The next day, all the Genin taking the Chunin Ninja Exams received their exam registration forms.
"Here, take these. I've recommended you, but whether you take part is still up to you." Nana handed the registration forms to the three members of Class Eleven.
"Haha, of course I'm taking part! I'm stronger now, and I can't wait to show off!" Shota laughed, cracking his knuckles as he spoke, looking eager to get started.
"Honestly, what are we supposed to do with this Combat Idiot?" Megumi muttered, arms folded and looking exasperated.
Zeyu stood off to the side with his eyes closed, seemingly resting. In truth, he had activated the Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
He'd sensed someone watching him last night, so he'd used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to investigate. The person didn't seem hostile, though; they'd only watched from a distance.
"Are they still there? Someone working for Danzo or the Third?" Zeyu had already determined that the watcher wasn't an ordinary ninja. They were undoubtedly Anbu, but he couldn't tell which side they were on.
While Zeyu was pondering this, Nana handed him a form.
Zeyu glanced at the registration form and put it away, then looked at Nana.
"Teacher Nana, does that mean we can stop doing missions for now and focus on training?"
They'd been taking missions because the exam was coming up, and completing a certain number was a basic requirement. That left him with little time to see Hinata. He could only catch up with her on the way home, which frustrated him. They barely had any time together, and his Hinata energy was completely depleted!
"Oh, yes. Focus on training for now, but don't get hurt, or you might not be able to take part." Nana wore a helpless expression. Zeyu was already so strong, yet he still pushed himself this hard. Wasn't he going to leave anyone else a chance?
"Oh, good." Zeyu tried to look indifferent, but his body told the truth: the corners of his mouth lifted.
"Well... I'll get going, then. See you!" With that, Zeyu used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished.
"Whenever he has free time, he goes looking for Hinata. Honestly..." Nana shook her head and rubbed her forehead, sounding exasperated.
"Tch, what's so great about that?" Megumi said disdainfully from the side.
The ninja watching from a distance was taken aback when Zeyu suddenly disappeared. But as a professional, he quickly locked onto Zeyu's location and pursued him.
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third sat at his desk reviewing documents when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Hiruzen said.
A White-robed Hooded Man entered the room. After a brief greeting, he placed the file in his hands on the desk.
Hiruzen looked over the file in front of him. His eyes fell on the red-haired boy in the photograph, and he frowned. "This is the file on Zeyu Nichiro?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," the White-robed Hooded Man replied.
Hiruzen picked up his pipe and began reading as he smoked.
After a long while, his deeply furrowed brow finally relaxed.
"Hmm, Zeyu Nichiro's background seems clean enough. There shouldn't be any problems."
He set down his pipe and continued, "But his grades are strange. They're exactly the same every time. So he's been hiding his strength? What is he afraid of?"
"Could it be that he simply doesn't want to stand out?" Elephant replied from below.
Hiruzen stroked his beard and nodded, then continued, "In any case, we can win him over. He'd be a fine candidate to cultivate. But that red hair of his..."
"Lord Hokage, do you mean the Uzumaki Clan?" Elephant asked in surprise. The Uzumaki Clan's strength was well known throughout the Shinobi World. It had taken the entire world of shinobi joining forces to destroy that powerful clan. If Zeyu really was an Uzumaki, it wouldn't be a problem if he was one of their own—but if he sought revenge, things could get very troublesome.
Hiruzen understood that as well. He put down the file and asked Elephant, "Where is he now? I want to meet him."
Elsewhere, Kurenai Yuhi had just dismissed her team after giving them their instructions. They exchanged a few pleasantries and prepared to head home. Hinata was about to leave by herself when Zeyu arrived.
"Hinata, where are you going?" Zeyu called out from a distance, then came over and asked her.
"Zeyu, I'm going back to train for the exams," Hinata replied.
"How's your training going, Hinata?" As soon as he asked, Zeyu realized he'd said something inappropriate again.
He remembered the original story. At this point, Hinata probably couldn't even perform the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. She'd be defeated by Neji during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Neji would take the chance to get back at her, beating her badly. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Looking at Hinata's awkward expression, he wanted to smack himself twice right then and there.
He stepped forward, took Hinata's hand, and said earnestly, "Hinata, let me train you. I'll definitely help you get stronger."
"Eh? Don't you need to train, Zeyu? Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Hinata asked, looking at him with concern.
Seeing Hinata still worrying about him made Zeyu's heart stir. Much of his irritation faded, and his resolve to make her stronger only grew. Hinata is so cute. How could that awful Neji lay a hand on her? Just you wait! But looking at how adorable she was, he couldn't help teasing her.
"Then let's train together. You can teach me, and I'll teach you. We'll get stronger together, okay?" Zeyu said, slipping an arm around Hinata and speaking in a coaxing tone.
Hinata's heart began to race in his arms. She caught his scent and couldn't help taking a small sniff. Her cheeks grew even redder, and she began to stammer.
"Y-y-y-yes, if you don't mind the trouble, Zeyu."
"Then it's settled. Shall we start now?" Zeyu was delighted to hear that and hugged her a little tighter.
As soon as Hinata agreed, Zeyu excitedly swept her up into his arms, carrying her bridal-style.
"E-e-e-eh? Zeyu!" Hinata covered her face with her hands, then peered at him through the gaps between her fingers. Her whole face was bright red.
Zeyu smiled at her, then used the Body Flicker Technique to leave. A few breaths later, they arrived at a nearby training ground.
Once they reached the training ground, Hinata hurried to get down. Zeyu sighed and set her on her feet. Hinata straightened her clothes, then looked at him with a shy, slightly reproachful expression.
"Hehe, I wanted to hold you a little longer," Zeyu thought, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Then he put on a serious expression and asked Hinata if she was ready to begin.
Hinata closed her eyes and took a moment to compose herself before agreeing earnestly.
"Hinata, start by showing me a set of the Gentle Fist forms you've learned," Zeyu said, sitting down with his arms folded.
"Okay, Zeyu. I'll begin." Hinata started performing the Gentle Fist forms.
Zeyu used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to check on the ninja watching them. When he sensed the watcher behind him, he relaxed. Good, good. They probably can't see.
When he opened his eyes again, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan was active. He watched Hinata's movements closely.
Hinata was so focused on her forms that she didn't notice the change in Zeyu. Before long, she finished the set.
Zeyu deactivated his Sharingan. His brow furrowed slightly as a few ideas came to mind.
Hinata stood in the middle of the training ground, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Zeyu walked over to her and said, "Hinata, tell me: do you feel like you've hit a wall, no matter how much you train?"
Hinata's eyes flew open at his words. She looked at Zeyu and asked excitedly, "Yes, that's exactly how it feels! What should I do, Zeyu?"
Zeyu rubbed his chin and said, "Hinata, get into the Gentle Fist opening stance and try attacking me."
"Eh? I might hurt you, Zeyu," Hinata said worriedly.
"It's fine. I have an idea. Please trust me, Hinata." Zeyu waved a hand and moved to stand directly in front of her.
"Okay." Hinata assumed the stance and struck at Zeyu with her palm.
Zeyu bent his arm to block the palm strike, deflecting it to the side, then caught her hand with his other hand.
He gave her a gentle tug, and Hinata fell into his arms. Zeyu took the opportunity to wrap her in a tight embrace.
Hinata hadn't even realized what was happening before she cried out, "E-e-e-eh? Zeyu, w-w-what are you doing?"
Zeyu couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising as he felt her two soft mounds against him. He was practically in heaven, but he kept his voice serious as he said, "Ahem, Hinata, I noticed that your lower body isn't steady, so I wanted to test it."
Then he gave Hinata's slender waist another squeeze before letting her go.
Hinata was bright red by then. She lowered her head, glanced at Zeyu, and lightly pinched the hem of her clothes as she asked, "Really?"
Zeyu fought back a laugh and nodded.