"Hey, Kabuto!"
Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi, the spies planted by Orochimaru, looked at Yao Shidou with some shock: "What's going on? What do you want to do?"
"Could you please help me get rid of them?"
Yao Shidou slightly tilted his head and, looking at the group of Root Ninjas, continued, "It's best to kill them, to prevent them from making any more trouble..."
One of the Root Ninjas nodded: "Lord Kagura has already reviewed your report. During this mission, the Genin from the village, Akado Yoroi and Tsurugi Misumi, unfortunately met their demise, sacrificing themselves to protect Medical Ninja Yao Shidou's return to the village."
"You guys!"
A flash of rage passed through Tsurugi Misumi and Akado Yoroi's eyes!
This kind of maneuver...
They hadn't seen it before!
Clearly, they were still alive, yet the battle report stated they were dead!
A report of a Genin mission, which as the Hokage Assistant and Root Leader, Akihara Kagura naturally could review at will; it seems that the follow-up to this matter has already been settled.
"I'll be leaving now."
Yao Shidou waved with a light smile and left, returning to the Root Base.
This time, Yao Shidou had some good news to share with Akihara Kagura.
Over the years, Yao Shidou had been finding ways to research the Reanimation Jutsu, having figured out how to enhance the control over the reincarnated, with only the issue of sacrifices needing resolution.
"By simply adding Hashirama Cells to the materials used for the reincarnated, one can strengthen control over them, but having stronger spiritual energy makes controlling them easier..."
"The issue of sacrifices still needs to be resolved..."
"Orochimaru once injected Hashirama Cells into sacrifices, allowing the reincarnated to be restored to their full strength from life, though the willpower of the reincarnated is too strong, and they are still prone to breaking free from control..."
"Also..."
"I obtained some materials treasured by Orochimaru, including those of the First Hokage, Second Hokage, and Fourth Hokage, but the Fourth Hokage has never been successfully reincarnated."
"There's no rush for these things."
Akihara Kagura wasn't in a hurry about these matters because after the resurrection of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, he gained a new trait reward.
[Kinjutsu Master (No technique is an obstacle before the Kinjutsu Master; able to decipher all jutsu in the ninja world, effortlessly grasp the principles of jutsu, strengthen and enhance already mastered jutsu, and develop new, more powerful jutsu to achieve the desired effect of the Kinjutsu Master.)]
The effect of this trait hasn't yet been fully realized, but Akihara Kagura, after learning the Reanimation Jutsu, has already understood its power.
[Reanimation Jutsu (Using a living being as a sacrifice, the material of the deceased is used to communicate with the souls in the Netherworld Pure Land, reincarnating the dead, allowing them to possess power as they did in life. The stronger the life force of the living sacrifice, the stronger the power of the reincarnated dead.)]
Aside from these jutsus, other jutsus mastered by Akihara Kagura have also been strengthened, such as the simplest Great Fireball Jutsu, whose power is far superior to others under the chakra of the God of Ninja and the trait of a Kinjutsu Master. Perhaps it could even require a whole team using Water Release to block the Great Fireball Jutsu.
"I'll go back to see the Dean first."
Akihara Kagura handed a Chunin Exam registration form to Yao Shidou and instructed further: "Then you and Karin should go submit the Chunin Exam registration form, don't be like me and wait until right before the exam to submit it."
"I understand."
Yao Shidou could only nod with a helpless smile.
The Chunin Exam registration site.
A group of Genin gathered here waiting to register.
When Akihara Kagura brought Yao Shidou and Karin here, the village's Maruboshi Kosuke, a Genin, was carrying a heavy burden and had been long mocked by other Genin.
"Still taking the exam at your age?"
"Old man, just be a Genin for life!"
"Chunin Exams can get you killed; just go back and don't join, don't risk your old bones!"
"He also has a leg that seems to be disabled!"
"He's even carrying a burden; who's unlucky enough to be his teammate?"
"..."
Maruboshi Kosuke was completely unfazed by this.
As someone who once lived through the era of three Hokage, Maruboshi Kosuke had participated in countless battles and wars, witnessed innumerable deaths, and didn't care at all about mere gossip.
Just at this moment, Karin and Yao Shidou arrived and heard a group mocking Maruboshi Kosuke. Karin stomped on the ground!
Rumble!
The ground split open with a wide crack!
All the Genin taking the exam were startled by this blow!
"That kind of strength..."
"Are you kidding me!"
"..."
Yao Shidou couldn't help but chuckle nearby.
Karin watched as the Genin closed their mouths and walked over to Maruboshi Kosuke: "Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Let's go submit our registration now!"
This old man was kindly chosen by Akihara Kagura as her teammate. Regardless of his actual strength, at least he seemed really good at cooking.
"It wasn't too long."
Maruboshi Kosuke shook his head, pounding his old back.
"Need an introduction?"
Yao Shidou adjusted his glasses and softly said, "I'm Yao Shidou, a Medical Ninja. Maybe my Medical Ninjutsu isn't as good as Karin's, but barely..."
"Lord Kabuto!"
Karin immediately interrupted Yao Shidou, a bit embarrassed, "My Medical Ninjutsu was all taught by you and Dean Nonou!"
"Two Medical Ninjas..."
The old Maruboshi Kosuke nodded, seeming to understand why Akihara Kagura wanted him to lead these two young ones through the exam. He knew better than anyone the importance of Medical Ninjas.
It was precisely the presence of Medical Ninjas that allowed many to survive on the battlefield. The team dynamics in the Ninja World change because of the emergence of Medical Ninjas.
However...
The role of Medical Ninjas is significant, but their combat strength isn't strong enough.
Maruboshi Kosuke thought he understood Akihara Kagura's idea of planning to lead two valuable Medical Ninjas through, but unfortunately, he could only take them to the third exam.
Because a few years ago, Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Itachi participated in the Chunin Exam alone, turning the third exam into a solo combat assessment.
"I'm Maruboshi Kosuke."
Maruboshi Kosuke took the initiative to extend a hand to Yao Shidou, slowly nodding, "Aside from Medical Ninjutsu, which I'm not skilled in, I can do a bit of everything else..."
"We're just here for company."
Yao Shidou chuckled, taking the old man's hand, "Since I've participated in many Chunin Exams, I know a bit more."
Given Yao Shidou's understanding of Karin, he was just there to help clarify doubts and handle formalities while Maruboshi Kosuke was likely there to help in wilderness survival during the second exam in the Forest of Death.
These were the challenges Akihara Kagura faced when participating in the Chunin Exam before. Kagura is really taking care of this poor little child, Karin...
After greeting Maruboshi Kosuke, Yao Shidou slowly turned his gaze towards the candidates present, intending to gather some information as many Genin caught his eye.
The seventh team immediately captured Yao Shidou's attention.
More precisely, it should be their leader from the seventh team, the cool-dressed kid, heading towards the registration room upstairs with his two teammates.
"Uchiha Sasuke..."
Yao Shidou's mouth curved into a smile, recalling something happy, "Hehe, Uchiha Itachi's brother, eh..."
"And that guy from The Hidden Sand Village..."
Karin noticed Temari and Gaara from The Hidden Sand Village.
"This exam is quite interesting..."
Maruboshi Kosuke nodded, his gaze falling on Hozuki Suigetsu from The Hidden Mist Village, especially noticing the Decapitating Carving Knife that Suigetsu carried.
Inside Hokage Tower.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was assigning tasks.
The first exam's proctor was Mori Ibuki from the Interrogation Department, the second exam's proctor was Mitarashi Anko, and the third exam's proctor was Gekkou Hayate.
These individuals were all Special Jonin.
"Akihara Kagura."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a pipe in his mouth, looked at Akihara Kagura, assigning him a task: "You will serve as the chief examiner, and everyone else will cooperate with your work until the Chunin Exam concludes smoothly."
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura nodded.
[System Reminder]: [New Job Task (Sarutobi Hiruzen), ensure the smooth conclusion of the Joint Chunin Exam.]