Chapter 33 I also want to find out just how strong I am!
Whether it's 'Konoha's Kunai Master' or 'Bloody Kunai', these titles both feel like stepping stones or weaklings. Bloodstained Kunai even seems a bit weaker, like a mini-boss you just casually defeat in a game's side quest!
Keep it simple, wouldn't it be better to just give me a title like 'Black Flash' or something?
They actually publicized this title...
Could it be that Sunagakure harbors a grudge against him and is deliberately using a title to vilify him?
"Oh, right, speaking of Sunagakure, there's something else..."
The Hokage laughed for a while, then his smile faded slightly, and he asked in a relaxed tone:
"There's a rumor in Sunagakure that during the final battle of the Land of Rivers, you injured the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts, stopping their final attack... Is that true?"
"..."
Souji and the Hokage looked at each other.
This problem was indeed unavoidable.
Even Kage-level ninjas need to use powerful ninjutsu to break through the Tailed Beast's defenses.
If I can do that too, it means I'm likely to have reached Kage level, or at least have the ability to deliver a Kage-level attack.
As the Hokage, he naturally couldn't ignore such an important matter.
Therefore, my only answer is...
"Yes, I did it."
"Hmm...Is that so? It seems your strength is quite extraordinary now. Your Mochizuki clan is destined to prosper in your generation."
"However, as I just said, now is the time to use people. Since you have such strength, then I'm sorry, I'll have to ask you to put in more effort from now on."
Upon hearing Souji's reply, the Hokage's expression immediately turned serious. However, after pondering for a while, he finally uttered some very light and ordinary words.
It seems they don't intend to delve any further into the matter of breaking through Shukaku's defenses.
After all, Konoha already had two perennial genin, Maruboshi Kosuke and Might Guy.
The former was considered an elite jonin, while Might Guy could unleash the Eight Gates. As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was probably aware of how powerful Might Guy could be when he unleashed his full power.
Besides these two, Konoha has some other hidden, low-profile powerhouses, but none are as formidable as these two.
So it's not too surprising that Mochizuki Souji has appeared again; what's special is that he used kunai to penetrate the tailed beast's defense.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Jiraiya and two others faced off against Amegakure led by Hanzo, while Sunagakure was led by Hiruzen Sarutobi with his two old buddies Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
Therefore, Sarutobi knew very well how strong Shukaku's defense was, and that even he himself probably couldn't break through it with kunai, especially by throwing them.
The strongest among them is only the Mochizuki-ryu of the Special Jonin, so it's impossible for him to possess such a powerful technique.
So, relying entirely on his own strength, he unleashed tremendous power from the otherwise ordinary Mochizuki-ryu style.
Although the Hokage was also curious, he only wanted to confirm it and didn't delve too deeply into other people's secrets.
As long as they are from Konoha, that's enough.
The Hokage was even quite impressed and satisfied.
Such strength could not have been cultivated in a short time. Even though he already possessed amazing strength, he remained low-key until Konoha was in crisis, at which point he stepped forward!
This is a young man who can deeply understand the Will of Fire!
...
Soon, the ninjas who were to be used as targets for the Souji arrived one after another.
At a glance, he recognized the three Jonin, but they weren't very familiar with each other. As far as Souji knew, they were all Jonin with relatively ordinary strength.
There are reportedly two unwritten rules for the Jonin Exams: elite Jonin are generally not selected because the difficulty is too high, and core members of prestigious clans such as the Hyuga and Uchiha are also not selected because there is a fear that a genius newcomer might defeat the opponents, which would make these great ninja clans lose face.
However, ordinary clan members are acceptable. For example, among these three Jonin, one is from the Nara clan, and the other is from the Inuzuka clan, who have ninja dogs with them.
Of the seven Chunin, only Asuma and two others were familiar with them. Perhaps because they knew their opponent was themselves, their expressions were not very pleasant.
There was also an uninvited guest... Might Guy, dressed in a green bodysuit.
" Might Guy, what brings you here too?" the Hokage asked, puzzled.
"Lord Hokage!"
Might Guy greeted the Hokage respectfully and replied:
"Souji is a great rival with whom I've progressed together. I heard he's going to take the Jonin Exams, and I'd like to volunteer to join!"
"You?" The Hokage's expression was somewhat strange.
"You... are rather special. Treating you as either a Chunin or a Jonin doesn't seem quite right..."
The Hokage hesitated.
Might Guy was too strong as a Chunin, but had too many shortcomings as a Jonin. There was also the issue of the Eight Gates.
Should he allow him to use it? If so, what was the maximum number of gates he could use?
The Hokage was about to refuse because it was too troublesome.
Just then.
"Teacher, let him replace a Chunin. It'll just be a little more difficult, but I think Mochizuki Souji can handle it."
It was Orochimaru who spoke, slowly walking towards them.
Apart from the Hokage and Souji, everyone's expression changed slightly upon seeing Orochimaru.
"Why are you here too?" the Hokage asked, puzzled.
"I also heard that Mochizuki Souji was going to take the Jonin Exam, so I wanted to come and see. He performed very well in the battle in the Land of Rivers, and I admire him quite a bit."
"You don't want to join too, do you? You're not suitable to be a competitor in the assessment."
"I do intend to join, but not in the first round. I have a suggestion..."
Orochimaru chuckled and said:
"Let me join the second round, the one when the teacher personally assesses Mochizuki Souji. How about we have a three-way free-for-all?"
"A three-way battle?" the Hokage frowned.
"Yes, although I joined, I was neither helping Mochizuki Souji nor helping the teacher. The three of us each went our own way and started a free-for-all."
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since we've had a sparring match, teacher. I think this will be quite an interesting contest."
"Nonsense!"
Although the second round was only to determine the level of the examiners and would not actually affect his promotion to Jonin, the Hokage knew his student's personality very well and was not afraid that he might do something bad.
The Hokage shook his head slightly, about to refuse.
At this moment, the commander spoke up:
"Lord Hokage, I think Lord Orochimaru's suggestion is excellent, and I'm happy to accept it. It just so happens that... I also want to confirm just how strong I am!"
"Um?"
The Hokage looked slightly taken aback.
This kid... so he's this arrogant?
Is this a decision to stop being low-key and simply stop pretending altogether?
"Alright... since you agreed, I won't stop you."
"Very good, I look forward to the next match." Orochimaru said with a sinister smile.
"I am also looking forward to fighting the Hokage and Orochimaru. Please wait a moment, I will finish the first match as soon as possible."
"good..."
Orochimaru chuckled, walked to the side, crossed his arms, and looked at Souji with amusement.
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