Shira

A large group of people, like refugees passing through, flooded into the Hot Spring Village. This area was specifically built to relax the body and mind and boost economic development, with all sorts of service facilities readily available. However, Moriyue noticed that the villagers walking on the streets didn't seem simple.

"His hands show no signs of manual labor. His four fingers instinctively tuck into his palm, as if he's been holding something for a long time. His entire palm is shifted upwards, looking very much like the posture for gripping a kunai in reverse."

"His eyes are alert, instinctively glancing over at the slightest disturbance. Although he wears a perfunctory smile, much like a regular service worker, he lacks the weariness and awkwardness; it's more like a smile forced out."

"These guys... nine times out of ten, they're ninjas in disguise..." Moriyue blended into the crowd. The seemingly enthusiastic staff members around him had many suspicious traits; they looked more like people sent to monitor them.

"The place they arranged is also interesting... Hot Spring Village, not within Konoha Village. Did they gain experience after the first Chunin Exams?"

Just from the step of receiving the examinees, one could see the terrifying nature of Konoha. Ostensibly for the examinees' benefit, they thoughtfully sent them to bathe and shower, but in reality, they dispatched people to secretly monitor them. People were most likely to reveal information when relaxed. Konoha's move was very clever.

Moriyue had never underestimated the foundation of a village. Every village had its trump cards. Konoha was the head of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. He had to be extremely cautious while operating here.

"Captain, let's go. There are a lot of people over there. Let's try to find a less crowded place to bathe. I feel like those guys are looking at you strangely. Could they be planning to attack us..."

Ando sidled up behind Moriyue. To be honest, he was very uncomfortable with the situation. Although the other examinees hadn't said anything, they were all intentionally or unintentionally paying attention to Moriyue's actions.

With the foundation of the previous two exams, these examinees had also discovered that Moriyue was a freak, his thought process twisted to the extreme, always capable of pulling off some shocking stunts that made them see stars. Their current staring wasn't as Ando imagined.

Plotting against him? They just hoped Moriyue wouldn't cause any more trouble in the bathhouse. They'd settle any grievances in the third exam. As long as this kid didn't secretly electrocute them while they were bathing, that would be enough.

"It's nothing. Everyone's very enthusiastic. Let's hurry and go take a bath."

Moriyue was completely oblivious, walking into the bathhouse as if nothing were wrong. He changed into a loose robe and seemed to be muttering to himself.

"Ah, I'm so tired from running all this way. My body is so sore. I always feel like I'm about to discharge electricity unconsciously. It's a persistent old problem..."

His voice wasn't very loud, but everyone in the bathhouse heard his intentionally or unintentionally suggestive remark.

The ninjas already soaking in the baths were thinking about how to make things difficult for this guy. They had already thought of excuses like "no space in the bathhouse," "dropped the soap," or "accidentally slapped him," all with the intention of crushing Moriyue's spirit. But Moriyue didn't play along; he preempted them, turning defense into offense.

"Hmph~" A pitch-black bald head emerged from the bath in front of Moriyue. The man's body, as robust as a bull, was panting heavily as he stood beside Moriyue.

Everyone expected a subtle rivalry or, at the very least, a verbal confrontation between the two. To their surprise, the bald giant let out a cool snort and directly gave up the bath.

"There are still many kind people. Ando, why are you still standing there blankly? No one else is in this pool. Come in, don't let their kindness go to waste."

Moriyue smiled and nodded at the big man, retracting the lightning that was almost jumping out of his body, and directly got into the pool.

"Ah~ So comfortable..." Moriyue stretched lazily. The warm spring water seemed to absorb the fatigue from his three-day and three-night journey. Every cell in his body sang with joy. A soak like this made one ten years younger. Konoha really knew how to enjoy themselves.

Ando also hardened his resolve. Damn it, if the captain wasn't afraid, why should he be? At worst, in the next exam... he'd just cling to the captain's leg.

"Ah~ It really is comfortable..."

The warm spring water nourished Ando's body. The Hidden Cloud Village didn't have such good recreational facilities.

The pool Moriyue was in only had the two of them for the time being. Everyone else wisely found other pools to squeeze into. After all, Moriyue had already been emitting crackling electric currents earlier. Why would anyone want to soak in the same pool with him? To get shocked?

"Hey, I know you. There's still space here. Can I soak here?"

However, a discordant voice came from behind them. Moriyue reluctantly opened his eyes. Logically, given his current attitude, no one should be foolish enough to approach.

"Hmm? I recognize you too. Come over."

Moriyue had intended to refuse. Since he had already offended those examinees, he might as well stop pretending. But when he saw the speaker's appearance, he changed his mind.

The man was tall and imposing, with every muscle as solid as a rock. It was evident that he was a master of taijutsu.

"You recognize me? Hahaha, alright then. I am Shira from the Hidden Sand Village. You're very strong. Nice to meet you, please take care of me!"

Shira let out a hearty laugh, and Moriyue responded politely. As the saying goes, you don't hit a smiling face. He wasn't unreasonable either.

"Hello, Moriyue from the Hidden Cloud Village."

The two shook hands, and the three of them soaked in the bathhouse together. The other Hidden Sand Village ninjas nearby showed expressions of disdain when they saw Shira showing favor to Moriyue.

"I thought it was someone else. So it's that waste who can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. And now he's colluding with a Cloud Village scoundrel. I've always said he's not loyal to the village..."

"Birds of a feather flock together. It's normal for a waste and a sly guy to get together."

"Only being good at taijutsu is worthy of being called a ninja? Don't insult the name of ninja. I heard that Gaara allowed him to participate in this Chunin Exam."

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

Unreserved malice could be heard from the surroundings. What was interesting was that the target of their criticism wasn't Moriyue, but their companion, Shira.

Listening to his companions' discussions about him, Shira's face clearly showed some awkwardness, only a sense of unwillingness, but no resentment at all.

"Shira... Seven Heavens Breathing Method... taijutsu not inferior to the Eight Inner Gates..."

Unlike the disdain and contempt of the Sand Shinobi, a few terms flashed through Moriyue's mind. If he could win over the Shira before him, perhaps he could obtain a taijutsu that was no weaker than the Eight Inner Gates.