Chapter 27: The Chunin Exam ApproachesThe Announcement
Another half month passed before anyone noticed.
June twenty-third had arrived.
Nearly two months had passed since their return from the Land of Waves. During this time, Team 8 had completed only three D-rank missions.
In the four months since graduation, they had accumulated eleven missions total—one of them B-rank. This met the registration requirements for the upcoming Chunin Exam.
Today, Kurenai had gathered Team 8 for the first time in weeks.
At the same clearing where they had held their survival exercise, she faced her three students with an expression of mixed pride and anticipation.
"I called you here to tell you something important."
She paused, letting them focus.
"Not long ago, the Third Hokage summoned all the jōnin instructors. He announced that this year's Chunin Exam will begin on July first. Registration opens in just a few days."
Her gaze swept across them.
"I have complete confidence in your abilities. But I still want to ask—do you want to take the exam?"
Hinata and Shino immediately looked at Ryuzen.
Hinata's will had always been Ryuzen's will. And since witnessing his overwhelming strength, Shino had come to regard him as the team's unquestioned core. Naturally, they would follow his lead.
Ryuzen felt their gazes and nodded once. "We'll participate."
Hinata smiled shyly and said nothing.
Shino adjusted his sunglasses in silent agreement.
Their attitudes told Kurenai everything she needed to know.
Satisfaction warmed her expression. "Excellent. I'll handle the registration. I'll notify you of the time and location once everything is confirmed."
Then, in a swirl of leaves—"Dismissed."
She was gone.
Aftermath
The three genin departed together, retracing their path through the village.
"The Chunin Exam." Shino's flat voice broke the comfortable silence. "My father explained it to me once. It's the examination for genin seeking promotion to chūnin. Held every three years. An important opportunity for the major nations to observe each other's military strength."
He glanced sideways at Ryuzen.
"Each exam rotates between different villages. This time, it's Konoha's turn."
"Meaning." Ryuzen's response was calm. "We'll face strong opponents. Not just from our village—genin from other hidden villages as well."
"Yes."
Ryuzen's crimson eyes showed no concern. "No matter who we face. We'll reach the end."
Shino nodded slightly. He believed those words. More importantly, he believed in the strength behind them.
Even Hinata—with her gentle, anxious nature—felt no worry at this announcement.
That alone demonstrated how deeply Ryuzen's power had impressed itself upon them. It was almost like Temari and Kankuro's absolute confidence in Gaara.
At the street where their paths diverged, Shino departed with a slight nod.
Ryuzen and Hinata continued toward his home together.
Daily Training
Morning still stretched before them. They had eaten breakfast before the gathering, so there was no need to pause for a meal.
They went directly to the training hall.
Hinata's situation with her family remained unchanged. Her younger sister, five years her junior, had already surpassed her in the Gentle Fist. The Hyūga clan considered Hinata lacking in potential to lead. This dismissal, painful as it might have been to some, granted her an unexpected freedom.
During daylight hours, she stayed at Ryuzen's house almost constantly. Only nightfall drew her home.
She cared for his daily needs. She trained beside him. She lived the life she wanted.
Two years had passed since they last trained outdoors. The training hall now held multiple wooden dummies specifically arranged for Hinata's Gentle Fist practice.
Ryuzen stood with Shigure Kintoki in one hand, executing cuts.
Each swing sent waves of air pressure rippling outward, causing his clothes to flutter. A single lapse in control would transform those pressure waves into destructive sword energy.
Nearby, Hinata moved between several dummies. Her palms struck rapidly, marking precise points on each wooden surface—the exact locations of human tenketsu.
An hour passed.
Ryuzen completed his daily tasks and withdrew from the spiritual world. The first training phase ended.
They moved to the second phase: sparring.
Calling it a duel would be generous. In truth, Ryuzen simply evaded Hinata's attacks.
In the past, he had blindfolded himself during these sessions to sharpen his Kenbunshoku Haki. Now, he simply allowed her to strike.
"Two Palms... Four Palms... Eight Palms, Sixteen Palms... Thirty-Two Palms... Sixty-Four Palms!"
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP—
Her slender palms rained against his body like afterimages, each strike producing solid impacts.
If one opened his kimono, they would find his chest and torso covered in a layer of black substance.
Armament Haki.
This coating absorbed Hinata's powerful strikes—though she also held back, refusing to channel chakra through his body.
Ryuzen wondered whether Armament Haki could prevent internal injuries. But even considering the experiment, he knew Hinata would refuse. It had taken considerable coaxing and reassurance just to convince her to strike him with the full Sixty-Four Palms.
Now, as she finished the sequence, breathing hard from exertion, Ryuzen smiled at her sweat-sheened face.
"You're wonderful, Hinata."
"Not... not at all." She lowered her head shyly. "Compared to Ryuzen-kun... I'm still so far behind."
He opened his arms and drew her close.
Lowering his head, he pressed his face against her neck, breathing in her natural fragrance—untainted by any unpleasant odor of sweat. He listened to her panting breaths gradually steady.
"I won't let you catch up to me, Hinata." His voice was soft against her skin. "Because I want to protect you. That means I have to become stronger than anyone."
"Mm."
She hugged him back, burying her face in his chest, and answered with pure happiness.
(End of Chapter)
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