Bab 79: Chapter 79: The Chunin Exams
The scope of sealing techniques is vast. The Five Elements Seal, Eight Trigrams Seal, and Evil Sealing Method are considered standard techniques.
Meanwhile, advanced forbidden techniques like Adamantine Sealing Chains and the Reaper Death Seal are technically also sealing jutsu.
In addition, techniques like the Caged Bird Seal and Tongue Cursing Seal are also derived from sealing techniques.
For instance, the Five Elements Seal requires utilizing the principles of the five chakra natures to disturb the chakra flow of the target. The prerequisites for this technique are extremely high, as only a few ninjas in the entire shinobi world can wield all five chakra natures.
The Eight Trigrams Seal goes even further, requiring a level of understanding that few can grasp.
And these techniques only involve chakra manipulation.
The Caged Bird Seal and the Tongue Cursing Seal involve the relationship between chakra and the physical body, making them even more intricate and complex.
As for Tsunade's Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred, they are unique techniques imbued with personal adaptations, forming a distinct branch of their own.
"Sakura, remember one thing. We are civilian ninjas without secret techniques or kekkei genkai. For ninjas like us to succeed, we must work even harder.
Excelling in either medical ninjutsu or sealing techniques alone is already extremely difficult, but I'm asking you to master both. You may not understand why now, but one day, you will."
Midway through the lesson, Aoba suddenly turned his head towards the door, leaving a shadow clone behind to continue teaching while he disappeared from the lab.
In the forest outside the village, Aoba met Orochimaru once again.
"It's been a while, Aoba-kun. There's something different about you."
"I've made some progress recently."
"Haha, truly impressive. You're the most unique shinobi I've ever met, Aoba-kun. Sometimes, I really want to have a deep discussion with you and understand where all your knowledge comes from."
"Oh? I wouldn't mind that."
Aoba's reply made Orochimaru narrow his eyes slightly. He had, in fact, regretted not capturing Aoba during their first encounter, but back then, Aoba had sought him out for a trade, so he likely had a way to escape if things went wrong.
Since then, Aoba's attitude had noticeably shifted. He no longer seemed wary of Orochimaru's threats.
Orochimaru was curious about Aoba's hidden strength but ultimately chose not to act, as that wasn't his purpose today.
"What do you think of Konoha and the Third Hokage?" Orochimaru's question immediately clued Aoba into his intentions—the man was preparing to launch the Konoha Crush Plan.
But it seemed he was cautious about Aoba's potential interference and wanted to gauge his reaction.
"How should I put it? My view of Konoha can be summed up in one phrase: 'golden on the outside, rotten within.'"
"Hahaha, 'golden on the outside, rotten within.' That doesn't sound like something a Konoha shinobi would say, Aoba-kun."
"Perhaps, but then again, Orochimaru, your actions hardly befit a disciple of the Hokage."
"Haha, well said, Aoba-kun. In that case, I have a plan that I think might interest you."
After hearing Aoba's response, Orochimaru decided to invite him to join the plot.
"No, I'm not interested."
Aoba's immediate refusal caught Orochimaru off guard.
"Why, Aoba-kun? Don't you want to change this decaying Konoha?"
"No. The rot in Konoha doesn't interfere with my ambitions, Orochimaru. I can guess what you're planning, and I'll say this—you're free to do as you wish. I won't interfere."
Orochimaru licked his lips. He understood Aoba's meaning: as long as his goals weren't affected, he wouldn't get involved.
Though he felt somewhat dismissed, Orochimaru wasn't one to be swayed by emotions.
"Very well, Aoba-kun. With that assurance, I'm at ease. I imagine we'll meet again soon."
Orochimaru gave Aoba a lingering look before disappearing. Aoba couldn't help but scoff a little at Konoha's Barrier Team; even after all these years, they still hadn't made progress. Orochimaru could come and go as he pleased, and they wouldn't notice a thing.
A few days after Orochimaru's departure, news arrived: Konoha would be hosting a joint Chunin Exam, inviting genin from various villages to participate and even extending invitations to nobility to spectate.
The joint Chunin Exam serves as a showcase of strength and is typically hosted only by the Five Great Nations, with smaller countries usually showing respect by attending. However, it doesn't always attract the other major villages.
For example, this time, only Sand, Rain, Grass, Waterfall, and Sound sent representatives. The combined number of entrants from each village totaled 153.
The turnout was modest, and Konoha's influence wasn't what it once was. Still, the village managed to maintain a semblance of its former glory.
With the announcement, Konoha quickly sprang into action, preparing for the exams.
The ninja exam is far more than sitting in a classroom taking a test. The second round, in particular, requires a vast outdoor setting for practical combat.
Additionally, thorough arrangements had to be made for logistics, medical support, and spectator accommodations. After all, the final rounds would draw a large crowd of nobles from different regions, making it imperative to ensure flawless execution.
With so many people gathering for the Chunin Exams, security was also a significant concern.
Upon the announcement, Konoha's Barrier and Sealing Teams immediately began shoring up the village's defenses, tirelessly reinforcing the perimeter.
Aoba found the whole scene amusing as Konoha scrambled to improve its infrastructure, even tidying the streets as if preparing for a grand inspection.
Naturally, Aoba enrolled his three students for the exams. Though they were recent graduates, their skills were more than sufficient for participation.
Two weeks later, contestants from various villages began arriving in Konoha.
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