This Issue is Truly Miraculous

Qingyu looked at the system notification and suddenly felt...

It was worth it.

Even if he were worked to death, it was worth it.

He closed his eyes, letting the cheers wash over him.

In his mind, Izuna was laughing wildly: "Hahaha! Well done, kid! The glory of the Uchiha!"

Tobirama, however, calmly summarized: "Your on-the-spot adaptability was excellent, but your chakra control still needs improvement.

Additionally, your form was severely compromised during that final move; you must practice more upon your return."

"The only thing worth praising might be that the move looked quite cool... and the tactics were sound."

Izuna: "What use is looking cool? You nearly got yourself killed!"

Tobirama: "The tactics succeeded; the risk was proportional to the reward."

Qingyu: "..."

Teachers, I just finished a life-or-death battle; can you let me catch my breath first?

On the dais, Fugaku Uchiha slowly stood up, a clear smile on his face.

Hyuga Hiashi was silent for a moment before standing up as well, nodding toward Fugaku: "The Uchiha youth is impressive."

"The Hyuga's Neji is also very strong," Fugaku replied politely. "His future is promising."

The two clan heads exchanged a look, everything understood without a word.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the stands, an Anbu member wearing an animal mask was quickly recording something in a notebook:

Uchiha Qingyu, suspected of possessing intelligence regarding the Hyuga family's weaknesses.

Source unknown, requires further observation. Recommendation: Add to the Root's high-priority surveillance list.

After finishing, his figure vanished silently into the shadows.

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be a big deal for any person of status to know the weaknesses of the Hyuga Branch House.

But as an Uchiha, it was a major issue!

Danzo: Knowing such secrets—is he plotting to overthrow the rule of Konoha?!

Qingyu: This is insane!

Besides, which person of status doesn't already know this so-called secret?

On the field, the Medical Corps had already rushed up to begin examining the two.

As Qingyu was lifted onto a stretcher, he saw Neji also being helped to his feet.

Their gazes met once more.

Neji suddenly said: "Next time, I will not lose again."

Qingyu smiled: "Next time, I won't let you find my openings so easily either."

The stretcher was carried away from the arena.

Qingyu looked up at the sky above the arena and let out a long breath.

The first match, won.

Next...

He looked toward the waiting area.

There, Sasuke Uchiha was watching him coldly, his eyes filled with complex emotions: surprise, resentment, and also... fighting spirit?

And further away, Gaara of Sunagakure was also staring at him with those emotionless eyes.

Qingyu suddenly felt that his Chunin Exams might be even more... exciting than he had imagined.

Don't mess around with a new account!

The first sensation Qingyu had upon regaining consciousness was: Who am I? Where am I? Was I run over by several carriages?

The excruciating pain throughout his body almost made him think he had become a pack mule in some doujinshi.

Always pulling a heavy cart...

He opened his eyes to a stark white ceiling, the air filled with the subtle, mixed scent of disinfectant and certain medicinal herbs.

The signature scent of Konoha Hospital; once you've smelled it, you never forget it.

He tried to move his fingers.

"Sss..."

Good grief, the soreness was intense; it felt like every muscle in his body was on strike.

Even his chakra meridians were so empty that a horse could run through them; even lifting his eyelids was a struggle.

"Awake?" a calm, ripple-free voice drifted over from the side.

Qingyu used every ounce of his strength to turn his head, seeing Itachi Uchiha sitting on a chair by the bedside.

He held a report in his hand, his expression as calm as if he were admiring a bonsai tree.

"Itachi... senpai?" Qingyu's voice was hoarse.

"Am I... still alive?"

He wanted to slap himself the moment he asked.

What nonsense; if he were dead, would he be lying here contemplating the meaning of life?

The corners of Itachi's mouth seemed, perhaps, possibly, to have moved upward by 0.01 millimeters.

"You are alive. The Medical Corps diagnosis: chakra exhaustion, minor muscle tears, and mental fatigue. Bed rest for two days is recommended."

Qingyu let out a long sigh of relief, his entire body collapsing like a pancake. "Two days... wait, what about the next match?!"

"In five days." Itachi put down the report.

"Your opponent will be the winner between Kankuro and Temari. You have plenty of time."

His brain began a slow reboot; Qingyu blinked, his memories gradually returning.

Right, the tournament. He had just taken down Neji Hyuga, and the next person he had to fight was...

"So it's not Gaara or Sasuke..." he muttered to himself, inexplicably feeling a sense of relief.

After all, those two were total cheaters—one was a jinchuriki, the other the protagonist's brother. In his current state, going up against them would be like serving himself on a platter.

"You seem very concerned about their duels," Itachi said suddenly.

Qingyu's heart tightened. "Ah? No, it's just... the curiosity of a bystander, you know how it is."

"You can request to watch tomorrow's matches." Itachi stood up and pulled a small scroll from his robe, placing it on the nightstand.

"The clan head asked me to pass this on: get some rest. Also,"

He paused. "This is basic intelligence on Sunagakure puppet techniques and Wind Release compiled by Shisui."

"He said, 'Although Kankuro is likely to win, what if there's an upset? It's always good to be prepared.'"

Qingyu looked at the scroll, a complex warmth welling up in his heart.

The concern of the Uchiha was always so... pragmatic and filled with strategic considerations.

"Please thank Shisui-senpai for me, and thank you as well," he said sincerely.

Itachi nodded and turned toward the door.

As his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly stopped and glanced back.

"That final move was brilliant."

Qingyu's eyes lit up.

"But next time," Itachi added.

"Don't gamble with your life."

"I feel like you're different from the other Uchiha."

The door closed softly.

Tobirama: What use is being different? Aren't you all Uchiha? Remember, once an Uchiha, always an Uchiha!

Qingyu stared at the ceiling, and two voices in his head immediately began a shouting match.

"Did you hear that! Gambling with your life! Even that poker-faced brat could tell!" Izuna's voice was uncharacteristically laced with lingering fear.

"If those sixty-four palms had landed, you wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed right now; you'd be lying in a coffin!"

"But the tactic succeeded," Tobirama retorted calmly.

"Risk is proportional to reward. Furthermore, he verified the feasibility of exploiting the Byakugan's weakness. Although it was just a temporary trick, the tactical value is immeasurable."

"Value means nothing if you aren't alive to enjoy it!"

"That is why we need to strengthen your survival training. Qingyu, once you are discharged, I will teach you a few basic life-saving techniques—"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Qingyu raised a hand weakly. "Both teachers, I just woke up. Can you let me catch my breath first..."

The inside of his head went quiet for two seconds.

Izuna huffed. "Fine, I'll give you ten minutes. We start the review after ten minutes."

"We have to go over every detail. The angle of your side-step when you dodged the twenty-seventh palm was wrong; it's easy to strain your lower back."

Qingyu: "..."

He felt his hospital stay might be more exhausting than the tournament itself.

"Knock, knock."

A tapping sound echoed, followed by the door being pushed open a crack.

"Qingyu-kun~ I heard you're awake?"

Shisui Uchiha poked his head in with a beaming smile, carrying... a fruit basket?

Qingyu blinked, confirming he wasn't hallucinating.

It really was a fruit basket, exquisitely wrapped and even tied with a pink ribbon bow.

"Shisui-senpai, this is..."

"A get-well gift." Shisui swayed inside, placed the fruit basket on the nightstand, and sat down in the chair naturally.

"Although I personally think sending special Military Ration Pills would be more practical, the Medical Corps said you need vitamins and sugar right now."

Qingyu looked at the fruit basket, which clashed severely with the ninja aesthetic, and was momentarily speechless.

"Oh right, congratulations on the win!" Shisui's eyes curved into smiles.

"Even though it nearly made my heart jump out of my chest, the Clan Head almost bounced right out of his chair during that final sliding tackle of yours."

Qingyu imagined the image of Clan Head Fugaku losing his composure and inexplicably felt like laughing.