The atmosphere at Training Ground Three was oppressively heated.
Villagers and shinobi packed the area tightly, their hushed chatter merging into a low, constant buzz.
Chigen stood at the edge of the field, dark circles heavy beneath his eyes, feeling like he could fall asleep at any moment.
Physical exhaustion was one thing—
the real killer was the mental strain.
Tsunade is still sleeping in my bed.
That realization was like a small hammer, tapping relentlessly against his nerves.
Standing beside him, Kakashi was in an entirely different state.
Posture straight, aura steady—fully prepared for the battle ahead.
At the center of the field, Hiruzen stood shoulder to shoulder with Minato.
"Today, we will conduct Hatake Kakashi's Jōnin Promotion Exam, as well as Sakuya Chigen's Special Chūnin Promotion Exam."
Hiruzen's voice, amplified with chakra, carried clearly to every corner of the field.
He wasted no time and announced the rules directly.
"The assessment is simple. No complicated procedures—only strength."
He glanced at Minato.
"Kakashi's exam will be overseen by his instructor, Namikaze Minato, who will serve as chief examiner."
Excited murmurs erupted from the crowd.
"Minato-sama is examining him personally!"
"This is going to be incredible!"
Minato gave Kakashi a gentle smile—one lacking his usual ease, replaced by a tester's seriousness.
"Kakashi. Are you ready?"
"Yes, sensei."
Kakashi removed his forehead protector, revealing the other tightly closed eye, his expression solemn.
With Hiruzen's sharp declaration of "Begin," the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Minato vanished from where he stood without warning.
The next moment, he appeared behind Kakashi, a hand strike aimed straight at the back of his neck.
Fast—
unbelievably fast.
Kakashi's response was just as sharp. It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head—without turning, his body dropped at an impossible angle while the kunai in his hand slashed upward toward Minato's leg.
Clang!
The crisp ring of metal colliding exploded across the field.
They separated at once, landing at opposite ends of the arena.
That single exchange left most of the watching genin and chūnin completely stunned.
They hadn't even seen Minato move.
"Excellent reaction speed," Minato praised.
Kakashi didn't reply. His hands blurred through seals.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
A thick earthen barrier surged up from the ground before him.
Then his hands moved again.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang!"
Brilliant arcs of electricity burst from Kakashi's hand, splitting into multiple lightning serpents that curved around the wall and lunged at Minato from every direction.
The elegant combination ninjutsu drew cheers from the spectators.
Yet Minato remained where he was—without forming a single hand seal.
He raised his right hand, palm up.
Blue chakra gathered rapidly, spinning and compressing in his palm, emitting a sharp, buzzing hum.
In barely a second, a high-speed rotating sphere of chakra formed.
The shape itself didn't change—but the violent power contained within made hearts tremble.
"What kind of jutsu is that?"
"I've never seen it before!"
Chigen's drowsiness vanished instantly.
He stared at the blue sphere in Minato's hand.
So this is it… the Rasengan.
An A-rank jutsu that required no hand seals.
Before, his chakra reserves had been too low—even knowing the theory, he couldn't attempt to develop it.
Now… things were different.
Facing the incoming lightning serpents, Minato didn't dodge.
He simply pushed the Rasengan forward.
BOOM!
Violent chakra erupted outward, forming a visible shockwave.
The lightning constructs were shredded on contact—and the earthen wall Kakashi had raised was blasted open with a massive hole.
Dust billowed into the air.
Everyone held their breath.
When the dust settled, Kakashi was kneeling on one knee, breathing heavily.
He stared at Minato, his eyes filled with gravity.
"This is a jutsu I'm currently developing," Minato said casually, shaking out his hand.
"'Spiraling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three'."
His tone was relaxed.
"Your Lightning Release is excellent—but its power isn't enough yet."
Kakashi slowly rose to his feet. He raised his left hand, gripping his right wrist.
"You're right, sensei."
Zzzzt… crackle…
A piercing electrical sound filled the air—far sharper than before.
A blinding mass of lightning chakra condensed and compressed in Kakashi's right hand, producing a screeching cry like thousands of birds screaming at once.
Chigen's eyelid twitched.
Chidori.
Kakashi's self-created A-rank thrusting jutsu.
"This jutsu—I've just completed it as well."
Kakashi's voice trembled slightly from the chakra concentration. His eyes shone with startling intensity.
"Please… test its power."
Before the words finished, he transformed into a streak of white lightning and charged straight at Minato!
The speed surpassed even Minato's earlier Body Flicker.
A trace of approval flashed through Minato's golden eyes.
Once more, he raised his right hand—the same blue chakra sphere forming instantly.
Against his student's all-out attack, he chose the most direct response.
"Come!"
One side—pure rotation and destruction.
The other—ultimate penetration and sharpness.
Before the horrified gaze of the crowd, the Rasengan and Chidori collided head-on!
There was no deafening explosion.
Only a moment of absolute silence.
Then—a terrifying energy storm erupted outward from the point of impact!
The ground cracked inch by inch. Rocks and sand flew everywhere. Spectators too close were nearly knocked off their feet.
Hiruzen stood firm, his robes snapping violently in the wind, his gaze never leaving the battlefield.
Dust engulfed everything once more.
When it finally cleared, the sight made everyone inhale sharply.
A massive crater—over five meters wide—gaped in the center of the field.
Minato stood at its edge, completely unharmed, though the corner of his clothes was torn.
Opposite him, Kakashi knelt on one knee. His right arm hung limp, his shoulder a mangled blur of blood and flesh. He gasped violently, sweat soaking his hair.
The outcome was clear.
"Chidori… is an extraordinary jutsu," Minato said as he helped Kakashi up.
"You've pushed both the shape and nature transformation of Lightning Release to the extreme. Combined with your speed, it can pierce almost any defense."
Then his tone shifted.
"But its weakness is just as fatal. In pursuing extreme speed, your field of vision narrows—you can't respond to attacks from blind spots. This is a technique built for mutual destruction."
Kakashi lowered his head, offering no rebuttal.
Minato patted his shoulder, a look of pride on his face.
"Still—creating an A-rank jutsu at your age leaves no doubt about your talent."
He turned toward Hiruzen, his voice ringing out.
"Hokage-sama, I declare—Hatake Kakashi has passed the Jōnin Promotion Exam!"
The field went silent for a split second—
Then erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
"Incredible!"
"Konoha's youngest Jōnin is born!"
Kakashi looked up—at his teacher, at the cheering crowd—and slowly clenched his fist.
Father… I've finally caught up to you.
In the crowd, Rin was flushed with excitement, gripping Shizune's arm tightly.
"Shizune! Did you see that?! Kakashi succeeded! He's a Jōnin now!"
"Yes… yes, I saw. That was amazing…"
Shizune replied distractedly, trying to calm the restless pig in her arms.
"Oink! Oink!"
Tonton squirmed frantically, little hooves pointing toward a patch of woods beyond the training ground, emitting urgent squeals only Shizune could understand.
Lady Tsunade!
She's over there!
And she's hurt!
Shizune's heart leapt into her throat.
Lady Tsunade… injured?
How could that be?
"Shizune? What's wrong? You look pale," Rin asked, noticing her reaction.
"N-Nothing!"
Shizune shook her head quickly, pressing Tonton down and hurriedly changing the subject.
"Look—the Jōnin exam is over. Next… shouldn't it be Chigen senpai's turn?"