Chapter 42: The Chunin Exams

Genshita Genichi did not know why Tsunade suddenly decided not to leave, nor did he wish to probe deeply into it, having no means to do so anyway.

However, this development was undoubtedly beneficial to him.

Whether it was because of Shizune or because Tsunade herself had grown to appreciate him, as long as he could learn something from Tsunade and even benefit from Konoha's resources, that was all that mattered.

Everything else was trivial.

Without disturbing Tsunade at her work, Genichi pulled Shizune out of the hospital and asked, "Is Lady Tsunade not leaving Konoha anymore?"

Hearing this, Shizune gasped in surprise, "You... how do you know?"

She had been heartbroken when she first learned that Tsunade intended to leave Konoha, and she had wanted to tell Genichi many times. Yet, without Tsunade's permission, she could not speak of it, leaving her in a constant state of internal conflict.

It was only a few days prior that Tsunade told her she was staying.

How overjoyed she had been at that moment.

She never expected Genichi to pierce through this secret with a single sentence.

For a moment, Shizune felt nervous, though she herself did not know why.

Looking at the flustered Shizune, Genichi smiled and reached out to gently pat her head, "Lady Tsunade's previous state was quite off, extremely pessimistic, so I just guessed it."

Shizune stammered slightly, "Well... you... you won't blame me for not telling you, right?"

Genichi chuckled softly, "Of course not."

"Come on, let's go practice."

Shizune nodded, a bright smile breaking across her face, "Yeah!"

...

In the blink of an eye, two days passed. It was July 12th in the 43rd year of Konoha, the official day of the Chunin exams.

Outside the Ninja Academy, by the time Genichi and Shizune arrived, Kakashi was already there, accompanied by Nohara Rin.

Genichi and Shizune stepped forward to greet them.

Not long after, Uchiha Langyi and the others arrived as well. Kakashi's two teammates were already chunin, but they were accompanying the others to take part in the exams this time around.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Genichi and the rest entered the examination hall.

The first written test covered a diverse array of subjects.

There were simple multiple-choice questions, essay questions, and mathematical problems—a hodgepodge covering an extremely wide range.

Yet, all of these questions were intricately connected to practical combat.

However, for an academic overachiever like Genichi, whose reading was vast and varied, it posed no problem whatsoever.

After half an hour, Genichi put down his pen and handed in his paper.

Almost simultaneously, Kakashi also finished answering.

The two exchanged a smile and walked out of the academy gates together.

Shizune and Nohara Rin immediately hurried over to them.

"How did it go?"

Shizune asked.

Nohara Rin's large eyes were also fixed on Kakashi in anticipation.

Genichi chuckled lightly, "Don't worry, there's definitely no problem."

Kakashi gave a cool nod as well.

Nohara Rin smiled, "I knew you guys wouldn't have any problems."

Genichi smiled and extended an invitation, "Let's go, my treat for dumplings. My family recently launched a new flavor, I'd like you all to taste it and help me fill out a questionnaire by the way."

Naturally, everyone readily agreed.

Thus, the group walked toward Genichi's home.

After they left, Uchiha Obito emerged from behind a tree.

He had wanted to come out earlier, but he felt too embarrassed.

"I might as well just go train..."

Uchiha Obito sighed, then looked toward the Ninja Academy, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, "Next time, I will definitely pass the exams!"

Ever since Kakashi and Genichi graduated early one after another, he had also wanted to graduate early, but he had failed repeatedly.

Moreover, most of the time, he stumbled right at the first hurdle: the written test.

"Damn it, damn it all! Why is there even a written test..."

Thinking of his previous failures, Obito could not help but tear his hair out in frustration.

If the exams only tested the three basic techniques, practical combat, and shuriken throwing, he would have had absolute confidence.

In the afternoon, Genichi and Shizune went together to check the results of the first test.

Without a doubt, they had passed. Genichi also spotted Kakashi's name on the list.

The second round, the team battle, was scheduled for the next day, starting at two o'clock in the afternoon.

The location was Training Ground 29.

After checking their scores, Genichi and Shizune headed back to the Konoha Hospital.

Over the past two days, Tsunade had poured a massive amount of funds into it, and the equipment needed for the new laboratory was rapidly falling into place. Genichi occasionally went over to help out, taking the opportunity to dabble with the latest instruments.

Meanwhile.

The Root base.

Listening to his subordinate's report, Shimura Danzo furrowed his brow.

Tsunade's sudden change gave him a bad feeling.

The previous Tsunade had clearly seemed a lost cause, yet now she had suddenly recovered.

Furthermore, she had taken over the Konoha Hospital.

And that project concerning bone marrow transplants... could she be planning to restart the transplantation of Hashirama's cells?

Danzo pondered in silence, then issued an order, "Closely monitor Tsunade's movements."

"Understood!"

A Root ninja acknowledged the command and departed.

Danzo, however, remained deep in a frown.

Even if the Hashirama cell experiments were restarted, it was not necessarily something detrimental to him.

The crucial issue was Tsunade herself.

The Sannin of Konoha were undoubtedly the most qualified to succeed Sarutobi Hiruzen and become the Fourth Hokage.

Their prestige was second only to Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.

Yet they possessed an advantage that Hatake Sakumo lacked: the absolute support of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Among the Sannin, in terms of sheer renown, Tsunade was undoubtedly the foremost.

Because she was the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, and the esteemed Princess Tsunade of the Land of Fire.

Although the Senju clan no longer existed as a distinct entity, the influence left behind by the Senju permeated every shinobi clan in Konoha.

The core members of the Senju clan had been decimated during the First Great Ninja War and the preceding Hashirama cell experiments.

Neither Tsunade nor Nawaki bore the Senju surname anymore—a policy implemented by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Yet, it was not as though every last member of the Senju clan had perished.

In the past, many female members of the Senju clan had married out, blending like water into the vast lake that was Konoha.

Danzo understood Sarutobi Hiruzen too well.

If a choice had to be made between the Sannin and Hatake Sakumo, the choice would unquestionably be the former.

And if a choice had to be made among the Sannin, the primary choice would undoubtedly be Tsunade.

Second was that vagabond, Jiraiya.

And last was Orochimaru, who currently maintained a deep cooperative relationship with him.

Previously, watching Tsunade degenerate, spending her days drinking and gambling instead of attending to proper business—behaving even less reliably than Jiraiya, who wandered the world—Orochimaru had become the sole viable choice among the Sannin.

At that time, the threat posed by Hatake Sakumo had suddenly escalated dramatically.

Consequently, a short time ago, Danzo had used some minor tricks in an attempt to undermine Hatake Sakumo's reputation.

Regrettably, it had failed.

He had never expected that before he could take his next step, another variable would emerge from Tsunade's direction.

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen stepping down would barring accidents not happen for at least another decade, Danzo still had to make preparations in advance.

"Tsunade, the White Fang..."

Danzo quickly reached a decision, "The White Fang no longer needs to be considered. With Tsunade around, he will never have another chance."

"Tsunade, hmph."

Danzo let out a soft scoff, though deep down he felt a heavy sense of helplessness.

He could not make a move against Tsunade.

"Let's hope the Wood Release experiments proceed smoothly; that way, this old man will have an extra trump card in his hand."

Thinking this, Danzo rose to go find Orochimaru.

The more power the Hokage held, the less he would possess.

He did not wish to see his own authority diminished after Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped down.

Not only must it not be diminished.

He had to strengthen it even further!