Seeing his chakra increase again, Aoshi couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
Though each individual gain was small—at most 100 points and sometimes as little as 10—it all added up over time. Based on his prior month's experience working at Konoha Hospital, he estimated his average daily chakra gain to be around 300 points.
With perfect attendance, that meant he could gain nearly 9,000 points of chakra in one month.
Right now, his total chakra was approaching 80,000. At that rate, he'd definitely surpass 100,000 within three months and reach B-rank chakra capacity, unlocking another treasure chest.
From his first treasure chest, he had received a Copy Scroll that granted him the Rinnegan.
That was a reward even rarer and more powerful than a Rainbow Orb. So, he was full of anticipation for the second chest.
Anything from the system was guaranteed to be top-tier. Whether he received another Copy Scroll or a different kind of scroll entirely, Aoshi was confident he wouldn't be disappointed.
---
Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, more than twenty days had gone by.
With the joint Chunin Exams about to begin, shinobi from other villages were arriving in Konoha one after another.
A new group of ninja now appeared at Konoha's front gates. Had Aoshi been there, he would have immediately recognized some familiar faces.
It was Pakura of the Scorch Release!
These were the shinobi sent from Sunagakure to participate in the exams, led by the two Jonin, Pakura and Rasa.
"Friends from Sunagakure, please follow me. Konoha has already arranged your accommodations."
As the host village, Konoha had, of course, made thorough preparations.
"Much appreciated." As they followed their guide toward their lodgings, both Pakura and Rasa noticed several Anbu silently observing them from the shadows.
Neither of them was surprised.
If Konoha hadn't assigned Anbu to monitor them, that would've been strange. Besides, they weren't here to carry out any "Destroy Konoha" plans—just to participate in the Chunin Exams.
So they paid no mind to the Anbu surveillance.
"The conditions are a bit basic—I hope you won't mind. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to reach out."
With those words, the guide departed after showing them to their quarters.
"Sensei, may we go out and explore the village?" Hearing the request from her subordinates, Pakura nodded. She too wanted to take a look around.
Even on the way here, she'd noticed how much more prosperous Konoha was compared to Sunagakure.
"Rasa, are you planning to head out too?"
"Don't forget why we're here. Instead of wasting time wandering around, you'd do better to focus on training them. We don't want the village embarrassed during the exams."
In other words, he wasn't going anywhere.
Pakura thought Rasa was being boring. They had just finished a three-day journey—what was the harm in relaxing for a moment?
"Suit yourself." With that, Pakura led her three subordinates out for a stroll.
Rasa's three students could only watch enviously as Pakura's team walked off.
"What? You want to go out too?" Rasa's cold voice rang out, making Masaki and the others quickly shake their heads.
"Remember, you represent the pride of Sunagakure. Don't follow Pakura's example—failing even a B-rank mission and tarnishing our reputation."
He was referring to the failed mission to capture Okubo. It had been a mission issued by a noble from the Land of Wind. Its failure had left that noble extremely displeased with Sunagakure.
Pakura, unaware that Rasa was criticizing her behind her back, did regret that mission's failure—but she'd since made amends by completing several A-rank missions on her own.
Now, walking through Konoha's lively streets, Pakura and her team experienced a vibrant, cheerful atmosphere that was impossible to find in Sunagakure.
The villagers' faces were full of genuine smiles.
And Pakura could tell—those smiles weren't fake. They were expressions of true happiness. That was a scene one would rarely, if ever, see in Sunagakure.
"Sensei Pakura, do you think our village could ever be like this someday?" The question came from Misaki, the only female among her three students—perhaps more emotional by nature.
"As long as we all keep working hard, we can change Sunagakure." Pakura didn't dare say they'd reach Konoha's level—the gap between the two villages was far too great.
"Hey… isn't that the Konoha shinobi we met back in the Land of Rain?"
Suddenly, the other two subordinates, Jin and Goke, spotted Aoshi—but since he was now wearing sunglasses, they sounded uncertain.
Following their gaze, Pakura looked up. Sure enough, Aoshi was stepping out of Ichiraku Ramen, clearly having just finished a meal.
Their voices were loud enough that Aoshi noticed them, too. "Well, didn't expect to run into you all again so soon. You're here for the Chunin Exams, too, huh?"
"It is you!"
"That's right! This time, we're definitely getting promoted to Chunin!" Jin and Goke answered enthusiastically.
But Pakura, remembering her previous defeat to Aoshi, remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"Then I hope you succeed," Aoshi said with a smile. "But if you end up facing me in the exam, I won't be going easy on you."
The moment he returned from the Land of Rain, Aoshi had already learned about the upcoming joint Chunin Exams from Hiruzen Sarutobi—and that he'd be teaming up with Kushina.
There was no way he'd pass up the chance to get promoted. As a Chunin, he'd earn a higher salary at Konoha Hospital.
However, the moment he said that, the confident grins on Jin and Goke's faces faded instantly.
"We're done for... There goes any chance at being exam champions. You're way too strong—clearly the strongest Genin in this year's Chunin Exams."
Just as the words left their mouths, mocking laughter rang out nearby. Everyone turned to look—it was a group of Kumo-nin.
They had just arrived in Konoha earlier today and were now out for dinner. Overhearing the conversation, they couldn't help but scoff.
To them, the strongest Genin in this year's exam was Killer Bee. As for Aoshi? He looked like an older Genin—and in their minds, being older but still a Genin could only mean one thing: lack of talent.
"Sunagakure really doesn't know anything. Calling someone like that the strongest? What a joke."
That immediately provoked Jin's fury. "Bastard! Are you asking for a fight?!"
"Huh? I'm just speaking the truth."
"You…!" Seeing the mocking expressions of the Kumo-nin, Jin could no longer hold back and prepared to strike.
But Aoshi raised a hand to stop him. "This is Konoha. If there's going to be a fight, let us Konoha shinobi handle it."
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