"Souma-senpai."
"Shino—how's your training been lately?"
Souma smiled without realizing it.
Among the younger generation, he genuinely appreciated Shino.
Back when Shino had been assigned to the medical unit, he'd already shown a strong learning attitude. Quiet, reserved, rarely troubling others—he preferred to study on his own. And every so often, he'd surprise everyone.
It had been a while since they last met, and Shino's taijutsu had clearly improved—
Even if it still couldn't compare to Hinata or Kiba.
"I've been training taijutsu diligently," Shino reported plainly. "Results are limited. My insects are progressing smoothly. Medical knowledge is ongoing."
Simple. Direct. Very Shino.
But Kurenai, who knew him well, could tell—
He was restraining himself.
He really respects Souma, she thought.
"Even if progress is slow, keep training," Souma said calmly. "If you want to reach jōnin, it's best not to leave yourself with obvious weaknesses—especially for the Aburame clan."
"Yes."
Shino bowed deeply.
Souma waved his hand, signaling him to stop.
This wasn't some grand guidance—barely advice at all.
Then Souma looked at Hinata.
Thinking about it… this might've been only the second or third time he'd met her.
And the first time without Hiashi present.
After a brief pause, Souma said, "Hinata, you have talent. What's holding you back is confidence and willpower. If you overcome those, you'll eventually stand on your own as a capable ninja."
"Y-yes… thank you very much."
Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
That temperament was exactly why Hiashi had given up on her.
Souma sighed silently, then turned to Kiba—
And said only one thing.
"Remember your assignment."
"…Huh?"
Kiba's face collapsed.
Why did everyone else get encouragement, and he got a warning?
Before he could protest, Souma had already walked away.
Kurenai pressed her lips together with a smile.
"Souma already talked to me," she said. "Your problem is in the technique he gave you. Figure that out, and you won't have many issues left."
Of course—
There was also Kiba's arrogance.
But that kind of flaw couldn't be fixed with words. He'd need to run into a wall himself.
Souma walked back toward the village, refining techniques in his mind while considering who should become the third member of Tenten and Kazusa's team.
After going through everyone he knew—
Only one name fits.
Yakushi Kabuto.
A genin.
Recently "lost" two teammates.
Sure, those teammates had been sacrificed by Kabuto himself—and were Orochimaru's subordinates—but from the village's perspective, Kabuto was the only unassigned, qualified candidate.
Even if Souma went to the Third Hokage, Kabuto would likely be the final choice.
Who would ever suspect him of being a spy?
Souma narrowed his eyes.
Looks like he'd need to talk to Kabuto.
He didn't expect Kabuto to help much—but at the very least, he couldn't be allowed to sandbag the exam.
As he walked, Souma twirled a pen between his fingers, planning the conversation.
Bribery alone wouldn't work.
If you only offered benefits, Kabuto would just see you as an idiot—a convenient mark. He'd never truly submit.
"Then let's be honest," Souma muttered.
"Same as before. Turn him into my man."
"A triple agent—Orochimaru's, Sasori's… and mine."
Souma shook his head.
In the entire ninja world, only Yakushi Kabuto could pull off that achievement.
With the teammate issue resolved, his thoughts returned to research.
Mental defense was basically complete.
The results weren't ideal, but it could block a certain level of genjutsu.
As for mental offense—
After thinking it over, Souma decided it wasn't worth researching right now.
Maybe once Kurenai's notes arrived, he'd get new inspiration.
For the moment, the cost–benefit ratio was terrible.
"So… next up. Seven-Day Breathing? Or defensive taijutsu?"
After careful consideration, he chose the latter.
The former was already entrusted to Kakashi.
Kakashi might be unreliable with small matters—but when it came to important promises, he never forgot.
If Souma remembered correctly…
This mission would give Kakashi some "free time."
"Defensive taijutsu is tricky."
Souma rubbed his temples.
The ninja world seemed full of "absolute defenses," but most were hollow in practice. True defensive taijutsu was extremely rare.
There were only two references.
One was Rotation.
Decent defense, insane difficulty. Completely locked to the Hyūga clan.
The other was the Lightning Release Armor.
Very promising—but Konoha didn't have it. That was Kumogakure's signature technique.
Kakashi?
Souma had never seen him use it. Probably never had a chance to copy it.
"Still… even without it, the principles can be deduced."
Just like Souma's bootleg monster strength technique—
Reverse-engineered from Tsunade's method. Nowhere near her level, but functional.
Its advantages were simplicity and lower chakra demand.
The downside?
Heavier backlash.
No technique was perfect.
By the time Souma returned to Konoha, he already had a rough concept—
Use chakra modes and muscle control to reinforce the body's surface, achieving a hardened, Iron-Body-like state.
It was just a concept for now.
Whether it would work… that required experimentation.
Hokage Office.
"Third Hokage."
"Shikaku, that trip to the capital must've been exhausting."
"Not really," Shikaku replied. "With Chiriku's mediation, the daimyo understood the cooperation between both sides quickly. Still—he has demands of his own."
He placed a document on the desk.
The Third Hokage picked it up.
A clear seal from the daimyo's estate.
Handwritten.
He's taking this seriously, the Third thought.
After reading, he set it down.
"What do you think?"
"I believe we should agree," Shikaku said. "The daimyo wants to observe the Chūnin Exams—not just to gauge Konoha's strength, but to evaluate individual ninja."
The daimyo had once tried forming his own power.
The Guardian Twelve had been born from that desire.
Though that group had collapsed, no ruler ever truly abandoned the idea of controlling strength.
The daimyo was no exception.
"He probably wants monks from Fire Temple as personal guards," the Third said.
Shikaku shook his head. "Chiriku spoke with him privately. He didn't want to agree. This condition came later."
"Why?"
"Possibly because of Souma," Shikaku guessed. "That special power may not be easy to cultivate within the capital."
The Third nodded.
"Then he hasn't refused—he's testing our stance."
"So?"
"Invite them to observe."
The Third smiled.
With Yamanaka mental synchronization and long-distance devices, the daimyo could observe from afar.
And if needed—
Genma and the others could use Flying Thunder God to extract him instantly.
Security was absolute.
But then—
How should this Chūnin Exam be designed?
Originally, the Third planned to follow tradition.
But recalling Souma's performance in Sunagakure, a new idea formed.
"Shikaku, go rest. You've earned it."
"Yes."
Shikaku left, knowing preparations were about to begin.
Souma rarely slept in.
But that morning—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A rhythmic knock at his door.
Annoying.
He got up, washed, and opened it groggily.
"Yūgao-senpai?"
Even with her mask, her hair and chakra signature gave her away.
She hesitated, glancing inside.
"Can we talk?"
"Not here," Souma said. "Let's go out back. I've confirmed no one's around."
They walked through the vegetable plot behind his house.
Yūgao adjusted her words.
"I'm an ANBU captain now."
"…Huh."
Souma blinked.
Why tell me that?
Then he understood.
Ah.
He'd been noticed.
He smiled.
"Your strength more than qualifies you. I'm not surprised."
Yūgao narrowed her eyes.
She didn't buy it.
"There's more. The Chūnin Exams are approaching. The Third Hokage wants you to design the exam format."
"No time," Souma replied flatly. "I'm researching techniques. And exams are usually just formalities."
Yūgao sighed.
"The situation's different. The daimyo and Chiriku will be observing."
"I'll speak with the Hokage," Souma said. "Thanks for coming."
Before she could respond—
He vanished.
Hokage Office.
"Third Hokage, you know I'm busy. Why not just run the exams the old way?"
"This time is special."
The Third explained everything.
Souma listened.
…No strong feelings.
Dangerous world. A daimyo wanting personal guards was normal.
"If you want to show strength," Souma said, "there's no need to use the exams. Flying Thunder God, sealing barriers—those are what he cares about."
"We can do both."
"I don't have spare time."
"What do you want?"
"…A mental attack technique."
Souma's eyes lit up.
A forbidden technique surfaced in his memory—
Spirit Transformation Technique.
Partial knowledge was enough.
Combined with mental synchronization, it would outperform genjutsu entirely.
The Third Hokage sighed.
"You could've just said you wanted the Spirit Transformation Technique."
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