All in all, looking at the current situation, my development path seems destined to focus on Wind Release, with Puppet Technique and Sand Manipulation Technique as auxiliary skills.
It wasn't that the future looked particularly bleak. Even without the Fourth Great Ninja War, just following the standard steps to become a Sunagakure Jonin in a few years shouldn't be a problem. That was already the absolute limit of what most commoner Sand Ninja could fantasize about.
However, to go a step further, one had to lean on powers like Kekkai Genkai, Senjutsu, or Tailed Beasts. This wasn't something Daimaru could bridge with hard work alone. To obtain these unconventional powers, luck was perhaps more important than effort.
Sunagakure's Kekkai Genkai were too scarce. Scorch Release had been lost with Pakura's death, and Magnet Release originated from the One-Tailed Shukaku, passed down only within the Kazekage's lineage—something Daimaru couldn't hope for.
As for Kekkai Genkai from other villages, without conditions like Orochimaru's, expecting to start biochemical research from scratch in Sunagakure was a pipe dream.
Daimaru didn't dare touch the Tailed Beasts; those things meant instant death right now, and who knew how many people were watching them.
As for Senjutsu, this actually held the most promise, but was also the most dangerous.
There was no chance for Mount Myoboku or Shikkotsu Forest. As long as one could find the location of Ryuchi Cave, the White Snake Sage didn't seem to mind visitors too much—provided one could pass the trials and survive the injection of Natural Energy.
Of course, the difficulty lay in those "provideds." Daimaru didn't hold out much hope for snake Senjutsu that even Orochimaru couldn't master. It would be safer to get his hands on a Cursed Seal or two.
A Cursed Seal, huh? Is there hope in that?
Thinking this, Daimaru put down the scroll in his hand.
Testing the technique on his own body was definitely out of the question. Even the degraded version of Senjutsu chakra, which contained quite a bit of Orochimaru's "private goods," was extremely dangerous.
The survival rate for ninjas accepting the Cursed Seal was less than one in ten. Gambling on luck wasn't Daimaru's strong suit; he'd had plenty of bad luck growing up.
Going into battle personally was too risky; capturing a ninja who already possessed a Cursed Seal would be much safer.
But after capturing them, how would he utilize it?
Daimaru examined the abilities he currently mastered. Wind Release and Sand Manipulation Technique had no such function. That left...
Puppet Technique, Third Kazekage, Human Puppet...
In an instant, Daimaru's eyes lit up.
Human Puppets can retain and reproduce Kekkai Genkai and chakra. Then Senjutsu... No, can the Cursed Seal chakra be reproduced?
The result was uncertain. After all, even Sasori of the Red Sand hadn't tried such a thing.
"Human Puppet..."
Daimaru lowered his head, muttering.
This was a forbidden technique that couldn't be laughed off. Once discovered, he would either be imprisoned and tortured by Sunagakure or forced to become a rogue ninja. Neither was what Daimaru wanted.
"I have to think of a way, or at least make some preparations..."
The Daimaru of the past hadn't considered this direction, but now he had reached a point where he was stuck in an awkward position—neither high nor low.
If fate truly dropped a powerful ninja corpse in his lap, would he use it or not?
Although he didn't have that kind of luck yet, and hadn't even learned the method to create Human Puppets, some things really needed to be thought through in advance.
However, the immediate task was to properly study the few ninjutsu on the scroll given by Otokaze. At the very least, he had to survive Konoha Crush first.
A hospital room wasn't a good place to practice ninjutsu.
Wind Release: Gale Palm was manageable; with good control, it basically just spun around his hand.
Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere was difficult. Spitting Wind Release chakra from his mouth to attack distant enemies—if he accidentally broke hospital property, he'd have to pay for it.
Konoha had prepared specialized training grounds for the promoted Sunagakure Genin. Since they gave every candidate a month for targeted training, they certainly wouldn't favor one over the other.
Unfortunately, in Daimaru's current state, he wasn't fit to go out and cultivate ninjutsu.
Resting peacefully and recovering from his injuries as soon as possible was the top priority.
Early the next morning, the eliminated candidates from Sunagakure began to return one after another.
The sun had not yet risen, and the east was just showing the pale grey of dawn. On the top floor of the Konoha Hospital, Daimaru, Kankuro, and Temari watched the somewhat gloomy Sunagakure Genin return home in disappointment.
"It's just us left!"
If not for the influence Daimaru had brought, Sunagakure's participation in this Chunin Exam wouldn't have had so many twists and turns.
Although the process was somewhat different, the result wasn't vastly distinct.
"How is your injury?"
Kankuro crossed his arms, looking at the place where the sun was rising. "If you can't hold on, don't force it!"
"Should be fine. Konoha's medical ninjutsu is amazing."
Ninjas traveled fast. The eliminated candidates had no reason to linger in Konoha, and soon disappeared into the distance.
On the main avenue in front of the hospital below, Sarutobi Asuma was leading three discharged students away.
Among the Konoha ninjas, aside from Rock Lee who was most seriously injured, the others were basically fine.
Among the Sand Ninja, Shira's injuries were also relatively serious, but mostly internal. He needed rest, but it didn't affect his mobility.
As for Tsurugi Misumi who was already dead, and Akado Yoroi whose life or death was unknown after being carried away with heavy injuries, those two Sound Ninja spies weren't worth mentioning.
"Daimaru, the day after tomorrow, Temari and I need to leave Konoha for a bit. Gaara is coming too. We'll be back in a few days..."
Watching the figures gradually increasing below, Kankuro suddenly spoke.
"Leave? Wouldn't that mean I'm the only one left in Konoha?"
"No, there are other Sand Ninja in Konoha for business, but as for Genin candidates, it'll just be you for a few days. Who told you to get injured and be unable to travel far?"
"Well, that's really..."
Daimaru sneered internally. Even if he were unharmed right now, they wouldn't let him participate in any important matters.
"Staying behind is fine too. The food here is good; I'm quite satisfied..."
As for where Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara were going, Daimaru didn't want to ask.
Judging by the situation, they were probably making final arrangements. Some things were hard to explain inside Konoha; perhaps there were powerful reconnaissance methods that could detect the Sand Ninja's plans.
As for the location, it was likely Kikyo Mountain Castle!
It was neither too far nor too close to Sunagakure and Konoha. According to the armistice agreement between the two villages, there were permanent Sunagakure ninjas stationed there. If the Fourth Kazekage had any orders, they could be conveyed in time.
Of course, there was another important reason for temporarily moving Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari: the condition of the Jinchuriki of the One-Tail was becoming increasingly unstable.
The Chunin Exam had given Gaara too many stimulating signals. To execute Konoha Crush smoothly and allow him to liberate the One-Tailed Shukaku within Konoha, the seal had to be slightly adjusted.
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