In Naruto with the Flame-Flame Fruit

With the end of the first team battle, the original eighty squads had been halved. Another elimination round would bring the number down to the final twenty teams, who would then move on to the third round of the exams.

Kiyosuke stretched his limbs and said,

"Our next opponent is from the Takumi Village. Got any intel on them?"

Kurenai replied,

"I've heard my father mention the Takumi Village before. It's a small village that specializes in crafting and using ninja tools. Most of the tools used by shinobi across the Five Great Nations come from them. It might be small, but it's rich."

Basic tools like kunai and shuriken could be made anywhere.

But producing powerful tools that could channel and enhance chakra—now that required specialized technology. Not every village had that kind of craftsmanship.

The Takumi Village, however, did.

They had built their wealth by supplying ninja tools to all the shinobi villages. With those tools, they protected their own land. Though small, the village was well-funded.

Unlike Uzushio Village, home of the Uzumaki Clan, the Takumi Village maintained good relations with all the other nations and didn't end up getting wiped out.

After all, the Uzumaki's sealing techniques were feared and resented. Coupled with their explosive tempers, they were like powder kegs ready to blow. One day, during the war, the other villages finally joined forces and took them down. Konoha was too far to send reinforcements in time, and Uzushio fell. The Uzumaki were scattered to the winds.

But the Takumi Village knew how to play the political game. With smooth diplomacy and technical prowess, they thrived among the Five Great Nations. Even if they could craft dangerous weapons, they didn't have the people to wield them.

What kind of threat could the Takumi Village really pose?

Right, Gaara?

[Gaara: You kidding me? They had plenty of nasty ideas when they kidnapped me!]

"They're just from the Takumi Village. Not worth worrying about," Kiyosuke said with a shake of his head. He didn't take them seriously at all. Honestly, most of the smaller villages weren't worth paying attention to—the real threats were often closer to home.

"Alright, alright, let's go. The match is starting! Time to show 'em what Asuma-sama can do!"

"Yeah, yeah, let's go!"

...

Stepping into the arena, the three quickly formed their battle formation. On the opposite side stood a team from the Takumi Village—two boys and one girl, just like them. One of the boys had thick glasses, the other had a runny nose, and the girl had brightly dyed, multicolored hair—clearly a delinquent.

Kurenai whispered,

"I heard they beat their last opponents easily using their tools. Let's not get careless."

"Got it. I'll take point this time."

"Mhm."

"Then... begin!"

At the referee's signal, Kiyosuke dashed forward. The delinquent girl sneered,

"Charging in head-on? Are Konoha's genin really this dumb? Don't underestimate the Takumi Village's ninja tools!"

As shinobi from the Takumi Village, mastery of ninja tools was a core part of their training.

With a flick of her wrist, a spray of steel wires shot out from the black gloves on her hands, instantly covering the entire arena like a spiderweb and cutting off Kiyosuke's path forward.

Kiyosuke caught a shuriken between his fingers and hurled it. The spinning blade sliced through the wires in front of him.

Just then, the bespectacled boy pushed up his glasses. A giant shuriken, as tall as he was, appeared in his hands. He flung it straight at Kiyosuke.

"Tch!"

Kiyosuke leapt to the side, dodging the weapon.

"Nice!" the delinquent girl grinned. She thrust her fist behind her, and the giant shuriken suddenly changed direction midair, homing in on Kiyosuke's back.

"Not good!"

The referee was just about to intervene when Kiyosuke vanished in midair, replaced by a wooden log.

Substitution Jutsu!

The snot-nosed boy swung down with a massive hammer aimed at Kiyosuke, who had reappeared at the side.

Boom!

Kiyosuke flipped out of the way and remarked,

"Control, ranged offense, close-quarters combat… so you've got clearly defined roles, huh?"

"In that case—Asuma! Fire Style!"

"You got it! Fire Style: Great Flame Technique!"

"Flame jet incoming!"

Twin columns of fire surged forward. The snot-nosed boy held a hammer in one hand and activated a shield with the other, barely managing to block the attack.

"Hot! Hot hot hot!"

The fire heated the shield to a glowing red. Wincing, the boy tossed the shield aside and blew on his scorched hand.

"It's not over yet! Kurenai!"

"Got it! Genjutsu!"

Kurenai took advantage of the opening and cast a genjutsu. The snot-nosed boy, distracted, was immediately caught in the illusion.

The other two rushed to break the genjutsu, but Kiyosuke and Asuma weren't about to let that happen.

Without the big guy's protection, Kiyosuke breezed past their defenses and appeared right in front of the delinquent girl. He opened his mouth—and a snake shot out, jaws wide.

"KYAAAAAH!!!"

Her piercing scream echoed through the arena. Terrified, the girl froze on the spot. At the same time, the glasses-wearing boy, a long-range fighter, was taken down by Asuma with a swift taijutsu combo.

Kiyosuke slowly retracted the snake into his mouth.

The sight made Kurenai visibly uncomfortable.

"Kiyosuke… can you not use that technique around me? It's gross."

"Eh?!"

Was it really that off-putting?

"You've got some seriously twisted taste..." Asuma muttered, clapping him on the shoulder. With the referee announcing their victory, the team officially advanced to the third round.

...

Outside the arena, Yūhi Shinku was already waiting for them.

"You all did well," he said with a nod. "The next exam will be held in half a month. The twenty teams—sixty genin total—will be split up, and each of you will fight in two matches. The top fifteen will be promoted to Chūnin."

The promotion rate in the Chūnin Exams was notoriously low. Those who made it through were almost guaranteed to become Jōnin one day.

Harsh, yes—but it helped the village identify its most promising talents.

Just one round was enough to see who was worth investing in… and who still had work to do.

"Half a month? That's way too long," Kiyosuke muttered. He felt like they could've just finished the exams now and spared everyone the wait.

Shinku looked at him and said,

"You're not injured, but others are. This break is for them to recover. Think of it as a vacation. You won't have any missions to run."

"Sensei, I want extra training!" Kurenai raised her hand.

"Approved."

Asuma hesitated, then added,

"Sensei, I want training too! My dad and big brother are always busy and don't have time for me. Kiyosuke, you joining?"

His father was constantly preoccupied, rarely home. Back when Asuma was younger, his big brother still had time for him. But now? Even he was caught up in work. Shinku was the only one left he could ask for guidance.

Kiyosuke replied,

"I'll pass. I want to work on developing my Kekkei Genkai. That's not really something Shinku-sensei can help me with."

When it came to developing jutsu, he'd be better off seeking out Orochimaru. Shinku was strong, sure—but genjutsu was more his specialty.

Shinku understood immediately.

"Got it. Do what you need to do."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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