In the forest designated for the third phase of the Chunin Exams, the two teams stood facing each other from a distance of over ten meters. The proctor glanced at both sides, ensuring they were ready, then stepped back. "Begin!"
As soon as the command was given, both teams sprang into action.
Hoshita Shūichi pretended to form two hand seals before spewing a barrage of fireballs that rained down on all three opponents.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!
The speed of his ninjutsu caught Uchiha Yūbito and his teammates completely off guard—they had assumed Hoshita Shūichi was purely a close-combat fighter.
Their formation shattered instantly as they scrambled to dodge.
Seizing the opening, Kurama Sanyō completed a genjutsu, ensnaring two of the three opponents—excluding Uchiha Yūbito.
However, having a teammate skilled in genjutsu (even if not a master) meant the other two had ample experience countering illusions.
They broke free almost immediately and lunged at Kurama Sanyō.
In the two-on-one melee, Kurama Sanyō was quickly kicked back.
But by then, Hoshita Shūichi had already prepared his Three Crescent Moon Dance.
Drawing his blade, he charged—three against two!
In the blink of an eye, two figures were sent flying, knocked unconscious before they could even cry out.
With his opponents dealt with, Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō turned their attention to the remaining fight.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Yūbito were locked in a fierce duel, their blades clashing in a storm of sparks.
Noticing that his teammates had already won, Uchiha Shisui's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Looks like I should wrap this up quickly..."
Seizing an opening, Uchiha Shisui disengaged, sheathed his sword, and formed a hand sign.
Body Flicker Technique!
His figure split, multiplying as he circled Uchiha Yūbito at blinding speed, leaving behind a ring of afterimages.
"Shadow clones?"
Uchiha Yūbito hurled shuriken experimentally, only for them to pass harmlessly through the figures. "Afterimages? Genjutsu?"
Suddenly, the duplicates lunged at him simultaneously.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Uchiha Yūbito frantically parried with his sword and kunai, his shock growing. "Every single one is a physical attack?!"
Before he could decipher the technique, Uchiha Shisui struck from behind with a precise chop to the neck, knocking him out cold.
Done and dusted!
The proctor announced, "Team Namikaze wins!"
Outside the exam grounds, Namikaze Minato watched his three students emerge and smiled. "Well done. I'll treat you all to barbecue at noon—consider it an early celebration."
The four departed in high spirits while the remaining teams continued their matches.
In the afternoon, instead of heading straight to Tsunade's training session after lunch, Hoshita Shūichi joined Namikaze Minato and his teammates in front of the Hokage Building, awaiting the Chunin Exam results.
It happened to be the weekend, so Shizune, Might Guy, Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, and others had also gathered to hear the news.
At 3 p.m., the list of newly promoted Chunin was posted.
Hoshita Shūichi, Uchiha Shisui, and Kurama Sanyō were unsurprisingly on it.
Out of all participants, only five had been promoted.
"Shūichi, you're now Konoha's youngest Chunin!"
Kurama Sanyō stared at the names on the list, excitement bubbling in his voice.
The declaration immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby.
"Youngest?"
"Hoshita Shūichi... Didn't he just graduate this year?"
"Wait, wasn't there someone who graduated at five? Is that him?"
"No, that was the son of Konoha's White Fang."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Kurama Sanyō, basking in the secondhand glory, proudly added, "Shūichi isn't even seven yet!"
"Amazing!"
"Not even seven and already a Chunin!"
"How did he manage that?"
"I saw his match yesterday—his speed was insane. He took down his opponent in one move, and that opponent was an Uchiha with the Sharingan!"
The chatter intensified, especially among the female ninjas present, who now gazed at Hoshita Shūichi with sparkling eyes.
Hoshita Shūichi quickly grabbed Kurama Sanyō's arm and dragged him into the Hokage Building.
Ten minutes later, the trio emerged, each holding their new Chunin vests. After bidding farewell to Namikaze Minato, Hoshita Shūichi joined Shizune and the others.
"Congratulations on becoming a Chunin, Shūichi!"
"Youngest Chunin in Konoha—probably in the entire shinobi world!"
"Incredible! As expected of Shūichi!"
The group erupted into cheers.
"Shūichi's always the center of attention, no matter where he goes," Kurama Sanyō remarked, watching the scene with a sigh.
Uchiha Shisui chuckled. "Talented people naturally attract others."
Namikaze Minato, however, noticed Shizune standing close to Hoshita Shūichi and was reminded of Uzumaki Kushina. Smiling, he asked, "Don't you two have admirers as well?"
Kurama Sanyō's face flushed, and he immediately bolted.
Uchiha Shisui, unfazed, replied calmly, "I don't have anyone I like yet. But it seems you do, sensei—and you're in quite the hurry."
Namikaze Minato coughed awkwardly. "Since you already know, I'll leave you to it."
With a pat on Uchiha Shisui's shoulder, he vanished in a flicker.
After arranging to train with Shizune and the others at 5 p.m., Hoshita Shūichi headed toward Konoha Hospital.
He had promised Tsunade he'd continue their sessions today.
But before he could get far, he spotted a familiar figure waiting for him with a smile.
"Ten'un-nee!"
Hoshita Shūichi quickened his pace.
"Congratulations on becoming a Chunin—and Konoha's youngest ever!"
Ten'un beamed, bending down to hand him a carefully wrapped gift.
"Thank you!"
Hoshita Shūichi accepted it gratefully.
A ninjutsu scroll?
He didn't open it immediately, instead chatting with Ten'un as they walked. Only when they reached the hospital did she hug him briefly before leaving.
As he watched her go, a voice suddenly spoke behind him.
"Seems you're quite popular with the ladies."
Turning, Hoshita Shūichi met Tsunade's gaze and replied dryly, "That statement would carry more weight if you didn't keep punching me in the face."
Tsunade smirked, crossing her arms. "Not a chance. Training demands seriousness."
Hoshita Shūichi rolled his eyes.
Tsunade's grin widened as she waved him over. "Enough talk. Let's begin!"
And so, the beating commenced.
Roughly an hour later, Hoshita Shūichi collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. Nearby, Tsunade braced her hands on her knees, panting heavily, sweat dripping from her brow.
"This brat is relentless."
"Insane reflexes, freakish concentration, faster recovery than most... He really is a natural-born shinobi."
Catching her breath, she strode over. "Hey, you still alive?"
Hoshita Shūichi, lying flat on his back, couldn't help but glare.
He'd already eaten two soldier pills.
"Lady Tsunade, I'm not even seven yet!"
Tsunade snorted. "On the battlefield, enemies won't care how old you are."
Her expression softened slightly. "Fine, we'll call it here for today."
She paused, then added, "Oh, and congratulations. You're a Chunin now—Konoha's youngest ever."
Hoshita Shūichi pushed himself up and extended a hand.
Tsunade blinked.
"Aren't you going to give me a congratulatory gift?"
Her eye twitched. "Ask again when you make Jonin."
With that, she turned on her heel and strode away, her sandals clicking sharply against the ground.
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