"Rin is actually my disciple as well," Mokgetsu explained briefly, realizing there was no need to conceal anything anymore.
Jiraiya looked at Mokgetsu with a bit of surprise. He only knew that Mokgetsu was learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, but he didn't expect Mokgetsu's skills in medical ninjutsu to be impressive enough to teach a disciple like Nohara Rin.
"So it was you who secretly learned my Monster Strength Power, huh? Tonight, you must make a Beggar's Chicken and a Spicy Chicken as compensation," Tsunade said seriously.
Mokgetsu didn't want to point out that it wasn't about secretly learning ninjutsu but clearly him craving the chicken he made.
After all, Monster Strength Power isn't an actual ninjutsu; it's a chakra control technique. Stealing it is incredibly difficult, the most one can do is pass it on through teaching.
"Cooking is no problem, but Rin admires you greatly, Lord Tsunade. She might come along with me," Mokgetsu agreed with a smile.
Mokgetsu was thinking about asking Tsunade to mentor Nohara Rin for a while.
Even though Tsunade wasn't as active now, she was still the strongest in medical ninjutsu. Mokgetsu felt that Nohara Rin needed to advance her studies under Tsunade's guidance.
Tsunade agreed readily, also considering whether to let Shizune learn from Mokgetsu, as he seemed quite skilled in teaching.
Nohara Rin ultimately lost because of excessive chakra and stamina consumption and collapsed.
For the Konoha Land of Fire audience, it was another unsatisfying match. Although Nohara Rin forced Kisame to retreat initially, she eventually lost.
This was the Chunin Examination, showcasing one's prowess, and losing meant you were a step behind the opponent.
"That damn guy, Might Guy, you better give him a proper beating," Obito thought, his heart aflame, but he was unable to do anything due to the signed numbers.
Kisame would meet Might Guy in the third match; Obito believed Might Guy would win, so they wouldn't get the chance to confront each other.
"Leave it to me," Might Guy nodded earnestly.
Without a doubt, Nohara Rin was his comrade too, and he surely would repay Kisame with his fiercest kick.
"The second match: Might Guy vs. Kurozawa!"
When Hiruko's voice reached the audience, many spectators perked up.
Even though several matches between Hidden Mist and Konoha were lost, they kept watching because they knew it wasn't that Konoha ninja were incompetent, but the Hidden Mist hadn't faced Konoha's strongest yet.
"Might Guy, cheer up, just like last time, finish it with one kick!" someone shouted.
"Might Guy, give it your all!"
Hearing so many people cheering for his son, Might Duy shed tears of excitement and eagerly stood up to cheer for Might Guy.
The venue buzzed with excitement, and although Might Guy, in the middle of the battlefield, couldn't hear clearly due to the distance, he could vaguely hear his name being called.
A smile tugged at the corner of Might Guy's mouth. Winning first place in the Chunin Examination was a solid step towards becoming the strongest Taijutsu master.
"This is such a tough battle; how on earth can I beat this guy?" Kurozawa thought frantically, looking for ways to defeat Might Guy.
He'd been thinking about it ever since the match was drawn, yet he still hadn't figured out a way.
Because the only ability Might Guy displayed was Taijutsu—but not ordinary Taijutsu; it was the kind that could take down Kisame with a single kick.
Wanting to win was natural, for the better he performed, the more rewards awaited him back at Hidden Mist, but he just couldn't think of a way to succeed.
"The battle begins!"
"Eight Gates, Opening Gate, Open! Healing Gate, Open! Life Gate, Open!"
Might Guy swiftly opened three gates again, entering Full Concentration Breathing mode. As long as he resolved it fast enough, stamina consumption wouldn't be a concern.
"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
Kurozawa quickly formed the seals, summoning a dense mist to envelop the battlefield while using Instant Body Jutsu to move away, worried he might be taken down by Might Guy's kick immediately.
Kurozawa's caution was warranted, for the moment he moved, the ground where he'd stood cracked open; had he lingered a moment longer, it wouldn't have been just the ground cracking.
Yet this also relieved Kurozawa; it proved that Might Guy couldn't see clearly within the Hidden Mist Jutsu, giving him a chance.
Just as Kurozawa split into water clones, intending to divert Might Guy's attention and sneak attack, Might Guy moved.
Might Guy channeled most of his power into his legs, the mighty chakra from the Eight Gates erupting. Suddenly he appeared before Kurozawa, delivering a powerful kick.
"Extreme·Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
This was the strongest move in Might Guy's Tornado Series, employing maximum strength to unleash the Leaf Strong Whirlwind, capable of shattering even the thickest stones with ease.
BOOM!!
The swift, heavy kick struck both Kurozawa and his water clone.
The water clone exploded like a pierced water balloon, spraying water all around, while Kurozawa's real body was embedded into the wall like a launched projectile, leaving a silhouette on the wall once more.
Deprived of Kurozawa's chakra to sustain it, the mist quickly thinned and dissipated, allowing the audience to see Might Guy standing in the arena and Kurozawa stuck against the wall.
Kurozawa, mouth bloodied, stared at Might Guy with reluctance, wanting to ask how Might Guy had countered his Hidden Mist Jutsu, but he was unable to speak.
As if seeing through Kurozawa's confusion, Might Guy took the initiative to explain, "In the past, to defeat someone, I practiced fighting with my eyes closed; I can determine position just by sound."
For a long time, Might Guy had no way to deal with Shisui's genjutsu, as Shisui's genjutsu abilities were overwhelmingly strong, and common release methods were ineffective.
So he practiced this combat method, worrying about encountering an opponent as powerful as Shisui in genjutsu someday.
His first kick was based on memory, which missed, but the second was guided by sound, identifying the position of Kurozawa's water clone.
Kurozawa closed his eyes, feeling it wasn't unjust to lose; Might Guy was just too formidable.
"Might Guy wins!" Hiruko announced the victor's name.
Though they hadn't clearly seen how Might Guy overcame Kurozawa, amidst Konoha's losing streak to Hidden Mist, Might Guy's overwhelming victory stood out, prompting many spectators to cheer for him.
Might Guy closed the Eight Gates and ended the Breathing Technique, walking back to the rest area with a confident smile. If he won another match and Kakashi won two, they'd meet in the finals.
Though Obito had performed strongly, Might Guy harbored an inexplicable confidence in Kakashi, believing he could defeat every opponent and contend for the top spot alongside him.
"Perhaps this is the bond of true friendship," Might Guy thought, his smile growing ever brighter.
Just then, he walked into the rest area, giving Kakashi a thumbs up before sitting down to rest.
Kakashi, not quite understanding what Might Guy was thinking, merely nodded.
"Indeed, Kakashi accepted the challenge; this is the tacit understanding between friends," Might Guy thought, filled with excitement.
"The third match: Uchiha Obito vs. Terumi Mei!"
"Think with your brain, don't get carried away," Kakashi reminded.
Terumi Mei was an opponent that countered Obito, making this battle challenging for him.
"Do you really need to remind me? I always fight with my brain," Obito rejected Kakashi's understanding of his capabilities.
He felt he used a lot of tactics in battle, losing numerous brain cells each fight.
"You just wait to be defeated by me in the next round!" With a confident grin, Obito challenged Kakashi before leaving the rest area.
Zabuza, still seated in the rest area: ...
It's something to assume he'd lose just like that, though he had lost to Kakashi in the Forest of Death before, making it a bit disheartening.
PS: It's past 1 a.m. again as I write; hoping to fall asleep soon.