Kaito steadied himself and slowly rose from the wheelchair. His body still ached, but he ignored it, lowering himself into a deep bow before Inoko.
Inoko's eyes widened. "Oi, what are you doing?"
Kaito remained in place. "Sensei… what you did for me might not seem like much to you, but to me, it meant everything."
Inoko stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
Kaito lifted his head slightly, his expression solemn. "Did you ever wonder why I worked so hard? It wasn't just for myself. I had no one growing up. Being a civilian orphan meant no one really cared if I made it or not. Even at the Academy, I was just another face in the crowd. No clan backing me, no connections, nothing."
Inoko remained silent as he continued.
"You were the first person to notice me. The first to treat me like I mattered. Out of all the clan shinobi I've met, you were the only one who ever gave me real attention and respect. You taught me, guided me… believed in me."
Inoko exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Kaito…"
She hesitated, then asked, "What will you do now? I won't be able to train you. Not for a long time, if ever."
Kaito straightened, his eyes firm. "I'll keep training. I'll enter the Chunin Exams and prove that I deserve to be here."
Inoko smirked. "Heh. Not bad. Just don't get yourself killed before you get there."
Kaito allowed himself a small smile. "I won't."
Kaito thanked Inoko and left.
Outside, Shinichi waited for him, arms crossed. As they walked, Shinichi glanced at Kaito. "You thanked Inoko so sincerely. Why not me?"
Kaito didn't hesitate. "You get paid to train me. It's your job. Inoko, on the other hand, had nothing to gain from helping me. She's a clan member, yet she chose to train someone like me, a civilian orphan, just because she wanted to. That's rare."
Shinichi sighed, nodding. "You're right. People like Inoko are rare."
Kaito shifted in his wheelchair. "So, are we heading back to the hospital, or is there somewhere else we need to go?"
Shinichi pushed the chair forward. "No. You're being discharged. We start training tomorrow."
---
At the Akimichi Clan Compound, Chosuke grunted as he pushed himself up from the ground, finishing a set of push-ups. Chomi stood over him with a firm stance. "You've learned the first stage of chakra enhancement. Now, it's time to focus on your clan jutsus before the Chunin Exams."
Chosuke wiped his forehead. "Why are you so insistent on clan jutsus? Why not other techniques?"
Chomi crossed her arms. "The Chunin Exams aren't just about promotion. Every clan sends their best to represent them. Nobles, daimyos, and the public will be watching. Your performance will reflect on the Akimichi name. That's why it matters."
Chosuke exhaled heavily and sat up, glancing across the training ground. In the distance, Satoru swung his sword, releasing a blade of chakra. It struck a rock, leaving a thin crack. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and readjusted his grip, preparing to try again.
Tatsuo, standing nearby, nodded. "Your control's improving, but the chakra still scatters on impact. Try to keep it stable before release."
Satoru didn't respond, only narrowing his eyes and swinging again.
Chosuke turned back to Chomi. "Alright, what's the next jutsu I should learn?"
Two months had passed.
Shinichi had called his team to the training ground to discuss the upcoming Chunin Exams. Everyone arrived on time—except Satoru. He strolled in last, holding a popsicle, looking completely unbothered.
Kaito shot him an irritated glare. "You're late."
Satoru took a bite of his popsicle and pulled out his pocket watch, holding it up for Kaito to see. "I came exactly on time."
Kaito scoffed, clearly unconvinced, but Shinichi cut in before the argument could escalate. "Enough. Let's get to the point."
He pulled out three sheets of paper and held them up. Chosuke squinted at them. "Are those… application forms?"
Shinichi nodded. "Yes. By the Hokage's permission, our rookie team has been allowed to participate this year."
Satoru raised an eyebrow. "Wait. So all this time, if the Hokage didn't approve, we wouldn't have been able to take the exams?"
"Exactly." Shinichi handed each of them a form. "Fill these out with valid details and submit them before the end of the week."
As the meeting ended and the team dispersed, Satoru stayed behind.
"Shinichi-sensei," he called.
Shinichi stopped and turned to him. "What is it?"
Satoru hesitated before speaking. "When will you be available to train me again?"
Shinichi sighed. "I won't be. I need to spend all my time training Kaito."
Frustration flickered in Satoru's eyes. He clenched his fists. "But I still have a lot to learn from you."
Shinichi shook his head. "You're already juggling too many techniques. Instead of always chasing new jutsu, focus on improving what you have and expanding on it."
Satoru frowned. "Why?"
"You have the most diverse fighting style among the three of you. If you keep adding more without refining what you already have, you'll spread yourself too thin."
Satoru thought about it. "Then what should I focus on?"
"Your medical ninjutsu. And try to find creative ways to use the jutsu you already know."
Satoru absorbed the advice, then nodded. "Got it." Without another word, he turned and left.
Satoru was deep in thought, Shinichi's words echoed in his mind—'instead of learning more jutsu, focus on refining what you already have.' It made sense. There was no point in collecting techniques like trophies if he couldn't wield them effectively.
As he walked, he noticed a group of red-haired individuals moving toward him. Foreigners, probably. He could tell not just from their unfamiliar faces but from their subtle wariness, the way they scanned their surroundings as if assessing potential threats while also looking at everything with curiousity.
They spotted him and approached. "Are you from Konoha?" one of them asked.
Satoru raised a brow. "Yeah, I am."
The man pulled out a map and pointed at a location. "Do you know where this is?"
Satoru glanced at the map. The name of the place stood out immediately—it was one of Konoha's official lodging quarters for high-profile foreign guests. Kages, diplomats, allied shinobi—anyone of importance from outside the village would likely stay there. His eyes flicked up to the group again. Their clothing was practical but finely made, and despite their casual demeanor, he could see the well-hidden weapons strapped to their bodies.
"You guys shinobi?" he asked.
One of them nodded. "We are. We're from the Land of Whirlpools."
Satoru nodded. It made sense. Uzushio and Konoha were allies, and with the Chunin Exams coming up, it wasn't surprising to see foreign shinobi arriving in the village. "Follow me," he said and led the way.
As they walked, one of the younger ones—a girl with striking red hair and bright eyes—spoke up. "Are you a shinobi too?"
"I am."
She grinned. "Then you must know all the good spots in the village. Where's the best place to eat?"
Satoru smirked. "Depends on what you're craving. If you want barbecue, the Akimichi place is unbeatable. For sweets, there's a shop near the market that sells dango and mochi that'll make you want to come back every day."
"And the training grounds?" she asked.
He gave her directions before finally stopping in front of their destination. The group entered the building, but just before stepping inside, the girl turned back to him. "What's your name?"
"Satoru, and what's yours?"
She winked. "You'll eventually know mine."
Satoru narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing as she disappeared inside.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, a storm was brewing.
Hiruzen sat at his desk, massaging his temples. His face was lined with stress as he read the latest reports from his informants.
The contents were disturbing.
The corpses of the Suna jonin and his team—who were killed during the bandit mission—had been identified. Their remains had been found in the Land of Fire.
The Daimyo of Sunagakure was demanding answers.
Hiruzen exhaled sharply, setting the report down. His mind raced through the possibilities. This situation was dangerous. If not handled correctly, it could escalate into something much worse.
He closed his eyes and muttered a silent prayer. 'The last thing we need is another Great Ninja War.' Hiruzen thought.
---
The time for the Chunin Exams had finally arrived.
Shinobi from different nations flooded into Konoha, all eager to prove themselves in the exams. The village was livelier than usual, filled with foreign accents, distinctive uniforms, and the unmistakable tension that came with competition.
Satoru stood near the gates of the exam hall, waiting for his team. His eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the variety of participants—some chatting in hushed tones, others standing stiffly, sizing up the competition.
Many passed by him. Some recognized him, offering small nods or smiles, while others looked at his headband and assessed him as a potential threat. Satoru remained indifferent, his focus set on the exam ahead.
As he waited, Keiko appeared, carrying a lunchbox. "Here," she said, handing it to him. "Eat this when you get some free time."
Satoru took it with a small nod.
Keiko pulled him into a brief hug. "Good luck," she whispered before stepping back. As she noticed his team approaching, she gave him one last look before walking away.
Satoru turned to see Kaito and Chosuke arriving. Without a word, the three of them entered the exam hall together.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy with silent hostility. Every shinobi viewed the others as rivals. Groups from the same villages or allied nations stuck close, creating an unspoken divide in the room.
Satoru and his team stepped into the building, blending into the steady stream of participants making their way toward their designated exam halls.
He glanced at the slip of paper in his hand, confirming their assigned location—Exam Hall Three.
Kaito approached a nearby jonin and asked for directions. Once they had their answer, the three of them started moving.
As they made their way through the corridors, a commotion caught their attention. A heated exchange was taking place up ahead, drawing the attention of several other participants.
Satoru's eyes narrowed as he spotted Tatsuo, standing beside his teammate, a broad-shouldered boy with dark hair named Riku.
Tatsuo was speaking confidently, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "We'll pass the Chunin Exams, no doubt about it. And one day, I'll become the greatest nin-taijutsu user ever!"
Before anyone could respond, a Kumo-nin stepped forward, his silver-white hair tied back in a loose ponytail. His piercing eyes locked onto Tatsuo with clear irritation.
"The greatest nin-taijutsu user?" the boy repeated, almost offended. "That title belongs to the Third Raikage. And if anyone's taking that spot, it'll be me—Gaku of Kumogakure!"
The tension escalated instantly. Without hesitation, Gaku and Tatsuo squared off, exchanging swift blows. Neither used chakra yet, but their raw speed and technique were enough to draw a crowd.
Satoru watched for a moment, then stepped in. He grabbed Tatsuo by the shoulder and pulled him back. "Save it for the exam," he said, giving him a sharp look.
Tatsuo hesitated, clenching his fists, but after a moment, he clicked his tongue and backed off.
Gaku scoffed. "We'll settle this in the arena," he said before walking away.
Satoru let out a quiet sigh, then turned to Tatsuo. "Let's go. Don't waste your energy here."
With that, he and his team resumed their path to Exam Hall Three.
Satoru and his team stepped into Exam Hall 3, scanning their surroundings. The hall was filled with genin from different villages, chatting among themselves, but something felt off.
Kaito furrowed his brows. "There's something wrong here," he muttered.
Satoru glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
Kaito lowered his voice. "Look around—there's no jonin examiner, no guards. Just a bunch of genin waiting around."
Chosuke frowned. "So… what do we do? Stay here or figure out where we're actually supposed to be?"
Kaito thought for a moment before saying, "Let's check for any clues, just to be safe."
With that, the three of them left the room and approached a nearby jonin for directions. The man glanced at them, his eyes sharp with amusement.
"You just came out of the room I was about to send you to," he said. Then, smirking, he added, "It's Exam Hall 3."
Chosuke blinked, confused. "Wait… what? Did we just miss something?" He turned to Satoru and Kaito. "Did you guys see a clue or something?"
Kaito narrowed his eyes at the jonin, who was smiling knowingly. Then, it clicked.
"When he said 'Exam Hall 3,'" Kaito whispered, "his lips actually formed the word '4.'"
The jonin clapped lightly, giving them an approving nod before walking away.
Without hesitation, the team made their way to Exam Hall 4. As soon as they stepped in, the difference was obvious—examiner jonin stood at the front, guards lined the walls, and invigilators were preparing stacks of paper.
An elderly jonin at the front looked at them and gave a small smile. "Congratulations," he said. "You've passed the entry stage."
Several genin were already inside, waiting for the exam to begin.
A few moments later, the hall doors burst open as a flood of genin rushed in. Apparently, one of them had figured it out and decided to spread the word.
Satoru watched hundreds of participants pour into the room, his lips curling into a small smile. 'So many strong people! I will get to taste it again…' he thought as he remembered the man he killed.