Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha

"It's too late! We're no match for Xiu!"

"No wonder the teacher said we shouldn't worry about this exam; it turns out the Jonin already knew..."

Seeing her friend's dejected look, Yamashiro Aoba didn't offer any comfort. Instead, she stroked her chin and agreed, saying:

"If there's only one spot, it'll definitely go to Xiu."

"It seems that joining the intelligence unit was the right choice. Being able to become a special Jonin in the future will be enough for me!"

Genma Shiranui, who officially graduated last month, had remained silent until he heard that his senior had planned his "ninja career" so early. Finally, he couldn't help but ask:

"Is it really necessary to decide my future so early? I should at least become a Jonin..."

"Given our abilities, becoming a Special Jonin is already quite remarkable!"

Hearing Yamashiro Aoba's crisp and decisive answer, Shiranui Genma also showed a deadpan expression, while only Might Guy maintained his high morale, eating all the sweets and loudly encouraging her:

"Youth has no limits! How can we give up at this age? Our ninja career has only just begun!"

"..."

Seeing Might Guy give a thumbs-up and flash a bright smile, none of the others responded. In a way, this guy was a genius too.

"I'm going to the medical unit this afternoon to tally up how many of the latest soldier rations we need. Just have Parker let me know!"

Furukawa Osamu got up and put his headband back on, while Kakashi at the door gave him an "OK" sign. Running errands was a good opportunity to train his ninja dog, Pakkun.

The group of people in the dessert shop sat up straight, waved, and stood together. Seeing Furukawa Osamu leave, they immediately smiled and said:

"We graduates of these years are very lucky. Maybe in the future we will be able to serve Lady Tsunade through Xiu."

"A senior told me that Minato Namikaze, who was previously taken in as a disciple by Jiraiya, is already a Jonin and is even highly regarded by the Hokage..."

Kakashi didn't participate in the discussion, but he knew that the other person was saying that the three legendary Sannin all had a great chance of becoming the next Hokage.

A few years ago, Kakashi still dreamed of becoming Hokage, but after his father left, he would always think about the "Will of Fire" and had a different perspective on Hokage.

"Let's go, Kakashi, it's not time to relax yet!"

Interrupted by Might Guy, Kakashi also gathered his thoughts, waved goodbye to the others, and headed towards the training ground.

"Give up, Guy. You don't have any outstanding talent in chakra control."

"Instead of studying nature transformations, let's specialize in physical techniques!"

-

After participating in a surgery organized by Tsunade at Konoha Hospital in the afternoon, Osamu Furukawa once again marveled at the wonder of chakra, even penetrating wounds could be healed with the [Healing and Regeneration Technique].

The attending physician was a special Jonin who reported to Tsunade and then hurriedly left. The number of wounded had suddenly increased recently, and the medical ninjas had a heavy workload.

It was a rare sight to see the three legendary Sannin in the operating room, and the Chunin who participated in the treatment all greeted Tsunade with expressions of reverence.

After everyone had left, Tsunade's face turned pale, but she still maintained a calm demeanor and gave the instructions:

"The key to this technique is how to activate the body; by using incantations, the consumption of chakra can be reduced."

"To organize such a surgery, you need to learn more."

"After you are promoted to Chunin, I will have you lead the medical team to do basic work."

Furukawa Osamu nodded, took out a piece of candy and handed it to her. Tsunade was taken aback at first, then took it and put it in her mouth. After letting out a long sigh, she said helplessly:

"It seems you already noticed..."

"It's alright, Tsunade-sensei. The research and development of medical ninjutsu is more important."

Hemophobia is currently incurable, so Furukawa could only offer words of comfort. Tsunade didn't respond further. After her body had fully recovered, she changed the subject, saying:

"Uchiha Inahisa will also participate in the Chunin Exams, which is a kind of trouble that comes with the reputation of being a genius."

"The Uchiha clan always likes to show off their strength. If we encounter any provocation recently, one punch will be enough."

"..."

Upon learning that the other person was about four years older than him, Osamu Furukawa couldn't help but make a teasing remark:

"So, Obito Uchiha, who graduated early, is even more of a genius than this guy!"

Tsunade's impression of Obito was that of a little girl named Rin Nohara who followed her around like a shadow. Ignoring Furukawa Osamu's teasing, she continued solemnly:

"A ninja needs to conceal his skills and not let his opponent know his combat information."

"Don't use your ninjutsu recklessly in front of ninjas from other countries. If war breaks out, this information could lead you to your death."

Furukawa Osamu readily agreed. Of course, he wouldn't easily reveal his full strength, since the dead can't speak.

As the two left Konoha Hospital while talking, the ninja dog Pakkun sped up to Furukawa Osamu. Upon seeing Tsunade, his attitude changed completely.

"Greetings to the beautiful and powerful Lady Tsunade!"

With its front paws raised, Puck even had a hint of a fawning smile on its face. Furukawa Osamu, who had been tossed aside, watched the dog spin around and act cute, and couldn't help but twitch his eye and mutter:

"He really is a simp!"

"..."

Chapter 19 Unequal Exams (Part 2)

In early June, the students of Class 3-A at the Ninja Academy began discussing news from the village again during their lunch break.

"He'll only be 8 in September, which means Xiu has a chance to be selected as a Chunin at the age of 7!"

"He's about the same as Kakashi!"

"It's said to be a joint exam, a rare big move for the village in recent years."

"The Daimyo will probably come too. They visit every year anyway, and they certainly don't want to miss the showdown between the best ninjas from the five great nations."

"Will the Hidden Cloud Village send someone this time as well? It seems there have been some frictions between them in recent years."

"..."

Regardless of gender, everyone was trying to share their information, and when talking about the strength of ninjas from other countries, most people had a mocking look on their faces.

After receiving education, everyone has reached a consensus that Konoha ninjas are the strongest and the Land of Fire is the leader of the Five Great Nations!

Sarutobi Asuma didn't participate in the discussion; he just stared blankly out the window.

In recent years, graduates have automatically gathered around Osamu Furukawa and Kakashi, and the Hokage's sons without talent have no chance of being recognized.

"What does it have to do with them to always talk about these things? It's not like these guys are the ones taking the exam."

Obito Uchiha, who couldn't find Kakashi's theory recently, complained at the back of the classroom, but Asuma in front of him ignored him, so he could only sulk by himself.

"It seems that someone from the Uchiha clan is also participating in this exam. Obito, do you have any information?"

Ebisu had just finished sharing information at the front of the classroom, and now he came to the back of the classroom to inquire about Uchiha Inahi.

"Um, I don't know that guy very well, but he must be really powerful, he has the Sharingan!"

Having only heard that the other party had already awakened his Sharingan, Obito finished recounting the information he knew, and an envious look appeared on his face.

Ebisu, who had been adjusting his sunglasses, didn't seem to mind the limited information and turned to join the discussion again. He believed that even the Sharingan couldn't defeat his partner.

Ever since being turned away at Kakashi's house, Nohara Rin has worked even harder, devoting herself entirely to learning medical ninjutsu.

"It's alright, Obito. Kakashi is already a Chunin, and he's probably out leading a mission these days."

“We can’t keep bothering him.”

The girl's cheerful voice stirred a pang of sadness in Obito's heart. He realized that Rin Nohara was starting to fill in the blanks in her mind, refusing to believe that Kakashi had changed...

The thought of that despicable guy who kept talking about "talent" made Obito want to curse him.

But when he turned his head and saw Rin Nohara's expectant gaze, Obito swallowed the words he was about to say and replied somewhat embarrassedly:

"Lin, I'll do my best!"

-

As evening fell, Shizune arrived at the training ground and hid behind a large tree, quietly peeking out to observe Furukawa Osamu, who was practicing.

"I sensed it a long time ago, so just mute it. Next time, you can just say hello directly."

Standing upright in the huge pit, Osamu Furukawa, dressed in a black tight-fitting training suit, smiled and waved. The girl blushed slightly, though she always subconsciously ignored this.

"Tsunade-sensei is a little worried about you. Gathering chakra and then unleashing it with [Super Strength] can easily damage your meridians."

Shizune quickly came to Furukawa's side, gave a different excuse, and then looked at the large rubble and huge pit around her, her face showing a look of reverence.

Without revealing the girl's thoughts, and seeing that Shizune had already changed into blue casual clothes, Furukawa Osamu said in a light tone:

"Don't worry, it's getting late. Let's go, where to tonight?"

"A Chinese izakaya, charcoal-grilled chicken dish! Seriously, the teacher always likes to drink..."

With a smile on her face, Jingyin started her daily rant again. For the girl, this kind of life is happy and fulfilling.

...

Returning home late at night, Furukawa Shu sat cross-legged on an exquisite futon. When he opened his eyes, he subconsciously waved his arm.

He still couldn't sense any natural energy, but this time Furukawa Osamu roughly figured out a few things:

"I cannot 'cultivate immortality,' but after accumulating Sage Chakra, my body is slowly changing, and my power is increasing."

"Herbal herbs are merely carriers of 'essence,' with additional effects stimulating physical activation."

"..."

Back at his desk, Osamu Furukawa routinely summarized in his notebook.

Mastering the Hundred Healings Seal is not a problem, but Furukawa Osamu is worried that even if he succeeds, he will still be unable to sense natural energy.

"Water Escape: Water Severing Waves".

"Earth Release·Earth Release Cutting."

"Earth Escape: Earth Splitting Palm".

Ninjutsu is a valuable resource, and it's clear that Orochimaru and Jiraiya took Tsunade's advice, which is why they specifically sent out offensive ninjutsu.

Furukawa Osamu had practiced diligently, but these techniques were quite taxing. Compared to the techniques themselves, he preferred the experience sharing within the scroll:

"The Second Hokage's Water Release technique? Orochimaru seems to highly regard it."

-

In mid-June, the village became exceptionally lively as ninjas from the five major nations and the small ninja village arrived one after another.

Upon seeing the bustling Konoha, Baki from Sunagakure frowned. The Jonin leading the team noticed the change in his members' emotions and whispered a reminder:

"Don't let your emotions show on your faces. The members of the Konoha Guard are watching us."

"..."

Eleven-year-old Maki is considered a genius in the village. After graduating early, he has already gained the attention of the higher-ups, and his way of thinking has also deviated from that of ordinary genin.

Why is the Land of Fire allowed to enjoy the most fertile land?

"Why do the Konoha ninjas, who live such good lives, still compete with us for missions?"

After checking in, the group had just returned to their room when they heard Maki's whisper. The team leader, a Jonin, seeing the resentful looks in the three men's eyes, remained silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice:

"Because we lost the war."

Hearing these words, the three genin became even angrier, and at the same time, they felt a strong desire to teach the Konoha ninja a lesson in the competition.

...

The first part of the Chunin Joint Exams was a written test. After a few days of rest, the genin buried themselves in writing as soon as they arrived at the exam hall.

When the exam started, Furukawa Osamu sensed the change in chakra in the classroom. Clearly, cheating was allowed in the written exam, as long as one didn't get caught.

Less than 20 minutes later, while Maki was still passing answers to his teammates, he suddenly noticed that the Konoha ninja in front of him had stopped writing and was resting his chin on his hand, waiting for the exam to end.

"Have you given up?"

Maki quickly dismissed the thought, realizing that someone so young participating in the Chunin Exams was definitely not an ordinary ninja!

Everyone used their best tricks to cheat, but some people were still caught and asked to leave the classroom.

"Exam over!"

The Konoha Jonin at the forefront announced loudly, and seeing someone about to ask a question, immediately added: