Chapter 116: Jonin Exam
Time flew by. More than a month had passed since Gentle Fist appeared on Masahiko's status bar, and his Gentle Fist was already Level 3.
Gentle Fist LV3 (61,000/100,000)
"Progress is quite fast, not affected by age at all, and I don't even practice every day."
During this time, Masahiko was like the old men practicing Tai Chi in his past life. He woke up early every day and practiced the Introduction to Gentle Fist twice, inexplicably feeling very comfortable.
"Sigh, I thought that as the level of Gentle Fist went up, I would be able to comprehend those skills on my own. Turns out I was naive. Or maybe the level isn't high enough?"
Looking at the two little guys practicing Gentle Fist quite decently in front of him, Masahiko smiled and asked, "Did your grandfather say that you need to be proficient in Gentle Fist to a certain degree before you can practice your Hyuga clan's secret techniques?"
The two looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously.
Masahiko sighed; it seemed the two children didn't know yet. He looked at the sky; it was getting dark.
"I've been in Konoha for a month and a half. When exactly will the Hokage be selected? Why is it so hard to scrounge some Witness Points!" Masahiko lamented, then waved to the two little guys, signaling that today's session was over.
Watching them walk away, Masahiko felt restless. He had been comfortable for over a month, but his strength hadn't improved due to Gentle Fist as he had imagined. He couldn't sit still anymore.
Too lazy to go to the Hokage Building, Masahiko waited for Tobirama to return to the Senju clan grounds.
Perhaps the Mission Review Office Masahiko established during his time as Acting Hokage had taken effect, or maybe because the First Great Ninja War had ended, the Hokage didn't have that many things to do. Before the sun had completely set, Tobirama walked back leisurely.
"Tobirama, come to my place."
Masahiko didn't go out. These days, he had discovered another use for Level 8 Wind Release: transmitting his voice accurately to another person's ears, somewhat like the "sound transmission" in Xianxia novels.
Tobirama paused. Although he didn't see anyone, he recognized Masahiko's voice calling him and turned toward the guest room.
"Great-Uncle, you were looking for me?"
Masahiko nodded. "I've been here for over a month. Haven't you decided on the candidate for the Third Hokage yet?"
"I've decided. I'll listen to you; we'll hold an election when the time comes. But there's no rush. We can wait another two years to select," Tobirama replied.
Masahiko's face darkened. Although he was relieved that Tobirama ultimately chose an election, having to wait another two years left him at a loss for words.
"Scrounging Witness Points is really hard..." Masahiko sighed, planning to return to the Uzumaki clan first. Otherwise, if he stayed any longer, he might really become a preschool teacher.
The major clans had all heard that Masahiko was teaching two Hyuga children, and lately, they were constantly trying to stuff a couple more in.
"Since that's the case, Tobirama, I'll go back first. Come find me when the grand Hokage election happens." Masahiko shook his head and said.
Tobirama was stunned. "You're leaving so soon?"
"Yeah. If I stay any longer, I'll be opening a preschool class in Konoha."
Tobirama smiled. "I heard about that too. Did you take those two Hyuga children as disciples?"
"No, just killing some boring time. Incidentally learning some gentler Taijutsu that an old man should know..."
"Old man?" Tobirama sighed and didn't say more.
"There will be some excitement in Konoha later. Won't you stay and watch?"
Masahiko paused. "Excitement?"
Tobirama took out a scroll from his robe and handed it to Masahiko. Masahiko took it and looked, freezing on the spot. Joint Jonin Exam?
"There's such a thing? If you said Joint Chunin Exam, I could probably understand, but for Jonin, isn't it usually based on mission completion and comprehensive strength assessment?"
Tobirama nodded. "I originally planned a Chunin Exam, but there haven't been any outstanding Genin in Konoha in the last two years, so..."
Masahiko shook his head. "The Ninja War just ended, and you already want to deter other villages? Is Konoha guaranteed to win the Jonin Exam? You know, there are plenty of people in their thirties and forties who haven't advanced to Jonin. Some have even experienced the Warring States Period and are experienced veterans. Ordinary Jonin would have a hard time winning against them."
"It doesn't matter, Great-Uncle. Hiruzen has two disciples, and the event will be scheduled for next year. Their strength will grow some more."
Masahiko paused. "Two disciples?"
"Orochimaru became a Jonin not long ago." Tobirama shook his head with some regret as he said this.
"So it's Tsunade and Jiraiya? Next year they'll only be 16, right? Can you ensure victory?"
Speaking of this, Tobirama looked mysterious. "The exam venue will be set in Konoha, so we can prepare in advance. I hope you can help with this."
Masahiko looked at Tobirama and smiled helplessly. "So you're saying... cheat?"
Tobirama shook his head. "No, just adding an insurance policy. Moreover, this year, I will promote a Genin to Chunin and let him participate in the Jonin Exam as well. With him, the final winner shouldn't be a problem."
"Promote a Genin to Chunin and let him participate in the Jonin Exam?" Masahiko paused. "Might Duy?" Masahiko had seen Kento and his "middle-aged looking" sidekick a few times recently. Might Duy was only 18 but looked 30... He was currently a Genin, reportedly because he had never passed the written test. Even Kento, that single-celled organism, wouldn't pass Konoha's current written exams because Tobirama had added a lot of basic knowledge about cells.
Tobirama nodded. "That's right. It seems you know him too. If not for your disciple Kento, I really wouldn't have noticed him."
"Hmm, then there's really no problem. Multiple insurance policies... Which countries are you planning to invite?" Masahiko nodded, interested.
"Inviting Sunagakure, Takigakure, Kirigakure, Yugakure..." Tobirama listed many.
"So many villages?"
"They probably won't all agree, but invitations must be sent. In short, except for Kumogakure and Iwagakure, I plan to send invitations to all of them. The time is set for March of Year 25 of Konoha," Tobirama replied.
"I understand... With so much excitement, my Uzumaki clan should participate too. I'll go back to the clan in a while and find a few young people capable of advancing to Jonin." Masahiko responded with a smile.
Tobirama nodded and didn't object.
"Then go busy yourself. Great-Uncle will consider what questions to set. How many rounds do you plan for the Jonin Exam?"
"Two rounds should be enough. The first round is a written test to see how they handle unexpected situations in missions. The second round is actual combat for a comprehensive assessment. The judges will likely be me and you. If Kirigakure and Iwagakure send people, we will also invite their Kage or Elders as judges."
"Is that so..." Masahiko responded enthusiastically. "The last time I set exam questions was when testing my three disciples. Really brings back memories..."
Tobirama looked at Masahiko's excited face, wanting to say something but stopping. "Only for the first round, I hope you can provide several scenarios of mission emergencies. Please... don't make it too hard for the children."
"Don't worry when Great-Uncle handles things!"
Tobirama sighed, suddenly feeling a bit regretful.
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