CH_112

Thinking of the Inuzuka clan reminded Tōji of something else. 『Not many from the major clans have shown up for these Chūnin Exams—I wonder how many of them are actually left.』

His attention was pulled back to the arena.

A flash of fire flickered between the two fighters, but it was Nio Shinobu who got sent flying.

Soon—within dozens of seconds—it was over!

Nio Shinobu's sunglasses were knocked askew, his clothes shredded by Natchi's air blades, some spots torn into ribbons with bloodied skin showing through.

"I give up!" Nio Shinobu had no choice. His two mid-range Fire Release jutsu were useless against such an agile opponent—they only hit air. And the only one he could manually control, the 【Flame Strike】, still couldn't land because he couldn't keep up.

The one time he did land a hit on Natchi was when Natchi deliberately left an opening to end it in one move…

He had to accept it—it wasn't that he was too weak; he was just hard-countered.

Shinku didn't care about any of that—he'd already announced Natchi's victory.

Natchi couldn't be bothered treating his minor burns. He waved broadly toward the stands where his family was sitting, then immediately looked for Tōji.

"Tōji—did you see my match?" Natchi was already shouting before he'd even reached the waiting room.

"…" How embarrassing. Tōji didn't like this kind of "attention," so he pretended not to react.

"Stop pretending—Natchi's looking for you." Neru was about to head out, but not before teasing Tōji—she knew he was feeling awkward.

"Just get down there." Tōji muttered quietly. "Don't lose to your opponent—that would be too embarrassing."

The curly-haired, bespectacled girl called Suzume looked like she was about the same level as Tsubaki.

"Good luck, Neru!" Natchi ran into Neru as she was heading downstairs and cheered her on.

"Mm." Neru gave a brief reply.

Suzume followed closely behind.

"Hey, Tōji—I'm back. Patch me up." Natchi had already reached Tōji and shoved his burned left arm in front of him.

"Honestly…" Tōji complained, but his hands were already channeling the 【Healing Technique】.

"Tōji, Natchi." It was Kokubō Kenji's voice!

"Captain—when did you get back?" Natchi, forgetting his injury, hurried over to him.

Tōji thought it might not be appropriate to talk in the waiting room, so he followed Natchi to the door.

"Let's find somewhere else to talk—a quiet corner in the stands." Kenji gestured and led them out.

There were indeed some empty seats at the back of the stands.

"Neru's improved!" Kenji sat down and immediately praised Neru, watching her fight.

"I've improved too—and Tōji as well!" Natchi seemed worried Kenji hadn't seen his own match and wouldn't know how much they'd progressed in just a few days of special training.

"I figured as much." Kenji smiled.

He hadn't changed at all since returning from the Land of Water. "I got back to Konoha early this morning—haven't reported to the Hokage yet."

He glanced toward the Hokage's viewing stand. "After the exams, you guys might have to come with me to the Land of Water for a mission. Just a heads-up."

"???" Tōji was full of questions—why would he say that?

"I can't tell you the details yet. But I don't think you'll have any trouble getting promoted in this exam." Kenji laughed heartily. "Hah—then I'll have three chūnin subordinates to take on missions!"

By then, Neru had already won her match quickly.