Chapter 23: Genin

Qimu Chao's Genin exam was extremely easy, even so easy that he himself could hardly believe it.

Now, after all, it is not a time of war, so the assessment for ninjas who graduate early is relatively relaxed.

A written test of slightly above‑standard difficulty, followed by various Throwing Knife trials, then a Three‑Body Technique usage test, and finally a Body Technique test.

After completing these four tests, Qimu Chao officially became a Genin.

They didn't even require a Ninjutsu test.

But, thinking about it, it's understandable; a Genin who graduates from the academy usually knows only a few Ninjutsu, so it's enough to require them to be proficient in the Three‑Body Technique, Body Technique, and the art of handling Throwing Knives.

Generally, a Genin's Ninjutsu, aside from family‑passed techniques, is mostly learned from the Jonin leading the team.

It's like a professor supervising several graduate students.

In name, the Jonin leading the team is the captain and the Genin are subordinates, but in reality it's a teacher‑student relationship.

While Qimu Chao was undergoing the Body Technique test, the Third Hokage Yuanfei Rizhan was watching from the rooftop beside the testing ground, with Qimu Shuomao and Orochimaru standing beside him.

"Heh heh heh, no wonder he's Mr. Shuo Mao's son; this kid's Body Technique moves are extremely fluid, just like a Jonin who has been training Body Technique for years."

Although he hasn't yet performed human experiments on himself, Orochimaru's laugh still sounded very grim.

"That kid still has a long way to go."

Qimu Shuomao shook his head, but despite outwardly saying he was far off, inside he was also praising Qimu Chao's movements.

In his gestures, not only was there the Body Technique stance of Konoha Strong Fist Style, but also the elegance of Hyuga Soft Fist Style; it looked both hard and soft yet quite graceful.

Later, when Qimu Chao faced the testing Jonin in a Body Technique duel, Orochimaru praised Qimu Chao again, while the Third Hokage kept smiling warmly at the test, listening to his beloved student's words.

"Shuo Mao, you truly gave birth to a fine son; this kid's future is certainly incalculable."

He patted Qimu Shuomao's shoulder, praised Qimu Chao, and the Third Hokage turned and left; he was to present Qimu Chao with the Genin Forehead Protector and the graduation certificate.

"Mr. Shuo Mao, why not let me guide your son?"

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth; such a promising seed is indeed rare. That Jiraiya fellow produced a Bofeng Shuimen, flaunting him daily; that little Shuimen is growing fast, and perhaps soon will catch up to their pace.

What a joke, the Legendary Sannin being surpassed by a student so young— even Orochimaru feels a bit unsettled.

However, given Qimu Chao's talent, if he can become Orochimaru's student, Orochimaru is confident he can train him to Shuimen's current level within three years, and within five years to be on par with Shuimen; surpassing Shuimen is just a matter of time.

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Qimu Shuomao smiled and shook his head: "That depends on little Chao's own wishes, and the Third Hokage's arrangements."

On the testing field, hearing the referee's whistle, Qimu Chao halted his Throwing Knife maneuver.

Throughout the testing phase, he kept his own strength precisely at the level of an average Genin.

His Magnetic Field Sense could perceive everyone present, and he was certain that, aside from his father, no one there knew his true strength.

No— even his father could not possibly know his true strength.

"Congratulations, Qimu Chao, you have fully passed the Genin exam and officially become a Genin."

Chief examiner Xiri Zhenhong clapped, smiling, and congratulated Qimu Chao.

When he was in school last year, he could almost hear his daughter mention this classmate from her class every day; today was his first time meeting him, and he didn't expect him to have already surpassed all the students in their class.

Sigh, if only his own daughter were this outstanding.

Qimu Chao thanked Xiri Zhenhong and the other examiners one by one, then saw the Third Hokage, dressed in a Hokage robe and wearing a Hokage hat, slowly walking over.

The Third Hokage, upon arriving at the testing field, carefully examined Qimu Chao, then nodded approvingly: "You are truly an outstanding child; having a genius like you is a blessing for Konoha. I hope that after becoming a Genin you will continue to work hard and strive to become a great ninja like your father."

"Third Hokage, you are too flattering."

His father's voice came from behind the Third Hokage, and he gave Qimu Chao the Genin Forehead Protector and the graduation certificate.

Qimu Chao looked at the soon‑to‑be elderly Third Hokage; opinions of him among past‑life netizens were truly polarized, yet among all Hokages there are few characters who aren't polarizing.

But Qimu Chao's first impression of him was okay; in Qimu Chao's Magnetic Field Sense, the Third Hokage radiated only very satisfactory feelings, without a hint of malice.

Then the Third Hokage handed the Headband and certificate to Qimu Chao himself, and took a photo with him.

Thus, Qimu Chao officially became a Genin.

"Because it's not graduation season yet, every Jonin leading a team has their own squad, so it's not easy to slot you, an early graduate, into one."

After the photo, the Third Hokage smiled at Qimu Chao and said, "Don't worry, I've already found a suitable candidate. Come to my Hokage Office tomorrow, and I will introduce that Jonin to you. Like you, he is also a genius ninja, so he should make a fine mentor for you."

"Understood."

Qimu Chao smiled and nodded, then took the Headband off his forehead and tied it around his arm; he always felt that having it on his forehead felt odd.

After the Third Hokage returned to his office, Tuan Cang appeared in the office right on time.

"Yuanfei, I heard a child graduated early from the Ninja Academy and became a Genin?"

Tuan Cang's voice wasn't particularly grim, yet it still felt very odd, as if he were deliberately adopting a pretentious tone.

"Don't even think about it, Tuan Cang; that's Shuo Mao's son. Neither I nor Shuo Mao would allow him into the roots."

Before Tuan Cang could voice his true intention, the Third Hokage outright rejected his idea: "I advise you to abandon that thought; don't secretly go after that child! I have my own views on how to cultivate him."

Hearing the Third Hokage's resolute words, Tuan Cang said nothing further, gave him a deep look, then, leaning on his cane, walked out of the Hokage Office step by step.

He's just an ordinary genius; Yuanfei doesn't mind not handing him over.

And Yuanfei is also right in that Qimu Shuomao would certainly never hand his son over to him.