Chapter Twenty-Four: The Jonin Examination (Part Two)

Aside from Uchiha Hachidai, that somewhat estranged figure who came over to stir trouble and annoy, no other fools of his sort dared to interrupt the waiting period. In ordinary life, there simply aren’t so many dimwitted provocateurs wandering about. Anyone who knows they’ll gain nothing yet insists on picking a fight—such simpletons have long since been swept away by the “loving and harmonious” ninja world, sent on to their next cycle in the ninja society’s embrace. The ninja world is hardly a safe society; it’s a high-risk realm where death comes easily.

Uchiha Hachidai was not truly a fool; only when that peculiar Uchiha family confidence clouded his judgment did he act so foolishly. Kato Mikaze himself had some well-connected friends among the Uchiha clan; not every Uchiha was afflicted with Hachidai’s problems.

Truth be told, Hachidai possessed significant strength. The Sharingan, despite its flaws, remains one of the most elite bloodline limits in the ninja world, its developmental potential reaching the highest echelons. If the Sharingan were truly so unremarkable, the original story would not have seen so many covetous eyes cast upon it.

During the subsequent waiting, several familiar faces—other Konoha ninjas also participating in the jonin exam—came over to exchange a few words with Kato Mikaze. Simple conversation between acquaintances forms the foundation of interpersonal relationships. Ordinary people weave their networks not through remarkable events, but through such everyday exchanges.

The hour passed swiftly, filled with relaxed conversation between Kato Mikaze and Tsunade. Soon, an internal ninja from the Konoha village, responsible for organizing the jonin exam, entered the training hall’s lounge to inform the candidates that it was time to proceed. He recited a list of rules and guidelines for the exam, and the participating Konoha ninjas began to move towards the entrance.

Family members, friends, and other unrelated individuals were now required to separate from the candidates, heading directly to the spectator stands to await the beginning of the exam. During the assessment, unrelated persons were strictly forbidden from employing any means—including but not limited to ninjutsu—to interfere with the jonin exam’s proceedings.

If discovered by Konoha, the consequences ranged from disqualification of the candidate to, in serious cases, treatment as a spy or even a rogue ninja.

“I won’t bother telling you to do your best. I’ve already bet on you passing this jonin exam,” Tsunade said, rising before Kato Mikaze. She reached out to straighten his deep-blue Konoha combat uniform and black chunin vest.

“You know you always win our bets. That’s your style—and the best blessing you could give me. You must have confidence in my ability.” Kato Mikaze replied in kind. In truth, he longed for a kiss from Tsunade as a token of her blessing, but he hesitated. Their relationship hadn’t reached that level, and he worried that such a bold request would earn him a beating.

Tsunade’s kiss, in the original tale, was a notorious debuff—her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan both met their end after receiving it. Only the main protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, managed to withstand Tsunade’s kiss, thanks to the author’s generous application of protagonist’s luck.

“Of course I have faith in you. I’ll go ahead—I’ll be watching your performance from the stands,” Tsunade said, finishing her adjustments and turning towards the lounge door.

“Wait—you’re just going to leave? Not even a kiss for luck? This is the jonin exam, such a crucial moment for a ninja…” Kato Mikaze called after her.

Hesitation and overthinking are not his nature. Tsunade’s kiss debuff? Impossible. He aspired to live as free and unrestrained as the wind. So what if she hit him? He’d been struck before; pain was love, scolding was affection. Without a thick skin, how could he pursue Tsunade? Debuff? This was the real ninja world, and he was its true protagonist.

If he couldn’t even speak his mind, how could he claim to be as carefree as the wind? Better to say it; maybe she’d agree.

Having spoken, Kato Mikaze watched Tsunade’s graceful figure from behind. Today, she wore no ninja battle uniform; instead, loose sea-blue trousers and a jade-green robe. From behind, the outfit concealed some of her stunning curves, but her long golden hair, braided into a single ponytail, shone even more brightly against her attire.

Tsunade, pausing at his words, did not immediately reply. She seemed to sense his gaze lingering on her golden ponytail, and her earlobes felt oddly warm and itchy.

“Men are troublesome creatures—eternal children. Let’s talk about it after the jonin exam. I’m heading out now…” Tsunade raised her right hand, waving back at him as she hurried out without turning.

Afterwards? Not a direct refusal… Was it just bad timing? Did he imagine it, or did Tsunade’s earlobes turn red—could she be shy?

“What are you staring at? Never seen someone in love?” Kato Mikaze noticed a few gossipy glances from nearby ninjas and responded casually, taking the opportunity to jab at Uchiha Hachidai for his earlier provocation.

“Talking to you, Hachidai—you’re three years older than me, already twenty-five and still not dating or married. How is the Uchiha clan supposed to continue?”

Uchiha Hachidai, standing by the lounge door bidding farewell to his companions, was left utterly bewildered.

……

The nine Konoha ninjas participating in this jonin exam, led by the internal ninja, entered the main hall of the indoor training arena.

The arena was circular, with tiered spectator stands behind the surrounding walls. The audience was sparse—mostly friends and family of the candidates. Kato Mikaze spotted Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade among them, along with several other close friends, such as teammates Nari Yuta and Takenouchi Itsuki. Thanks to his leave as team captain, his squad was in a half-active state, giving his teammates time to attend his jonin assessment.

His elder brother, Dan Kato, was away on a mission, unable to watch his exam.

Kato Mikaze waved to his family and friends and pointed meaningfully at his lips for Tsunade.

Compared to the chunin exams depicted in the original story, the jonin assessment was far more private and serious. There were no ordinary spectators; most of the audience consisted of official Konoha ninjas, with few in attendance and no cheering crowds.

……

On one side of the stands sat a small dais, where the leadership—headed by the Third Hokage—sat in attention, watching the nine ninja candidates who had just entered the hall to begin their jonin assessment.

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