If Might Guy was called Yotsuki Guy, activating the Eight Gates Released Formation would undoubtedly be even more powerful.
Therefore, that kick in the Gate of Death had the potential to truly end everything.
Unfortunately, Might Guy was just a civilian.
"I'm going to the restroom." Kiyoshi said.
A small snake head popped out from inside his clothing.
The White Snake had been nestled in Kiyoshi's embrace, ready to help heal any minor injuries.
But Mei Terumi's strength wasn't enough to make Kiyoshi need her assistance.
"Oh, alright." Kurenai nodded, stood up to let Kiyoshi pass, and then sat down again.
After Kiyoshi left, Asuma looked around and said:
"Want to go out for dinner after the exams? We should celebrate."
"Will Kiyoshi be going?" Kurenai blurted out.
Come to think of it, Kiyoshi hadn't really joined them at Yakiniku much.
"Kiyoshi should… be going." Asuma said.
Her reaction made Asuma Sarutobi's heart break a little.
What was going on with Kurenai?
Why did she keep bringing up Kiyoshi?
"Kurenai… listen to me. Kiyoshi seems to be quite close with Hinata Natsu from the Hyūga clan. I heard someone say Natsu Hyūga keeps running to the Uchiha compound." Asuma shared the gossip he had heard from his comrades.
"Is that… so." Kurenai suddenly thought of Rin Nohara.
She recalled that Rin Nohara used to go to the Uchiha compound every now and then to find Kiyoshi.
Could it be that Kiyoshi was teaching someone else behind her back?
Her cheeks immediately puffed out, looking quite adorable.
***
"Hiss hiss…" The White Snake nudged Kiyoshi's neck, coiling around his shoulder. After spending this time together, she had become very familiar with Kiyoshi.
"I know. I'll get you meat when we get back." Kiyoshi said while washing his hands.
Kiyoshi was slightly more relaxed around the White Snake, a summoned beast, than he was around other ninjas.
This was because summoned beasts were more susceptible to Kiyoshi's Sharingan Genjutsu.
Even the proud Manda, Orochimaru's summoned beast, demanded 100 live human sacrifices every time he was summoned, which Orochimaru tried his best to provide.
Yet, his ultimate demise was being forcibly controlled by Sasuke using the Sharingan Genjutsu, serving as a shield and being blown to death.
As Kiyoshi pressed the faucet switch, he heard some voices.
"Natsu, remember to prepare a generous gift, and you will come with me to pay a visit to Kiyoshi afterward." Hyūga Ginka's voice came from the hallway outside the restroom.
"Yes, Lady Ginka."
The other voice sounded somewhat timid. Kiyoshi recognized it as Natsu immediately.
She had been eliminated in the first round and could only wait for the next Chunin Exams.
"Alright, let's hurry back." Hyūga Ginka hurriedly left with Natsu.
Hearing that the Chunin Exams were today, she had specifically come with Natsu to watch, hoping to personally observe Kiyoshi Uchiha's talent.
The result only astonished her further.
This boy's talent was truly astounding.
Thinking about it, Kiyoshi had only been here for a little over a year.
Even if he was a transfer student, and much older than other ninjas of the same age, this aptitude was still enough to cause alarm.
Especially since Hyūga Ginka had heard the clan leader mention in an internal meeting of the Main Family that things were unsettled recently.
War could break out at any time, and the Hyūga clan needed to be prepared.
A talent like Kiyoshi would surely accumulate significant achievements during wartime, soaring to great heights!
Hyūga Ginka thought for a moment, her footsteps quickening.
She was contemplating how to bury the hatchet with Kiyoshi.
Hinata Natsu followed behind, her head bowed low.
After the two walked away, Kiyoshi emerged from the restroom.
"The tables have turned." Kiyoshi uttered this phrase softly.
His Dōjutsu power was also pulsing in his eye sockets.
It seemed the time for a righteous correction would not be long now.
"Hiss hiss…" The White Snake flicked her crimson tongue, not understanding her master's emotions.
Although she had the intelligence of a three or four-year-old child, she had not received any education nor lived independently in nature.
Since birth, she had been soaking in a culture fluid.
Seeing the White Snake like this, Kiyoshi stroked his head.
One day, the White Snake might also become a part of his Dōjutsu enhancement.
In the ninja world, there were examples of summoned beasts transforming into human form.
For instance, the White Snake Sage's subordinates in Ryūchi Cave—Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Takitsuhime—had all transformed from snakes into humans.
If that wasn't feasible, the Cursed Seal could also be used to achieve a transformation into a human-like form.
Orochimaru's Cursed Seal applied to Mizuki allowed him to transform into a tiger. So, why couldn't he reverse-engineer a Cursed Seal that allowed transformation into a human?
Lost in thought, Kiyoshi left the gloomy hallway with the White Snake.
Sunlight streamed in from outside, making Kiyoshi's shadow appear even more distorted, like a fledgling demon beginning to show its horns.
***
Returning to his seat, Kiyoshi immediately heard Kurenai asking about Natsu.
"It was just about some matters from the Chunin Exams. She came to discuss it with me," Kiyoshi said vaguely, sidestepping the topic.
"Next, Kurenai Yūhi from the Hidden Leaf Village versus Tomoko Tōyama from the Hidden Stone Village!"
Hearing her name called, Kurenai had to go down first.
Kiyoshi watched the fight between Kurenai and the other female ninja with interest.
A fight between women also held aesthetic value.
Unfortunately, Kurenai mostly used Genjutsu, and the fight ended quickly.
Only the caster and the target could perceive the clash of Genjutsu; no other onlookers could witness it.
Time slowly passed. By the time the sun was about to set, all the matches for the day were complete.
"This Chunin Exam has shown me the friendship between our nations. I hope this friendship lasts forever. And all the candidates this time were very…" Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the high platform and gave a speech, mainly offering words of encouragement to the ninjas, urging them to continue striving after becoming Chūnin.
Only a few candidates were promoted to Chūnin this time. Fortunately, Kiyoshi's entire squad passed.
Asuma was a given, and Kurenai Yūhi, the daughter of Genjutsu Jōnin Shinku Yūhi, was not far behind.
The ninjas who became Chūnin through this exam would receive more attention in the future.
"Kiyoshi, do you want to go to Yakiniku?" Kurenai asked, gently tugging the corner of Kiyoshi's long robe with her hand.
"Sure." Kiyoshi said calmly.
After becoming a Chūnin, he would be able to take higher-difficulty missions and wouldn't have to do the odd jobs like before.
Those missions paid little and were troublesome.
Going out for a meal to relax once in a while was nice.
"That's great, Asuma! Kiyoshi is coming too." Kurenai turned to Asuma.
Asuma looked at the smiling Kurenai and could only force a smile.
Seriously, who made his Kurenai like this?
The thought of training grew stronger in Asuma Sarutobi's mind.
"Might Guy should still have some spare training gear." Asuma Sarutobi muttered to himself.
***
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