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*****
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen let out a long sigh of relief.
The goals he had set for this Chūnin Exam simulation were mostly accomplished. Now, all that remained was to wait and see the results.
His only regret was that his simulated self hadn't been able to gather more information on Shimura Danzō. Still, Ximen Zhen didn't care too much about that.
Without a way to counter Danzō's Kotoamatsukami, taking him down directly was nearly impossible anyway.
Fortunately, this was just a simulation. Before the real Chūnin Exam arrived, he still had time to improve his strength.
[Due to your outstanding performance—and the fact that many Konoha ninja were equipped with your fragmentation kunai, which proved extremely useful in Chūnin-level engagements—Konoha was able to control the situation with relatively minimal casualties.]
[You made significant contributions on the front lines, in medical support, and in supplying ninja tools to the rear. Your name is now known throughout Konoha. Unfortunately, the Third Hokage still perished in battle, and Konoha is now busy preparing for his funeral and cleaning up the aftermath.]
[Once this all settled down, a new order came from the Hokage's office: someone must leave the village to find Tsunade. Jiraiya came to you voluntarily, hoping you would join him in persuading Tsunade to return to Konoha and take up the position of Hokage.]
Ximen Zhen wasn't surprised by this turn of events.
He had already firmly established himself as Tsunade's apprentice—even Jiraiya hadn't shown the slightest hint of doubt about it.
The only remaining issue was whether Tsunade could recall this fact herself. Had she grown old and developed Alzheimer's, forgetting that she ever took him as a disciple?
[You, Jiraiya, and Naruto set out on a journey to find Tsunade. However, shortly after leaving the village, you receive an emergency message from Konoha requesting help to stop a mysterious pair of ninja.]
[You know this can only be Uchiha Itachi and his partner Kisame Hoshigaki, who returned upon hearing of the Third Hokage's death. By the time you arrive, Sasuke has already experienced the horror of Itachi's Tsukuyomi.]
[Facing the legendary Sannin Jiraiya, Itachi chooses not to fight and instead escapes using Amaterasu. You do not make a move throughout the encounter; instead, you silently observe Itachi and Kisame, memorize their appearances, and sense their chakra—for future encounters.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen felt a small wave of surprise.
That's right—within the simulation, he could record the chakra signatures of enemies!
Although he couldn't directly use other people's pheromones or intel within simulations, there was still plenty of data he could collect.
In that moment, he even considered using the Ephemeral Technique to travel across the entire ninja world. Who knows what interesting secrets he might uncover?
But clearly, now was not the time for that. Maybe one day, if he had enough simulation attempts to spare, he could consider it.
[After the battle, you treat Sasuke. His physical wounds are easily healed by your hands, but the trauma from Tsukuyomi is beyond your ability to heal. Naruto, deeply shaken, vows to find Tsunade immediately. And so, the three of you resume your journey.]
[Midway through the trip, Jiraiya takes Naruto through a bustling town to eat, drink, and shop—while also beginning to teach him the Rasengan. When it comes to you, Jiraiya seems a little unsure—hesitant whether to teach you something or how to arrange your training during this period.]
At this point, Ximen Zhen's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he used a simulation token for guidance.
Jiraiya… actually had thoughts of teaching him something?
Then again, it made sense—Jiraiya believed him to be Tsunade's disciple. No wonder.
Perhaps he was even waiting to brag to Tsunade later about having helped her student grow stronger.
In that case, Ximen Zhen certainly wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
The question was: what should he learn from Jiraiya?
Ximen Zhen fell into deep thought.
As one of Konoha's veteran powerhouses, Jiraiya's jutsu held many remarkable qualities—especially Sage Mode, something Ximen Zhen knew he absolutely needed in the future.
However, realistically speaking, getting Jiraiya to teach him Sage Mode now was close to impossible. If he ever hoped to learn it, he'd have to follow Tsunade's path to the Shikkotsu Forest.
And if that failed, perhaps Tsunade could help him arrange a visit to Mount Myōboku through Jiraiya.
Similarly, all of Jiraiya's toad-based summoning techniques were off-limits for Ximen Zhen.
As for the Rasengan, Ximen Zhen had already learned it himself—there'd be no point in Jiraiya teaching it again.
That left only two areas: Jiraiya's secret hair techniques… and sealing jutsu.
Was he really about to learn Jiraiya's hair jutsu?
Though that series of techniques was undeniably practical, it didn't offer Ximen Zhen much of a boost. It seemed sealing techniques were his only viable option.
Ximen Zhen scratched his head. He and Jiraiya didn't seem particularly compatible as mentor and student.
Just as he was about to input "sealing techniques" as his training choice, inspiration struck.
Didn't Jiraiya have a technique called Barrier: Dome Method Formation?
Ximen Zhen wasn't particularly interested in the jutsu itself—his sensory abilities were strong enough that he didn't need hand seals to detect enemies.
What caught his attention was how Jiraiya performed that jutsu: with his feet!
Compared to the Pain-era where ninjas could summon or unleash jutsu with a simple slap, using foot seals looked kind of silly—but if you thought about it, it was actually quite practical.
Especially for someone like Ximen Zhen, a brute-force fighter—if he could restrain his enemies with pure strength and form seals with both his hands and feet during the process, his combat capabilities would increase significantly.
With that thought, Ximen Zhen quickly typed in his choice and eagerly awaited the simulation results.
[Jiraiya was surprised you wanted to learn something as basic as hand seals, but then praised you profusely. He admired how someone of your strength still prioritized the fundamentals—proof that you had the makings of a future Hokage.]
[Jiraiya compiled all his knowledge on hand seal techniques for you—single-hand seals, complex two-hand combinations, partial seal omissions, and even foot seals. He gave you a complete record of his lifetime of experience, and you were genuinely moved.]
[In return, you generously covered all of Jiraiya's food and entertainment expenses during Naruto's training. Touched by your gesture, Jiraiya grew increasingly fond of you—so much so that, when talking about writing, he began to treat you like a true kindred spirit.]
Reading this, Ximen Zhen was both thrilled and a little amused.
Typical Jiraiya—he'd already gone from being Tsunade's fellow Sannin to acting like a brother to her disciple.
[In the days that followed, you immersed yourself in practicing hand seals, slowly mastering single-hand and foot seals. However, it would still take a long time before you could use them fluently in battle.]
[Meanwhile, Naruto made solid progress in learning the Rasengan. Jiraiya finally found a lead on Tsunade's whereabouts, and the three of you began heading toward Tanzaku Town.]
The smile on Ximen Zhen's lips gradually faded—it was finally time.
Though he had prepared himself, whether Tsunade would actually recognize him as her student was still uncertain. That decision lay entirely with her.
Of course, if she didn't acknowledge him, Ximen Zhen still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
(End of Chapter)