Anko no longer knew how to even describe the shock she was feeling!
Just a few minutes ago, she absolutely would not have believed Shinju's words!
But after Shinju personally wrote down notes on this special sealing technique, she began to waver.
Normally, sealing jutsu existed independently.
But the way Shinju had annotated the usage method—by simply altering a few incantations, the technique could shift into an entirely different function, even directly reversing the original effect—was completely unheard of!
This was revolutionary!
And what's more, there were twelve variations in total, each one ingenious. Other than the original creator of the sealing jutsu, she couldn't imagine anyone else capable of this.
Even if someone memorized them, without true understanding, they could only hope to retain three or four at most.
"Gulp~"
Anko swallowed hard, completely losing her composure.
At this point, she was starting to believe this sealing technique really was developed by Shinju himself.
But that was just too unbelievable!
Shinju was still only a genin!
She wanted to hurry back and hand this paper to the Third Hokage immediately, to have him confirm her judgment.
Turning to the assistant proctor at her side, Anko gave instructions:
"I've got something to take care of, so I'm leaving first. If any other examinees come by to hand in their scrolls, handle it in my place. And one more thing—protect these three brats no matter what. If anything happens to them, you'll pay with your life!"
After delivering that final line with overwhelming authority, Anko vanished.
The assistant proctor instantly felt immense pressure.
Just minutes ago, Orochimaru himself had been here.
How was he supposed to guarantee these kids' safety?
It was then that Shinju spoke up.
"I choose to hand over the scroll and pass the exam."
After exchanging a look with Naruto, Shinju pulled more than ten scrolls out of his pouch.
Although Sasuke's condition had stabilized, he was still unconscious.
And with Orochimaru having just been here, there was no guarantee he wouldn't attack again inside the Forest of Death.
Right now, what they needed most was a safe place.
The assistant proctor was surprised by Shinju's move.
"All of them? You're giving up the money?"
He had seen Shinju's scroll-selling operation clearly from the tower monitors.
One scroll for a hundred thousand ryo. With around ten sellable scrolls, that meant at least eight hundred thousand ryo in profit.
Eight hundred thousand! Enough to buy a big house in one of the Land of Fire's major cities!
"As a proper shinobi, I can't let my teammates remain in danger just for the sake of profit," Shinju said firmly.
The assistant proctor's eyes flickered at his words.
Eight hundred thousand ryo!
And this kid was giving it all up for his teammates.
That spirit of never abandoning one's comrades… it struck the assistant proctor deeply!
"…Alright!"
He nodded.
"But I can only accept the two Heaven and Earth scrolls. The rest, you'll have to handle yourself."
Shinju nodded, then carried the remaining scrolls over to the Grass shinobi trio, dumping them all onto Karin's chest.
Karin had already regained consciousness by now, and Shinju's actions left her utterly confused.
"You can take two of these to pass the exam. But make sure the rest are delivered to other Konoha squads participating in the exam," Shinju instructed.
Seeing Shinju still thinking of his fellow villagers even at a time like this, the assistant proctor couldn't help but feel even more respect for the red-haired boy.
This was truly the kind of talent who would become a pillar of Konoha's future!
...
With that, Shinju left with Naruto and Sasuke.
Meanwhile, the Grass trio, now awake, began searching the Forest of Death for Konoha teams to whom they could deliver the scrolls, carrying out Shinju's request…
...
Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage held the sheet containing Shinju's sealing jutsu notes, studying it carefully.
Standing closest, Anko noticed his hand was trembling slightly.
At his age, a little hand tremor could be normal.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage, his body far beyond an ordinary person's.
So trembling meant only one thing—either Parkinson's… or absolute shock!
"This… was really written by that kid Shinju?!" the Third asked.
"Yes, absolutely. I saw it with my own eyes. Hokage-sama, this is already the fifth time you've asked me that. (ー_ー)!!" Anko replied, patience wearing thin.
"By the way, Naruto mentioned Shinju has a teacher in the Anbu. I suspect it might have been that teacher who taught him this sealing jutsu. Do you know who Shinju's teacher is?"
"I do."
The Third took a long drag on his pipe.
Shinju's Anbu teacher—who else could it be but Yamato?
But Hiruzen knew Yamato well.
He absolutely did not know sealing techniques like this.
And thinking back on both Anko's and his own description of Shinju drawing a curse mark for Sasuke…
The Third felt that this sealing jutsu was very likely developed by Shinju himself!
"Hissss~"
The Third couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
This boy Shinju just kept delivering shock after shock!
At this rate, the old man feared his heart wouldn't be able to take it one day—he might just keel over from excitement and go meet the First and Second!
After another puff of his pipe, the Third said to Anko, "Alright, I understand the situation now. You still have work to do with the exam, so you may go."
But Anko, not satisfied without an answer, pressed further:
"So, who is Shinju's Anbu teacher, to be able to wield such an exquisite sealing technique…"
The Third sighed.
He hadn't wanted to say it, but since Anko was asking for it, he decided to tell her what he knew.
"Shinju's Anbu teacher is someone I personally assigned. And I can confirm—this sealing jutsu was definitely not taught by him."
Anko: o((⊙﹏⊙))o.
"So… this sealing jutsu really was Shinju's own development…"
Her sentence trailed off.
She felt her entire worldview being shaken to its core!
So those two silent minutes earlier… he had been comprehending sealing jutsu?!
That terrifying memory, learning speed, and insight!
And that terrifying capacity for innovation!
He might even rival Orochimaru, once known as Konoha's greatest scientist!
And Orochimaru's every research breakthrough had required countless failed experiments.
Shinju, on the other hand, had only taken two minutes to grasp it, then tested it on himself once—and succeeded!
"Could this kid… become the next Orochimaru?" Anko suddenly blurted.
"No. What happened with Orochimaru will never be allowed to happen again in Konoha," the Third said firmly.
He would do everything in his power to guide Shinju into becoming a righteous man.
"I hope so… Because if someone like him were ever to defect, he'd be far more terrifying than Orochimaru."
Thinking of Shinju's terrifying technique strength and his blistering hand seal speed, Anko's voice trembled.