Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Team 1, Unlocking Doll — Line Formation

"Then what about my sister?"

Nawaki was slightly taken aback.

"I will be the temporary Jonin instructor for Kushina’s squad this time."

Tsunade replied.

This squad only existed because Kushina wanted to participate in the Chunin Exams.

If it were anyone else, Sarutobi Hiruzen definitely wouldn’t have allowed her to return.

But who told her to be the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

Sarutobi Hiruzen placed great importance on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki’s feelings for the village.

Allowing her to participate in the Chunin Exams was undoubtedly an action to deepen her emotional bond.

"Then my teammates are...?"

Kushina curiously looked at the two people behind Tsunade.

One wasn’t very tall, slightly older, wearing a green jumpsuit, and for some reason, his face was full of an excited expression.

The other looked completely ordinary, with no special features, but was about her age.

"He is Might Duy, skilled in taijutsu."

Tsunade introduced. "He is Nara Suzaku, skilled in shadow secret jutsu."

Natsuki glanced at Nara Suzaku.

He was also a character in the original story, though he didn’t have much screen time.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, he was part of the Konoha interception squad—specifically tasked with monitoring and intercepting Uzumaki Naruto.

Natsuki was thoughtful.

Kushina’s squad actually had a very perfect composition.

Except for not having a medical ninja, they had everything—even a commander.

Ninjas of the Nara clan had always been very intelligent, and Nara Suzaku was no exception.

"We will escort you to the written test venue for the Chunin Exams."

After the pleasantries, Tsunade turned and walked into the Ninja Academy.

A group of people followed her to the door of a classroom. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Natsuki took a glance and found it was the Class 5-A classroom.

"I wish you all success."

Tsunade stopped and said with a smile.

"Don’t worry!"

Nawaki said with great confidence. "Our theory exam scores are all very good!"

"Mine are not good!"

Might Duy said loudly. "But my youth will absolutely not admit defeat!"

"...?"

Nawaki, Kushina, and Nara Suzaku subconsciously looked at him.

Tsunade was stunned for a moment, suddenly understanding why Sarutobi Hiruzen evaluated Might Duy that way.

Only Orochimaru and Natsuki had calm expressions.

The former due to his personality.

The latter because he understood Might Duy’s personality.

"As far as I know, cheating is allowed in the written test."

Natsuki paused. "Provided you don’t get caught."

"Really?"

Nawaki asked, his face full of surprise.

"It is indeed true."

Tsunade glanced at Natsuki. "Not bad. You even gathered intel in advance."

"I can help Senior Duy pass."

Nara Suzaku spoke up.

"Then I’ll leave it to you!"

Kushina said immediately. "Our squad cannot fall at the first hurdle!"

"Let’s go."

After Natsuki finished speaking, the group walked into the written test venue for the Chunin Exams.

Their entrance attracted the attention of the Genin already in the classroom.

"Is that Natsuki?"

"Who is Natsuki? Sounds familiar."

"He’s Lord Orochimaru’s student. I didn’t expect him to participate in the Chunin Exams less than three months after graduating."

"So it’s him!"

The classroom instantly became lively.

"Damn it!"

Listening to their discussion, Nawaki asked unwillingly. "Why are they all talking about Natsuki? Do I not have any fame at all?"

"You still need to work hard."

Natsuki smiled.

"Just wait and see!"

Nawaki clenched his fists.

"Strange."

Kushina looked around. "Didn’t Kae and the others participate in the Chunin Exams?"

"Is it because Lord Jiraiya hasn’t returned to the village?"

Nawaki guessed.

"There’s still half an hour before the exam starts. They might still come."

Natsuki paused. "Let’s find a seat first."

The group went to the back of the classroom and sat in empty seats.

"Do you know any Genin here?"

Kushina asked curiously.

"No."

Nawaki and Nara Suzaku said in unison.

They had both just graduated, so naturally, they didn’t know many Genin.

Nara Suzaku’s two teammates were heavily injured in their last mission, which was why he was assigned to be Kushina’s teammate.

"I know some."

Might Duy scratched his head. "I used to be teammates with them, but after the missions ended, they no longer teamed up with me."

Natsuki and the others exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.

They all guessed some of the reasons.

The reason those Genin were unwilling to team up with Might Duy was definitely because of his personality.

Normally, isolated ninjas would be reassigned.

But when Sarutobi Hiruzen made assignments, he also had to consider the bonds and teamwork between teammates.

In a situation like Might Duy’s, where both teammates disliked him, it was very difficult to continue forming a squad.

Over time, he constantly formed and changed squads.

Without a fixed ninja squad, he couldn’t participate in the Chunin Exams—eventually becoming an eternal Genin.

"Kae!"

Right at that moment, Kushina instinctively stood up.

Because Minato, Uzumaki Kae, and Inuzuka Suzume walked in.

"You’re finally here. I was worried you wouldn’t come."

When they got close, Kushina took Kae’s hand.

"We were delayed a bit hurrying back from the Land of Rain."

Minato explained.

"You guys also went to the Land of Rain for missions?"

Nawaki asked curiously.

"Mm. Teacher sent us to handle some paperwork missions. Most of the time was spent training."

Minato nodded.

"That sounds boring."

Nawaki instantly lost interest.

"Your missions are indeed more interesting."

Minato said with some envy. "I’ve already heard about the total annihilation of Sunagakure’s Puppet Brigade."

"Hehe!"

Nawaki instantly said proudly. "Our Team 1 took the greatest merit!"

The group chatted for a while, and it was 9 AM.

Three young ninjas walked into the classroom.

"I am your chief examiner for the written test, Inuzuka Gaku."

Inuzuka Gaku said. "There is only one rule for the written test: if I catch you cheating, your score will be disqualified."

The underlying meaning was that if you didn’t get caught, you could cheat.

Natsuki subconsciously took a couple of glances at Inuzuka Gaku.

In the original story, Inuzuka Gaku and Minato were teammates.

However, they were teammates during the Third Shinobi World War.

It was highly likely a reorganized squad.

After all, Inuzuka Gaku was much older than Minato.

"You can start answering the questions after receiving the exam papers."

Inuzuka Gaku waved his hand, and the other two young ninjas began distributing the exam papers.

Soon, Natsuki received his exam paper.

After reading through it, he nodded slightly.

A bit difficult, but not much.

He looked at Nawaki and Nonou and found them both very calm.

Kushina, Nara Suzaku, and the others also showed no change in expression. Only Might Duy staged a face-changing act.

First anxiety, then his hot-blooded youth ignited—giving off a feeling of "Although I don’t know what to do, I’m still very confident."

Fortunately, Nara Suzaku was there.

After finishing his own questions, he used the Shadow Imitation Technique to control Might Duy’s shadow, thereby controlling him to complete the answers.

The written test ended without the crucial tenth question from the joint Chunin Exam written test in the original story.

Probably because there weren’t many Genin participating in the Chunin Exams to begin with, so there was no need to eliminate a portion of them this way.

"How was it?"

Nawaki turned his head.

Although the exam was over, they weren’t allowed to leave and had to wait for the results before proceeding to the next exam.

"No problem."

Minato smiled slightly.

"With the blessing of my teammates’ youth, I will definitely pass!"

Might Duy gave a thumbs up, revealing his snow-white teeth.

Everyone was instantly speechless—feeling as if his teeth were sparkling.

Not long after, Inuzuka Gaku reappeared.

Holding a list, he said. "The Genin whose names are called will gather at the entrance of Konoha at 1 PM."

After speaking, he began to read.

Soon, Natsuki heard their names. All three squads had passed.

"Wuwuwu!"

Hearing his name, Might Duy immediately changed his face, crying loudly. "I didn’t let down my teammates’ youth!"

All the Genin in the classroom subconsciously looked at him.

Natsuki, Nawaki, and the others instantly felt restless and uncomfortable.

In this awkward atmosphere, the first stage of the Chunin Exams—the written test—came to a close.

At 1 PM, at the entrance of Konoha.

"Natsuki."

After Kushina arrived, she pulled Natsuki aside and asked curiously. "Is the Duy you recommended reliable?"

Although she trusted Natsuki, Might Duy’s performance in the morning was an eye-opener and made her doubtful.

"Don’t worry. He’s definitely reliable."

Natsuki coughed lightly. "It’s just that his behavior is somewhat different from ordinary people."

"Is it just ’somewhat’?"

Kushina complained.

But she would only say this privately to Natsuki.

"His strength is still quite good."

Natsuki pinched her cheek. "He won’t disappoint you."

Kushina’s heart skipped a beat. She somewhat embarrassedly turned her head away and responded.

Even though Natsuki used to pinch her cheek often, she vaguely felt something different now.

After chatting, the two returned to the village entrance.

The chief examiner for this exam was still Inuzuka Gaku.

He announced the rules for the second exam.

This exam was a team battle. Simply put, they needed to gather both Heaven and Earth scrolls to pass.

Before the exam started, each ninja squad would randomly receive either a Heaven or Earth scroll.

In other words, they had to fight for the other scroll.

The exam venue was set in the Forest of Death.

How should he put it?

It was exactly the same as the rules for the second stage of the joint Chunin Exams in the original story.

Natsuki guessed this had always been the tradition for Konoha’s Chunin Exams.

"I’ll go get the scroll!"

After speaking, Nawaki ran up to Inuzuka Gaku.

"After receiving the scroll, enter the exam venue immediately. Do not communicate with other ninja squads."

Inuzuka Gaku handed him a scroll and reminded him.

"Got it."

Nawaki took the scroll and walked into the Forest of Death with Natsuki and Nonou.

"It’s safer to put the scroll in my Shadow Space."

Natsuki spoke up.

"Mm."

Nawaki glanced at the scroll and handed it to him. "It’s a Heaven scroll."

"To pass as quickly as possible, I suggest we split up."

Natsuki thought for a moment. "I’ll take one path, you two take the other. Once we get an Earth scroll, we’ll rendezvous."

"Sure!"

Nawaki immediately agreed, chuckled. "With you not around, I can actually perform better!"

Natsuki nodded.

He had the same thought.

After all, he needed to defeat five Genin to unlock a Bickslow template ability.

Being with Nawaki and Nonou, it wouldn’t be convenient for him to fight one against three.

"I’ll have Kurobane follow you guys."

Natsuki summoned Kurobane. "Once you get an Earth scroll, have Kurobane notify me."

With Nawaki and Nonou’s strength, even if there were only two of them, they wouldn’t be eliminated.

Unless they fought Kushina, Minato, or their squads.

Besides, even if they were eliminated, as long as the Heaven scroll was with him, they could still pass.

After Natsuki finished speaking, he turned and walked in another direction.

As he walked, he summoned the five dolls.

After injecting his soul into them, he had them fly in all directions.

Although the Forest of Death was large, he quickly found another ninja squad.

Natsuki rapidly headed over.

Without any concealment, he swaggered into their view.

"Natsuki?"

The expressions of the three Genin changed drastically at the same time.

They naturally knew Natsuki’s great name very well.

"Wait, he’s alone!"

The young ninja acting as the captain suddenly felt confident.

Without any nonsense, Natsuki took out a wooden sword.

Water Breathing: Third Form — Flowing Dance!

A stream of water surrounded him. The wooden sword rapidly slashed three times.

The three Genin were sent flying.

"What scroll do you have?"

Natsuki asked, holding the sword.

"H-Heaven scroll."

The young ninja answered tremblingly.

Natsuki turned and left.

Seeing this, the three Genin looked at each other, all feeling as if they had survived a disaster.

Natsuki quickly found a second ninja squad.

After defeating them at lightning speed and learning they had a Heaven scroll, he continued forward.

[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked Bickslow Template Ability 2: Doll — Line Formation.]

Natsuki nodded slightly as he looked at the text appearing before his eyes.

Having defeated six Genin, he naturally met the condition.

With a thought, Natsuki controlled the five dolls to stand in a row.

In the next second, the five dolls lit up, and a beam of light shot out—slicing a tree in front of them in half.

This power was somewhere between C-Rank and B-Rank. Barely passable.

Natsuki looked forward more to the remaining three formations.

Right at that moment, the sound of tearing air rang out.

Kurobane descended from the sky.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow, secretly thinking he no longer needed to look for trouble with other ninja squads.

Following Kurobane, he quickly found Nawaki and Nonou.

"I just fought one against three and defeated a ninja squad!"

Seeing Natsuki, Nawaki couldn’t help but show off.

"Very impressive."

Natsuki smiled. "You have the greatest merit in the second stage of the Chunin Exams this time."

The three ran toward the finish line.

Upon arriving, they saw Inuzuka Gaku.

Natsuki handed the Heaven and Earth scrolls to him.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the second stage of the Chunin Exams."

Inuzuka Gaku said with a face full of smiles. "The third stage will be held in two days at the First Training Ground."

"Are we the first ninja squad to arrive?"

Nawaki cared more about their ranking.

"You are the first."

Inuzuka Gaku replied.

"Great!"

Nawaki instantly became excited.

Natsuki and the others didn’t leave immediately but stood in place waiting.

Soon, they waited until Kushina, Minato, and the others arrived.

All three ninja squads had passed.

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