As soon as he arrived at the hospital, Taiichi was dragged away by Director Fujita of the Trauma Department to help out. No sooner had he finished there than he was pulled into another department.
He bounced between three different departments, working non-stop for over two hours before he could finally catch a breath. However, the gains from those two hours were substantial.
> [Medical Practice: Mystical Palm Experience +10]
> [Medical Practice: Yang Nature Transformation Experience +5]
After tidying up his own office, Taiichi finally found time to head to the Emergency Room, where Nono was currently working.
Before he even stepped inside, he could feel the chaotic energy. It was a particularly busy day for the ER. With other departments short-staffed, the ER—which was chronically understaffed to begin with—was naturally swamped.
Sure enough, before Taiichi could even say hello, Nono spotted his white coat and immediately grabbed him, pulling him into the fray.
With Taiichi's help, the efficiency of the ER skyrocketed.
An hour later, the rush finally subsided, giving Taiichi and Nono a rare moment to talk.
"Nono-nee, the hospital is this busy every day. Have they thought about training more medical ninjas?"
Taiichi was genuinely confused. Theoretically, ever since Tsunade proposed the medical reform, the village was supposed to have increased its efforts in training medics. Yet, from what Taiichi had seen recently, the number of medical ninjas in the hospital wasn't increasing—it actually seemed to be dropping.
"It's not that they aren't training them; it's that the training speed can't keep up with the demand," Nono said, shaking her head helplessly. She glanced around to ensure no one was listening before leaning in closer. "Recently, a lot of medical ninjas have been transferred out of the hospital and assigned to various tactical squads. That's why we're so short-handed right now."
Taiichi nodded in realization. Combining this with his own recent mission experiences, it was clear that war was approaching fast. Even the hospital staff were being redeployed to field units.
"Anyway, enough about work," Nono said, interrupting his thoughts. "How did the exam go this morning? I assume it went smoothly?"
Talking about the Chunin Exams brought a confident smile to Taiichi's face. "Of course. Our team crushed the opposition."
He proceeded to share the highlights of the morning's exam with her.
They chatted and laughed, enjoying the brief respite. However, it didn't last long. A new wave of patients arrived, and the ER plunged back into chaos.
---
Konoha Year 45, July 3rd.
The Final Day of the Chunin Exams.
Central Tower, Forest of Death.
The 40 Genin qualified for the final round gathered in the spacious main hall. After the proctor explained the rules, the tournament officially began.
The four members of Team 8 stood together, watching the matches. Compared to yesterday's team battles, today's one-on-one duels were a better showcase of individual skill.
However, after watching five matches, Taiichi came to a conclusion: Team 8 was simply broken. It wasn't even fair. So far, he hadn't seen a single person who posed even a remote threat.
A standard newly-promoted Chunin could typically use the Three Basic Jutsu proficiently and relied mostly on Taijutsu. The "talented" ones might master two or three elemental jutsu.
But look at Team 8. The opposing teams didn't have as many jutsu in their entire arsenal as Taiichi had in his pinky finger. Even Saori had mastered multiple Lightning Style jutsus and was proficient in combat sealing.
There was no comparison.
Match 10: Uchiha Yohei vs. Uchiha Zintai.
With only two Uchiha in the tournament, it felt like a bit of a setup that they were paired against each other. Taiichi noticed several ninjas in the audience exchanging strange looks.
Yohei didn't care about politics. He used the Body Flicker Technique to appear instantly in the arena.
Uchiha Zintai mirrored him, landing on the field with eyes full of fighting spirit. He immediately activated his Sharingan, revealing a pair of dual-tomoe eyes.
Just as he was about to look at Yohei smugly and make a speech, Yohei cut him off. He didn't say a word; he simply opened his eyes.
The oppressive visual prowess of a fully matured three-tomoe Sharingan flooded the arena, easily suppressing Zintai's two tomoe.
"How is that possible?" Zintai gasped in disbelief. "You only graduated a year ago! How do you already have three tomoe?!"
His morale shattered and his visual prowess suppressed, Uchiha Zintai lost without any suspense.
Yohei took the win easily, though he came back complaining that it was "too boring."
Match 13: Saori vs. Civilian Ninja.
Saori didn't even use ninjutsu. Relying solely on the taijutsu training Taiichi had drilled into them, she secured the victory.
Between Taiichi's guidance and their daily sparring, Saori and Yohei's physical stats were leagues above the average ninja their age.
Match 17: Matsushita Taiichi vs. Aburame Clan Ninja.
Finally, it was Taiichi's turn.
As soon as the match started, the Aburame ninja released a massive swarm of Kikaichu beetles. The dense, buzzing black cloud split into three streams, rushing toward Taiichi.
Honestly, this arena setting was terrible for the Aburame clan.
Especially when their opponent was Taiichi, a specialist in Fire Style.
Taiichi didn't even move his feet. He casually formed a few hand seals—mostly for show—and suddenly, fireballs began to materialize floating around his body.
This was the power of Fire Nature Transformation Level 11. He no longer needed to expel fire from his mouth; within a certain range of his body, he could manifest flames anywhere.
The fireballs formed one after another as if they cost zero chakra, shooting toward the incoming insect clouds. Taiichi was actually holding back, purposely not using his highest-temperature flames to avoid killing the kid.
Even so, the relentless barrage of fireballs forced the insect cloud back, inch by inch, until it was pressed right up against the Aburame ninja.
No matter how the Aburame ninja tried to dodge, the fireballs seemed to have eyes, curving in mid-air to track him.
Seeing this, not only did the Aburame ninja panic, but even the Jonin spectators in the stands sucked in a breath of cold air.
The Aburame ninja was smart; he raised his hand and forfeited immediately.
From start to finish, Taiichi had stood in the exact same spot, holding the Ram seal, without taking a single step.
---
On the other side of the tower, the Konoha High Council (the "F4") and several Jonin squad leaders were watching via surveillance monitors.
Seeing Taiichi win so effortlessly, they couldn't help but marvel at his profound understanding of Fire Style.
"Masasuke, you've raised your team well. They are leagues ahead of the other squads," Hiruzen Sarutobi praised. "Especially Taiichi. That control over Fire Style... even among Jonin, few could rival it."
The Hokage's praise solidified what everyone was thinking: Matsushita Taiichi had a limitless future.
"It's mostly the kids' own dedication. Even when I'm away on missions, they plan their own training and discipline themselves perfectly," Captain Yamaguchi replied humbly, giving all the credit to his students.
Hiruzen smiled, already thinking about how to utilize these three young talents. They were, after all, his direct lineage supporters.
Not far away, Danzo stared at the monitor. Watching Taiichi win so easily, the flames of jealousy nearly consumed him.
The fire burned at his logic—These talents should have been mine.
If I can't have them, you can't either. And that Uchiha kid... three tomoe at that age is too dangerous. He needs to be destroyed along with them.
---
Back in the tower, the tournament continued, but anyone with eyes could see that the final winner would come from Team 8.
Sure enough, through the rounds—20 down to 10, 10 down to 5...
The top three were Matsushita Taiichi, Uchiha Yohei, and Furukawa Saori.
There was no point in fighting seriously. They had sparred thousands of times; they knew exactly who was stronger. Fighting openly now would just reveal their trump cards to the intelligence gatherers of other villages.
So, they engaged in some theatrical sparring and quickly determined the "winner."
With the assessment concluded, the results were posted. Based on the written exam, team survival, and individual combat performance, the top 10 Genin were promoted to Chunin.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally presented them with their new flak jackets and Chunin identification scrolls, followed by a speech.
However, the Hokage's speech was just white noise to Taiichi. His entire focus was on the glowing blue panel in front of him.
> [Passed Chunin Exam. All Job Transfer conditions met.]
> 1. Genin Job Level Lv10
> 2. Constitution or Spirit reached 15
> 3. Strength 20
> 4. Agility 20
> 5. Pass Village Chunin Exam
> [Begin Job Transfer? Yes / No]
Taiichi mentally clicked Yes without hesitation. He had waited so long for this moment. Why would he click No? To listen to the Hokage ramble on?
The system responded instantly.
> [Job Transfer Successful. Experience points converted.]
> [Job: Chunin Lv1 (34/100)]
> [Constitution +2, Strength +1, Agility +1, Spirit +1]
> [Attribute Point +1, Skill Point +1]
> [Talent "Potency" Upgraded: The power of your ninjutsu is increased by 70%.]
Feeling the sudden surge of power in his body and the clarity in his mind, Taiichi wanted to laugh out loud.
The upgrade was massive. The raw stat boost was great, but the talent upgrade was terrifying.
It had jumped from 50% to 70%. Considering Taiichi's base ninjutsu power was already higher than average, an extra 20% on top of his previous multiplier widened the gap between him and ordinary ninjas to an absurd degree.
In a life-or-death battle, being 1% stronger can determine the victor. Being 20% stronger is a slaughter.
---
After the Hokage finished his speech, the Chunin Exams officially concluded. Some were happy, some were devastated.
None of that mattered to Team 8. They happily followed Captain Yamaguchi to a BBQ restaurant to celebrate their total victory.
Of course, the Captain was paying. Considering Saori's black hole of a stomach, his wallet was about to take a critical hit. Taiichi could already imagine Yamaguchi's face looking like he'd swallowed a lemon.
After the celebration, they agreed to meet at the Mission Hall the day after tomorrow, giving them a day off to celebrate with their families.
Back home, Taiichi went straight to his private training ground.
Calming his excitement, he formed the Ram seal. He could feel the chakra flowing through his meridians more smoothly than ever before. Although his Chakra Control level hadn't changed numerically, the buff from the system made it feel effortless.
He began testing his ninjutsu. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning. He cycled through all five natures.
"I knew it," Taiichi muttered, looking at the ravaged ground around him.
The Potency talent didn't just boost raw damage. At 70%, it enhanced the scale, the intensity, the nature transformation, the shape manipulation, and even the control.
It made sense. You can't increase the "power" of a jutsu without enhancing the foundation that creates it.
With a mere thought, several Phoenix Fireballs manifested around him. Before, this "no-seal" technique required intense focus. Now, it felt as natural as breathing.
Satisfied with the test, he dispelled the flames with a thought.
He returned to his study and took out a pen and paper. Good news should be shared, and his wandering master was the best recipient.
The pen hovered for a moment before he began to write.
> Master Tsunade,
> I didn't let you down. Today, I passed the exams and became an official Konoha Chunin.
> To be honest, the exam was too easy. I feel like I'm stagnating here. Since I'm currently "free-range" with my training, I have to figure out all these jutsu on my own. I am eagerly awaiting your return so you can teach me properly. I don't want to embarrass you in the future.
> Attached is a photo of me in my Chunin vest. Take a look so you don't fail to recognize your own disciple next time we meet.
> — Your Disciple: Matsushita Taiichi
The letter covered his status, his gains, his hopes, and some casual chatter. He just wondered how long it would take for Tsunade to change her mind and return to the village.
---
The next day.
Taiichi left a Shadow Clone at home to cultivate while his real body bought a load of groceries and headed to the orphanage.
The moment he stepped through the gate, he was swarmed.
"Taiichi-nii!"
"It's Lord Chunin!"
The kids cheered, chattering all at once. A few bold boys stood on their tiptoes, trying to touch his fresh green flak jacket.
Hearing the commotion, Nono poked her head out of the kitchen. She had taken the day off specifically to celebrate. Seeing Taiichi disappear under a pile of children, she laughed.
"Looks like our new Chunin has become a human jungle gym!"
Taiichi laughed, handing the groceries to one of the older kids. He scooped up a toddler and walked over to Nono. Seeing she was alone in the kitchen, he called for reinforcements.
"Alright, everyone! Kitchen duty!"
The kids scrambled to help. Washing vegetables, cleaning bowls—even the little ones helped out. With so many hands, the prep work flew by.
Taiichi took over the stove from Nono. Frying, sautéing, steaming—soon, a feast was laid out on the long table.
"I heard you fried all the Aburame clan's bugs yesterday," Nono teased.
"Word travels that fast?" Taiichi was surprised. "I actually held back a lot. It's not my fault Fire Style hard counters bugs!" He scratched his head, looking smug despite his words.
When the food was finally served, the children's eyes sparkled like stars.
Nono raised her glass of juice. The kids mimicked her, raising their cups high.
"To our young Chunin! May his path be smooth and—"
Crunch.
Before the toast could finish, a greedy little hand had already snatched a tempura shrimp. The crisp sound of chewing echoed in the silence.
The culprit, a small boy, froze. He looked around with innocent, confused eyes, his cheeks stuffed.
The room exploded in laughter.
Watching the children fight over the food in the warm sunlight, Taiichi felt the metal plate of his headband heat up. It felt exceptionally warm today.