Chapter 35: Unqualified?
Chapter 35: Unqualified?
"It's rare to take out all your opponents in the second round."
Kakashi Hatake, sitting at the dining table and eating his meal, glanced at Feng Ye as he walked out. "But now you can't hide your strength anymore."
"That's not necessarily true," Feng Ye yawned, took out a few rice balls from the refrigerator, heated them up, and carried them to the table. "I've revealed most of my current abilities, but there probably won't be any tasks requiring my involvement for a while. All I need to do is continue my training."
Kakashi shot Feng Ye a sidelong glance. "No tasks in the near future? I think you're being a bit optimistic. As a newly minted Chunin, you'll be assigned tasks from time to time."
Leaning back in his chair and folding his arms behind his head, Kakashi continued, "Speaking of which, I'm heading out on a mission tomorrow. Want to come along?"
Feng Ye gave Kakashi a quizzical look. "A freelance team? Did you take on a commissioned task?"
There were two types of missions in the village.
One was a commissioned task taken from the mission office. These were non-mandatory and allowed for free team formation. Ninjas could invite others to join them on these missions, and upon completion, they would receive a village mission record and the corresponding bounty.
The other type was an assigned mission mandated by higher-ups. These missions usually came with specific requirements, and team members were appointed by superiors or even the Hokage directly.
"Yes," Kakashi replied, his eyes fixed on Feng Ye. "I've had my eye on a ninja sword lately, but I don't have enough money, so I need to take on some high-reward commissioned tasks."
A ninja sword...
Hmm...
If it weren't for his transmigration, the White Fang sword would have been Kakashi's. It seemed that he had inadvertently taken something that rightfully belonged to Kakashi.
However, Feng Ye had grown quite accustomed to using the White Fang. He decided that he would make it up to Kakashi by finding an opportunity to get him the Kusanagi sword.
With that in mind, Feng Ye said to Kakashi, "If you need help purchasing a ninja sword, I can lend you some money. There's still some money left at home, and I can spare a little if you need it."
Kakashi seemed to be waiting for these words. "After this mission, I should only be short by about two thousand ryo."
"No problem," Feng Ye agreed readily.
Kakashi nodded, then suddenly reminded Feng Ye, "Your expenses will increase now that you're a Chunin. Even if the village doesn't assign you any missions and you don't take on any commissions, the money your father left behind will eventually run out."
Feng Ye calculated his remaining assets and contemplated, "If I don't buy ninja tools or consumables like explosive tags, it should last me a few more months. If I plan to take on missions, I'll need to intensify my training and prepare thoroughly beforehand."
Feng Ye considered teaching Kakashi the Cell Activation Technique, but he decided it would be best to get Orochimaru's permission first to avoid any unnecessary trouble, even though he suspected Orochimaru wouldn't mind.
"...Be thoroughly prepared," Kakashi repeated Feng Ye's words, his mouth twitching slightly. "With your strength, taking on some D- or C-rank commissions won't be dangerous."
Feng Ye sighed. "You don't understand."
As a transmigrator, his propensity for trouble and unexpected events was off the charts. Even when undertaking a simple D-rank mission, there was a high probability of encountering unforeseen circumstances that could escalate the danger level to B-rank or even beyond A-rank.
Therefore, he had to consider not only the mission itself but also the potential for unforeseen developments.
His current strength was far from sufficient.
Kakashi: "..."
He almost blurted out, "How can you, someone who has never been on a mission before, tell me, someone who has completed dozens of C-rank missions, that I don't understand? Where do you get that confidence?" But then he remembered that he couldn't beat Feng Ye in a fight, and that Feng Ye was his older brother. So, he swallowed all his complaints and glared at Feng Ye instead.
After dinner, Feng Ye entered his room and continued his training in a tripled-time state. About two hours later, he woke up, ate a bread, and resumed his solitary training regimen.
By the time Kakashi left for breakfast the next morning, Feng Ye had already trained for what amounted to over twelve hours in real-time, yet he remained in his room, undeterred in his dedication to his practice.
The development of Chidori...
The Eight Inner Gates...
The Hatake Clan's sword techniques...
Feng Ye temporarily set these three pursuits aside, as the Cell Activation Technique took precedence. It was a crucial foundational skill that, once mastered, would aid him in his development of Chidori and training in the Eight Inner Gates.
With this repetitive training regimen, he spent the equivalent of three days' worth of practice in just one day and night in the real world, thanks to the tripled-time state.
As Feng Ye immersed himself in his grueling training...
At the Ninja Academy.
The recent buzz centered around the Chunin Exams, making it the hottest topic of discussion among the students for the past two days.
Typically, the Ninja Academy students paid little attention to the Chunin Exams. However, when Feng Ye, a student of great renown, graduated early and participated in the exams, it piqued everyone's interest.
A group of girls gathered together.
Shizune mused, "If I'm not mistaken, the Chunin Exams usually consist of three parts, right? The third round is supposed to be open to the public, so we should be able to go and watch."
"That's correct," Kurenai Yuhi nodded, her mind seemingly elsewhere. Despite her faith in Feng Ye's abilities, her father, Asuma Sarutobi, had specifically mentioned the dangers of this Chunin Exam, preventing her from fully relaxing.
Inuzuka Kiba, passing by, overheard Shizune and Kurenai's conversation and interjected with a smirk, "You're thinking too far ahead. It's not even certain if Feng Ye will make it past the first two rounds, especially with ninjas from other villages participating this time."
Aburame Shino adjusted his sunglasses and added in a low voice, "According to my father, the second round of the Chunin Exams has historically had the highest elimination rate."
Nohara Rin smiled sweetly and said, "I believe Feng Ye will definitely make it through."
"Well, it's not that simple," muttered Uchiha Obito. "I don't think Feng Ye will make it to the third round."
Just as Obito finished speaking, a voice suddenly piped up from the side, "Looks like you hit the mark there, Obito. Feng Ye indeed didn't make it to the third round."
This statement caused the whole group to pause and turn towards the speaker—none other than Yamanaka Ino, who had just entered the classroom. Her eyes seemed to hold a mysterious glint.
Kurenai exclaimed in surprise, "Feng Ye didn't make it to the third round?!"
Ino retracted her gaze and shot Kurenai a sideways glance, "Your father is one of the examiners, isn't he? Don't you know about the Chunin Exam proceedings?"
Kurenai frowned and shook her head. Her father, Asuma Sarutobi, hadn't returned the previous day, so she hadn't had a chance to ask him about the specifics of the Chunin Exams. All she knew was that Feng Ye had passed the first round.
Inuzuka Kiba burst into laughter, "Ha! I knew it! After graduating early and then immediately taking the Chunin Exams, how could he possibly pass? That guy's overconfidence got the better of him."
Others who held grudges against Feng Ye also wore looks of relief.
Just then, Yamanaka Ino turned to Kiba and said, "Who told you that Feng Ye didn't pass the Chunin Exams?"
(End of Chapter)
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