"Sensei, that was the Second Hokage's jutsu, right?"
"Yes. You're overseeing this exam, how will the third stage proceed?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
After witnessing Kyōichi's Water Severing Wave, he was quite surprised that this young man had mastered a water-style jutsu that no one since SenjuTobirama could learn.
When the Senju clan dispersed into the civilian population, many things were scattered.
This wasn't surprising.
What was remarkable was Kyōichi's talent for ninjutsu, which was exceptionally good - not only mastering Water Severing Wave but also modifying the Body Flicker Technique.
Even without Senju blood, Kyōichi was talented.
Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled, "Sensei, there is no third stage. I am the third stage. Though you gathered some people for this exam, he's the only one who truly needs to be promoted this way."
"Promoting directly from Chunin to Jonin, especially since he came back injured, with insufficient battle achievements... But we're short on talent now and urgently need manpower, so we have no choice."
The Third Hokage sighed.
During wartime, ninja promotions were often quick, without requiring exams.
However.
Kyōichi came back injured, and though his battlefield achievements weren't small, they weren't enough to reach Jonin level - this was awkward.
"I'm relieved to have you oversee this. From what we've seen, Kanda Kyōichi's strength is fully at Jonin level. We just need to see how his information gathering and battlefield judgment are."
The Third said.
At this time, he had no idea Orochimaru was researching Hashirama's cells, still thinking Orochimaru was just interested in Kanda Kyōichi and therefore volunteered for this task.
Everyone has a love for talent.
Of course.
He was well aware of Orochimaru's complex relationship with Danzo, so he added, "Orochimaru, I trust your abilities, but with Root, you should have less contact."
"Sensei, I just borrowed people to help arrange the exam venue. This way of promotion will be more convincing."
Orochimaru said, narrowing his eyes.
Borrowing Hyuga Natsu seemed to have raised some concerns.
"You know what I mean."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, not speaking directly, but his meaning was clear - it was up to Orochimaru whether to listen.
...
In the Forest of Death.
Kyōichi was still playing cat and mouse with Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was truly like a sticky candy, not letting go of him. Kyōichi didn't engage in much combat - firstly, it didn't align with the mission objective; secondly, he suspected Orochimaru was after his blood.
He didn't want Orochimaru to get it yet.
However.
After a while, he sensed another figure rushing toward his front.
Hyuga Natsu.
Was he also Danzo's subordinate?
A strange look flashed in Kyōichi's eyes.
However, one thing was certain.
Danzo and Orochimaru had set up this scheme, probably intending to wound him and obtain his blood to further research Hashirama's cells.
He pretended not to sense Hyuga Natsu and continued toward Aburame Tobi.
The other had already obtained both scrolls!
Soon after,Hyuga Natsu appeared in front, blocking Kyōichi's path.
"Sorry, I have a mission, I have no choice."
Hyuga Natsu spoke briefly and directly.
Kyōichi gave a cold laugh without responding, instead...
Whoosh!
Body Flicker Technique, passing by his side.
The next moment, Hyuga Natsu activated his Byakugan and attacked Kyōichi.
Gentle Fist!
His speed was very fast, and under the Byakugan, he could more precisely observe Kyōichi's trajectory, confident he could keep up with the Body Flicker Technique and block his chakra points.
The plan wasn't wrong.
However.
Just as he caught up, he found Kyōichi's chakra surrounding his body.
What's this?
Earth Spears!
Using Earth-style chakra to form a protective layer made it difficult to hit the chakra points. He immediately knew something was wrong and countered with an empty palm strike.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!
However.
Kyōichi reacted extremely fast, quickly dodging and forming hand seals, summoning a water dragon that rushed toward him.
This was just the first killing move.
The key was—
Just as Hyuga Natsu dodged the Water Dragon Bullet, he saw Kyōichi moving extremely fast, appearing behind him.
Dancing Leaf Shadow.
Then, one kick!
Hyuga Natsu was kicked flying, crashing through several trees. If Orochimaru hadn't used Earth Style to help reduce the impact, he might have flown even further.
At this point, Hyuga Natsu was unconscious and severely injured.
Defeated?
Orochimaru was astonished, looking at Kyōichi in surprise.
Hyuga Natsu was an elite from the Hyuga branch family who had joined ANBU, borrowed by him. Though not weak, he was defeated by Kyōichi in one encounter, losing combat ability with just one kick. This strike was too terrifying!
He must have used some special taijutsu.
Another new technique!
"Kyōichi-kun, you've given me... too many surprises."
Orochimaru was extremely excited.
He felt like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"You're Lord Orochimaru, aren't you?"
Kyōichi said.
"Knowing it's me, yet only leaving a shadow clone? Kyōichi-kun, I am one of the Legendary Sannin after all."
Orochimaru smiled.
Kyōichi had seen him on the battlefield, and with enough attention, it wasn't hard to notice some of his characteristics, like...
Licking his lips.
Damn habit!
However.
It didn't matter if he was recognized.
He wasn't too discouraged.
Compared to the mere mission, he was more impressed by Kyōichi's innovation ability and talent. This was a genius like himself!
A large snake appeared.
It carried Hyuga Natsu on its back and quickly headed somewhere in the Forest of Death.
"I'm very curious about that technique just now. Can you enlighten me?"
Orochimaru knew Kyōichi had activated some special taijutsu technique, becoming several times faster than usual. Since he couldn't catch up now, rather than waste time, he might as well satisfy his curiosity.
"That wasn't my creation, I learned it from someone else - the Eight Inner Gates."
The shadow clone smiled.
Since Orochimaru didn't want to fight, he was happy to comply. Why not sit down and have a good conversation?
Moreover.
He was certain the Third Hokage was watching secretly. This was a good opportunity to promote Might Duy's reputation.
"Eight Gates? Indeed, indeed... interesting. I didn't know Konoha had such a genius researching this kind of taijutsu. But that's not the only technique, is it?"
Orochimaru's eyes were full of excitement.
In all of Konoha, when it came to research, not even the Third could match him now.
He naturally knew about the Eight Gates theory.
Though Kyōichi's technique was subtle and masked by the Eight Gates' aura, he could still deduce that Kyōichi had at most opened the First Gate, and with the First Gate's power...
It wasn't enough to defeat Hyuga Natsu in one strike.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm? Earth Spears!"
Orochimaru muttered to himself.
He organized his thoughts, continuously deducing, and found it was likely an Earth-style jutsu.
Earth Spears!
"Nothing escapes Lord Orochimaru."
"Impressive, opening the Eight Gates while maintaining the Earth Spears state, your chakra control must be extremely strong."
Orochimaru kept praising.
He had to admit, Kyōichi was the most talented young person he'd met in these years - Namikaze Minato was also very talented, but not the type Orochimaru preferred.
But Kanda Kyōichi was!
He vaguely felt that Kyōichi knew even more techniques than these.
"I really want to fight you properly, but alas, I am the chief examiner this time. Going all out against you would be too unfair."
Orochimaru sighed.
He revealed his true face and stopped attacking.
The next moment.
He saw black insects swarming in the distance, clearly showing Kyōichi was engaging with the Aburame clan member.
Passing by Kyōichi's shadow clone, Orochimaru said softly, "Kyōichi-kun, next time we have a chance, let's have a good chat!"
Aburame Tobi would be no match for Kyōichi.
He was certain of this!
"Yes!"