Naruto: From Novice to Grave

You're participating in the Chunin Exams alone in your own name—that's something only really tough people do!

Kakashi Hatake became a Chunin at the age of 6, whether alone or in a team, it is unclear. However, he later accompanied Obito and Rin to participate in another Chunin tournament to take care of his teammates.

The only solo contestant that Higashino could think of was confirmed to be Uchiha Itachi, the future filial son.

Hmm? ...Uchiha?

So, it seems the Third Hokage's motives for having him participate in the competition under his own name were impure.

He tentatively asked, "Hokage-sama, is it possible that besides me, someone else participated in the Chunin Exams under their own name?"

The three elders of Konoha looked at Higashino with some surprise, probably not expecting him to discover the problem so quickly.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, exhaled a long puff of smoke: "Really? You're quite perceptive. Not bad. Besides you, Uchiha Shisui is also taking the exam alone."

I know you two are very good friends. So, how would you feel about having a heated battle with your best friend in front of the whole village?

"To be honest, Hokage-sama, I'm quite looking forward to it."

I have no expectations for you! Just how much do you four old men want to suppress the Uchiha clan? It's one thing to use some tricks on Suzaku, the iron-fisted Hokage, at the front lines, but you still won't let it go when you get back to the village.

They simply wanted to improve, but there was no way they could climb any higher. So they thought of using the clan's geniuses to impress national leaders and villagers during the Chunin Exams, to solidify their achievements on the Eastern Front, and to prevent them from being downplayed by those with ulterior motives.

But you guys did something else, you immediately went and grabbed the landlord's spot and doubled the bet.

As expected, Uchiha who want to improve themselves are not good Uchiha; they can only be salted fish.

If there were ten unsolved mathematical problems in the ninja world, one of them would definitely be: based on the battle scene between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End, calculate the area of ​​the shadow Madara Uchiha cast on the four elders of Konoha.

There's also the question of what the area of ​​the shadow in Tobirama Senju's heart is.

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It seems the main reason for coming here today is for the Third Hokage to explain the exam to Higashino Makoto in person. Just as the four were about to leave, someone jumped out.

"Higashino Makoto, I am Shimura Danzo."

Higashino glanced at the Third Hokage and introduced him, "Danzo is the assistant to the Hokage of Konoha. He has some questions for you."

"Lord Danzo."

Danzo nodded slightly, but said to Gekko Kumomi, "Kumomi Jonin, you can take your two disciples to complete the Chunin promotion procedures now."

Moonlight Cloud winked at Higashino Makoto, then left with Hayate and Yugao.

"Higashino Makoto, as far as we know, you developed a chakra-defense ninjutsu. Could you explain the development process?"

Aside from his unique Sage Technique, which is a core secret unknown to everyone, the higher-ups must know about Higashino's other ninjutsu.

Ninjutsu is developed to be used, so it cannot be kept secret. Whether it's the report from the Jonin who led the team when they graduated, or by questioning Konoha ninjas they've met, interrogating live prisoners, or extracting information from the brains of the dead, Konoha has plenty of ways to find out.

Higashino Makoto sorted out his thoughts and replied, "It's like this, Lord Danzo. Because my mother was a special medical ninja, I started reading a lot of books about the human body when I was a child."

Later, I learned from my father that ninjas could lose their lives during missions because of an explosive tag, a kunai, or even a shuriken.

At that time, I felt that even if our ninjas had great attack power, our bodies were too fragile, so I kept thinking about how to defend.

Later, as my understanding of chakra deepened and my control over it improved, combined with the basic sealing knowledge I learned from the Konoha Library, I developed the current defense system.

Danzo didn't say anything, only asking, "Could you demonstrate?"

"Okay." After saying that, Higashino Makoto stretched out his left hand and conjured a translucent, earth-yellow chakra shield in front of him that covered his entire body.

He explained, "This is the defensive ninjutsu I developed, Earth Release: One-Cornered Great Wall. By controlling my own chakra, I can quickly transform it into a shield. I use a simple sealing principle to constrain its shape while infusing it with the hard and heavy properties of earth to enhance its defensive capabilities."

It can effectively withstand damage from impacts with sharp metal weapons and heavy objects, and by increasing its surface area, it can protect more companions.

Danzo casually tossed a kunai, which struck the chakra shield with a "clang," but failed to penetrate it and fell to the floor.

"Hmm, the defense is quite good."

Danzo gave his approval, because he had added something to the kunai, wrapping it with wind-style chakra.

With a sudden change of his ninjutsu, Higashino Makoto's shield transformed into a light blue hemispherical shape, completely enveloping his body.

"This is a defensive ninjutsu, Water Release: Tranquility. The principle is the same, but it is infused with the fluidity and flexibility of water to defend against a wide range of ninjutsu damage. Similarly, if the defensive area is expanded, it can include nearby companions and protect them from ninjutsu damage."

Both of these ninjutsu techniques can be temporarily adjusted in size and shape as needed. Currently, I am experimenting with the possibility of adding wind-style chakra. In the future, I will also consider developing other chakra natures to enrich this series of ninjutsu.

The four elders of Konoha all looked quite well. Look, when this child was developing ninjutsu, all he could think about was protecting his Konoha comrades. This Will of Fire is burning so intensely that you even need to wear sunglasses to look directly at it.

At this moment, the Third Hokage stepped forward and said, "Alright, Shin, we have learned about your ninjutsu. Due to certain reasons, you revealed the secret of your ninjutsu, and I am very sorry for that."

"It's alright, Hokage-sama. Do you need me to compile these ninjutsu? Or if anyone in the village wants to learn them, they can come to me directly."

Higashino Makoto didn't care about the two of them playing good cop and bad cop. He was even willing to offer up his ninjutsu, saying, "If you're so good, go learn it. I guarantee you'll learn it and not make a sound."

"Okay, okay, but we already know the development ideas and principles of ninjutsu, so you don't need to organize them."

As compensation, Shin, tell me what ninjutsu you'd like to learn! I'll make sure you get it.

Higashino Makoto inwardly scoffed, "I want the Impure World Reincarnation, I want the Corpse Demon Seal, but the question is, do you dare to give it to me?"

You didn't even mention the Book of Seals.

Does that mean I'm not a direct descendant of the Hokage and therefore not qualified to watch?

In fact, aside from being curious about ninjutsu involving the soul, Higashino Makoto wasn't really interested in conventional ninjutsu, as it didn't fit his fighting style. Moreover, if he wanted to, he could develop similar ninjutsu.

Ninjutsu, to put it simply, is the control and use of chakra, and that is precisely his strength.

For example, he had almost figured out the advanced forbidden technique of Shadow Clone, Multiple Shadow Clone, but he hadn't used it because of its danger.

He employs a refined and sophisticated approach to attack, unlike Naruto who relies on sheer numbers to overwhelm opponents.

But then again, why not take advantage of the benefits? After considering the shortcomings in his own knowledge base, Higashino said, "Hokage-sama, I'd like to learn more about sealing techniques, is that alright?"

"Oh ho ho, sure, that's all for today. Thank you for your help. As for the sealing-related information, I'll have someone send it to you."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama, and goodbye to the three advisors!"

After Higashino Makoto left, the four elders of Konoha remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Finally, Koharu Utatane broke the silence: "This child's defensive ninjutsu, especially the [Earth Release: One-Cornered Wall] technique, does look very similar to Chiyo of Sunagakure's 'Machine Light Shield Sealing Technique'."

Do you think it might be...?

Defensive ninjutsu that uses chakra to form a shield is rarely used in Konoha or the ninja world. The most famous example is Granny Chiyo of Sunagakure.