Chiya smiled.
“It is an honor to receive praise from the Copy Ninja.
However, after those two techniques, I also released one more.” As he finished speaking, Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death was already activated.
Chiya’s figure suddenly vanished from the sight of Kakashi and everyone else present.
At the same time, a sapling erupted from beneath Kakashi’s feet, transforming in the blink of an eye into a towering tree that bound his body, leaving him unable to break free.
Chiya then emerged slowly from the trunk, his Zanpakutō drawn and aimed at Kakashi.
“Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death…
to think you can even utilize this technique.
Truly worthy of being called the genjutsu genius Kurenai described,” Kakashi said, looking up at Chiya with a grave expression.
“The feeling is mutual…
Senior Kakashi is even more impressive.
I assume the ‘you’ here is just another clone, right?” Chiya sheathed his blade and dispelled the genjutsu.
“Indeed,” Kakashi replied softly, not denying it.
His entire body transformed into lightning and dissipated.
His real body emerged from the very tunnel Chiya had used for his Headhunter Jutsu earlier.
Chiya sheathed his sword, and Kakashi stowed his tantō.
Neither moved to strike again, as the incense had finally burned out.
“Time is up.” With the referee’s announcement, the duel officially ended.
Chiya and Kakashi exchanged the Seal of Reconciliation, bringing the fight to a close.
Clap, clap…
Hiruzen stood up and began to applaud.
“Chiya, I never imagined you could fight Kakashi to such an extent.
Truly remarkable.” “You are too kind, Hokage-sama.
Senior Kakashi was merely playing with me,” Chiya said with his typical modest flair.
“If he had used a Lightning-Style Shadow Clone to paralyze me and then launched a surprise attack, I would have been in trouble.
Not to mention, Senior Kakashi has yet to use his signature technique, the Chidori.” Unarrogant, humble, and an heir to the Will of Fire—a fine seed indeed.
Hiruzen thought, his satisfaction with Chiya growing.
He looked around the clearing and announced in a loud voice, “I believe everyone has witnessed Chiya’s strength.
He has undoubtedly completed the Chunin assessment.” “I said beforehand that if Chiya could demonstrate sufficient strength, he would be promoted to Jōnin.
Everyone, please raise your hand to vote if you agree to Chiya’s promotion.” Hiruzen was the first to raise his hand.
He was followed by Kakashi, Chiya’s opponent.
Much like Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi had vaguely sensed that Chiya hadn’t been fighting at his full potential—though, to be fair, neither had he.
The third was Uchiha Itachi…
eventually, all Anbu directly under the Hokage raised their hands in agreement.
It was a no-brainer: since the Hokage had approved it, who were they to dissent?
Furthermore, Chiya’s aptitude was truly deserving of the Jōnin title, especially his genjutsu, which was enough to give most people present a headache.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also raised their hands.
These two were notorious for leaning with the wind, and since Chiya’s promotion facilitated the undercover mission within the Uchiha clan, it served their interests as well.
A situation with only benefits and no drawbacks was easy to support.
As for Danzo, to everyone’s surprise, the man who loved to oppose the Third Hokage actually didn’t object.
Instead, he raised his hand with a gentle expression.
This left most who knew his character stunned.
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction and said with a chuckle, “Excellent.
In that case, Chiya, congratulations—from today on, you are officially a Jōnin of Konoha.
Keep up the good work.
And Kurenai, for teaching such an excellent genjutsu ninja, you may drop the ‘Special’ from your rank.” “Thank you, Hokage-sama.” Kurenai knelt on one knee before Hiruzen.
Chiya, of course, didn’t kneel; he simply activated Kyōka Suigetsu to project an image of himself kneeling before the Hokage.
Watching their display of devotion, Hiruzen’s smile grew even wider.
He waved for them to rise and continued, “Chiya, although you are now a Jōnin, your offensive arsenal is still a bit one-dimensional.
On that note—Kakashi, I’ll give you a day off tomorrow; find some time to provide him with some guidance.” …
A short time later, Chiya and Kakashi agreed on a meeting place for training.
Chiya then put on his newly issued Jōnin flak jacket and left the Forest of Death with Kurenai.
As they strolled through the streets, Kurenai, still in her signature bandage outfit, seemed less than thrilled—she didn’t particularly care for that style of combat gear.
“Chiya, where did you learn the Headhunter Jutsu and the Shadow Clone technique?” Kurenai finally voiced the question that had been bothering her, as she hadn’t taught him these.
“I asked Izumi to find them for me,” Chiya said, weaving a story that was half-truth, half-lie.
In reality, he had received the Headhunter Jutsu—the simplest Earth-style jutsu—on the very day he had been promoted to Genin.
It was a spring morning, full of life, and Chiya had spent the night at Izumi Uchiha’s house.
One on the bed, one on the floor—until the next morning, when he woke up to find Izumi sleeping in his arms, triggering a system option: 1.
Do nothing.
Reward: Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu.
2.
Become a beast.
Starting sentence three years, maximum death penalty.
Reward: Complete Kido collection from the Bleach world.
3.
Wake her up immediately, acting like an idiot.
The choice was obvious.
Chiya had chosen the first option.
Izumi was simply too young; how could he bring himself to do anything?
One had to at least wait until the legal age, right?
“The Uchiha, then…” Kurenai realized, but then, seemingly recalling something, she warned him: “Mastering common techniques like the Shadow Clone or Headhunter Jutsu is fine, but you must never try to learn the Uchiha clan’s secret techniques, or they might cause trouble for you.” “Also…” She hesitated, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
Seeing no one was paying attention, she used a voice only the two of them could hear: “I know you and that girl from the Uchiha family are childhood sweethearts, but the relationship between the Uchiha and the village is extremely tense right now.
You must avoid having too much contact with members of that clan.” “Kurenai, are you concerned about me?” Chiya stopped in his tracks, his deep, dark eyes fixed on her with undisguised appreciation and flirtation.
The two locked eyes.
Kurenai’s lips parted slightly, as if to say something, but no words came out.
Her pretty face turned scarlet, and she swallowed whatever she had been about to say.
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