"Actually, Rin is also my disciple," Mokgetsu explained briefly, not needing to hide some things now.
Jiraiya looked at Mokgetsu with a bit of surprise; he only knew that Mokgetsu was learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade. He didn't expect Mokgetsu's own medical ninjutsu wasn't low either, capable of teaching a disciple like Nohara Rin.
"So it was you. When did you steal my Monster Strength Power? Tonight, you must make a beggar's chicken and a spicy chicken to compensate for my loss," Tsunade said seriously.
Mokgetsu didn't want to burst the bubble; was she truly thinking her ninjutsu was stolen, or was she just craving the chicken?
Since Monster Strength Power wasn't a concrete ninjutsu but a chakra control technique, it could only be taught, and stealing it would be extremely difficult.
"Cooking is not a problem, but Rin highly admires you, Tsunade-sama, and she might want to follow me along then," Mokgetsu agreed with a smile.
Mokgetsu was considering leaving Nohara Rin in Tsunade's care for a while.
Tsunade, though quite laid-back now, still remained the strongest in the medical ninjutsu field. Mokgetsu thought it necessary for Nohara Rin to advance her studies with Tsunade.
Tsunade quickly nodded in agreement, meanwhile pondering whether to let Shizune learn from Mokgetsu, who seemed to have a knack for teaching.
Nohara Rin eventually lost due to exhausting too much chakra and stamina.
For the Konoha Land of Fire audience present, this was yet another unsatisfying battle. Although Nohara Rin initially forced Kisame to retreat, she ultimately lost.
This was the Chunin Examination to showcase strength—the loser was inferior.
"That darn guy, Might Guy, you better give him a good lesson later," flames burned in Obito's heart, but he couldn't do anything due to the signed numbers.
Hoshigaki Kisame would meet Might Guy in the third round, and Obito believed Might Guy would win, so they wouldn't even face each other.
"Leave it to me," Might Guy nodded seriously with determination.
Without a doubt, Nohara Rin was his partner too, and he would surely retaliate with Kisame by using his strongest kick techniques.
"Second round, Might Guy vs. Kurozawa!"
When Hiruko's voice reached the audience, many spectators perked up.
Despite so many Konoha and Hidden Mist battles, the spectators kept watching, knowing full well the Konoha Ninjas were no pushovers, simply that Hidden Mist hadn't yet faced a Konoha strongman.
"Might Guy, go for it! Just like last time, make it a one-kick win!" someone shouted.
"Might Guy, give it your all!"
Hearing so many cheering for his son, Might Duy teared up in gratitude, stood up excitedly to cheer for Might Guy.
The venue was bustling with excitement, though due to distance, Might Guy couldn't clearly hear what was being said on the battlefield. He vaguely heard his name being called.
Might Guy's mouth curled up into a smile; winning first in the Chunin Examination was a solid step toward being the strongest in Taijutsu!
"It was such a difficult battle, how on earth to beat this guy?" Kurozawa quickly thought strategy to defeat Might Guy.
He had been pondering it for a long time, right after drawing his lot, but still hadn't figured out a way.
Because Might Guy's ability on display was just one—a Taijutsu powerful enough to take down Kisame in one kick.
Not wanting to win was impossible because the better he performed, the more rewards he'd return to Hidden Mist with, but he couldn't think of any way to win.
"The battle begins!"
"Eight Gates, Opening Gate, open! Healing Gate, open! Life Gate, open!"
Might Guy instantly opened three gates and entered Full Concentration Breathing state just to finish quickly without depleting much stamina.
"Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
Kurozawa immediately formed hand seals, summoning a thick fog to cover the venue, simultaneously using Instant Body Jutsu to leave his spot, worried Might Guy would instantly kick him down.
Kurozawa's worry was justified; the moment he left, the ground where he stood just cracked open; had he been a bit slower, it would have been him, not the ground.
But this also relieved Kurozawa; it proved Might Guy couldn't see in the Hidden Mist Jutsu—he had a chance.
As Kurozawa divided into a Water Clone, intending to use it to distract Might Guy and stealthily attack with his main body, Might Guy moved.
Might Guy channeled most of his power into his legs, and then the formidable chakra of Eight Gates erupted, instantly appearing in front of Kurozawa, delivering a powerful kick.
"Extreme·Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
It was Might Guy's most potent move from the Tornado Series, unleashing Leaf Strong Whirlwind with maximal strength, capable of easily shattering heavy, sturdy rocks.
Boom!!
The rapid and forceful kick landed on both Kurozawa and the Water Clone.
The Water Clone exploded like a punctured water balloon, splashing water all around, while Kurozawa's main body embedded heavily into the wall, leaving a human-shaped mark.
Without Kurozawa using chakra to maintain it, the mist quickly thinned and dissipated, allowing the audience to see Might Guy standing on the battlefield and Kurozawa beaten against the wall.
Kurozawa, with a mouthful of blood, looked at Might Guy with unwillingness, wanting to ask how he managed to counter the Hidden Mist Jutsu, but he couldn't speak.
It seemed Might Guy saw through Kurozawa's doubts, so he spoke up: "Once, to defeat someone, I practiced fighting with my eyes closed, and just by sound could determine position."
For a significant time, Might Guy was helpless against Shisui's genjutsu, too powerful to be dispelled with ordinary means.
So, he practiced such fighting methods, fearing one day facing an enemy with genjutsu as strong as Shisui's.
His first kick was based on memory, so it missed; but his second kick located them through sound, picking up on the commotion from Kurozawa's Water Clone.
Kurozawa closed his eyes; he admitted his loss without grievance, for Might Guy was exceedingly challenging to deal with.
"Might Guy wins!" Hiruko announced the victor's name.
Although they didn't see how Might Guy dealt with Kurozawa, Might Guy's overwhelming win amidst Konoha's series of losses to Hidden Mist was striking, inspiring many to cheer for him.
Might Guy deactivated the Eight Gates and Breathing Technique, walking back to the resting area with a confident grin; he'd win one more, Kakashi two, so they could face off in the finals.
Though Obito displayed great strength, Might Guy held an inexplicable confidence in Kakashi. He believed Kakashi could handle anyone and vie with him for first place.
"That must be the bond between close friends," Might Guy thought, his smile widening.
Just as he entered the resting area, Might Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up and sat to rest.
Kakashi, unclear about Might Guy's intentions, nodded.
"Indeed, Kakashi accepted my challenge; it's our tacit understanding," Might Guy felt immensely excited.
"Third round, Uchiha Obito vs. Terumi Mei!"
"Think more, don't let emotion take over," Kakashi reminded.
Terumi Mei had a way of countering Obito; this battle wouldn't be easy for him.
"Do you need to remind me? I always fight using my mind," Obito didn't agree with Kakashi's assessment of him.
He believed he applied plenty of strategies in battle, costing many brain cells.
"Just wait until I defeat you in the next round!" Obito, with a confident smile, declared war on Kakashi and left the resting area.
Still seated in the resting area, Zabuza: …
Assuming my loss like that? Didn't even see me losing once to Kakashi in the Forest of Death, yet it stings a bit to be outright ignored.
PS: Writing till 1 AM again, hope to fall asleep sooner.