I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"The Jonin exam is about to begin. When your name is called, step forward to collect your identification token. Tekuno Kanden."

"Present!"

"Shirakumo Hayama."

"Present!"

"Hyuga Na—"

"Uh..."

"Kanda Kyoichi."

"Present!"

Kyoichi stepped forward and, like the others, respectfully took his token before quietly returning to his position.

As the names were called, Kyoichi listened attentively.

Shirakumo Hayama's name didn't surprise him; the man's distinctive appearance instantly jogged his memory.

However, the slightly pudgy young ninja named Tekuno Kanden was unexpected.

Kyoichi remembered him clearly, for one simple reason: Tekuno frequently appeared in the anime as a rare ninja tools master, much like Tenten. Combining ninja tools with summoning scrolls, he had ultimately become a Jonin.

Clearly, his expertise in ninja tools was considerable.

Kyoichi couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Aside from those two, there was another participant, an unremarkable Elite Chunin. But ironically, this person posed the greatest threat. Based on Kyoichi's chakra sensing, this individual felt oddly suspicious—almost as if they were someone disguised.

Orochimaru?

There was a distinct possibility. Orochimaru had always enjoyed playing these kinds of games.

With a quick survey of the group, Kyoichi had a decent understanding of the participants: most were individuals who couldn't directly advance through battlefield merit but had the skills necessary to qualify.

"First round of the exam will begin here. Answer the written test. Seven of you, take your places."

The one announcing the exam was a Jonin.

Kyoichi recognized him—Yūhi Shinku, father of Kurenai Yūhi.

But this wasn't the time to get caught up in meeting someone's parent. He walked forward, took a test paper, and sat down at the designated spot to begin.

To become a Jonin, one needed a certain level of knowledge. Even Naruto, in the end, had to face this hurdle and studied hard before becoming a Jonin.

Kyoichi glanced at the test paper and exhaled slightly.

The questions…

While challenging, they weren't insurmountable. Most involved battlefield tactics and formation strategies, the kind of knowledge that any experienced Chunin should know.

Although Kyoichi didn't know everything, his memories from this life, combined with tidbits from his past life watching the anime, helped him navigate the questions with relative ease.

For the others, the test seemed even easier.

After all, Kyoichi was the youngest here.

Becoming a Chunin at fourteen wasn't particularly fast, but if he made Jonin at fifteen, it would be considered a remarkable achievement. Unsurprisingly, he had become the center of attention for this exam.

Kyoichi knew it too. Among the seven participants, at least half were here because of him.

This first test was merely the beginning.

Kyoichi focused on the paper while observing others. Before long, the unremarkable Matsuno Hara handed in his paper. The others followed suit, one by one.

Kyoichi deliberately finished last—not because he couldn't answer but to study everyone's behavior before leaving.

By now, he had formed a decent picture of the group.

Among the Aburame clan, Aburame Toji and Hyuga Natsu were likely from Root, quietly observing him. The other Aburame member seemed to be genuinely here for the exam, as they handed in their paper early.

"The second exam is simple," Yūhi Shinku declared. "Within the Forest of Death are two scrolls. The first four to gather a complete set will proceed to the third stage."

With that, he issued a command, and everyone dispersed in an instant.

Kyoichi understood.

The second round tested intelligence gathering, combat ability, and speed.

In intelligence, no one could surpass the Aburame and Hyuga clans. These three were the biggest obstacles in this round. However, Kyoichi's challenges didn't end there.

There was also Matsuno Hara.

That guy—was he really here for the exam?

When they scattered using the Body Flicker Jutsu, Kyoichi noticed Matsuno Hara heading in the same direction as him. With Jonin-level abilities, it was impossible for him to not sense Kyoichi's presence.

No matter.

He couldn't rely on himself to find the scrolls anyway. The Aburame and Hyuga were the best trackers, so his real task was to observe and act at the right moment.

As he ran, Kyoichi used chakra sensing to scan the surroundings.

Sure enough, Matsuno Hara was tailing him.

This person was definitely disguised—he wasn't here to become a Jonin.

Kyoichi was well aware of it.

Choosing not to directly confront the situation, Kyoichi maintained a calculated distance from Aburame Toji. He kept himself close enough to intercept but far enough to avoid being obvious.

"Interesting. Tracking ability, huh?" Matsuno Hara muttered, licking his lips with a sinister grin.

The Senju… truly enviable!

Meanwhile, Aburame Toji found one scroll and quickly headed for another. Clearly, his insects had located it.

Kyoichi prepared to close in when—

Swish!

Matsuno Hara landed in front of him, his raspy voice breaking the tension.

"Kanda Kyoichi, only four slots are available for the next round. Do you think you can secure one?"

Dammit… Orochimaru, you creepy snake.

Kyoichi cursed internally.

"Hehehe, I'm not interested in the scrolls," Matsuno Hara said, licking his lips again. "But I am interested in you. If you can defeat me, I might even help you get a scroll."

Everything about his voice and mannerisms screamed Orochimaru.

"I'm not interested in you."

Kyoichi's response was curt.

"You don't have a choice."

Matsuno Hara grinned, drawing a kunai as he vanished in a blur, reappearing next to Kyoichi.

But—

Poof!

The Kyoichi in front of him dissipated into nothing.

"A clone? No… an exceptionally fast Body Flicker!"

Matsuno Hara's eyes gleamed with excitement. He raised his hand, summoning a large snake.

Seriously? No shame whatsoever.

Kyoichi cursed under his breath but didn't hesitate. Forming seals, he exhaled a sharp jet of water.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

The high-pressure stream bisected the snake before redirecting toward Matsuno Hara.

Caught off guard, Matsuno Hara was nearly struck—until his body turned into a heap of mud.

Earth Substitution.

Classic Orochimaru. Always finding ways to evade with minimal effort.

Kyoichi wasn't surprised and immediately changed course, focusing on catching up with Aburame Toji.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, grew even more intrigued.

Initially, he only wanted to test Kyoichi's abilities and confirm rumors about the Senju lineage awakening within him. But after observing Kyoichi's mastery of the enhanced Body Flicker and the almost-lost Second Hokage technique, Water Severing Wave, Orochimaru's curiosity deepened.

What else could this boy be hiding?

****************************************

Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.

p@treon/GodDragcell