"Thank you."
Yugito was still polite—
Aside from her love for fighting.
A good kid, corrupted by Kumogakure…
What a shame.
Kyohiko sighed inwardly, while Kurenai simply said, "No need to thank me."
At that moment, Kyohiko suddenly remarked, "We in Konoha treat prisoners well. It's part of our standard policy."
"Who's a prisoner?"
Yugito glared at him angrily.
Kurenai couldn't help but chuckle, "Don't get mad. My medical ninjutsu isn't great, and if your wound reopens, it'll be hard to fix."
Yugito's expression turned cold, and she fell silent.
Just then, Kyohiko threw a barrage of shuriken into the forest on the right.
Immediately, the sound of rushing water echoed from within the trees.
Then, mist spread, and the trees began to wither.
Boil Release!
Terumi Mei was going all out, but soon the noise died down—
"They used Water Release to escape along the stream."
Kurenai said.
The volcano's water veins were quite abundant. As long as they used a powerful Water Release technique, the Kirigakure trio could escape along the stream.
However, if they wanted to chase, they could probably catch up with the help of the Kumogakure ninjas.
Clearly.
The other two Kumogakure ninjas had no such intention.
With Yugito injured, they were more concerned about her condition—
After all, she was their jinchūriki!
Kyohiko had no intention of chasing. He had only attacked to avoid being targeted. His earlier probe had confirmed his suspicions.
"Let's go."
...
After rushing down the mountain, Terumi Mei and Kisame struggled out of the water, dragging Mangetsu with them.
"I never expected Kumogakure to send a jinchūriki."
Mangetsu looked weak.
He could still use his Water Release, but he was in no condition to fight. If a battle had broken out, he might have escaped, but Kisame and Mei's fates would have been uncertain.
Fortunately, the enemy didn't seem to be pursuing them.
"Whew! That was close."
They shakily made their way to the exit.
Soon, they reached the entrance and immediately spotted Genji, who was anxiously looking around.
When Genji saw the three of them, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Thank goodness.
Terumi Mei, Mangetsu, and the others were safe!
"Do you have the scrolls?"
The Takigakure jōnin asked.
Kisame shook his head, handing over only one scroll.
The three of them hung their heads in shame.
One…
That meant they hadn't completed the mission.
"Failed."
The Takigakure jōnin looked at Genji.
Genji forced a smile.
"Let's go."
Passing?
He wasn't holding out hope.
The fact that these three were alive was a relief.
Genji's mood was heavy. Without waiting for the other villages' ninjas, he led Kisame and the others, along with the two scattered ninjas who had escaped earlier, away from the exam site.
Once outside, he finally got the full story. After understanding the situation, Genji felt like his world was crumbling.
Because…
Takigakure hadn't targeted them.
It really was Kirigakure who had started the trouble. Kyohiko's initial pursuit of the Kirigakure ninjas was because they had nearly been ambushed and blown up at the entrance, which led to the subsequent slaughter.
However.
He also realized.
Kisame and the others must have made a mistake, which was why they arrived late at the summit.
"Why were you late to the summit?"
"Genji-sama, we… we fought Kyohiko halfway up the mountain and were soundly defeated. Mangetsu used up a lot of chakra saving us, so we took our time getting up."
Kisame explained, bowing deeply. "I underestimated them and insisted on fighting him. Please punish me!"
"Punish you? Hmph."
Genji snorted.
Under normal circumstances, he would have severely punished Kisame.
But.
Now, out of the twenty-plus Kirigakure ninjas who had come, only five were left alive. He didn't even know how to explain this to the Mizukage.
The graduation requirements in Kirigakure were already harsh. If they kept killing their own, there would be no one left.
"Sigh!"
Genji sighed heavily.
He could only hope that next year's academy class would produce a few promising talents. Otherwise, Kirigakure's recovery would be difficult.
Next year's ninjas…
Genji turned to Terumi Mei, "Mei, your classmates will graduate next year. Are there any good prospects?"
"Good prospects?"
Terumi Mei thought for a long time.
Finally, she answered, "There's one named Zabuza who's decent."
"Anyone else?"
"The rest are pretty average."
Terumi Mei replied.
Gengetsu nodded silently, his figure hunched, looking even older.
...
"Sorry, Dodai-sama, we didn't get the scrolls."
Yugito bowed.
Dodai was slightly surprised, "You didn't get them? How?"
He looked at Yotsuki Ren and Motoi.
"What happened?"
"Yugito fought Kyohiko one-on-one and lost, so we had to hand over the scrolls."
Yotsuki Ren explained briefly.
He then added, "But I don't think it's Yugito's fault. The opponent was really strong…"
A duel?
What nonsense!
Dodai suppressed his anger, glancing at the ninjas from the other villages, the laughing Jiraiya, and…
That pile of scrolls.
His vision darkened, and he nearly fainted. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Dodai-sama, it's my fault. I'll train twice as hard when we get back!"
Yugito didn't make excuses or blame her teammates, taking full responsibility.
Dodai took a deep breath, "How did you lose? Didn't you use the tailed beast's chakra?"
He knew Yugito could already control a portion of the Two-Tails' chakra without going berserk.
In theory, that ability should have been a sure win…
Which was why Kumogakure had allowed Yugito to participate in the exam. But who would have thought she'd lose!
He urgently needed to understand Kyohiko's strength.
Yugito said, "I did, but the opponent was too strong!"
Her expression was serious as she detailed the battle.
Dodai, having served under the Third Raikage for years, was no ordinary ninja. The more he listened, the graver his expression became.
Incredible speed.
Powerful, precise taijutsu and kenjutsu.
Near-equal proficiency with both hands.
Monstrous strength.
Combined, it was truly terrifying!
Dodai sucked in a breath, his gaze repeatedly darting toward the distance.
No wonder Kirigakure and Iwagakure had teamed up to try and kill this kid. If he were allowed to grow, he might become another White Fang of Konoha, or even more terrifying!
He remained silent for a long time before finally patting Yugito's shoulder.
"It's fine. Those who start fast don't always finish first. You… well, keep working hard. Maybe one day you'll surpass him."
A young genius was nothing until they fully matured.
Of course.
Dodai knew Yugito well. She was proud and strong-willed. Telling her that the kid might be assassinated someday wouldn't convince her.
It was better to use this as motivation.
Aside from Konoha, the jōnin from the smaller villages who had survivors were also pleased. But…
Kyohiko, without drawing attention, learned that the third exam had been canceled. Those who obtained scrolls could decide for themselves whether to advance. He didn't let Jiraiya celebrate too much and quickly led him away from the exam site.
Once they were in a secluded spot.
He shared the intelligence he had gathered with Jiraiya.
A member of the Uzumaki clan…
Yuki.
Jiraiya's joy turned to seriousness.
"I understand."
This information was crucial—for him, Kushina, and for Konoha!