain.

Konoha is fighting less and less on the front lines of the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Springs, while several large-scale conflicts have broken out between the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Earth Village.

The victories on local battlefields also influenced the attitudes of the young ninjas. Young people who had never experienced war began to yearn to make a name for themselves, and more and more people were talking about the front lines.

Members of the medical team receive special treatment during the Chunin Exams. Although Tsunade has been working on improving the village's medical system for the past few years, there are still not enough people.

Shizune, Hanfang, Baicao, and others have directly received Tsunade's nomination for Chunin. As long as they pass the written test, they will be promoted smoothly.

Unlike the medical system, the intelligence department has high requirements, needing combat ninjas with special skills.

Under these circumstances, Raido Namiashi and Aoba Yamashiro were recently merged into the squad. Although they will still be working in the intelligence unit in the future, the assessment cannot be taken lightly.

-

On the day the written test results were announced, a group of young people gathered near the notice board to look for their names. Jingyin, who was on vacation recently, had already secured a good spot.

"It's approved! Sis Shizune, all our names are on the list!"

Han Fang excitedly reminded the medical team loudly. Jing Yin, seeing her name, clasped her hands together and whispered happily:

"Even if it's just a glimpse of his back, I've finally caught up with Xiu's pace."

If they pass the written test, the medical team members will receive Chunin badges. This is considered a perk from Tsunade for everyone. After advancing, their salaries will increase, and they won't be exploited by their seniors anymore.

Rin Nohara did not take any "shortcuts." The girl still admired Kakashi and therefore persisted in combat training.

"Lin, your name is there! It passed!"

Obito Uchiha excitedly reminded Rin Nohara, and the girl, following the direction he was pointing, saw her own name and immediately cheered:

"Very good!"

However, when the two were searching for Obito's name together, they couldn't find it until Raido crossed his arms and whispered a reminder:

"At the very bottom of the supplementary section, Obito passed despite his less-than-ideal score."

Obito, sweating profusely, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his name on the test. He hadn't reviewed the theoretical knowledge in a long time and almost submitted a blank paper for the written test. He was only able to pass the test thanks to Rin Nohara's help.

"We'll definitely get through the battles ahead! That way we can catch up with Kakashi."

Obito confidently pushed up his goggles, trying his best to impress the girl.

Seeing the joyful expressions on his two teammates' faces, Namiya Raido put his hands behind his head and helplessly reminded them:

"Don't even think about keeping up with the genius ninja."

"Minato specifically chose Kakashi when he was on a mission in the Land of Hot Springs recently. Genin like us are simply incapable of engaging in that kind of battle."

"If it weren't for the age limit, Xiu's achievements would have been enough to qualify him for Jonin. Kakashi is a bit short, but he would still have been nominated."

"From now on, just focus on doing some guard duties. Obito, you can work in the police force; I think it suits you very well."

Having worked in the intelligence department for almost three years, Raido Nami has a better understanding of the frontline situation. His two temporary companions are too naive and underestimate the genius ninja.

"What?! Minato-sensei is so cunning, giving Kakashi special tutoring?"

Obito shouted angrily, ignoring what followed and only remembering that the new Jonin leader had abandoned them and taken Kakashi on a mission.

"Obito, Raito is right, we need to work even harder!"

Rin Nohara tugged at Obito beside her, her face once again showing a look of longing.

Raido Namiashi noticed the way Obito was looking at the girl and sighed helplessly. The girl was nothing like the Uchiha member he remembered.

-

Kakashi wasn't paying attention to the Chunin Exams. He had just returned to the village with Minato Namikaze and the others, and aside from recuperating from his injuries, he spent most of his time honing his combat skills.

Rin Nohara thought Kakashi was exceptionally talented, but Kakashi himself felt extremely frustrated when he saw Minato Namikaze and Osamu Furukawa sparring. The more he observed, the more desperate he felt.

"Motor function, nerve reflexes, and condition judgment are all lagging behind."

In the third training ground, Kakashi was crouching on a thick tree branch, staring intently at the two combatants. In his vision, he could only vaguely see the clash of kunai and short swords.

Minato Namikaze did not use the Flying Thunder God Technique, spending most of his time dodging and blocking. Whenever he tried to get close, Osamu Furukawa would immediately create distance and look for an opportunity to attack again.

"It was still too much of a stretch!"

Minato Namikaze's whisper disappeared, then he reappeared on a tree branch above Osamu Furukawa's head. It was the kunai he had left as a mark, and at the last moment, he still used the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"It's just a friendly spar, Minato-kun. If I were to use the Flying Thunder God Technique directly, I would have a hard time keeping up with your speed."

Furukawa Osamu sheathed the short sword back into his back. Stimulated by the lightning chakra, his body's activation level was greatly enhanced compared to a few years ago, and his speed far exceeded that of an ordinary Jonin.

However, compared to space-time ninjutsu, such speed is still slightly inferior.

"That's already incredibly impressive. Even the Jonin A of Kumogakure only has nerve reflexes at your level after your body is activated."

"Considering that your body hasn't entered its rapid development phase yet, I think there's still a lot of room for improvement."

Minato Namikaze returned to the tree branch below with a bright smile, while Kakashi, hearing the praise, stared with his deadpan eyes and helplessly retorted:

"You cheated! Even after using the Three-Colored Pill, I couldn't achieve this reaction speed."

"Kakashi, everyone's body is different. It may sound cruel, but it is indeed a manifestation of talent."

Minato patted Kakashi on the shoulder, and seeing that the other looked a little dejected, chuckled and comforted him:

"Developing a fighting style that suits you is the most important thing. Don't forget that you have your comrades by your side. Most of the missions of a ninja are not done alone."

"Captain, you always handle every battle by yourself, don't you?"

Minato Namikaze gave an awkward smile. Kakashi was right; he was actually better suited to fighting alone.

Instead of explaining his own body's "basic stats," Furukawa Osamu looked at Minato's bandaged right hand and reminded him:

"If we continue to try to add attribute changes to the Rasengan, the meridians in my right hand will most likely develop problems."

"The wind-style chakra you're creating is cutting into the cells of your right hand. The worst-case scenario is that you won't be able to continue creating chakra."

Minato Namikaze scratched his head helplessly, and finally agreed, saying that it was indeed too difficult to infuse the Rasengan with wind-style chakra!

The three whispered among themselves as they prepared to return to the village. Furukawa Osamu unconsciously flexed his right hand, reflecting on his recent progress in training, and pondered silently:

"I wonder if the Rasengan can defeat the aged and frail Madara Uchiha..."