Mukumo discreetly signaled Yagura to pay attention to the sky above.
If a Hyūga were present and activated their Byakugan at that moment, they would have noticed that a thin layer of chakra blanketed the entire waiting area above the examinees.
Because it needed to cover the entire field while remaining hidden, Mukumo used only a very small amount of chakra.
That chakra was his "eyes."
It wasn't a dōjutsu like the Byakugan, nor was it a sensory technique easily detected by sensor-type shinobi.
From a normal visual perspective, most people wouldn't even notice the extremely thin mist-like layer in the air.
Given that the majority of those present were no higher than the average Chūnin level, none of them were even aware that they should be wary of counter-surveillance.
It was an intelligence-gathering technique.
Ironically, Yagura was particularly weak in this area—so much so that he didn't even notice it.
Mukumo watched Yagura's expression of genuine shock, blinking in surprise.
Ringo Ameyuri suddenly let out a chuckle beside them.
Yagura turned to look at her.
"…" Ameyuri hesitated for a moment before raising a hand to ruffle his increasingly frustrated head. With a teasing smile, she said, "You're great at fighting, but you really need to work on your scouting skills."
Yagura had no retort, stepping away to escape Ameyuri's merciless hand.
Unfortunately for him, there was another being—no, a beast—that had come to mock him as well.
[Isobu: You really need to work on your scouting skills, huh~]
[Yagura: ??? You finally resurface after a century of silence just to laugh at me?!]
[Isobu: (Smirks silently, watching his Jinchūriki with amusement.)]
[Yagura: So, Isobu, when are you actually going to teach me the Water Mirror Technique?!]
[Isobu: (Shifts gaze, saying nothing.)]
[Yagura: Don't pretend you didn't hear me!]
[Isobu: Shut up! How about you finish mastering all the Water Release techniques you started before asking for more?!]
[Yagura: I've mastered a lot already, okay… (Guiltily looks away.)]
Isobu had heard humans comment more than once that the Tailed Beasts, despite possessing vast chakra reserves, never knew how to use them properly, which was why they could be defeated and sealed inside Jinchūriki.
He used to scoff at such claims, consoling himself with the pride of his Water Mirror Technique.
Being defeated by weak humans? That was just human trickery!
But ever since Yagura became his Jinchūriki, Isobu realized there were far more ways to use Water Release than he had ever imagined.
From within Yagura's body, Isobu had witnessed every step of his Jinchūriki's creative applications of Water Release techniques.
And he had secretly taken notes.
Techniques like the Coral Water Cannon, which had powerful long-range penetration. The Water Palm Cannon, a short-range explosive burst.
A high-pressure water prison technique, still in development, evolved from the Water Prison Jutsu.
And most recently, Yagura had started working on yet another new technique—one that combined the high-pressure water prison with a long-range grabbing mechanism.
As Isobu memorized each of these, he couldn't help but reflect: He had been around in the shinobi world for centuries… so why had he never thought of these techniques himself?
His final conclusion? His Jinchūriki was an absolute monster.
Not only could Isobu not come up with these techniques, but even past generations of humans had failed to.
So, hurry up and finish what you started!
[Isobu: In any case, digest my chakra properly first. A Jinchūriki who can't even fully transform is pathetic. As for the Water Mirror Technique… we'll see.]
[Yagura: ?? ""! "x**aid?8]
As if he would just hand over such a prized technique! If he taught Yagura the Water Mirror Technique, wouldn't he be left with nothing but chakra?
A Tailed Beast needed to have some pride!
The fact that he was even willing to share his chakra was already a big favor to Yagura. The brat should be grateful!
With a final taunt, Isobu swiftly withdrew, not even giving Yagura a chance to argue back.
Returning to reality, Yagura muttered irritably, "Damn Isobu…"
He couldn't understand what that stubborn old turtle was thinking.
Any mention of the Water Mirror Technique made Isobu react as if Yagura were trying to steal his last treasure.
But he had a point—Yagura had too many unfinished projects. He should wrap those up first.
Ameyuri noticed Yagura snapping out of his thoughts and patted him lightly.
"Let's go. Looks like the Konoha examiners have arrived."
"Oh, right."
Yagura glanced ahead, spotting several Konoha Chūnin and Jōnin standing on the platform. Without further delay, he followed Ameyuri and Mukumo toward the front.
As the Kirigakure team made their way through the crowd, other examinees who had noticed the arrival of Konoha's proctors also began gathering near the platform.
Many foreign shinobi eyed the Konoha examiners with suspicion, if not outright hostility.
At the center of attention was a man with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle—the chief proctor, an experienced Jōnin in his late twenties. He remained completely unfazed by the unfriendly stares.
Checking the time, he casually patted the microphone connected to the exam venue's speakers and made an announcement:
"All examinees participating in this Chūnin Exam, please gather at the front. I repeat, all examinees, please gather at the front. The rules for the first test are about to be announced."
He coughed lightly before introducing himself. "I am Nara Shikaku, the chief proctor for this exam."
"The two beside me are my assistant proctors—Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza."
The blond Yamanaka Inoichi gave a friendly wave, while the imposing Akimichi Chōza stood firm, gripping a large iron staff that made it clear he could crush anyone foolish enough to challenge him.
Once the examinees had gathered, Shikaku continued, "Now, I'll explain the rules of the first exam."
The previously restless crowd fell silent, all eyes focused on him.
"This should be familiar to all of you. Each team has received a numbered tag, correct? If you haven't, go to the registration booth and get yours."
Shikaku held up an example tag, and Inoichi and Chōza did the same.
"The tag has two numbers. The white side represents your team's number. The black side represents the number of the team you must pursue."
Shikaku paused, letting the information sink in before providing an example.
"If I, Nara Shikaku, am Team 1, my target is Team 2—Yamanaka Inoichi's team. Meanwhile, Team 2's target is Team 3—Akimichi Chōza's team. And Team 3 must target me."
"If I find and defeat Team 2, I'll obtain their tag."
Shikaku took Inoichi's tag and turned to Chōza. "That means I now inherit Team 2's target—I can now pursue Team 3."
"The exam is simple. To pass, obtain either your assigned target's tag or the tag of the team pursuing you."
"Once you meet the requirement, head to the central watchtower of the Forest of Death within three days."
Scanning the crowd one last time, Shikaku checked the time and concluded,
"If there are no questions, proceed to the exam area entrances. The test begins at noon."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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