At Kurenai's signal, all the teams bolted into the dark forest, quickly vanishing from sight.
Natsume, Kabuto, and Hana ran fastest, being the strongest.
With Itachi gone, Natsume aimed to set a speed record.
Kurenai withdrew her gaze, then quickly stood in front of someone.
"Lady Tsunade, you're not allowed inside."
"I won't go in—just watching from the side."
Tsunade said, but kept moving forward.
"Lady Tsunade…"
Kurenai was helpless. "You're making things hard for us."
"How about this—you come with me. With you there, it'll be fine, right?"
Tsunade kept her eyes on Natsume's vanishing figure. She clearly wasn't giving up.
Kurenai finally nodded. "But you can't interfere or help your students."
"Of course not."
Tsunade smiled. "You underestimate my students, Kurenai."
Kurenai thought of Natsume's outrageous combat record during the Konoha-Cloud war.
To be honest, she couldn't quite believe it.
Natsume was only nine at the time, without a kekkei genkai, and yet defeated several jonin—including a Magnet Release ninja.
She tended to think Tsunade had weakened them first, and her students finished them off.
"Lady Tsunade, wait!"
Kurenai only dazed out for three seconds, but Tsunade was already gone like an arrow.
She hurried to catch up.
In moments, they caught up to Natsume's group.
Since the exam had just started, there were no enemies yet—
they were using Shiro's nose to search.
A minute later, they had results.
Standing beside Tsunade, Kurenai was stunned. "Isn't this too reckless, just charging in?"
Natsume's team found another squad and attacked directly—no traps, no stealth, just rushing them.
"No need to waste time."
Tsunade understood Natsume—seeing him in such a hurry, she knew what he was thinking.
But then she frowned.
That wasn't like Natsume.
He was usually pretty lazy.
Why so eager for the Chūnin Exam?
Suddenly, she remembered her promise of a reward, and froze—he'd taken her seriously!
Now she was in trouble. If she didn't give him a reward, she'd have no excuse.
"A-rank Water Style?"
Kurenai's mouth dropped open, stunned.
So the rumors were true—
Natsume could easily use A-rank Water Style, proof that he was jonin-level.
She wasn't even sure she could beat him.
But wasn't it overkill?
The opponents were just genin.
Tsunade noticed her look and proudly stuck out her chest. "My students are top-notch."
Kurenai glanced at her, then fell silent. Any woman would be envious of that comparison.
"Jealous?"
Tsunade teased. "In a few years, you'll get to lead a squad too. But picking good students is luck."
"Looks like they're lucky."
Kurenai quickly changed the subject.
Natsume's team was already heading for the central tower, meaning they'd gotten both scrolls.
"I'll go meet them at the tower later, that's not against the rules, right?"
Tsunade grinned, still on a roll.
She knew Natsume would pass, but showing off in front of others was another matter.
Why do people always ask about grades or salary when visiting relatives? This is why.
"Once they enter the tower, the second round ends. The third round only starts when everyone gathers. So that waiting time isn't part of the exam—it's allowed."
Kurenai answered politely, despite the double blow to her ego.
…
Central Tower, Forest of Death.
When Natsume's team arrived, a young man instantly appeared.
"Already? You got both scrolls in just twenty minutes?"
Normally, just reaching the tower would take over half an hour at a genin's pace.
Was this even possible?
"Here."
Natsume handed him both scrolls.
The young man checked, then was speechless.
Konoha genin—terrifying!
He was glad he hadn't faced such monsters in his own Chūnin Exam.
"The third round is individual battles. Go rest in the lounge."
He pointed the way.
"Thanks."
The three followed his directions to a bare-bones rest area.
Before long, Tsunade entered.
Kurenai returned to her duties as proctor.
"Sensei."
The three greeted in unison, even Hana—she'd grown a lot through special training, enough to realize her previous teacher was, well… not great.
Not that she meant any disrespect—
it was just that comparison was unavoidable.
"Well done. I checked—you're the fastest in Chūnin Exam history."
Tsunade praised.
"But not just fast—"
Natsume quickly added.
"Strong, too."
Tsunade ruffled his hair, like comforting a child.
Kabuto and Hana were used to the sight—Natsume was like Tsunade's own kid, and they were adopted.
In the original, the joint Chūnin Exam had a month's rest between rounds,
since it was a big event, with nobles and daimyōs attending, a chance for villages to show off and get mission contracts.
But regular exams were just a formality—a simple process.
Tsunade didn't stay long, heading to the spectator stands instead.
Her presence put too much pressure on the candidates,
and made it look like Natsume's team had special treatment.
Afternoon: The Third Round Begins
After another elimination, only five teams were left.
Now it was individual battles.
Natsume's biggest threat would have been Itachi, but he'd already graduated, as had Anko and Yugao.
In the end, Natsume easily took first place.
Kabuto was second, Hana fifth.
But rankings didn't matter—all three were promoted to Chūnin.
Tsunade watched the whole time, noticing Natsume's chakra had grown again—maybe enough to try Sage Mode.
"Big Sister."
Natsume found a chance to talk privately.
"I'm a Chūnin now! So… what's my reward?"
He'd just finished fighting, his handsome face flushed, making him look even cuter.
With that look of joy and anticipation, it was impossible for any woman to refuse.
Tsunade tried to keep a straight face, repeating to herself "This is the last time, I won't give in," but her resolve was already collapsing.