Two days passed quickly with Ryou concentrating on his training.
[~ Name: Ryou
Physique: Nature [Intermediate - 13%]
Chakra: Jonin
Skill: Nature Breathing [Max], Observation Haki [Basic], Jutsu.
Upgrade Points: 0 ~]
[Jutsu]
[~ Nature Transformation: Wind, Fire, Water, Earth
Chakra Control: Advanced [Jonin-level]
Transformation/Clone/Body Replacement: Jonin-level
Genjutsu: Intermediate [Chunin-level] ~]
With his physique now at 13%, Ryou's chakra reserves surged beyond the typical Konoha Jonin. It seems his system's calculations aren't based on your average Jonin level.
Closing the system panel, Ryou completed his morning training and headed to the Chunin Exam venue. But as he made his way, he met two familiar figures near the exam venue: Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
"Ryou!" Kushina called out, her face brightening as if she'd spotted someone she knew.
Ryou paused, seeing Kushina's friendly greeting. Only then did he remember his mother and Kushina knew each other; his mother had been tasked with protecting and taking care of Kushina during her childhood in Konoha.
Kushina had even visited him when he was a child, though that stopped after some time it should be after she became the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and was restricted from contacting others.
Ryou's last memory of her was at his mother's funeral. After that, he rarely saw her. He even heard Kushina had gone to the front lines during the war.
"Aunt Kushina?" he called out hesitantly, unsure how to call her since he was an adult soul in a child's body.
Kushina's eye twitched, and she glared at him in fake anger. "Aunt? Do I look that old? Call me Kushina-senpai!"
Ryou smiled a little and called, "Yes, Kushina-senpai." Then he greeted Minato. "Minato-san."
Minato chuckled with his usual sunny smile. "Looks like we meet again, Ryou. I didn't know you and Kushina knew each other."
"Well, I don't know Ryou much, but I know his mother well," Kushina said, stepping forward to ruffle Ryou's hair. "Sorry, I couldn't come and meet you after your mother passed. I was occupied in the war with Hidden Stone village."
"It's okay, Kushina-senpai."
She smiled warmly. "After the Chunin Exams, come to our home. I will treat you, you can taste the cooking skill I learned from your mother."
Ryou smiled from his heart and nodded. "Yes."
"We're here to watch the Chunin exam finals. I'll be cheering you on, so you better win the first place, you know."
Minato chuckled again. "Honestly, I doubt there's anyone left in the finals who stands a chance against him. Isn't that right, Ryou?"
Kushina laughed. "I didn't expect you'd get this strong! I remember your mother saying you struggled with the Clone Technique back in the academy!"
"Yes, Ryou. I didn't expect you to grow so strong in the short time that I haven't seen you. When you were in the Ninja Academy, I remember your mother mentioning you even struggled to perform the basic clone technique and even failed the graduation. Hahaha" Saying this, Kushina laughed.
Ryou looked slightly embarrassed at the mention of his dark past, while Minato smiled. "Alright, Kushina, let's let him go and participate in the exams. Ryou, we'll meet after the exam."
"Yes, Minato-san, Kushina-senpai," Ryou replied, bidding them farewell before heading to the exam venue.
--
As Ryou reached the Chunin Exam venue, he spotted Shisui and Tenga waiting for him at the entrance.
"What are you two doing here?" Ryou asked.
"Of course, we came to watch the finals!" Tenga grinned. "I know you'll win, but I want to see how you do it."
Ryou shook his head slightly. Shisui looked better, but Tenga's injured hand was still wrapped in bandages. Even with that wound, he'd shown up to watch the match, what could Ryou say?
Just then, a voice echoed from inside the arena, calling Ryou's name.
"We'll be cheering for you from the audience stand, Ryou. Tenga, let's go." Shisui said, grabbing Tenga by the arm and pulling him toward the audience area.
When Ryou entered the Chunin Exam venue, he saw an impressive sight as the venue was designed like a grand coliseum with an open arena in the center. Stone walls rose around the circular arena, with rows of tiered seating, filled with spectators.
The seats were packed with ninjas of various ranks, clans, and even ordinary civilians in the mix. The venue was buzzing with excitement eager to witness the battle since it had been a while since the Chunin Exams had been open to the public.
In the main seat, Ryou saw several familiar faces: Hiruzen Sarutobi with Minato by his side, while Shimura Danzo sat nearby, accompanied by Orochimaru, whose piercing gaze looked at the three contestants.
There's also Rin and Kakashi watching from the stands along with Kushina.
Seeing the crowd, Ryou was speechless but also felt pity for everyone who came here because they were about to witness a match that would be over in one move. Since the system issued the task of completing the Chunin exam in a flashy manner, he will do his best to end it in a single move with style.
As Ryou, Retsu Hyuga, and Choaki Akimichi stepped into the center of the arena, cheers erupted from the stands. The proctor, the same jonin who had overseen the elimination rounds, stepped forward.
"Alright, everyone!" The Proctor explained the rules. "As you know, the finals will be a three-way showdown. The last person standing is the winner. There are no rules, aside from no killing. Are you three ready?"
Ryou, Retsu, and Choaki nodded firmly.
With a nod, the proctor raised his hand as his voice echoed through the venue. "Let the final exams begin!"
--
As the proctor announced the start of the finals, the crowd fell silent and watched the fight. While Ryou stood casually in his place, Retsu Hyuga, and Choaki Akimichi took high-alert stances, positioning themselves on either side of Ryou.
It was clear they'd made a decision: to eliminate the strongest one first—Ryou—before facing each other for the winner.
Retsu activated his Byakugan, veins bulging around his temples as he analyzed Ryou's chakra flow looking for any movements to the finest detail. Meanwhile, Choaki's expression was serious as he channeled his chakra for Partial Expansion jutsu.
Looking at their movement, Ryou smiled to himself. 'Smart move. If they had started fighting each other, I would have been disappointed.'
"I'm going to make this quick. You two better be ready." Ryou stated, his voice calm. Without another word, he began performing a series of hand seals that were too fast for Retsu and Choaki to follow.
Seeing his hand seals, the Jonins in the audience seats widened their eyes in surprise while the Third Hokage stood up from his seat and spoke, "Minato..."
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama, I won't let anything happen to them," Minato replied seriously, drawing out a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
The proctor of the match broke into a cold sweat, realizing the kind of jutsu Ryou was about to unleash. Without a doubt, it's 'Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!' How did a Genin learn such an advanced Jutsu?
Before Retsu and Choaki could react, Ryou completed the hand seals and inhaled deeply before breathing a literal sea of flames, that spread outward in an unstoppable wave engulfing the arena.
--
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