Chapter 48
The Chunin Exam was meant to be a simple test for Genin to advance, but with the participation of multiple nations and hidden villages, it had long since become anything but straightforward.
Konoha, ever the master of indoctrination, held a distinct advantage in this field. Regardless of actual ability, every participant was driven by the same battle cry: "For Konoha!"—a phrase that worked like a shot of adrenaline. Inspired by this so-called noble sense of duty, Konoha's Genin always threw themselves into the exams with reckless abandon.
Of course, the daimyos who funded these events were none the wiser. Seeing the Konoha shinobi fight so fiercely even in an exam, they assumed they must be a force to be reckoned with. More funding! More rewards! If the higher-ups were rewarded, then naturally, military funds would flow into the village.
Before the first phase of the exam even began, a crowd of nervous Genin had already gathered outside the venue. Among them were Hyuga Chinano and Aburame Hatsuizumi, who were still a little uneasy at the sight of so many competitors. But following the carefree attitude of their teammate, Uzumaki Zixu, their nervousness gradually faded.
"Chinano, how's your Eight Trigrams (Hakke) training going?" Zixu asked casually.
"Well... Techniques that align with my chakra nature are stronger, but I still can't use anything beyond the basic elements. Water, fire, and earth are manageable, but Wood Release (Mokuton) is a bloodline limit, so it's impossible for me. As for Gold Release (Kinton)? I've never even heard of it."
Since learning about her chakra affinity, Chinano had trained accordingly. She even attempted to use water-based jutsu in a way that mimicked Ice Release (Hyoton), but with little success. At best, her water techniques could slightly slow down an opponent.
"Don't overthink it," Zixu said. "Just focus on mastering those three elements, especially water. Try applying your chakra to the Eight Trigrams Diagram (Hakke no Zu) and use it as a guide."
"Zixu, Zixu, why does my Insect Breeding Technique (Kikaichu no Jutsu) keep failing?" Hatsuizumi interjected. "I've already transformed them into chakra-based forms, so in theory, it should work..."
"There's no rush," Zixu reassured him. "Every insect user—no, every Aburame—has to refine their control through constant practice. Why not try communicating with your summon first? You've barely used it since signing the contract."
"...Well, it's not that I don't summon Chõcho, but every time I do, he just sits there. He won't listen to me, doesn't move, and just... stares."