As the Third Tsuchikage's granddaughter, Kurotsuchi's talent was undeniable.
She possessed Earth, Water, and Fire Chakra natures and had even awakened the Lava Release bloodline limit.
More importantly, she was the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage and had received the best education from a young age, with full access to village resources.
While Iwagakure had its share of problems, it wasn't as excessive as Konoha, so one could imagine Kurotsuchi's status.
In truth, Kurotsuchi's strength had long surpassed that of a typical Genin. She had simply never taken part in an official rank evaluation.
As for Ino… Yami honestly felt she was better off staying a decorative flower.
There was no suspense in the match between them. Yami gave a warning only to spare Ino from taking too much damage.
But judging by Kurotsuchi's reaction, it seemed to have had the opposite effect?
Still, Yami wasn't worried. If things got out of hand, he could always step in and stop the fight, or help Ino admit defeat. There would be plenty of opportunities to bully Kurotsuchi later.
But someone had to pay for this loss.
Yami turned and stared blankly at Kakashi, causing the latter to shift uncomfortably.
"…Why are you looking at me?"
"If Ino loses, you'll be my sparring partner for a week."
Kakashi's uncovered eye widened. "Hey now, what does this have to do with me?!"
"You're Ino's sensei. If she lost, it means you didn't teach her well. I'm already going easy on you."
"…You're something else."
Kakashi gave a helpless thumbs up and dropped the argument. He silently accepted his fate.
With Hayate Gekko's announcement, the match officially began.
Kurotsuchi had originally planned to be ruthless and beat the blonde beauty in front of her.
But just as she launched a kick, she felt a gaze fixated on her.
Her strength immediately dropped by half, and Ino barely managed to hold on.
From that moment, Kurotsuchi's attacks softened significantly. After just a few exchanges, she didn't even give Ino the chance to perform any ninjutsu. She pressed a kunai to Ino's throat and won the match.
Of course, she hadn't gone easy because of Yami's threat. She was just… hiding her true strength.
Yes. That was it!
Returning to the stands, Kurotsuchi glanced at Yami. Seeing that he showed no particular reaction, she sighed in relief, then sat stiffly behind Monga with a sour face.
After her loss, Ino threw herself into Yami's arms for comfort. The two whispered to each other, completely ignoring the rest of the matches.
Those who were meant to win did. Those who were meant to lose, lost.
Until Lee and Gaara entered the arena, drawing attention again.
"Sasuke, pay attention. That watermelon head is not as simple as you think."
Sasuke was stunned. He wanted to say he had fought Lee before and could suppress him easily.
But after several months of following Yami, the latter's authority in Sasuke's heart was absolute. So he nodded seriously and listened attentively.
The match began quickly. It was destined to be the highlight of the day.
Gaara's sand manipulation stunned the audience. Lee's explosive speed after removing his ankle weights left the scene dead silent. When he opened the Fifth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, one thought echoed in everyone's mind—monster.
"Guy, you're too reckless," Kakashi said sharply. "That forbidden technique isn't suitable for Lee at his age. He's still too young."
"No, Kakashi, you don't understand."
Guy replied seriously, "Even for just a moment, Lee wants to shine with everything he has. It's his obsession with training and his youth."
Yami remained silent, calmly watching the fight.
In his current state, Lee's speed had surpassed most Jōnin. Gaara couldn't counter at all.
Neji, watching from the side, trembled. Lee had clearly said this move was originally reserved for him.
He couldn't help but wonder if he even deserved such attention.
Kakashi also felt his heart sink.
If Lee was already this strong as a Genin, what would Guy have prepared for his own rival?
Sasuke clenched the armrests tightly.
If Lee had shown this level of speed before the first exam, he definitely would've lost.
No wonder Yami told him to pay attention.
Unfortunately, Lee had drawn the worst opponent.
Gaara's Sand Armor absorbed most of the damage.
After using the Lotus technique, both fighters crashed to the ground.
The gourd on Gaara's back turned to sand, cushioning his fall. Lee, however, hit the ground hard.
Gaara slowly raised his right hand. Sand wrapped around Lee's left arm and leg, squeezing tightly.
Sand Coffin!
At that moment, Yami's eyes narrowed slightly.
He wanted to see how far Lee could go uninjured.
That familiar feeling returned again. The sand failed to crush Lee's bones, falling to the ground powerlessly.
Gaara turned his ferocious eyes to Yami.
You want to save him? I want him dead!
But Guy didn't give him a second chance. He dispersed the sand mid-form.
"You've won this match. I forfeit on Lee's behalf."
Opening the Fifth Gate had already torn Lee's muscles. He needed medical treatment immediately.
Before leaving, Guy bowed deeply to Yami. "Yami-kun, thank you for saving Lee. I'll thank you properly once things are settled."
Several Jōnin had sensed the chakra fluctuation just now.
Yami waved his hand indifferently. "No need to visit my place. Just help my Anbu team with a few missions sometime. We're short on people."
"No problem!" Guy flashed his sparkling teeth. "Ten missions! No—my youth will burn—one hundred missions!"
Having declared his flag, Guy quickly left.
"You seriously want Guy on your missions?" Kakashi looked speechless. He could already imagine it.
Enemy: Who are you?
Guy: I will never tell you! Leaf Strong Whirlwind!
Kakashi shivered.
"Hey, everyone has their strengths. There's always a place for Guy."
Yami planned to let Guy patrol Konoha while training. Though his IQ wasn't ideal for spotting spies, if Guy and Lee crawled around the village upside down every day, they'd scare a few into exposing themselves.
After the Lee vs Gaara match, the final fight was the sibling clash—Hinata vs Neji.
Without his fate-bound grudge, Neji respectfully bowed to Yami before the match and addressed Hinata as "Miss," before the two entered a pure taijutsu bout.
To be exact, this was more like a training match. Neji had learned Rotation on his own. With guidance now, his Gentle Fist was nearly equal to Hizashi's.
While fighting, he also quietly pointed out Hinata's weaknesses.
Eventually, everyone got bored watching, and Raido raised his hand to declare Hinata's forfeit.
"I'm sorry, Yami. I let you down…"
Returning to Yami, Hinata poked her fingers together shyly. Her face was red—not from embarrassment, but from shame.
She was the only one in Team 7 eliminated at this stage.
"You did great, Hinata."
Yami rubbed her head gently. "Winning or losing doesn't matter. Just keep working hard."
"Mm! I'll definitely work harder."
Kakashi standing nearby suddenly felt stuffed full.
Not from ramen.
Who brings their fiancée on missions?! This isn't a team—it's a honeymoon.
Sasuke and Naruto had long gotten used to it. They were just the labor force. They did the grunt work while all the mission rewards got turned into delicacies for Yami and Hinata.
Even Gato wasn't as corrupt as their teacher.
Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Kurotsuchi, Gaara, Takiishi (Kurotsuchi's teammate), Tenten, Temari, Tōu, and Nara Shikamaru.
Nine total had passed the prelims. Tenten got a lucky bye and would join the third round automatically.
Hayate Gekko coughed as he announced the third round details. "The final exam will be held in one month. The Kage and dignitaries from various countries will come to observe."
"Use this month well. I hope you can all perform your best."
With that, he dismissed everyone.
Naruto and Sasuke looked eagerly at Yami, hoping for training arrangements. Ideally, some special training.
"There will definitely be special training, but not from me. I've found a new teacher for each of you."
Yami, already knowing what they were hoping for, spoke directly.
Naruto and Sasuke were disappointed but not surprised.
Their teacher often vanished. Being handed off was expected.
But Yami always made sure their training was well-arranged. He was still a responsible sensei.
"Yami-nii! I wanna learn a cool jutsu like Chidori too!"
Naruto made his request.
Yami had taught him several C-rank Wind Release techniques, but none matched Chidori in flashiness or power. Naruto, who always competed with Sasuke, was dissatisfied.
Sasuke's mouth curled up when he heard it.
Sure enough, he was Yami's favorite. Even the jutsu he learned was better.
But the next second, his smile stiffened.
"There is a jutsu just as strong as Chidori that suits you well," Yami said to Naruto. "But your Chakra control isn't ready. Once it is, I'll teach it to you."
Yami had always prided himself on fairness. Unlike Kakashi, who taught Sasuke Chidori and left Naruto to Ebisu, he would never favor one over the other.
As for Jiraiya meeting Naruto later, that was just destiny.
Neither Kakashi nor even Hiruzen could command Jiraiya. He returned only after learning Orochimaru was in Konoha.
The reason Naruto hadn't learned Rasengan yet was simple—his Chakra control was poor.
Sasuke and Hinata could already fight on water like it was flat ground. Naruto still slipped and fell.
Trying to learn Rasengan now would be inefficient.
But with training from Maruboshi Kosuke and intense battles in the Forest of Death, Naruto should be ready soon.
"Sasuke, meet your new teacher tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the usual spot. Naruto, wait for me on Hot Springs Street at 10."
As people left the training grounds, Yami took Hinata and Ino home. After a refreshing bath, the two girls felt alive again.
Yami originally wanted to take them out for a big meal, but they refused.
After failing the prelims, both girls were fired up and eager to train.
Yami didn't want to kill their motivation.
He gave Ino a scroll with the Three-Seal Water Dragon Bullet and several simplified Fire Release techniques developed by the Second Hokage.
He also handed them a few bottles of nutrient solution—a byproduct of his research combining his and Hashirama's cells.
It enhanced physical fitness.
The batch was newly made and limited, just enough to last them half a month.
After they left, Yami called to Hikari, who was still asleep.
"Hikari, when Pakura goes to intercept the Kazekage, go with her."
The sleepy girl nodded drowsily and soon curled back up in Yami's arms.
The next day.
After a day's rest, Sasuke arrived at the Team 7 training ground on time.
He was very curious who this new teacher Yami mentioned would be.
There was already a man in a black robe and mask waiting there.
At first, Sasuke thought it was Yuichi. But as he approached, he realized this man was taller and more muscular.
As Sasuke studied him, the man beneath the mask had a complicated expression.
Itachi… I've come to meet your brother.
(To be continued.)
***
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