After returning, Souma sent a letter to the research institute where Tenten was stationed.
At his current level, short-range Flying Thunder God transmission like this was already something he could perform alone.
But teleporting people—or even living creatures—was still far beyond him.
The stability requirements for spatial passages weren't even on the same level.
The contents of the letter were simple:
Tell Tenten and Kazusa to return to Konoha and register for the Chūnin Exams tomorrow.
Normally, this task would've fallen to Yamato.
But Yamato had been swamped lately—either helping with Wood Clone coordination or researching natural energy. He barely had any free time at all.
Souma didn't mind doing it himself.
As a Special Jōnin and head of the research institute, he had the authority to register teams anyway.
The next day.
"Kazusa, who do you think our third teammate is?" Tenten asked.
"I heard Kabuto-senpai's teammates died on a mission," Kazusa replied quietly.
Kabuto?
Tenten frowned slightly.
She'd always felt that guy was… strange. A bit too enthusiastic toward Souma, as if he had ulterior motives.
So he might be their temporary teammate?
Just as she was about to speak again, she spotted a familiar figure approaching from the street near Konoha Hospital.
Yakushi Kabuto had arrived.
Tenten stopped talking and smiled politely.
"Kabuto-senpai, what a coincidence seeing you here."
"I was told by Souma-kun to wait here," Kabuto replied with a gentle smile.
"He said the Hokage arranged teammates for me. Looks like it's you two—pleasure to meet you."
"Not at all. Being on a team with you gives us much more confidence for the exam."
Tenten bowed respectfully.
Kabuto smiled and began chatting with her.
Kazusa stood to the side, her expression increasingly strange.
Just a moment ago Tenten still looked uncomfortable—
and now she was already smiling and chatting naturally?
The world of social interaction was far too complicated.
Kazusa decided, once again, that it wasn't something she should get involved in.
Kabuto, who already understood their personalities well, didn't attempt to draw Kazusa into the conversation.
After some time—
"Why did Kakashi-sensei make us come so early?" Naruto complained from a distance.
"He's definitely going to show up late again!"
Behind him, Sasuke and Sakura followed, both visibly reluctant.
The difference was that Sakura looked noticeably exhausted.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building—
Souma and Kakashi sat at the edge, looking down at the two teams below.
Kakashi sensed the surroundings and commented,
"Your technique completely isolates your presence—even blocks perception. Interesting… but very difficult."
Even with the Sharingan, it had taken him a long time—plus Souma's guidance—to barely grasp it.
"In combat, you could try internal–external chakra circulation," Souma said.
"Slowly absorb natural energy. Even if it's not much, every second counts."
"I can't even use Sage Mode yet," Kakashi shook his head.
"That's still a bit too far ahead for me."
Then he narrowed his eyes and looked down again.
"That Yakushi Kabuto… he joined the Medical Corps, right? How capable is he? Won't he drag them down?"
"He's very capable," Souma replied.
"He's better suited as a medical ninja—research and invention—rather than a frontline fighter. I'm still observing him."
"I heard the exam format was designed by you?"
"Fake news," Souma laughed.
"I only suggested the process. The questions have nothing to do with me. I don't have time for that."
He chuckled lightly.
"Besides, I'm afraid I'd overdo it. If no one clears the first round, that'd be embarrassing. Better leave it to the professionals."
Even setting exam questions required expertise.
For people like Souma or Kakashi, it'd be far too easy to overshoot and create something unreasonable—then deal with complaints from other villages.
Totally not worth it.
Kakashi clearly related and began venting about his early days as an ANBU captain.
While they chatted casually above—
The people below were growing increasingly impatient.
After checking the time—
"About time. I'll go talk to Naruto's team," Kakashi said.
"What about you?"
"I'll head downstairs and wait."
Inside the meeting room, Jōnin began arriving one after another.
Asuma. Guy.
At the front sat the Third Hokage and Iruka.
"Souma-kun, you're here too?" Asuma asked.
"Which team are you registering for?"
"Hokage-sama, Asuma-senpai," Souma replied.
"Captain Yamato has been busy, so I'm registering on his behalf. I recommend Kazusa Tsukikage, Tenten, and Yakushi Kabuto for the Chūnin Exams."
Iruka recorded it accordingly.
Tenten and the others had graduated over a year ago—no issue there.
As for Yakushi Kabuto…
Six attempts?
Iruka clicked his tongue in disbelief and shook his head sympathetically.
If Souma weren't involved in the exam process, Kabuto might've had a chance this year.
But with Souma's name attached?
Iruka silently mourned Kabuto's upcoming seventh failure.
After registering, Souma stepped aside.
Guy stepped forward to register his team—
Then Souma tugged at Guy's sleeve.
Guy instantly understood, asked the Hokage for leave, and followed Souma out.
Soon after, other Jōnin began registering their teams.
Asuma watched with envy.
Their students had just graduated—they'd need to wait.
Because the boldest one, Kakashi, still hadn't arrived.
Asuma and Kurenai stood awkwardly in the room.
"Souma, why'd you pull me out?" Guy asked.
"If it's for testing techniques… Let's skip it. I still need to give Neji and Lee special training."
Guy's face reddened slightly.
Even he felt that excuse was flimsy.
Souma's techniques were dangerous—one mistake and you'd end up hospitalized.
He'd already heard Kakashi spent all of yesterday in the hospital.
"…I'm not asking you to test anything," Souma said helplessly.
"I want to consult you on taijutsu theory. I'm developing a new technique."
"Oh? Then no problem!" Guy grinned.
"As long as it's taijutsu, I'm always interested!"
Souma briefly explained Lightning Armor and his own chakra armor concept.
"This technique could significantly enhance defense. It'd benefit all taijutsu specialists."
Guy wasn't lacking in knowledge—
just not fond of overly fine details.
This level of explanation was more than enough.
"It's feasible," Guy nodded.
"If successful, all Konoha ninja would benefit."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"But that's not why you came to me, is it?"
Souma… never moved without profit.
Guy knew it immediately.
"Eight Gates?" he said bluntly.
"More precisely—combining the Eight Gates with chakra armor."
Souma continued.
"Chakra armor is difficult, but I can finish it in half a day. The Eight Gates, though—I know nothing about them."
Guy twitched at the words half a day.
But—
Souma's idea was undeniably tempting.
If chakra armor could integrate with the Eight Gates—even at thirty percent effectiveness—it would be a massive leap.
Guy was moved.
Then—
Souma dragged him straight into research.
And, indeed, in less than half a day, they succeeded.
Guy got completely absorbed.
Souma, however, forgot something—
His deal with the Akimichi clan.
But chakra armor was far more important.
By the third day, Guy finally remembered he still needed to train Neji and Lee.
By then, other teams had already begun emergency training—
Especially theory.
Souma's exam process was nothing short of hell-level.
Everyone crammed—Naruto, Lee, all of them.
Tenten and Kazusa were much calmer.
Compared to Souma, their knowledge still fell short—
But compared to an average ninja?
They were absolute top students.
Especially Tenten.
She'd been reading almost as much as Souma lately.
The exam?
She was confident.
The village atmosphere shifted overnight.
The Ninja Academy became the hottest spot—its library packed daily.
As for the culprit—
Souma locked himself in the research institute.
Either refining chakra armor or optimizing chakra shields.
His spiritual attacks lacked test subjects, but his theories were complete—
just waiting for combat verification.
Over these days, chakra armor was nearly perfected.
He even tested activating chakra armor and Third Activation simultaneously under Sage Mode.
The effect was explosive.
Massive power boost, stable control—none of the violent instability of the Eight Gates.
The downside?
Consumption.
Sage Mode duration dropped from nearly two minutes to under one.
"Two or three days left before the exam… still time to optimize."
He wrote in his notebook.
But before he could—
That night, an unexpected visitor arrived.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was a shadow clone—
But it arrived via Flying Thunder God.
"Lord Hokage? Why are you here?" Souma asked, surprised.
This level of secrecy meant something serious.
His heart skipped.
Is he finally moving against Danzō?
"This Chūnin Exam will be observed by the Daimyō," Hiruzen said.
"You designed the process—no one understands it better. I want you to accompany him."
Souma smiled while organizing documents.
"If it's just escort duty, couldn't I send a shadow clone? Daimyō doesn't understand ninjutsu anyway."
"…Don't say that near him," Hiruzen sighed.
He'd known Souma lacked reverence—
Just not this openly.
A clone?
What if something happened?
Hiruzen took a deep breath and waved Souma closer.
Lowering his voice, he said:
"While you're by the Daimyō's side, you're authorized to act on your judgment. One rule only."
"Except for me, Uzuki Yugao, and Yamanaka Inoichi—
you obey no one else's orders."
Souma's expression sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
"If the Hokage Building is attacked, have Genma and the others evacuate the Daimyō immediately. If you can capture the attacker, do so. If not—memorize their chakra."
Hiruzen's face was grave.
"Yes."
"This must remain secret."
"And if the order comes from the two advisors… or Danzō?" Souma asked quietly.
"The same answer," Hiruzen said.
"Say it's my command. And if they force the issue—"
He paused.
"I permit you to retaliate."
"Yes."
Souma lowered his head.
So… it really is coming.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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