"Jōnin exam will start soon. Click on the famous person to get the certificate... Tekuno."
"Yes!"
"Baiyun Asayoru."
"Yes!"
"Hyūga Xiangtao."
"Jingyi."
"Present!"
Jingyi stood up and went forward to receive the certificate respectfully, just like the others.
Then, he listened carefully to the names.
Baiyun Asayoru didn't surprise him. His features were distinct, and Jingyi recognized him instantly.
But
That chubby young ninja turned out to be Tekuno, who appeared alongside him in the anime...
That was a bit surprising.
Jingyi remembered him for a simple reason.
This person appeared quite frequently, and like Tenten, he was one of the few ninja proficient with ninja tools, scrolls, and other supplementary combat gear eventually earning recognition as a weapons specialist.
It showed he was genuinely accomplished in the use of ninja equipment.
Jingyi couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
Aside from them, there was also a lesser-known elite Chūnin, but
Quite the opposite.
This person posed the greatest threat to Jingyi. Based on his chakra perception, Jingyi sensed something unusual. He strongly suspected this person was in disguise.
Orochimaru?
It was a real possibility.
That guy loved games like this.
Jingyi swept his gaze around and got a rough sense of the overall nature of this Jōnin exam most participants were ninjas who couldn't be promoted directly but had already reached the standard.
"The first test will be held here. Please begin the written exam. There are seven candidates."
The speaker was a Jōnin.
Jingyi recognized him Yuhi Mahong, the father of Yuhi Kurenai.
But
This wasn't the time to meet students' parents. He stepped forward, took the test paper, then quickly sat in the preassigned spot in the training ground and began answering.
To become a Jōnin, one must possess a solid foundation of knowledge.
Even Naruto, as Hokage, had to study hard to pass this kind of test.
Jingyi glanced at the paper and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The questions...
They weren't extremely difficult, but not overly simple either. Most revolved around battlefield tactics, formation positioning, and theoretical scenarios stuff most experienced Chūnin would know.
Although Jingyi couldn't claim complete mastery, the knowledge from his predecessor, combined with insights from his previous life watching the anime, made the test manageable.
Others probably found it even easier.
Because here, the youngest was Kanda Keiichi.
It's relatively slow to reach Chūnin at 14, but reaching Jōnin by 15 is still impressive. He was likely a major focus of this exam.
In truth, Jingyi understood that half the people in this exam room might have come because of him.
The first test was just the beginning.
He calmed his mind and observed while answering the questions. After a while, the unfamiliar Matsunohara turned in his paper, and the rest followed.
Jingyi was the last.
Not because he couldn't finish, but because he wanted to observe everyone else's behavior first.
Now he had most of the picture.
The two women from the Aburame clan were likely Root members, secretly watching him. Hyūga Xiangtao, on the other hand, had probably genuinely come to take the exam he'd finished early.
"The second test is simple. In the Forest of Death, there are two scrolls. The first four to obtain scrolls will qualify for the third test."
After Yuhi Mahong finished explaining, he signaled them to begin.
In the next instant, everyone disappeared.
Jingyi understood.
The second test was about intelligence gathering, combat skills, and speed.
When it came to search and retrieval, few could match the Aburame and Hyūga clans. Those three were the biggest threats in this exam but Jingyi had more to deal with.
Especially Matsunohara.
Was he really here to take the exam?
Right when the Body Flicker Technique faded, Jingyi noticed he was heading in the same direction as him. All of them had Jōnin-level strength he didn't believe the man couldn't detect him.
Whatever.
It didn't matter. It wasn't realistic to retrieve both scrolls alone. He had to rely on the Aburame and Hyūga's investigative skills.
Jingyi used chakra perception as he ran.
Matsunohara still followed.
This person was definitely in disguise not here to become a Jōnin.
Jingyi knew.
He didn't confront him directly. Instead, after monitoring Matsunohara's pace, he kept both him and Aburame Fei within a distance he could close quickly.
"His positioning... Interesting. Perceptual ninjutsu?"
Matsunohara licked his lips, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Senju lineage.
How envious!
Soon
Aburame Fei discovered a scroll, then darted in another direction. Judging by his behavior, it was obvious one of his insects had located the next scroll.
Jingyi moved to intercept.
At that moment—whoosh~
Matsunohara, clad in a green vest, landed in front of Jingyi and said in a hoarse voice, "Jingyi. There are only four slots in this exam. Do you want one?"
Orochimaru, you damn creep.
Jingyi cursed inwardly.
"Hehehe, I'm not interested in the scrolls. But I'm very interested in you. If you can defeat me, maybe I'll hand a scroll over to you."
Matsunohara licked his lips again.
That voice, that behavior definitely Orochimaru.
"I'm not interested in you."
Jingyi wasn't surprised.
Back in the first exam, he already suspected this guy was Orochimaru. After all, Jiraiya was handling peace talks with Sunagakure at the front. Orochimaru must've returned to the village.
"Then it's up to you."
Matsunohara grinned.
He drew a kunai and instantly appeared beside Jingyi.
However
The Jingyi in front of him turned into a broken afterimage.
Substitution?
No...
That was a high-level Body Flicker Technique!
Matsunohara's eyes lit up with greater excitement.
Raising a hand, he summoned a massive snake.
Damn it.
No shame at all?
Seeing the snake crash down in front of him, Jingyi swore silently but didn't hesitate. He formed seals, then spat out a high-pressure stream of water.
Water Style: Water Severing Wave!
The jet sliced the serpent in half and even redirected itself toward the "Matsunohara" behind.
Matsunohara hadn't expected Kyoichi to unleash such a powerful jutsu.
But
Just as the water struck, his body turned to mud.
Earth Style: Substitution Technique.
That's Sannin-level.
Evading ninjutsu at minimal cost.
Jingyi wasn't surprised and quickly sprinted in pursuit of Aburame Fei.
Orochimaru was like a cursed candy impossible to beat and annoyingly sticky. There was no point wasting time on him. The key was securing a scroll and passing the exam.
Besides
Identifying enemies, avoiding threats, and completing objectives were all part of a Jōnin's responsibilities. Complaining wouldn't help.
Orochimaru grew interested.
Initially, he only wanted to test Jingyi's strength and confirm whether the Senju traits were truly awakening. But after this exchange...
Jingyi's strength far exceeded his expectations.
That advanced Body Flicker, the almost-forgotten second Hokage jutsu, the Water Severing Wave...
What other secrets was he hiding?