"You!"
Kankuro's face showed some annoyance.
As the son of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa and a ninja of the Sand Village, Kankuro must uphold Rasa's honor. Hearing Akihara Kagura repeatedly threatening to kill the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, Kankuro was ready to taunt her recklessly.
"Kankuro."
Gaara interrupted Kankuro, speaking coldly, "Let's go. If you dare say one more word, I will kill you."
"…"
Kankuro quickly shut his mouth.
Gaara no longer paid attention to Akihara Kagura and was about to leave the place with Kankuro and Temari, even planning to take a detour to avoid passing by Akihara Kagura on their way to the inn.
"Are you hurt?"
Akihara Kagura looked back at Karin and a group of kids.
"No."
Karin shook her head, retracting her Adamantine Sealing Chains, the curse mark that had started spreading on her arm quickly receding. She frowned and began to talk about Gaara, "Lord Kagura, it seems like inside him..."
"Don't worry, you can do it."
Akihara Kagura patted her head, smiling lightly, "It's just as you guessed, this Chunin Exam is going to be interesting."
"Yes."
Karin nodded.
Indeed, this Chunin Exam was proving to be quite interesting.
The genin from the Mist who came to participate in the exam had also arrived in Konoha quickly. Their lead Jonin was an old acquaintance, Hozuki Mangetsu, who, at only seventeen years old, did not display his past youthful pride and looked somewhat pale, as if suffering from a serious illness.
No one expected...
The future of the Mist was already beset with illness.
Fortunately.
The future of the Mist wasn't dependent on just him.
The genin of the Mist, full of vigor, followed behind Hozuki Mangetsu, among them a very arrogant youngster who looked much like Hozuki Mangetsu, his brother Hozuki Suigetsu.
This kid, Hozuki Suigetsu, surveyed his surroundings and spoke without restraint, "The Konoha Village is nothing special, not as comfortable as the Mist. I don't know why the old man Genji insisted we come here for the Chunin Exam..."
"Suigetsu, that's quite rude..."
A teammate of Hozuki Suigetsu quickly admonished him.
"What's rude about it?"
Over Hozuki Suigetsu's shoulder was a large sword nearly as tall as him, the Kubikiribōchō of the Mist, which had been sent to the Mist by Orochimaru. Hozuki Suigetsu had directly taken it into his possession because his talents could indeed make him a high-level combat force among the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen" of the Mist, and the village had no objections.
Hozuki Suigetsu was clearly very proud to have obtained the Kubikiribōchō, feeling as if there was no enemy in the world he could not defeat. If it weren't for the fact that his brother Hozuki Mangetsu was still alive, this kid really might have become completely unruly.
"Hey, you people from Konoha."
Hozuki Suigetsu, shouldering the Kubikiribōchō, looked around the Konoha Village and then at the Konoha ninjas who came to greet them, "Hurry up and start, I want to chop off everyone's heads! Then go challenge that guy named Akihara Kagura!"
Although the relationship between the Mist and the Konoha was good, how could the Mist ninjas forget the humiliation imposed on them by the Konoha, especially by that guy Akihara Kagura, who almost breached the Mist and openly abducted the Fourth Mizukage.
"Uh..."
The Konoha ninja responsible for greeting the Mist was none other than Hatake Kakashi, who glanced at Hozuki Suigetsu and could only compliment, "Your brother is quite energetic..."
"His brain isn't smart enough."
Hozuki Mangetsu glanced at his brother and said softly, "Kids don't understand things, they speak and act recklessly, and might be rude..."
"…"
Hatake Kakashi thought for a moment, then warned, "You'd better caution him, it's fine to say these things here, but if others hear it, it could cause unnecessary trouble, and might even provoke a war between the two villages..."
"Cough... cough, cough, cough..."
Hozuki Mangetsu coughed several times.
"In the world of ninjas, there's no distinction between adults and children."
Hatake Kakashi solemnly advised, "Just like when killing, one only considers whether they're a ninja, not how old they are..."
Just like Akihara Kagura...
Who never cared about the identity of his victims when killing.
Such as at this moment,
Yakushi Kabuto, frowned, suspecting that something unusual had happened in Konoha.
However, the Root ninja mentioned helplessly the order given by their superior: "Lord Kagura has arranged for Karin to be your teammate, Kabuto, as this is Karin's first time taking part in the Chunin Exams, and she needs someone experienced…"
"Understood."
Kabuto acknowledged the arrangement.
Originally, Karin wanted to use her own blood to save the life of Yakushi Nono, but the dean refused. Nevertheless, both the dean and Kabuto were fond of Karin, the little girl, and Kabuto harbored no reluctance regarding this matter.
Honestly speaking…
Karin was like a daughter raised by a group of people.
Moreover…
Kabuto had long been fed up with the two spies of Orochimaru close to him.
"Hey, Kabuto!"
Kenmi Sumi and Akagane Yoroi, the spies placed by Orochimaru, were shocked and asked, "What's going on? What are you trying to do?"
"Please take care of them for me!"
Kabuto slightly tilted his head, continuing to the Root ninja, "Better kill them to prevent them from causing any more trouble…"
A Root ninja nodded: "Lord Kagura has reviewed your report. During the mission outside, the Genin, Akagane Yoroi, and Kenmi Sumi unfortunately died while bravely covering for the medical ninja, Kabuto, to return to the village."
"You!"
Kenmi Sumi and Akagane Yoroi glared with a flash of fury!
This maneuver…
They had never seen anything like it!
Although they were still alive, the battle report already declared them dead!
A Genin's mission report could naturally be reviewed by Kagura, the Hokage's advisor and Root leader. It seemed that the follow-up measures were already completed.
"I'm leaving first."
Kabuto smiled lightly, waved, and returned to the Root base.
This time, Kabuto had some good news to tell Kagura.
Over the years, Kabuto had been devising ways to study the Edo Tensei technique, figuring out how to strengthen control over the reincarnated beings, with only the issue of the sacrificial materials left to resolve.
"By adding Hashirama cells to the materials used for the Edo Tensei, the control over the reanimated beings can be enhanced, but the stronger the mental energy, the easier it is to control the opponent…"
"The only issue left to resolve is the sacrificial materials…"
"Orochimaru had previously injected Hashirama cells into the sacrificial materials, which could restore the original strength of the reincarnated beings to the greatest extent, although their wills are too strong and they easily break free of control…"
"Also…"
"I've obtained some materials from Orochimaru's collection, which include materials from the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, although the Fourth Hokage has never been successfully reanimated."
"These things are not urgent."
Kagura was not in a rush about these matters, as after reviving the Second Hokage, Tobirama, he also gained a new trait reward.
[Forbidden Jutsu Master (No technique is an obstacle in front of a master of forbidden jutsu, who can easily understand the principles of any jutsu, enhance mastered jutsus, and perfect the research to create stronger techniques, achieving the desired effect of the forbidden jutsu master.)]
The current effects of this trait were not yet apparent, but after learning the Edo Tensei technique, Kagura realized the power of this trait.
[Edo Tensei (Utilizes living beings as sacrifices, using the deceased's remains and materials to communicate with the souls in the pure land of the underworld, resurrecting the dead who possess their former strength. The stronger the life force of the living being, the stronger the power of the resurrected being.)]
In addition to these techniques, other techniques mastered by Kagura were also enhanced, such as the basic Great Fireball Technique, which could surpass others in power with the chakra of the God of Ninja and the trait of the Forbidden Jutsu Master, potentially blocking the water release techniques of an entire team.
"Let's go see the dean first."
Kagura took out a Chunin Exam registration form and handed it to Kabuto, continuing to instruct, "Then you and Karin go submit the Chunin Exam registration forms. Don't wait until just before the exam to submit like I did."
"I understand."
Kabuto could only smile helplessly and nod.
The Chunin Exam registration site.
A group of Genin gathered here, waiting to register.
When Kagura arrived with Kabuto and Karin, the Eternal Genin, Kosuke Maruboshi, who had been ridiculed for a long time by other Genin for carrying a heavy burden, was there.
"Are you really going to take the exam at your age?"
"Old man, you should just remain a Genin for life!"
"The Chunin Exam can be deadly, better just go back and not participate, don't risk your old bones!"
"And one of his legs seems to be disabled!"
"He's also carrying a heavy burden, who would be so unlucky to be his teammate?"
"..."
Kosuke Maruboshi was indifferent to all this.
As someone who has lived through the times of three Hokages, Kosuke Maruboshi has been involved in countless battles and wars, witnessing innumerable deaths, and does not care for mere rumors.
Just at that moment, Karin and Yakushi Kabuto hurried over, and hearing a group of people mocking Kosuke Maruboshi, Karin stomped on the ground!
Boom!
A large crack formed in the ground!
All the Genin participating in the exam were startled by this impact!
"Such strength…"
"What a joke!"
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto couldn't help but chuckle on the side.
Karin watched as each Genin shut their mouths before walking over to Kosuke Maruboshi's side: "Sorry for keeping you waiting here, let's go submit the application form now!"
This elderly man was kindly chosen by Akihara Kagura as her teammate. Regardless of his actual strength, he at least seemed very good at cooking.
"It wasn't too long."
Kosuke Maruboshi shook his head and patted his old back.
"Do I need to introduce myself?"
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and spoke softly, "I'm Yakushi Kabuto, a medical ninja. Perhaps my medical ninjutsu isn't as good as Karin's, but still..."
"Lord Kabuto!"
Karin immediately interrupted Yakushi Kabuto, somewhat embarrassed, "My medical ninjutsu was all taught by you and Dean Nono!"
"Two medical ninjas…"
Kosuke Maruboshi nodded his head, understanding why Akihara Kagura wanted him to lead these two young ones in the exam. He knew better than anyone the role of medical ninjas.
Indeed, it was thanks to medical ninjas that many could survive on the battlefield, and the composition of ninja teams changed because of their presence.
However...
The role of medical ninjas is significant, but their combat power is not strong.
Kosuke Maruboshi understood Akihara Kagura's thoughts, planning to lead these two valuable medical ninjas through the exam, but unfortunately, he could only take them as far as the third exam.
Because in previous years, Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Itachi had taken the Chunin Exam alone, turning the third exam into a solo battle assessment.
"I am Kosuke Maruboshi."
Kosuke Maruboshi reached out his hand towards Yakushi Kabuto, nodding slowly, "Apart from not being good at medical ninjutsu, I know a little bit of everything else…"
"We are just here to accompany you."
Yakushi Kabuto chuckled, shaking hands with the elderly man, "Because I've taken the Chunin Exam many times, I know a bit more."
According to Yakushi Kabuto's understanding of Karin, he was there to help Karin with clarifications and procedures, while Kosuke Maruboshi was probably helping with survival in the deadly Forest of Death.
These were the challenges Akihara Kagura faced during her Chunin Exams; Kagura truly took great care of Karin, this poor young soul...
After greeting Kosuke Maruboshi, Yakushi Kabuto's gaze slowly shifted towards the present candidates, intending to gather some information. His attention was drawn to many Genin.
Team 7 immediately caught Yakushi Kabuto's eye.
To be precise, it was the leader of Team 7, the coolly dressed youngster, walking towards the registration room upstairs with his two teammates.
"Uchiha Sasuke…"
Yakushi Kabuto's mouth curled into a light smile, as if remembering something amusing, "Hehe, Uchiha Itachi's younger brother…"
"And that guy from the Sand Village…"
Karin saw the siblings Temari and Gaara from the Sand Village.
"This exam is going to be interesting…"
Kosuke Maruboshi nodded, his gaze noticing the Mist Village's Hozuki Suigetsu, especially noting the Kubikiribōchō he was carrying.
Inside the Hokage building.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still assigning tasks.
The proctor for the first exam was Ibiki Morino from the Torture Department, the second exam's proctor was Mitarashi Anko, and the third exam's proctor was Hayate Gekko.
All of these individuals were special Jonin.
"Akihara Kagura."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, holding his pipe, looked towards Akihara Kagura, assigning him a task: "You will serve as the chief examiner; everyone else will cooperate with your work until the successful conclusion of this Chunin Exam."
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura nodded his head.
[System Prompt]: [New Task (Sarutobi Hiruzen), Ensure the smooth conclusion of the joint Chunin Exam.]
~~~
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