So-called tool manipulation is simply the control of ninja tools, such as Tenten's Tools: Attack of the Hidden Weapons, Tools: Heavenly Chain Disaster, Tools: Binding Shooting Star, and so on.
With this Trait, Kiyoshi estimated that the power of his ninja sword would also increase.
Because the ninja sword is essentially a type of ninja tool.
"Now, the probability of passing the Chunin Exams has increased again."
Kiyoshi also wanted to use this opportunity to see the results of his actual combat ability.
His previous battles were always with Hidden Leaf ninjas, where everyone held back, it was impossible for anyone to genuinely try to kill someone.
Killing a comrade is a serious crime in the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Chunin Exams are different. In the second stage, the first thing everyone does is sign a consent form.
Even if someone dies inside, the Hidden Leaf Village bears no compensation or responsibility.
This means the environment will be extremely chaotic, and the possibility of feuds and killings is considerable.
However, the probability of that is quite low, generally, ninjas from the same village will stick together, facing ninjas from different villages collectively.
Yet, death is inevitable in this process.
In the original story alone, Gaara killed quite a few people during the Chunin Exams.
"I hope to draw a training ground favorable to Fire and Lightning terrain." Kiyoshi thought to himself.
The location of the second stage is randomly drawn from a selection of large training grounds, each with a different ecosystem.
For example, the Forest of Death, with its massive forests and tigers several times the size of a human, and so on.
He acquired the [Wind Release Seed (White)] Trait, giving him the ability to train Wind Release.
However, he hasn't yet acquired any Ninjutsu for this attribute, so it is currently a blank slate.
Only Lightning Release and Fire Release are the nature transformations Kiyoshi currently excels at.
At that time, foreign ninjas will also arrive.
Perhaps not just ninjas from the Land of Wind, but also ninjas from the Land of Water, Land of Earth, and many other countries.
***
Time flew by quickly, and several months passed in the blink of an eye.
The biting cold winter had ended, and spring flowers were blooming everywhere.
The vegetation in many parts of the Hidden Leaf Village was growing vigorously. At this time, Kiyoshi occasionally sighed, confirming it was worthy of being a village named after a Leaf.
During this period, he ravenously studied the knowledge imparted by Nonō Yakushi, while also trying to upgrade the Genjutsu Genin (Green) and Medical Genin (Green) Traits.
Kiyoshi already had a clear idea about the Medical Genin Trait.
"Trait Panel." Kiyoshi silently muttered.
A translucent light screen appeared before his eyes.
[Trait: [Medical Genin (Green)]]
[Requirement: Learn five different Medical Ninjutsu.]
[Progress: (90%).]
[Effect: Your Medical Ninjutsu is showing initial results. The healing effect of Medical Ninjutsu will increase by 20% on the original basis.]
[Note: Can be further advanced later.]
"I wonder if this will be effective on Shinno's techniques."
Kiyoshi remembered that the antagonist Shinno from the movie Naruto Shippūden: Bonds could use Dark Chakra to fuel the Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Reanimation and Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Revitalization.
The effects of these two Medical Ninjutsu were phenomenal. Based purely on the setting, they could be compared to Tsunade's Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth.
They could not only reverse the cells in the body, achieving instantaneous rejuvenation, but also turn physical damage into regenerative reinforcement, granting the user an ultimate body.
They also allowed the user to fully open the Eight Gates Formation of the Eight Gates Released Formation and maintain that state for an extended period without dying.
It is important to note that even after the Fourth Great Ninja War, Rock Lee still could not open the Gate of Death.
Only the father and son pair of Might Guy and Might Duy had records of opening it.
In the end, Shinno was defeated by a plot device: Naruto talked down the movie's heroine, Amaru, which caused Shinno's Dark Chakra to recede. Concurrently, Sasuke ambushed him, sealing all of Shinno's chakra points.
This prevented him from using those two Ninjutsu any further, forcing Shinno to flee and merge with the Zero-Tails.
If the Trait was effective for these two Ninjutsu as well, Kiyoshi estimated that once he learned them, his physical body would be reinforced to a terrifying degree.
As for the required Dark Chakra, Kiyoshi figured his own chakra, plus the Trait's amplification, would be sufficient once he reached adulthood.
He was not a civilian ninja without a bloodline like Shinno.
***
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report card in his hand and showed a relieved smile.
The graduation period was fast approaching, and the village's new generation was increasing.
"Excuse me." Minato Namikaze knocked on the door, entered, and knelt on one knee, saying, "Third Hokage-sama, you asked for me?"
"I have something I'd like to entrust to you." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Minato.
"Kakashi is an excellent ninja, but his adherence to rules is too strict, causing conflicts with his seniors and colleagues no matter which team he is assigned to."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then continued, "Even if he is proficient in Ninjutsu, he is still too naive in dealing with people. It must be the shadow left by his father, who broke the rules to save his comrades and eventually took his own life."
Minato immediately understood that the Third Hokage wanted to assign Kakashi to him.
"So... you wish for me to take him in?"
"Precisely." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
"I have assigned the other two teammates to you as well: Obito from the Uchiha clan, and Rin Nohara, who has good talent in Medical Ninjutsu." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and walked behind Minato.
If Kiyoshi hadn't graduated so early, and Minato hadn't been occupied executing a Team 6 mission led by Jiraiya, he would have truly liked to assign Kiyoshi to Minato, whom he thought highly of.
But the current arrangement was also good. Obito was a native Uchiha, and this arrangement would also showcase the Hokage's magnanimity.
It would make the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village closer.
All of this was in preparation for the upcoming war.
"Yes." Minato replied.
Taking on three more students was no big deal for him, especially since graduation was still some time away.
The blueprint for his new Ninjutsu was becoming clearer in his mind.
After discussions with Jiraiya-sensei, Minato had a premonition that he would master this technique soon.
Around the time of the Chunin Exams.
The reason he was creating such a new technique was his fear that Kushina would be sent to the battlefield as a weapon of war.
Conflicts at the national borders were becoming increasingly frequent.
Even he, a person not interested in war, felt a sense of a gathering storm.
"You may go." Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
After Minato left, he looked out the window again.
The sky was clear, and spring was in full bloom.
"The Hidden Leaf Village must not be defeated under my watch."
Hiruzen had a premonition that this Chunin Exam would serve as a precursor to the coming storm.
It was highly likely that the major nations would send their villages' newest geniuses to use the exams to win over more feudal lords for funding, and even secure the allegiance of other minor Hidden Villages, or coerce the smart ones into becoming vassals.
***
Hidden Leaf Sushi Restaurant.
"Sister, where are you going?" Atsui looked at Samui, who was holding a box of sushi and seemed to be heading out.
***
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