Chunin Exam Registration

A week later, at the training ground.

The three members of Team 11 were at the training ground after finishing their mission. Megumi sat to the side with her arms wrapped around her knees, watching Shota and Zeyu spar in the center.

The two were engaged in close-quarters taijutsu, trading blows for over twenty rounds before finally breaking apart.

"Not bad, Shota. You've improved a lot," Zeyu said, shaking out his hands.

"Hehe, I've been working really hard. I've been practicing back home too, Teacher Zeyu," Shota said with a wide grin.

"Don't, don't call me teacher. It feels weird," Zeyu said, waving his hand dismissively. "How's that Rock Fist Technique coming along? Show me." With that, Zeyu reset his combat stance, his right fist pulled back and coiled at his waist.

"Alright!" Shota immediately began to condense his chakra. His right hand was slowly encased in stone, and once his fist was fully covered, he charged straight at Zeyu.

Zeyu rushed forward as well, his hand surging with chakra, reminiscent of monstrous strength.

When their fists collided, a shockwave erupted, causing the surrounding grass and leaves to sway violently.

Megumi, sitting to the side, was forced to squint against the gust, her hair whipping wildly in the wind.

Although Zeyu hadn't used his full strength, Shota's hand still went numb from the impact, and the stone on his fist shattered into pieces, falling to the ground.

"Ouch, Zeyu, my hand's gone numb," Shota said, crouching on the ground and clutching his right hand as he felt the tingling sensation.

Zeyu nodded and said solemnly, "Not bad, Shota. You've practiced the Rock Fist Technique well. Keep it up."

Shota, who had been nursing his numb hand, was overjoyed to be validated and began to cheer, completely forgetting the discomfort in his hand.

Megumi, watching from the side, could no longer sit still. She slowly walked over.

Ever since Team 11 was formed, she hadn't really spoken to Zeyu. Instead, Shota had gotten along well with him, and Zeyu had even helped Shota with his training and taught him ninjutsu.

Megumi had always just watched from the sidelines, too afraid to integrate herself. Mostly, she felt too embarrassed to apologize, and even more awkward about just jumping in to train with them.

But seeing her brother Shota growing stronger while she remained stagnant, she couldn't hold back anymore.

I must become stronger. I can't be left behind, Megumi thought, gritting her teeth.

She arrived in front of Zeyu.

Zeyu and Shota were surprised to see her approach and watched quietly to see what she would do.

Megumi turned her face away, arms crossed, her cheeks slightly flushed. She remained silent for a long time.

Zeyu and Shota exchanged a look, confused.

After a long while, just as the two were about to walk away, tired of standing, Megumi finally spoke.

"Um, Zeyu... I was wrong. Can you teach me too? I want to become stronger as well." As she spoke, her eyes darted toward Zeyu before quickly snapping back to the ground, her voice growing quieter with every word.

Shota, standing nearby, hadn't even clearly heard what Megumi said and was full of question marks.

Zeyu, however, had heard her. He gave a deadpan look, thinking, Is this... an apology? If I didn't know better, I'd think a mosquito had just flown by. Sigh, whatever. It's not bad for this young lady.

He sighed and said, "Fine, I forgive you. But I don't have much time to teach you both. How much you learn is up to you."

Megumi finally felt relieved. She could become stronger now, and her mood improved significantly. "I know. It's because of that girl named Hinata, right? It doesn't matter. I'll learn just as fast as my brother; I'll master it quickly."

Zeyu crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Alright then. Starting tomorrow, we'll do the same as today—I'll teach you for a while after we finish our missions. But let's be clear: the time will be the same as before. When the time is up, I'm leaving."

Shota, who had finally understood, was very happy for his sister and asked Zeyu, "Zeyu, what are you planning to teach my sister?"

Zeyu rubbed his chin, smiled, and said, "I have an idea. Have you ever heard of... Combination Ninjutsu?"

Elsewhere, the teachers of the various squads were gathered in the conference room. Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of the table, questioning the group of jonin instructors.

"With the Chunin Exams about to begin, does anyone have any genin newcomers to recommend?"

The four instructors who had been standing at the front, prepared, stepped forward. They were Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, and Shimizu Nana.

The four of them took turns recommending the genin from their respective squads.

After they finished, the rest of the room began to murmur in discussion.

Iruka, standing among the crowd, immediately stepped forward.

"Please wait, Lord Hokage."

"What is it, Iruka?" the Third asked, putting down his pipe.

"This might be overstepping, but ten of the people just named were once my students. While they are all very talented individuals, I believe it is still too early for them to participate in the Chunin Exams," Iruka said, looking somewhat anxious.

The Third Hokage understood upon hearing this and turned to ask the four of them, "Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and Shimizu Nana, what do you think?"

"I believe my three subordinates are fully capable of participating in the Chunin Exams," Kakashi stated.

Kurenai and Asuma shared Kakashi's sentiment, expressing full confidence in the strength of their own subordinates.

The Third Hokage then looked toward the last person, Shimizu Nana.

Nana clenched her fists and said solemnly, "Lord Third, my subordinates are all very capable, and I also believe they are fully prepared to participate."

The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, took a puff, and said, "Nana, if I recall correctly, you only recently became a Jonin and this is your first time leading a squad. Are you sure this is alright?"

Nana replied, "That is correct, Lord Third, but my three subordinates are all very talented, and none of them wish to miss this exam."

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment after hearing this and said, "Is that so? Tell me more."

Nana then recounted everything that had happened during the bell test, as well as their performance during subsequent missions.

The others began to whisper among themselves after hearing her account.

Kakashi thought to himself, To think Zeyu Nichiro actually managed to snatch a bell. Although it is possible Nana underestimated him, achieving such a feat is no small task. This kid might even be stronger than Sasuke.

Kurenai thought, I never expected that brat Zeyu to be so formidable. Seeing how he was always clinging to Hinata, I had pegged him for a scumbag trying to latch onto her.

Asuma thought, What kind of monster is this? I just hope they don't end up facing Shikamaru and his team.

Iruka, standing behind them, was also quite shocked. He hadn't taught Megumi or Shota, so he didn't know them, but Zeyu's grades in class had always been mediocre. He was always sleeping during lessons and frequently ended up in detention with the dead-last, Naruto. How had he become so impressive now?

Nana looked at the Third Hokage with a firm gaze.

The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe and said slowly, "Since Nana has vouched for them, so be it. The three of them shall also participate in the Chunin Exams."

Upon hearing this, the tension in Nana's heart finally eased, and she thought, Zeyu, Megumi, Shota, you must all pass the exam successfully.

Afterward, the Third Hokage arranged a few other matters before dismissing everyone.

Back in his office, the Third Hokage stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window in deep thought before slowly speaking, "Elephant."

A man wearing a mask and a hooded white cloak appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee, and said, "Yes, Lord Hokage. What are your orders?"

The Third Hokage commanded, "Investigate this person, Zeyu Nichiro. Bring me his complete file, and have someone keep an eye on him. Report his movements at all times."

"Yes," the man known as Elephant acknowledged the order and vanished.

The Third Hokage frowned as he looked out the window, thinking, Zeyu Nichiro must never fall into Danzo's hands.