https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-28-The-Shinobi-World-s-Commercial-King-/12832005/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-30-Kneeling-Down-to-Jiraiya-s-Student-Kushina-Uzumaki-/12832020/
Chapter 29: Maki VS Ganto!
Chapter 29: Maki VS Ganto!
A towering, mountain-like figure with a square face.
Just by looking at him, no one would believe that the man wearing the Stone Village headband, who looks every bit like an adult, is actually a 14-year-old Stone Village prodigy.
Ganto!
A legendary warrior with an impressive combat record.
Is this the Ninja World version of "speak of the devil"?
"Here."
Takuma Honda swiftly completed the transaction.
After receiving the intelligence manual, Ganto flipped to the back to the rankings.
He had heard about the intelligence manual on his journey and decided to purchase it.
"Has my information been leaked?"
After reading through the information in the manual, this thought crossed Ganto's mind.
His information was supposed to be under strict confidentiality.
He hadn't expected it to be compromised.
It must have been the Sand Village or Leaf Village shinobi!
It wasn't strange that these two major villages knew this information; they were just using non-village channels to spread it.
Why was he so certain?
Because they did the same thing, releasing information about the Leaf Village and Sand Village candidates.
While the major shinobi villages released a lot of information, the intelligence manual was the fastest and most influential source of information.
The evaluations in the manual provided a clear and direct understanding of a shinobi's various abilities.
In the past, one would have to read through extensive files to gain a clear understanding of an unfamiliar shinobi.
Talent!
The person who created this evaluation system was indeed a talent.
"Captain, this time we must show the shinobi world that the Stone Village prodigies are not to be underestimated!"
One of the Stone Village shinobi who saw the rankings was visibly excited.
Indeed, in the past, it was always the prodigies from other villages who received all the attention. Now, it was finally their turn.
The Stone Village shinobi were known for their unity and rock-solid stubbornness, traits that were often not associated with prodigies. This time, they finally had a prodigy who could outshine those from other major villages.
Pride and excitement filled every Stone Village shinobi.
In the shinobi world, reputation was highly valued.
The major shinobi villages always went all out to promote their prodigies.
In the past, Stone Village emphasized unity because they lacked prodigies. Now that they had one, they would naturally do everything to promote him.
Reputation equals benefit!
A prodigy could bring a village a great deal of benefit.
To put it more clearly:
The Five Great Shinobi Villages were like the five largest mercenary groups, and prodigies were their 'tar mercenaries.' Many clients would hire a mercenary group specifically because of the reputation of these prodigies.
Only by truly entering the shinobi world could one understand why the major villages would still promote their prodigies, even knowing they would be targeted by other villages.
The benefits to the village were immense.
"Tch, just because you're on a random list, you think you're the strongest? How ignorant!"
A Sand Village shinobi, wearing a Sand Village headband and followed by a male and a female companion, walked over.
By the way, he also had a copy of the intelligence manual.
If Douhei's memory served him right, this was the Sand Village's second-ranked prodigy.
Yes, the major villages could continuously cultivate prodigies.
With their resources and population, small villages couldn't even compare.
Moreover, the prodigies from major villages naturally had a wider reach in terms of reputation. In a smaller village, even with the same talent and strength, a prodigy would hardly be known.
Joint Chunin Exams like this were the best opportunities for small villages.
If a shinobi could gain a reputation in such an event, not only would they benefit personally, but their village could also secure many more missions, making it a highly profitable venture.
So even though small villages knew that the Joint Chunin Exam was a meat grinder, they would still send many teams to participate each time.
"Maki!"
Ganto uttered the name, and a killing intent so oppressive it could crush a person emanated from him.
Note: In the shinobi world, killing intent is not just a figure of speech but a real, tangible force.
In the future, Orochimaru would use his killing intent to intimidate the already Jounin Kakashi, and later, immobilize the still Genin Sasuke.
Here is the rewritten chapter with non-English characters replaced with their English equivalents or transliterations, maintaining consistency throughout:
At this moment, Grant's killing intent was far from reaching that level.
But it was definitely not weak.
It was the kind of intensity that could only be cultivated after taking countless lives.
It was clear that this time, the Rock ninjas were truly determined to groom a 'genius.'
There was no better way to make a name for oneself than during the joint Junior Ninja Exams.
Perhaps the Hidden Rock Village had kept it a secret all along, just to ensure Grant would make a stunning debut in this exam.
In the face of this conflict, everyone except the ninjas around them quietly backed away.
The villagers of the Hidden Village were no strangers to ninjas.
In a village without ninjas, anyone witnessing such a scene would undoubtedly flee at the first sign of trouble.
The three people behind the stall, however, remained where they were, continuing to spectate.
Tohey's gaze, however, was fixed on the Sand ninja who had just arrived.
Mack!
He had some impression of this future leader of the Sand Village's main team.
He hadn't expected that Mack would be so famous and arrogant in his youth, lacking the composure he would display in the future.
But it made sense.
To become an elite High-Ranked Ninja in the future, one couldn't have been an unknown figure in their youth.
Being a ninja was a profession without a 'late game.'
Geniuses and strong individuals would show their prowess from the very beginning, with only a few outliers (like Obito and Nathan) suddenly bursting into prominence after graduation.
"Grant!"
Mack took a step forward, standing face-to-face with the killing intent emanating from Grant.
Their teammates also moved to protect their respective leaders, the tension between the two teams palpable.
Suddenly,
A cold, icy killing intent cut through the air, interrupting the standoff.
A small figure with white hair and a mask slowly approached the stall.
Kakashi!
He had arrived as well.
And why was it so coincidental?
Of course, it wasn't a coincidence.
With the Junior Ninja Exams starting tomorrow, many candidates would naturally come here to gather information, and this street was a must-pass route.
"This is getting interesting!"
Taka Honda muttered to himself.
Tohey and Koji Yamashiro, who had just finished reading the intelligence manual, understood immediately that he was referring to the top three geniuses on the list gathering here.
"Kakashi?" 2
Grant and Mack spoke simultaneously, their eyes flashing with a hint of killing intent.
The name of the son of the White Fang, Konoha's 'uper genius,' was well-known to them.
One of their missions in the joint Junior Ninja Exams was to eliminate the geniuses from other villages, and Kakashi was definitely on the list.
Especially for Mack!
The Sand Village held a deep-seated fear and hatred for Kakashi.
During the last Shinobi World War, the White Fang had decimated the Sand Village with a single short blade.
Now, with Kakashi, the 'on of the White Fang,' being such a genius, how could the Sand Village not fear and hate him?
If the opportunity arose, Mack would eliminate this threat for the village.
Unfortunately, they all knew that while displaying some killing intent was one thing, actually making a move was entirely out of the question.
Did they really think the Elite Guard and patrol teams observing in the shadows were just for show?
If they dared to act,
The Uchiha patrol team wouldn't care who they were; they would be arrested on the spot.
It was a testament to the Uchiha clan's ability to maintain order.
"The top spot in this Junior Ninja Exam will be ours, from the Hidden Rock Village!"
Grant's voice was steady and confident.
"Hmph!" Mack retorted, "The champion will definitely be a Sand ninja!"
"Boring," Kakashi said casually, then turned to Tohey and Koji Yamashiro, who were spectating behind the stall, and said, "Sensei sent me to call you."
With that, he turned and left, as if the whole situation was of no concern to him.
His cool demeanor was at full display!
It seemed that the future Second Leader's disciple had good reason to be so composed.
If the teacher could act cool, the student naturally followed suit.
(End of Chapter)
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