Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 37 Kakashi's "Test"

Time flies.

He spent his peaceful days training with Iruka in the mornings and sparring with Kakashi in the evenings.

end of June.

Registration for the Chunin Exams has ended and will begin soon.

This year's Chunin Exams were delayed by one month due to the war with Kumogakure.

However, Konoha Village in the Land of Fire remains the largest ninja village in the ninja world.

The Chunin Exams held in Konoha.

Each time, ninjas from small countries and neutral countries would come to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams, seeking protection or to demonstrate their strength.

...The Forest of Death.

Two figures were practicing martial arts.

Their speed increased as they fought.

If they were ordinary genin, they wouldn't even be able to catch their movements.

"Bang!"

Kakashi's whip kick swept across Qingwu's blocking arm.

The force was so heavy that Qingwu groaned, and his feet plowed out two shallow furrows.

Before he could adjust, Kakashi's second strike arrived—not a leg strike, but a hand chop, aimed straight at his throat.

Qingwu leaned back, his hand slicing past Kakashi's Adam's apple, while simultaneously raising his knee and striking Kakashi's lower abdomen.

Kakashi casually pressed his palm against his knee, using the momentum to flip backward.

Instead of retreating, Qingwu advanced, grabbing Kakashi's wrist with his left hand and delivering a straight punch to his ribs with his right.

Kakashi flicked his wrist, and without hesitation, slashed at Qingwu's fingers, while simultaneously raising his leg and striking Qingwu's face with his knee.

"You cheated!"

Qingwu laughed loudly and drew the short sword from his waist.

The two men went from hand-to-hand combat to a fight with weapons.

however……

In a melee, Qingwu was sweating profusely in less than a minute.

Kakashi's attacks were like mercury flowing across the ground, without any flaws, or rather, every flaw was a trap.

Kakashi did not neglect the swordsmanship passed down from Konoha's White Fang.

Not yet, at least not at the moment.

If they were unarmed, Qingwu could still hold his own against Kakashi thanks to his physical abilities.

However, once Kakashi uses a weapon, Qingwu, who is in close combat, can only parry and has no power to retaliate.

They persisted for several more rounds...

"it's over."

Kakashi's voice rang in her ears, and a kunai was pressed against Qingwu's eyes.

"Tch..." Qingwu tossed aside the short blade and rubbed his numb arm.

He was not discouraged.

He was already satisfied with this growth rate in less than two months.

"You've improved a lot!" Kakashi put away his kunai. "I'm not just being polite."

"Hehe, I also have to thank you, senior." Qingwu smiled, but his tone was extremely sincere.

He had seen Kakashi's attitude towards his subordinates before.

This guy, whose heart was practically dead, was treated very well.

The nightly practice sessions allowed the two to gradually become familiar with each other.

Even knowing that Kakashi probably valued him because of his identity as a "Wood Release ninja," Qingwu had already considered Kakashi a good friend.

"Since you're thanking me, then... could you please return my money?"

When Kakashi faced Qingwu, he didn't even realize that he had become more "human" than before.

Qingwu's face fell. "Wait a bit longer. I'll join the Anbu after the Chunin Exams, and I'll pay you back when I get my salary."

Qingwu still remembers the time he made with the third generation.

If he still cannot demonstrate the ability to convince the Third Hokage to send him to the battlefield after the Chunin Exams, then he will have no choice but to join the Anbu for training.

"Waiting for payday..." Kakashi nodded slightly and didn't continue the topic.

"The Chunin Exams... you should be fine," Kakashi said. "But are you sure you want to bring that Iruka with you?"

Qingwu said frankly, "Of course, we've been good friends since we were little."

"Sometimes, bonds can be a burden." Kakashi seemed to be testing him.

"The Chunin Exams are all team-based until the final round. If you're held back and fail, don't regret it."

"How could it not pass?" Qingwu was speechless. "Senior, you were already a Jonin at my age. Even if I'm not as good as you, I'm not that bad, am I?"

"I've already said, your strength is not a problem." Kakashi stared at him, "But anything can happen in the first two rounds of team trials."

Qingwu shook his head. "If I fail, I'll try again next year."

"You brat, don't you understand the situation?" Kakashi said. "Lord Danzo... has questioned your 'special treatment' multiple times in meetings."

"Hmm?" Qingwu looked at Kakashi with a puzzled expression.

He thought that Danzo had been focusing his attention and energy on getting "Armor" back during this time, and had no time to covet him.

"You're just a genin, yet you possess resources and freedom exceeding those of chunin or even special joinin. That's against the rules!"

Kakashi said, "Look around. You've 'cut down' a huge part of this once beautiful forest."

"Oh, really?" Qingwu scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

"Don't play dumb," Kakashi said. "This is the Hokage's way of showing you favor, but if you can pass the Chunin Exams and officially advance, there will be far fewer open doubts."

"I will try my best," Qingwu said.

"So, you're still going to carry that... burden?" Kakashi's topic circled back to the present.

Iruka's progress was acceptable, but as an "ordinary person," he felt the gap between him and Qingwu was too great.

In order to complete their missions and achieve their goals, ninjas must make sacrifices.

"Senior, you may have misunderstood or misunderstood some things."

Qingwu said earnestly, "Iruka is a good friend. He has helped me a lot. He brings me hot breakfasts every day and teaches me many basic things..."

"You should have mastered those things in school," Kakashi interrupted him.

"..." Qingwu paused, then said irritably, "Before awakening Wood Release, I wasn't a genius."

Kakashi: "..."

He did not further discourage the boy in front of him.

Qingwu continued, "When Iruka, Xiyan, and I formed a team before, the three of us discussed participating in this year's Chunin Exams together."

But now that Yugao has joined the Anbu, she no longer needs to participate in the regular Chunin Exams.

If I don't team up with Iruka either, who else can that kid team up with?

Kakashi turned his head. "Why are you telling me all this? I'm asking if you'll regret it if you get dragged down?"

"Senior, you must have had some very good teammates before, right?" Qingwu asked in return.

"..." Kakashi turned his head away and remained silent.

At this moment, he couldn't help but think of his teammates who were now sleeping forever beneath the memorial stone.

Qingwu shrugged and didn't continue the conversation.

The idea of ​​stopping short of a point has led to Kakashi's current mindset, and many things have happened in the process.

It's not something that can be changed back in a day or two.

"You've finished registering, right?" Kakashi asked with concern. "Besides Iruka, who's the other person in the team?"

"Hehe." Qingwu's lips curled up. "He's also an old classmate of mine."

"How's your strength?" Kakashi asked again, "Don't get eliminated in the first two rounds, kid!"

Thinking of that feisty pineapple-headed girl, Qingwu laughed:

"They'll be here tomorrow for special training with me. You'll find out then, senior."