Hagoromo's arm was indeed injured, but thanks to his multiple layers of effective defense, it wasn't particularly serious—certainly not as bad as the short-term after-effects of Guy using the Eight Inner Gates.
When he was shooed away by the third hokage to visit the Konoha Hospital, a very ordinary medical ninja gave him a very ordinary diagnosis, followed by very ordinary treatment—and that was that.
According to the medic, he just needed a few days of rest. As for his wish to have the Hyuga clan take an "X-ray" for him? There was no such need.
In truth, this was for the best; Hagoromo didn't want a major injury anyway.
He had no official business left in the village.
Right now, he should return to the front lines as soon as possible, since his purpose for coming back—reporting the major intelligence as a first-hand witness to help the high command make informed decisions—was already finished.
However, before he could leave, he was handed a minor chore.
The Chunin Exams were short-handed, so as a "loose end" currently hanging around the village, he was drafted to fill a gap.
It was even classified as a serious B-rank mission.
Hagoromo didn't mind; he was a proud screw in the Leaf's machine, ready to be turned wherever needed. Plus, participating in the exams allowed him to gather some intelligence.
This particular Chunin Exam wasn't the massive international affair of the future; it was held internally by the Leaf and would only last three to five days.
Hagoromo's job was to serve as a proctor for the second phase's combat portion.
To accurately test a ninja's level, the exam contents varied, but the most direct way to show combat potential remained the same:
The Duel.
Defeating an opponent in a duel was the key for a Genin to prove they possessed the foundation and tactical mindset required of a Chunin.
By the time Hagoromo joined, it was the second day of duels.
Lord Third had watched on the first day, but because it was wartime, the Hokage couldn't stay idle for long.
Specialized ninjas would evaluate the Genin's performance and submit data-driven reports, but the final promotion authority remained solely with the Hokage.
Since ninja duels are dangerous—especially for Genins who often lack self-control—Hagoromo's job was to stand in the middle of the arena.
If a life-threatening situation arose, he had to intervene immediately.
These were all Leaf shinobi; it wouldn't be fun for anyone if they started killing each other.
Aside from standing there and looking professional, he had to shout "Start!" when the fighters were ready and announce the winner afterward.
He expected the process to be routine, but before the matches even began, he ran into a famous figure.
He wouldn't have recognized the boy at this age by face alone, but the clothing and the hushed whispers of the crowd gave it away.
He was roughly Hagoromo's age.
He wore a smile that was uncharacteristically bright compared to the usual dead-faced members of his clan.
He had a distinct, slightly rounded nose—a genetic quirk.
And on his back was the folding fan that was the pride of his entire lineage.
Uchiha Shisui.
Hagoromo hadn't expected him to be one of the proctors as well.
Are they really handing this much work to the young ninjas? We must be truly short-staffed.
Hagoromo etched the boy's appearance into his memory.
Those unique Sharingan eyes... this wasn't an enemy that could be broken by raw violence alone.
When dealing with an Uchiha, the method of engagement was everything.
He suddenly paused.
Wait, why am I already calculating how to fight an Uchiha?
Well, thinking about it wasn't a crime. Most people in the Leaf probably did the same.
During the exams, the names of the combatants were generated randomly, and Shisui would announce them.
It turned out Hagoromo's presence was necessary.
These Genin had all come from the battlefield, and they shared a common trait:
they fought dirty—and they fought to kill.
Their chakra might not rival a Jonin's, but their lethal intent was honed by war.
For example, a certain Hyuga ninja, having already knocked his opponent unconscious, insisted on finishing his entire Gentle Fist sequence.
He was clearly having a blast, but the opponent would have been played to death if Hagoromo hadn't intervened.
A black chain of iron sand erupted from behind Hagoromo, binding the Hyuga before he could land another blow.
Hagoromo found the experience valuable.
It was a chance to observe the younger generation of the Great Clans—Hyuga, Uchiha, Aburame, Inuzuka, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka—and record the characteristics of their secret techniques.
Despite Hagoromo being an anomaly, the Leaf was still supported by these clans.
It was rare for a civilian family to produce a talent like Minato Namikaze.
Unfortunately, both Might Duy and Might Guy failed their matches.
Guy was still physically drained from his spar with Hagoromo, and Duy ran into a tricky opponent from the Aburame clan; his Taijutsu couldn't overcome the swarm of bugs.
Both father and son possessed incredible self-discipline—if they had used the Eight Inner Gates, they could have easily crushed their opponents.
But they refused to use a forbidden jutsu against their own comrades.
Thus, Duy's explosive combat power remained a secret to the village.
Everyone has their own perspective.
If it were Hagoromo, he would have used the Gates.
Why wouldn't you?
Just control your strength so you don't kill the guy.
Easy.
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