Three days later, at Konoha's Sixth Training Ground—
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
The sharp sound of a blade cutting through the air echoed continuously.
Aoki Yoru stood in the center of the field, gripping his ninja sword with both hands. His movements were steady and precise, each swing following a strict rhythm. Sweat soaked through his clothes, dripping down his chin, yet his expression remained calm and focused.
He wasn't practicing fancy techniques.
Just the basics.
Again and again.
Because in battle, it was always the basics that determined life and death.
Not far away, Shimizu Yui sat cross-legged beneath a tree, her eyes closed in quiet meditation.
Her breathing was slow and even, her posture relaxed.
According to her, this method of emptying the mind—discarding distracting thoughts and focusing inward—could strengthen spiritual energy. For someone specializing in genjutsu and medical ninjutsu, this was an essential foundation.
Aoki had already discovered similar methods on his own.
But for Kenta—
It was nothing short of enlightenment.
"Ugh—!"
A dull thud sounded.
Aoki glanced over.
Kenta had fallen from the tree again, landing flat on his back. His clothes were covered in dust, his face twisted in frustration.
Panting heavily, he forced himself up.
"I can do this… I just need to focus!"
He gathered chakra at his feet and charged toward the tree again.
Step!
Step!
Step!
A row of footprints appeared on the trunk as he ran upward—
Then—
"Thud!"
He fell again.
Aoki shook his head slightly.
Kenta's physical strength was impressive, but his chakra control was lacking. Compared to Yui, who excelled in fine control, Kenta struggled with precision.
That was why Aoki had taught them tree climbing and water walking.
These were fundamental training methods for chakra control—simple in theory, but extremely effective.
Of course, even if he hadn't shared them, Kakashi would have taught them eventually.
Kenta, however, had taken it to heart immediately, training with relentless enthusiasm.
At that moment—
"It seems you've already learned tree climbing."
A lazy voice sounded from behind them.
None of them had sensed his arrival.
Kakashi Hatake stood there casually, hands in his pockets.
Aoki sheathed his sword and walked over.
"Kakashi-sensei, do we have another mission?"
Instead of answering, Kakashi reached into his vest and pulled out three forms.
He handed them over.
"Take a look."
Aoki accepted the paper—
Then paused.
"Chunin Exam registration forms?"
His eyebrows lifted slightly.
Already?
They had only recently become Genin.
"Isn't this a bit soon?" Aoki asked calmly. "We just graduated."
For him, staying low-profile was the safest option. Waiting another year would reduce unnecessary attention.
Kakashi glanced at him.
"Your strength is sufficient."
Then he added,
"Of course, participation is voluntary. You can choose not to go."
Aoki remained silent.
Kakashi continued,
"But remember—if you participate, you must do so as a team."
"I'm in!"
"I want to participate too!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
Kenta and Yui were practically glowing with excitement, their eyes shining as they stared at the forms.
For them, this was a chance.
A chance to prove themselves.
Aoki sighed inwardly.
As expected…
Looking at their expressions, he knew there was no stopping them.
"…Fine," he said finally. "Then I'll participate as well."
Kakashi nodded slightly.
"The exam will begin in half a month. Check the bulletin board tomorrow for details."
Then, as if remembering something, he reached into his pouch again.
This time, he pulled out several thin, white sheets of paper.
Aoki's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Chakra Induction Paper…"
This wasn't something ordinary ninja could easily obtain.
It was a strategic resource—used to determine a ninja's elemental affinity. In wartime, such information could decide life or death.
The village controlled it strictly.
Even if you had money, you might not be able to buy it.
Kenta and Yui leaned closer, curiosity written all over their faces.
"Since we're here," Kakashi said casually, "you might as well test yourselves."
He explained briefly:
"Fire burns the paper."
"Water makes it damp."
"Wind splits it."
"Lightning causes it to crinkle."
"Earth makes it crumble."
Aoki stepped forward first.
He had wanted to know this for a long time.
Holding the paper between his fingers, he slowly injected chakra into it.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The paper reacted.
One section wrinkled and twisted violently.
Another corner became damp.
And the bottom edge—
Crumpled into dust.
Aoki stared at it.
"Lightning… Water… and Earth?"
Three affinities.
And yet—
He felt a hint of disappointment.
Only three…?
Other transmigrators had all five elements… even Yin and Yang.
Meanwhile—
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"Three affinities is already extremely rare."
He looked at Aoki more seriously.
"In the ninja world, having multiple affinities is like finding a phoenix feather."
Aoki blinked.
…Fair enough.
Kakashi handed the paper to Yui next.
She focused carefully.
The paper split cleanly—
Then became slightly damp.
"Wind and Water," Kakashi confirmed.
Yui's eyes lit up.
Then it was Kenta's turn.
The paper burned slightly—
And parts of it crumbled.
"Fire and Earth."
Even Aoki was surprised.
All three of them had multiple affinities.
That was no coincidence.
Kakashi clapped his hands lightly.
"For the next few days, I'll train you personally."
Kenta straightened immediately.
Yui looked both nervous and excited.
Aoki's attention sharpened.
This was exactly what he needed.
Guidance.
Knowledge.
Real ninjutsu.
Kakashi glanced at Kenta first.
"You. Continue practicing tree climbing and water walking."
Kenta froze.
"…That's it?"
"Chakra control is the foundation of everything," Kakashi replied flatly.
Kenta wilted slightly—but nodded.
Then Kakashi turned to Yui.
"Your chakra control is excellent. Focus on genjutsu or medical ninjutsu."
He took out a scroll and handed it to her.
"I'm not a specialist in medical ninjutsu. Study this first. Later, I'll recommend you to train at the hospital."
Yui opened the scroll—
Her eyes widened.
"This is… the Mystical Palm Technique?!"
An A-rank ninjutsu.
Her hands trembled slightly as she held it.
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
She immediately moved aside, completely absorbed in studying.
Finally—
Kakashi looked at Aoki.
"What about you?"
"Is there anything you want to learn?"
Aoki paused.
Then—
Lightning flickered faintly around his body.
A thin layer of chakra armor formed over his skin.
"This," he said. "I learned it during the last battle."
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly.
Aoki continued,
"But I've reached a bottleneck. I can't seem to make it more stable or stronger."
He didn't hide anything.
Instead, he explained everything he understood about the technique.
Kakashi listened silently.
Then—
"Follow me."
They moved deeper into the forest.
After a moment, Kakashi stopped.
"You really are a genius," he said casually. "Even I wasn't at your level at this age."
Aoki smiled lightly.
"You're being modest, sensei. Everyone knows you became a Jonin at twelve."
Kakashi shook his head.
Then—
"The problem with your technique," he said, "is that you're focusing only on output."
He formed hand seals.
"Chirp—chirp—chirp—!"
A sharp, piercing sound filled the air.
Lightning gathered in his hand, blazing white and intensely concentrated.
The sound resembled a thousand birds crying at once.
In an instant—
He moved.
"Boom!"
The lightning pierced straight through a massive rock, shattering it from the inside.
Fragments exploded outward.
Dust filled the air.
"This is Chidori," Kakashi said calmly.
Aoki's eyes sharpened.
"Your Lightning Release needs refinement," Kakashi continued. "Not just more chakra—but purer, more concentrated chakra."
"Compress it."
"Refine it."
"Push it to its limit."
"Only then… will your armor become truly solid."
Aoki stood still.
Thinking.
Analyzing.
Then—
"Chirp… chirp…"
A familiar sound began to rise behind Kakashi.
He turned slightly.
Aoki stood there—
Lightning gathering in his hand.
Unstable.
Rough.
But—
Already taking shape.
Kakashi's eye curved slightly.
"…Impressive."
Aoki exhaled slowly, his gaze steady.
The Chunin Exams were approaching.
And this time—
He wouldn't just survive.
He would grow stronger.