Chapter 135: What It Means to Be the Second Hokage! Main Quest Completed
The Jonin exam, naturally, wasn't just about combat.
All those books Kakashi had forced Kitagawa Gen to read and memorize back then? They weren't just for show.
There was a theoretical portion to the assessment as well—but for someone like him, that was hardly a challenge. After all, he was a humanities student.
Of course, they didn't overdo that part of the test either. Considering he'd already defeated the Fourth Raikage, a lot could be skipped.
---
"Kid, you ready?"
Jiraiya rolled up his sleeves and walked up to the stage with Gen, grinning as he asked in a low voice.
"More or less," Gen replied with a smirk, scratching his chin. "It's not like I'm allowed to use Sage Mode anyway—makes no difference to me."
"You planning to use it? I can wait if you need time to prep."
"You brat," Jiraiya groaned, suddenly not smiling anymore. His Sage Mode wasn't exactly smooth sailing like Gen's.
"Relax. I can't use it either," Gen said with a shrug.
"Or is it that you never had the chance to?"
"You little—so damn annoying!"
Despite the banter, the two walked side by side in a relatively relaxed mood.
---
Up in the stands, Tsunade muttered with annoyance from beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man, you're not even trying to hide your favoritism anymore, huh?"
"Hmm?"
Hiruzen blinked at her in confusion.
"What? This is just a normal evaluation."
"Sure, sure. His earlier assessments were a total joke, though."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Hiruzen, however, simply smiled.
"Aside from a few calculation mistakes, everything else was excellent. Whatever's lacking can be worked on later. Honestly, Kakashi had it even easier when he became a Jonin."
"Yeah, well—that was during wartime."
Tsunade shook her head but didn't push the issue. She had personally seen Gen's capabilities during their recent training. His talent was absurd. It was his personality that left her with mixed feelings.
"Alright, enough talk."
Hiruzen wasn't about to debate what could or couldn't be fixed later. Besides, Jiraiya and Gen were already standing on the stage.
"Barrier team, prepare."
"Yes, sir."
The nearby barrier unit quickly began setting up. Even with a controlled duel, they needed to ensure the battlefield was sealed—no stray jutsu flying off into the village.
"Then..."
As the invisible barrier shimmered to life, Hiruzen gave the order:
"Begin the evaluation!"
---
With the signal given, Kitagawa Gen and Jiraiya exchanged the Seal and immediately sprang into action.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Without hesitation, Gen swapped hand seals. In an instant, a roaring dragon of flame surged toward Jiraiya!
"Hah! I knew you'd pull something like that—Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya countered quickly. He knew this kid never let an opportunity slip, but he wasn't about to let himself get roasted without a fight.
The two waves of fire collided midair, roaring and spiraling inside the barrier.
---
"That's one hell of a Fire Style."
"This kid's no joke... no wonder they let someone that young even take the exam."
"I've heard he's got even stronger techniques, but most are classified."
"Impressive… really impressive."
Even just this initial clash stunned the surrounding Jonin, especially seeing Gen pulling off single-handed seals.
That demanded high-level chakra control, jutsu mastery, and impeccable timing.
---
"You're not even a little worried?" Asuma asked softly, turning to Kakashi.
"He's strong, no doubt, but still… you're way too calm."
Ebisu and Genma also glanced over. It wasn't just regular Jonin here—special Jonin had come to watch as well.
"Don't worry," Guy said with a grin before Kakashi could reply. "Gen's got a lot more up his sleeve."
Kakashi finally nodded in agreement. "He's full of surprises."
---
As if to confirm their words, a kunai suddenly glinted in the air within the barrier. In the blink of an eye, it split into dozens more.
"Ninja Art: Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique."
"Flying Thunder God, huh?"
Jiraiya recognized the setup instantly. Without hesitation, he formed another set of seals.
"Fire Style: Giant Flame Bomb!"
A massive torrent of flames surged forward, sweeping over all the kunai. He knew how terrifying Flying Thunder God could be. There was no way he'd let those markers get close.
"Honestly, they should ban that technique—it's total cheating," Jiraiya muttered internally as he prepped another move.
"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld!"
The ground instantly turned into a marsh—slowing Gen's movements and setting up the next phase.
"Barrier: Canopy Method Formation!"
As his chakra expanded, Jiraiya silently deployed a perception barrier. Flying Thunder God was too unpredictable—if he couldn't monitor Gen's every move and kunai trajectory, he was in trouble.
"Hm? He's coming?"
Suddenly, he sensed Gen entering the barrier and rushing toward him.
"This kid's fast."
In a blink, Gen appeared right in front of him, White Fang Short Blade drawn.
"No Lightning Style?"
Jiraiya was momentarily surprised—but the next moment, his eyes widened.
"Water Style: Water Blade Slash."
The short blade was enveloped in high-pressure water chakra—slashing down toward him with force.
"Water Style?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow from the stands, experiencing that strange sense of déjà vu again.
Jiraiya, caught off guard, dodged just in time and clasped his hands together.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
His hair shot out like steel needles at blinding speed, but Gen immediately switched forms.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
A rotating wall of water formed in front of him, blocking Jiraiya's attack.
Then— the ground surged.
Jiraiya instantly leapt into the air.
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"
Just as he moved, a violent jet of water erupted where he'd stood, spinning like a tornado before erupting outward like a crashing waterfall.
"This brat…"
A bead of cold sweat formed on Jiraiya's brow. He knew what Gen was planning.
In the stands, Hiruzen and Tsunade also raised their brows—they'd figured it out too.
"Water Style: Severing Wave!"
Gen didn't pause. As soon as Jiraiya landed, he launched another attack—a high-pressure stream of water rocketing straight toward him.
"Whoa, whoa! You trying to kill me!?"
Jiraiya cursed, but his hands were already forming seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
BOOM—
The ground rumbled, and a massive earthen wall shot up—actually, several walls. Jiraiya knew this jutsu's power too well. Even though Earth Style had the elemental advantage over Water Style, he wasn't taking any chances.
ZZZZZMMM—
Sure enough, the wall was torn apart by the high-pressure stream. But Jiraiya had already leapt back.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A raging dragon of fire hurtled toward Gen!
"Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Gen retaliated instantly. A pillar of water surged up, forming a massive water dragon that crashed into Jiraiya's flames.
BOOM—
As fire and water collided, a deafening explosion shook the arena.
The barrier began to buckle under the sheer force of their clash.
"Holy crap…"
"He's keeping up with Jiraiya-sama? With water jutsu?! And still hasn't run out of chakra?"
"Incredible. Looks like another genius has emerged in Konoha!"
The Jonin watching were dumbfounded. Asuma stared, eyes wide.
"Isn't he a Lightning Style user? Didn't he master the Lightning Chakra Mode and Flying Thunder God? Why is he—"
"He can do a lot," Kakashi replied calmly. "How he fights… is entirely up to him."
What Kakashi didn't say: His student is an infuriating show-off who never fights straightforwardly.
"They're moving!" Guy suddenly shouted, snapping everyone's attention back to the battle.
Through the smoke, Gen's figure flashed forward—appearing beside Jiraiya in an instant.
In his hand was a swirling, layered, high-velocity water javelin—
"That's… Water Style: Hard Vortex Water Blade?! Oh no—what's he planning!?"
Before anyone could react, Gen slammed it into Jiraiya's body.
BOOM—
Another explosion—but then, Jiraiya's figure dissolved into water.
A Water Clone!
"Gotcha, kid."
Jiraiya burst from below the water, grinning as he grabbed for Gen's arm.
But then… he noticed Gen grinning back.
"This is a water-based environment, Jiraiya-sama. And did you forget what I'm best at?"
"Oh, no—"
Jiraiya froze, expression twisting. The next moment, Gen transformed into purple lightning—arcing across the entire water's surface!
"A Lightning Clone!? This little—"
Jiraiya cursed as his own body dissolved into water again.
But then—from beneath the surface, the real Jiraiya finally emerged, scowling.
He had thought this was just a sparring assessment. He never expected Gen to pull out so much trickery.
This kid… was shameless!
SWISH—
At that moment, a kunai flew toward him from afar. Midair and momentarily paralyzed by the lightning, Jiraiya couldn't react.
The next moment, Gen appeared beside him—catching him and landing gracefully on the water.
"Thank you for the lesson, Pervy Sage."
With a smile, Gen formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
"You really are as annoying as ever," Jiraiya muttered, but he matched the seal with a wry smile.
"But this is what it means to be a ninja. Congratulations—you've passed the assessment."
[Main Mission: Become a Jonin – Phase 2 Complete]
[Rewards being calculated...]
Just as Jiraiya's voice faded, Gen saw the system interface appear—making him beam with excitement.
He was eager to see what the system had in store this time.
---
But in the audience, Tsunade clenched her fist tightly.
"Old man… what the hell did you let him do!?"
"I… didn't think he'd go this far..." Hiruzen replied awkwardly, though a touch of nostalgia filled his eyes.
Gen's water style—it flowed exactly like his former teacher's. So smooth, so natural.
Even the final use of lightning—that, too, felt like something his teacher would do.
It was hard not to feel sentimental.
Though… also slightly awkward.
"Did I just get tricked again...?"