"Phew~ Finally done with the exam. The guy in front of me, he's from the Aburame Clan. I saw bugs crawling all over his scalp with my own eyes. Do you know how terrifying that is?"
Two hours later, Tatsuma, who had exited the examination room, took a deep breath and said to Minato. Minato, who had intended to offer some words of comfort, suddenly thought of his recent food experiences, imagining bugs crawling on people's heads.
Although Minato knew that the bugs from the Aburame family were not the same species as the ones he had eaten recently, he still felt a churn in his stomach. He swallowed back the urge to vomit and weakly said, "Let's not talk about it. It's all over now."
Tatsuma nodded in agreement. Today's written test went smoothly enough. In times of war, there weren't as many variations as during Naruto's Chunin exam, and the exam papers were serious.
However, the assessment still focused on intelligence gathering ability. The latter high-scoring questions were written in code, which Genin had no access to in their dictionaries.
The encoded messages are also classified. The ones taught in school are the basic universal codes. After becoming a Genin, one must learn the newer versions of the codes. Furthermore, there are even higher levels of classified codes beyond that.
The codes used in the exam papers are mostly ones that only Chunin have the opportunity to encounter. Some segments even use codes that only Jonin are authorized to view. In such cases, one must rely on their intelligence-gathering abilities to uncover the answers within the examination room.
However, this applies to most Genin participating in the Chunin exam. Tatsuma didn't know how Minato completed his answer sheet; he solved it directly himself.
Tatsuma could already memorize the dictionaries of codes used by Jonin, thanks to his sensei, Tsunade. He had to act as Tsunade's interpreter. Minato probably did the same, or else he wouldn't have discovered the mistakes in Jiraiya's interpretation of the codes earlier.
As for the codes used by Chunin, Tatsuma indeed didn't have the latest version. However, there are older versions in Tobirama's study. Most of them are the same, and the remaining differences can be deduced to derive the content.
Tatsuma speculated that Minato must have solved the problems on his own as well. After all, they were the first to stop writing in the exam room, faster even than the ninja lurking inside to "dispatch" answers to other examinees.
Just as the two were preparing to leave the school, Sarutobi Atoma appeared again, wearing a satisfied smile. He said, "You two did very well. I just heard that you both passed with full marks."
"This time the questions were relatively simple, and the types of questions were more straightforward, lowering the difficulty level compared to previous exams."
Minato greeted Sarutobi Atoma and then modestly replied. Upon hearing this, some of the examinees who passed by with expressions of astonishment, upon realizing it was Minato and Tatsuma, their expressions became indescribable.
Among their relief, there was also envy, jealousy, and a hint of admiration.
Tatsuma nodded in agreement when Minato mentioned the simplicity of the questions. Sarutobi Atoma twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. Well, perhaps he had been away from real ninja work for too long?
He couldn't understand some of the questions, yet these two students found them simple. And they even compared them to previous exams, what did that mean? Could they also tackle past exams?
Shaking his head to dispel thoughts of being worthless, Sarutobi Atoma said to the two, "Tomorrow is the team combat assessment. Both of you will participate individually, which puts you at a disadvantage against other teams in terms of numbers."
"It's best to prepare some ninja tools, smoke bombs, Military Rations Pills, and the like. Do you have money? I have some here," said their sensei.
With that, Sarutobi Atoma pulled out his small money pouch, revealing some wrinkled coins inside. Tatsuma shook his head, then glanced at Sarutobi Atoma and said, "Atoma-sensei, is the salary for instructors at the Ninja Academy very low?"
"Well, um... It's all for the future of the village, so it's worth it," Sarutobi Atoma admitted from the side.
Tatsuma smiled and said, "Sensei, you don't need to worry about ninja tools for us. Our inventory... even if we use it on the battlefield for a whole year, we'd probably still have surplus."
Tatsuma wasn't lacking in these supplies. When he apprenticed before, he received a large amount of gifts. Later, when he followed Uchiha Fugaku on missions, it seemed like Uchiha Fugaku was giving away items like they were free, providing them with many Uchiha-made ninja tools and Explosive Tags.
In addition to this, the two of them also collected some items on the battlefield. Because the village determines mission completion and mission levels based on the quantity of recovered ninja tools, they hadn't had the chance to return these to the village before being withdrawn from the front lines.
So when Tatsuma spoke, it wasn't just empty words to avoid burdening Sarutobi Atoma; it was the truth. Minato also nodded, confirming Tatsuma's statement.
Sarutobi Atoma's hand holding the money pouch froze as he looked at the already-opened pouch. Suddenly, he felt that deciding to become a sensei might not have been the right choice.
However, seeing two such outstanding students, who entered the best class because of his recommendation, received the best education, graduated early, and achieved what they did today, Sarutobi Atoma felt reassured.
"Everything is for the future of the village. It's worth it."
"Since you don't need ninja tools, how about sensei treats you to some ramen?"
Compared to ninja tools, ramen was much cheaper. Upon hearing this, Minato's expression showed some interest. After all, he really wanted to eat normal food. Tatsuma also didn't refuse Sarutobi Atoma's kindness, nodding and saying, "Then thank you very much, Atoma-sensei."
"Let's go!"
Inside a ramen stall, Sarutobi Atoma looked with satisfaction at his two students. Although he hadn't taught them for long, he had a feeling that these two would be the "masterpieces" of his teaching career.
Not only were they talented, but they also worked hard, were ambitious, and had good personalities. They were exactly what he imagined students should be like. Unfortunately, he had only encountered two such students like them.
*slurp slurp*
"I'm done eating!"
Tatsuma finished slurping up the noodles and soup a second earlier, picked up his reward, and looked somewhat puzzled at Sarutobi Atoma, who hadn't touched his bowl yet. It seemed Sarutobi Atoma had misunderstood. He pushed his bowl towards Tatsuma and said:
"Do you still feel hungry? Sensei will give you this bowl."
"No need, I'm full. But sensei, why aren't you eating?"
Tatsuma shook his head. His appetite had returned to normal levels recently, so he didn't need to eat more. Although his appetite had increased quite a bit, he still preferred to feel seven-tenths full when considering his blood sugar.
Sarutobi Atoma, who had forgotten to eat his noodles, scratched his head and said, "Haha~ I was lost in thought and forgot to eat. Besides, I'm used to eating cold ramen. Freshly cooked ramen doesn't suit me."
After saying this, Sarutobi Atoma's expression became serious as he looked at the two and said, "Tatsuma, Minato, sensei knows that after passing the Chunin exam, you'll be heading to the battlefield. I'm not just talking nonsense, but you must ensure your own safety, even if... even if it means abandoning the mission."
Sarutobi Atoma's voice became very low as he spoke, then he sighed and said, "I'm a terrible ninja, a coward who's afraid to even set foot on the battlefield."
"I shouldn't have taught you these things, but I hope to see you in the future. I hope to see you become the pillars of the village, or even the Hokage."
Upon hearing these words from Sarutobi Atoma, Tatsuma felt touched because there was a consensus in the village and even throughout the ninja world that completing missions was the top priority for a ninja.
Even though some ninja, or rather, even though most ninja knew this notion was twisted, they still had to abide by it. They also had to say so externally because it was the political correctness of the ninja world.
But for Sarutobi Atoma to say such words, especially as a sensei to his students, Tatsuma knew that at least in this moment, the sensei who had taught him for a short time and imparted not much knowledge, cared for him.
Tatsuma smiled, glanced at Minato, then turned back to Sarutobi Atoma and said, "Atoma-sensei, no matter what missions I undertake in the future, I will survive, and I will complete them beautifully and successfully."
Seeing that his two students did not oppose his "erroneous" thoughts, Sarutobi Atoma felt somewhat relieved. He turned to his bowl of noodles and said, "You two have assessments tomorrow. Go back early and prepare. Sensei also needs to eat noodles."
Tatsuma noticed that Sarutobi Atoma's tone at the end of his words was somewhat teary. He didn't know what experiences this sensei had gone through to have such emotions today, but in the ninja world, being powerless was too common, even for a ninja.
"Minato, let's go. We'll go train. Let me see if, with your extraordinary talent and this month of hard work, you can defeat me in the end!"
"Okay!"
Minato didn't say much, nor did he ask much. He followed Tatsuma and left. After the two left, Sarutobi Atoma sat on the seat at the stall, eating noodles that were becoming saltier with each bite.
The next day, the two of them returned to an indoor training ground. The area had already been divided into equal-sized arenas. After verifying their identities, both of them received their admission tickets.
"I'm in exam room A-9. How about you?"
"B-11. Looks like I need to head over there."
The two realized that they weren't assigned to the same exam room this round. After exchanging a few words, they headed towards their respective exam rooms. After a while, some Chunin arrived on the scene to explain the rules to the examinees waiting in the exam rooms.
Combat would be conducted in teams, and techniques such as Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, as well as Kekkei Genkai, Secret Jutsu, Sealing Jutsu, or Cursed Seals, could be used. The list of permissible ninja tools was extensive, containing many unconventional items, even including some poisons.
Except for those specified on the list, other poisons were prohibited. Victory could be achieved by knocking the opponent out of the exam area, rendering them unable to continue fighting, making them surrender, or by the decision of the referee ninja. Killing or intentionally inflicting severe harm to opponents was prohibited.
Once the rules were confirmed and the examinees signed their names, the exams began to be arranged. Although there were many exam rooms, they couldn't all operate simultaneously. Tatsuma had to wait for two rounds before it was his turn.
He stepped onto the platform and began to assess the three individuals before him. Neither their physique nor their attire bore any characteristics of ninja clans, nor did they have any Nin-Dogs or Nin-Cats, indicating that they were likely civilian ninjas.
After a brief assessment, he turned to the referee ninja and said, "I'm ready."
The referee ninja apparently understood Tatsuma's situation but simply nodded. However, one of the Genin on the opposite side hesitated and asked, "Where's your teammates?"
"I'm fighting alone."
"Alone... You're the Jewel Crusher!"
Suddenly, someone from the opposing team guessed Tatsuma's identity. Tatsuma's face stiffened, then he looked at the referee ninja, who was struggling to suppress laughter. Afterward, the referee ninja, with a serious tone, asked the team, "Are you ready?"
"We're ready."
"Then let's begin!"
With those words, the referee ninja stepped aside. Tatsuma glanced at the three individuals who seemed unaware and motionless, and he reminded them, "The match has already started."
"Okay, got it."
They then hurriedly formed their battle formation, Kunai appearing in their hands as they watched Tatsuma with a mix of caution and curiosity. Tatsuma sighed inwardly. Based on their performance, he couldn't even find a way to give them praise, let alone commend them.
So he gave up as well. After all, he didn't lack the talent to make up for these minor flaws. He also took out a Kunai and said to the three, "Let me correct that. I'm Sakamoto Tatsuma. Are you ready for an explosion?"
After his ostentatious remark, Tatsuma was about to make a move when a ninja from the opposing team exclaimed, "An explosion? You... you're planning to use an Explosive Tag?!"
Tatsuma's mouth twitched again. These three were nothing but a handful. Quietly, he also took out an Explosive Tag.
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