Chuunin Exams 7

The final of the Chuunin exam is tomorrow and Kuro was in one of his hideouts in the Land of Rivers.

This was one of the hiding places where he worked the most.

(Image in comments. If you are interested, you can post an idea.)

"Mhm. It looks good on you." Karin moved her glasses and nodded once Kuro left his room.

(Winning outfit in comments.)

Once Karin reached her village after failing to pass the second stage, she was sent to the North Keep to help.

She and Kuro had already agreed that he would take her as soon as they had a chance and when it arose, she would throw a marked Kunai to the ground; after that he took her to the hideout.

His trip to the cat sanctuary was quite fruitful and informative.

Miko selected a rather special cat to be the closest summons to Kuro; Shiori.

Naturally, he can summon many of the other cats.

Among which were trackers who had extremely developed senses, some even chakra-oriented.

For example, cats capable of smelling chakra signatures, hearing their flow when using a jutsu, and even seeing chakra residues in the environment if there was a recent battle.

Then there were the warriors, who used a weapon or their own body, sending chakra to their claws.

It was when he personally met Shiori that Kuro got the most surprising information.

She was a completely white kitten with two tails, heterochromatic eyes, and a bit of blue fire in her ears. (Image in comments.)

As for her personality, she constantly tries to imitate Miko, something she doesn't do very well.

It's quite understandable why she does that if you know how long the red cat has been alive.

She has been alive since the time of The Sage of the Six Paths, or rather, her consciousness and chakra did.

Miko died a long time ago, however, she mixed her chakra and consciousness with the energy of the nature of the cat sanctuary, allowing her to live as a spirit.

However, if she leaves the limits of the energy of nature, she will no longer be able to manifest again.

Miko also casually commented that she and Hagoromo had a very close friendship, hinting that he created Matatabi based on her.

Hagoromo also gave the original Tsuko and Taiko a certain gift, which was a bit of their Yin chakra for the first and Yang chakra for the second.

After the death of the two of them, their descendants continued to inherit the marks of the Moon and the Sun, however, the Yin and Yang chakra in them was quite scarce.

It is when a descendant is born with a lot of chakra that they are named as the new Tsuko or Taiko, since they are considered the reincarnation of the originals.

Even so, just having the markings of the Moon or the Sun already gives the cat a great advantage.

The Yin chakra increases Genjutsu and mental abilities, while the Yang chakra is associated with the body, giving cats a great advantage in hand-to-paw combat.

Shiori, despite not having any of the marks, is considered a princess by everyone.

There are many reasons, however, the most notable being the blue fire on her ears.

Even though Kuro is the first to go to form a contract, the cats have a lot of knowledge about the Elemental Nations and, according to Miko, they also imparted the knowledge of being a Ninneko to the cats outside the sanctuary; Even though she said it was a long time ago

Matatabi's appearance is widespread of all, making them respect the blue fire a lot.

As for the reason why Miko wants someone this important to be a familiar summon for Kuro, it is because of Shiori's ability to sense places with Nature Energy.

Kuro's relationship with the cats could be considered mutually beneficial, although it is more beneficial to Kuro than to them.

Miko explained her assumption to Kuro that she wanted him to learn the Six Paths Sage Mode.

For this, Kuro must learn Senjutsu in an environment with Nature Energy without any kind of animal connection.

In this case, Kuro thinks it is possible, since Hashirama achieved Sage Mode without having a summons.

Shiori would help in this regard, because the Nature Energy in the Elemental Nations is very scarce compared to the past.

After he learns Senjutsu, he will absorb part of Tsuko and Taiko's chakra.

This is Miko's guess and something she sees as an opportunity to keep the sanctuary safe.

After all, she is aware of Kaguya's existence and wants to have some way to protect her home in case something comes up.

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Kuro was walking in the direction of the back gate of the stadium.

The main road was extremely busy with fancy carriages or people in a variety of clothing.

The days before, during and after the Chuunin exams are considered a festival for the Konoha villagers, increasing the enthusiasm of the foreigners.

Kuro glimpsed the door he would enter minutes before the designated time for the fighters.

One of the Chuunin in charge spoke as he approached, "Kuro Shizumatta, you are just in time." He pointed back, "Just follow the tunnel and you will find the others."

"Thanks." He nodded and entered the tunnel, where the murmuring of the onlookers could faintly be heard.

When he came out of the tunnel, he saw the proctor, Genma Shiranui, and seven candidates, now eight with Kuro.

The audience volume increased when a new competitor made an appearance, causing the other people in the arena to turn their heads.

"Hehe~ I didn't think you could be more handsome. You look great." Ino smiled and looked Kuro up and down when he stood next to her.

"Orange would have been better." Naruto spoke right after her while holding his hands behind his head.

Genma interrupted before anyone could say anything else, "Okay, hush and listen."

Immediately afterwards, Hiruzen stood up and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Welcome! We are grateful for your presence in Konohagakure for this year's Chuunin selection! We ask you not to withdraw until the matches are over and thus respect the nine competitors who have come this far! Nothing more to say; enjoy!"

"Nine? I only count eight." The Kazekage spoke once Hiruzen sat down.

He didn't answer and just looked at the arena.

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"There is one other thing you should know before start." Genma pulled out a folded sheet of paper and opened it in front of the Genins. "Please look. There has been a slight change in the confrontations."

Everyone was surprised, but Ino was the most surprised, since before her opponent was Dosu, however, now she will face the winner of the battle of Sasuke vs. Gaara.

"I have a question!" Naruto raised his hand "What if Sasuke doesn't show up?"

"If a candidate is not in the arena at the time of being called, he will automatically lose." Genma bit down on the Senbon in his mouth, "Now listen. The terrain is different but the rules are the same as in the preliminaries."

He looked at the sheet of paper, "The first match is Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari, so you two stay. The rest can go to the waiting area."

"Why do you think the fighting changed?" Ino asked worriedly as she walked alongside Kuro.

He looked at her. "To become a Chuunin, you don't have to win. Don't worry so much."

She sighed and nodded with a smile.

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"That idiot!" Ino exclaimed after hearing Shikamaru's surrender, however, she calmed down a bit when she heard his reason.

The next match is Shino vs. Naruto

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Naruto tried to get close to Shino immediately after starting, however, he quickly retreated as the insects exited Shino's body.

He then created shadow clones to try and get close, even using simple tactics like pincer attacks, using a clone as a shield, etc.

However, the clones exploded the moment their chakra was absorbed by the insects.

When most of the insects were heading towards Naruto, the few remaining clones made a Kamikaze attack and managed to hit Shino, however he turned out to be an Insect Clone.

The insects became larger in number and managed to engulf the original Naruto, causing him to fall to the ground.

Although they retired a moment later, so that it is not dangerous for him.

Knowing the blond's stubbornness, Shino rushed out from behind the tree and knocked him out before he could get his bearings.

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Next confrontation; Kuro Shizumatta vs. Neji Hyuuga.

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