Shira

A vast crowd surged into Hot Spring Village like refugees crossing a border. This was an area built specifically for relaxation and economic development, with every kind of service facility available. Yet Moriyue noticed that the villagers walking the streets did not seem ordinary.

"There are no signs of labor on their hands. Their four fingers instinctively curl toward their palms, as though they have held something for a long time. Their palms tilt upward overall—it looks a lot like the posture for holding a kunai in a reverse grip."

"Their eyes are alert. At the slightest disturbance, they instinctively look toward it. Though they wear practiced smiles like ordinary attendants, their faces lack the helplessness and awkwardness one would expect. It looks more like their smiles were forcibly squeezed out."

"These people... there was an eighty or ninety percent chance they were ninjas in disguise..." Moriyue blended into the crowd. The seemingly enthusiastic staff around them were full of suspicious details. They seemed more like people sent to monitor them.

"Even the place they arranged is interesting... Hot Spring Village, outside Konoha itself. Did they gain experience after the first Chunin Exams?"

Just from the way they received the examinees, one could see how frightening Konoha was. On the surface, they were thoughtfully letting the candidates wash and relax, but in truth, they had sent people to watch them in secret. People were most likely to reveal intelligence when relaxed. Konoha had played this hand masterfully.

Moriyue had never underestimated the foundations of any village. Every village had hidden trump cards, and Konoha was the foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages. He had to be cautious—then even more cautious—while operating here.

"Captain, let's go. There are a lot of people over there, so let's try to find a less crowded place to soak. I feel like those guys are looking at you strangely. They wouldn't be planning to attack us, would they...?"

Ando moved up behind Moriyue. Honestly, he was extremely uncomfortable with this situation. Although the examinees said nothing, all of them were watching Moriyue's movements, intentionally or otherwise.

After the first two exams, these candidates had also realized that Moriyue was a freak. His thought process was twisted beyond belief, and he always pulled off bizarre stunts that made their vision go dark. They were not staring at Moriyue for the reason Ando imagined.

Plot against him? They only hoped Moriyue would not cause another incident in the bathhouse. Whatever grudges they had could be settled during the third exam. As long as this brat did not secretly electrocute them while they were bathing, that would be good enough.

"It's nothing. Everyone is very welcoming. Hurry up and wash."

Moriyue had no awareness of himself at all. As though nothing had happened, he strolled into the bathhouse, changed into a loose bathrobe, and seemed to mutter something under his breath.

"Ah, running around all this way was exhausting. My body is so sore. I keep feeling like I'm about to discharge electricity without meaning to. It really is an old problem..."

His voice was not particularly loud, but everyone in the bathhouse heard his deliberate—or perhaps seemingly casual—reminder.

The bathing ninjas had originally been thinking of ways to make things difficult for him. They had already come up with excuses: no room in the bath, the soap had gone missing, someone accidentally slipped and gave him a slap. They wanted to take Moriyue down a peg. But Moriyue did not play along. He struck first and turned defense into offense.

"Hmph~" A gleaming bald head emerged from the pool in front of Moriyue. This man, built like a bull, rose to stand beside Moriyue, panting heavily.

Everyone thought the two would engage in a clash, or at the very least exchange a few sharp words. Who would have expected the bald brute to merely snort coolly and directly give up the pool?

"There are still plenty of kind people around. Ando, what are you standing there foolishly for? No one else is in this pool. Get in. Don't disappoint his kindness."

Moriyue smiled and nodded at the man, withdrawing the lightning that had nearly begun to leap from the surface of his body before jumping directly into the pool.

"Whew, this feels great..." Moriyue stretched lazily. The warm spring water seemed to draw away the exhaustion from three days and three nights of travel. Every cell in his body cheered with delight. One soak and you felt ten years younger. Konoha really knew how to enjoy itself.

Ando gritted his teeth. Damn it, if the captain was not afraid, what did he have to fear? At worst, in the next exam... he would cling to the captain's thigh even harder.

"Ah, it really is comfortable..."

The warm spring water nourished Ando's body. Kumogakure did not have leisure facilities this good.

For the moment, only the two of them occupied Moriyue's pool. Everyone else tactfully squeezed into other pools. Moriyue's body had just been crackling with electric current—why soak in the same pool as him? To get shocked?

"Hey, I know you. There's still room here. Can I soak in this pool?"

However, an unwelcome voice came from behind them. Moriyue reluctantly opened his eyes. Given the attitude he had displayed so far, no one should have been foolish enough to approach him.

"Hm? I know you too. Come over."

Moriyue had wanted to refuse. He had already offended those examinees, so he might as well stop pretending. But when he saw the speaker's face, he changed his mind.

The man was very tall, and every muscle on his body was as solid as stone. It was obvious that he was a taijutsu expert.

"You know me? Hahaha, then that's great. I'm Shira of Sunagakure. You're very strong. Nice to meet you, please take care of me!"

Shira laughed heartily, and Moriyue responded politely. As the saying went, one did not slap a smiling face. Naturally, he was not someone who lacked basic courtesy.

"Hello. Moriyue of Kumogakure."

The two shook hands, and the three of them soaked together in the bathhouse. Seeing Shira befriend Moriyue, the other Sunagakure ninjas nearby all revealed disdainful expressions.

"I was wondering who it was. So it was that useless guy who can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. And now he's mixed up with some Kumogakure bastard too. I said long ago that he wasn't loyal to the village..."

"Birds of a feather flock together. It's perfectly normal for trash and people who rely on petty tricks to gather together."

"Does someone who only knows taijutsu deserve to be called a ninja? Don't insult the name of ninja. I heard that Gaara only allowed that guy to participate in these Chunin Exams."

"As expected, the new Kazekage lacks experience. How could he waste such a slot..."

Unconcealed malice rose from the surrounding area. Interestingly, its target was not Moriyue, but their own companion, Shira.

Listening to his companions' remarks about him, Shira's expression became visibly unnatural. All he felt was unwillingness; there was not the slightest trace of resentment.

"Shira... Seven Heavens Breathing Method... taijutsu no weaker than the Eight Inner Gates..."

Unlike the disdain and contempt of the Sunagakure ninjas, several terms flashed through Moriyue's mind. If he could win over Shira before him, then perhaps... he could obtain taijutsu no weaker than the Eight Inner Gates.