"I just want to say that even if I'm not your equal, I'll still give it my all," Kitsuchi said firmly, looking straight at Chiba.
"Do as you like. It doesn't matter to me," Chiba replied indifferently, finding Kitsuchi words somewhat puzzling.
Suddenly, Jiraiya's loud voice echoed through the training grounds.
"The final match: Uchiha Chiba vs. Kitsuchi! Step forward!"
Jiraiya glanced at both of them and then announced, "Begin!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kitsuchi launched the first attack.
"Rock Fist Technique!"
With a roar, his right fist became encased in a thick layer of stone. Wasting no time, he charged straight at Chiba.
Five minutes later.
"Winner: Uchiha Chiba!" Jiraiya declared.
And with that, the Chūnin Exams officially came to an end.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward to announce the names of those who had earned promotions to Chūnin:
Uchiha Chiba
Senju Nawaki
Kitsuchi
Ino-Shika-Chō trio
Chiba wasn't surprised in the slightest.
First, he was the clear winner of the Chūnin Exam, making his promotion inevitable.
As for the others, Nawaki's promotion was expected—he was from the Senju clan, and Konoha's leadership needed to maintain strong ties with them. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio's families were staunch Hokage supporters, so their promotions also made sense.
Kitsuchi, on the other hand, was the only promising participant from Iwagakure, and his background further secured his spot.
After leaving the examination grounds, Chiba spotted his mother, Uchiha Genka, waiting for him.
"Chiba, congratulations!" she said, pulling him into a warm embrace.
Seeing this, Nawaki, Nara Shikaku, and the others exchanged knowing looks.
"Chiba, we'll be heading out. Don't forget about tomorrow," Shikaku reminded him.
Chiba nodded, acknowledging their words.
Once they were gone, he gently pulled away from his mother and said, "Mom, it's just a Chūnin promotion. No need to get so worked up."
Uchiha Genka playfully smacked his head. "You little brat! First Chūnin, then Jōnin. This is just the beginning!"
"Alright, alright. I get it," Chiba chuckled.
"Good. Now, let's go celebrate!" she said, still brimming with pride.
Just then, Orochimaru appeared before them.
"Mom, you go home first. I need to speak with Orochimaru-sensei," Chiba said.
Understanding that this was likely about Sage Mode—given their earlier conversation—Genka nodded.
"Alright, Chiba. Come home soon," she said before walking away.
After she left, Orochimaru gestured toward a distant pavilion. "Shall we talk over there?"
"Sure."
When they reached the pavilion, Chiba spoke first. "I didn't expect you to be so eager about Sage Mode, Orochimaru-sensei. The exam just ended."
Orochimaru smiled slightly. He was indeed curious about Sage Mode, but he wasn't in a rush.
Shaking his head, he said in his usual raspy voice, "I simply wanted to set a time with you. Now that you're a Chūnin, you'll be busier with missions, and who knows when we'll meet again?"
Chiba raised an eyebrow. He had expected Orochimaru to start his research immediately.
Still, this arrangement worked better for him—he had just been promoted, so he would be occupied for a while.
"How about in a week? I'll come find you then," Chiba suggested.
"That works for me," Orochimaru agreed. "Alright then, Chiba-kun. I won't take up any more of your time. See you in a week."
With that, Orochimaru left.
Chiba simply shook his head before turning and heading home.
Meanwhile, on their way home, Nawaki noticed Tsunade staring at him strangely.
"Sis, why do you keep looking at me like that?" he asked.
"It's nothing. I just feel like you've grown up," Tsunade said, recalling Orochimaru's earlier reasoning.
Nawaki was confused. "Huh?"
Tsunade didn't elaborate. Instead, she changed the subject. "Didn't you always want to sign a contract with the Shikkotsu Forest? How about I grant that wish today?"
"Really, Sis?!" Nawaki almost jumped for joy.
He had always admired Sage Mode. Though no one in the Senju clan currently possessed the ability, he had heard countless stories from Uzumaki Mito about his grandfather, Senju Hashirama.
Mito often spoke of Uchiha Madara, Wood Style, and Sage Mode. While Wood Style was legendary, it had become unattainable after Hashirama's passing. Sage Mode, however, still held a glimmer of possibility.
That's why Nawaki was so excited about Tsunade's offer.
"Why would I lie to you?" Tsunade scoffed. "Now, let's go."
At the Konoha Hotel
Due to the Chūnin Exam and Iwagakure's visit, the hotel was fully occupied by their shinobi.
Inside a room on the second floor, Kitsuchi knelt before his father, Onoki.
"I'm sorry, Father. I disappointed you," he said.
Onoki waved his hand dismissively. "This isn't your fault. That Uchiha Chiba kid is strong. Losing to him isn't a disgrace."
Thinking of Uchiha Chiba, Onoki felt a strange unease.
Though Chiba lacked the overwhelming presence of the legendary "Ninja Shura" from his memories and was quite different from a typical Uchiha, something about him felt... off.
For a brief moment, Onoki wondered—would history repeat itself? Would another Uchiha one day invade Iwagakure like Madara had?
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
He had seen the true power of the Uchiha—the Mangekyō Sharingan. And Uchiha Chiba didn't even have the basic Sharingan yet.
No matter how talented he was, his potential was already capped.
Or so Onoki believed.