Focus on Training!

The next day, all the genin participating in the Chunin Exams received their registration forms.

"Hey, hold onto these. Although I recommended you all, whether or not you actually participate is up to you," Nana said, handing the registration forms to the three members of Class Eleven.

"Haha, of course I'm participating! I've become much stronger now, and I've been itching to show off my skills," Shota laughed, cupping his fists and looking eager to start.

"Sigh, there's really no helping this Combat Idiot," Megumi said in a low voice, crossing her arms with a helpless expression.

Zeyu stood to the side, eyes closed as if resting, but in reality, he had activated his Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

Since last night, he had felt as though someone was watching him. He had immediately used his Mind's Eye of the Kagura to investigate, but the person didn't seem to have any malicious intent, merely observing from a distance.

Are they still there? Are they one of Danzo's men or the Third Hokage's? Zeyu had already confirmed that the person was no ordinary ninja; their strength was undoubtedly that of an Anbu, but he truly couldn't tell which side they belonged to.

Just as Zeyu was deep in thought, Nana handed him his form.

Zeyu glanced at the registration form, tucked it away, and looked at Nana. "Nana-sensei, does this mean we can stop taking missions for now and focus entirely on training?"

During this period, because of the upcoming exams, they had been forced to take on missions to meet the basic requirements. This left him with little time to find Hinata, and he could only catch her on the way home. This made Zeyu feel a bit depressed; without enough time together, his Hinata-energy was completely insufficient!

"Ah, yes, you can focus on training for this period. Just don't get injured, or you won't be able to participate," Nana said with a helpless expression. The Zeyu before her was already very strong, and yet he was still this driven—was he trying to make everyone else look bad?

"Oh, that's fine then." Zeyu appeared indifferent on the surface, but his body was honest, and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

"Then... I'll be going now. Bye-bye." With that, Zeyu vanished from the spot using a Body Flicker technique.

"Sigh, the moment he has free time, he goes to find Hinata. This guy," Nana said, shaking her head and resting her hand on her forehead in resignation.

"Tch, what's so great about her?" Megumi muttered from the side, looking disdainful.

The ninja in the distance was momentarily stunned by Zeyu's sudden disappearance, but being a professional, they quickly locked onto their target and gave chase.

Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat at his desk reviewing files when a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," Hiruzen said.

A White-robed Hooded Man entered the room, offered a brief greeting, and placed the file in his hand onto the desk.

Hiruzen looked at the file before him, staring at the red-haired boy in the photo, and frowned. "Is this the information on Zeyu Nichiro?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the White-robed Hooded Man replied.

Hiruzen then picked up his pipe and began to read while he smoked.

A long time later, his furrowed brow finally relaxed.

"Hmm, this Zeyu Nichiro's background is clean enough; there shouldn't be any issues."

He set down his pipe and added, "However, his grades are very strange. They are exactly the same every time. Is he really hiding his strength? Is he afraid of something?"

"Could it be that he simply doesn't want to stand out?" the Elephant asked from below.

Hiruzen stroked his beard, nodded, and then said, "In any case, this person can be recruited. It would be excellent to cultivate him. But, could his red hair..."

"Your Majesty, are you implying... the Uzumaki Clan?" The Elephant looked surprised. The power of the Uzumaki Clan was known to the entire ninja world; it had taken the combined effort of the whole world to wipe out that powerful race. If this Zeyu were truly of the Uzumaki Clan, it would be fine if he were on their side, but if he were to seek revenge, it would be very troublesome.

Hiruzen understood this point as well. He set down the file and asked the Elephant, "Where is he now? I want to meet him."

On the other side, after giving her instructions, Kurenai Yuhi had just dismissed her team. As the others exchanged pleasantries and prepared to head home, Zeyu approached just as Hinata was about to leave alone.

"Hinata, what are you planning to do?" Zeyu called out from a distance before walking up to her.

"Zeyu-kun, I was planning to go back and train for the exams," Hinata replied.

"And how is your training going, Hinata?" No sooner had Zeyu asked than he realized he had said something inappropriate.

He recalled the original story in his mind. At this point, Hinata couldn't even perform the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. During the Chunin Exams, she was defeated by Neji, who took the opportunity to retaliate and injured her severely. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Looking at Hinata, who looked a bit embarrassed, he wanted to slap himself twice.

He stepped forward, took Hinata's hand, and said solemnly, "Hinata, let me help you train. I can definitely make you stronger."

"Eh? Doesn't Zeyu-kun need to train? Wouldn't it be too much trouble for you?" Hinata asked, looking at Zeyu with concern.

Zeyu felt his heart flutter as he looked at Hinata, who was still thinking of him even now. The irritation he felt earlier dissipated, and his resolve to make Hinata stronger grew firmer. Hinata is just too cute. That detestable Neji actually had the heart to do that to her—you just wait! However, looking at the adorable Hinata, he couldn't help but tease her.

"Then let's train together! You teach me, I'll teach you, and we'll both get stronger. How about that?" Zeyu took the opportunity to pull Hinata into an embrace, acting a bit spoiled.

Hinata's heart began to race in his arms. She caught the scent of Zeyu and couldn't help but take a small sniff, her face turning even redder, her speech becoming stuttered.

"Th-th-th-that's fine, if it's not too much trouble for you, Zeyu-kun."

"It's a deal then. Can we start right now?" Zeyu was overjoyed, pulling her even closer.

Hinata had barely agreed before an excited Zeyu scooped her up into his arms, bridal style.

"E-e-e-eh?! Zeyu-kun!" Hinata shyly covered her face, yet peeked at Zeyu through the gaps in her fingers, her entire face flushed deep red.

Zeyu smiled at Hinata, then used the Body Flicker Technique to vanish from the spot, arriving at a nearby training ground just a few breaths later.

Upon arrival, Hinata hurriedly asked to be put down. Zeyu sighed helplessly and set her on her feet. Hinata smoothed out her clothes, then looked at Zeyu with a face full of coquettish reproach.

Hehe, I wanted to hold her a little longer, Zeyu thought, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

He then put on a serious expression and asked Hinata if they could begin.

Hinata closed her eyes to steady her emotions, then gave a solemn nod.

"Hinata, first, perform a set of the Gentle Fist style you've learned so I can take a look." Zeyu sat down on the spot and crossed his arms.

"Alright, Zeyu-kun, I'm starting now." Hinata immediately began to demonstrate the Gentle Fist.

Zeyu first used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense the ninja who was monitoring them. Finding that the person was behind them, he felt relieved and thought, Phew, that's good. They shouldn't be able to see.

Opening his eyes again, he activated his three-tomoe Sharingan to carefully observe the fist techniques Hinata was performing.

Focused on her training, Hinata did not notice the change in Zeyu. Before long, she finished the set.

Having finished watching, Zeyu deactivated his Sharingan. His brows furrowed slightly as some ideas began to form in his mind.

Hinata stood in the center of the field, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Zeyu walked over from the side and said, "Hinata, let me ask you: do you feel like no matter how much you practice, you're just stagnating?"

Hearing this, Hinata's eyes snapped open. She looked at Zeyu, somewhat agitated, and said, "Yes, that's exactly the feeling! Zeyu-kun, what should I do?"

Zeyu rubbed his chin and said to Hinata, "Hinata, get into your Gentle Fist starting stance and try attacking me."

"Eh? But I might hurt you, Zeyu-kun," Hinata said, looking worried.

"It's fine. I already have an idea. Please trust me, Hinata." Zeyu waved his hand and stepped directly in front of her.

"I understand." Hinata immediately took her stance and struck a palm toward Zeyu.

Zeyu bent his arm to defend, deflecting the palm to the side before grabbing her hand with a backhand motion.

With a gentle pull, Hinata tumbled into his arms. Zeyu took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her, pulling her into a full embrace.

Caught off guard, Hinata let out a startled cry. "E-e-e-eh?! Zeyu-kun, w-w-what are you doing?"

Feeling the two soft mounds against him, Zeyu couldn't stop his mouth from curling into a grin. He felt incredibly satisfied, though he maintained a serious tone as he said, "Cough, well, Hinata, I noticed your stance was unstable, so I was just testing it."

He then gave her slender waist a little squeeze before letting her go.

Standing upright, Hinata's face was completely crimson. She lowered her head, glancing at Zeyu from the corner of her eye, and tugged at the hem of her clothes as she softly asked, "Really?"

Zeyu held back his laughter and nodded.