"Let me have a look." Zeyu spotted what had happened and went straight over to Shota to examine his hands.
"Hinata, help me get a basin of cold water," Zeyu said to Hinata, who had hurried over as well.
"Big brother, I..." Shota lowered his head, guilt written across his face.
"It's okay. This wasn't your fault. Let's treat your hands first," Zeyu said, placing both hands over Shota's.
Green chakra flowed from Zeyu's hands, concentrating around Shota's wounds.
"This is..." Shota stared at Zeyu in surprise.
"Medical Ninjutsu! Zeyu, you know how to use this?" Megumi had noticed what was going on and came up to them, looking incredulous.
"Instead of standing there in surprise, you should make them apologize first," Zeyu said with a deadpan look.
I used to be a medical ninja in my previous life. I practiced just in case, and never expected to use it here, Zeyu thought.
Megumi crouched beside them, cheeks puffed out in a sulk. She didn't say a word.
Zeyu glanced at Megumi in confusion. Only then did she speak.
"You go. I'll... stay with my brother."
Zeyu was speechless. A young lady really is a young lady. No one ever argues with you, so you have zero fighting skills, huh?
"It's fine. I burned my hands because I chose to catch them," Shota said.
Hinata brought over the water. Zeyu pressed Shota's hands into the basin and continued treating them with Medical Ninjutsu.
"Sakura, I don't care how much you like Sasuke, but you were the one who bumped into Shota while arguing. Apologize, and we'll call it even," Zeyu said sternly, still facing away from the others.
"Big brother..." Shota murmured, looking at Zeyu.
Hearing that, Sakura started to step forward and apologize, but Sasuke stopped her with an outstretched hand. Sakura looked at him in confusion.
"What if we don't?" Sasuke said with a faint smile, his face full of disdain.
Zeyu didn't answer right away. His face darkened as he slowly stood up.
Everyone present watched him, unsure what he was about to do. The tension in the air mounted.
"Heh, this should be good," Neji thought with a faint smile as he watched from a distance.
Suddenly, Zeyu vanished from where he stood and appeared behind them, in front of Naruto, holding the two cups of ramen Shota had caught.
Everyone was startled, breaking into a cold sweat.
"So fast!" Sasuke thought.
"Naruto, you've got a match coming up. You should eat something," Zeyu said.
Then he turned to look at Sasuke.
"Sasuke, you can have the cup on the ground. I've only got two hands, so you'll have to pick it up yourself."
"Uh, sure," Naruto said, taking the ramen in a daze.
Zeyu walked past Sasuke. After meeting his eyes, he returned to his original spot and continued treating Shota's hands.
Tch. That guy's so fast. If he'd wanted to, he could've killed me just now, Sasuke thought through gritted teeth, frustrated.
"Naruto, Sakura, let's go," Sasuke said with a cold snort, motioning for them to leave.
Sakura had been about to follow him, but remembered that Zeyu had said their matches were coming up. She bowed to Megumi, picked up the cup of ramen from the ground, and then caught up with them.
"Sorry, Zeyu. Thanks for the ramen," Naruto said once he realized, then hurried after Sasuke.
"Big brother, thank you," Shota said, lowering his head.
"Don't mention it," Zeyu replied, keeping his attention on the two pairs of hands in the basin.
After a while, Shota's hands had improved considerably. Zeyu wrapped them in bandages.
Some time later, the exam period ended.
The group had packed up and were resting when Anko appeared at the entrance.
She glanced at the large hole left in the wall, her face full of resignation. Then she cleared her throat and called out loudly.
"Congratulations to everyone here for passing the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams. Please gather in the hall."
Before long, everyone had assembled in neat rows. Zeyu's team stood beside Hinata's, with the two of them at the back.
The team leaders, Anko, and the Third stood at the front, facing everyone.
Gekko Hayate stood in the middle and explained the preliminary matches.
Orochimaru, disguised as a Sound Ninja near the back, scrutinized Sasuke, barely able to hide his delight. He couldn't help licking his lips.
"I object! Why does that redhead get supplies? His team's all healed up now. That's not fair!" Zaku suddenly shouted from the crowd, pointing at Zeyu.
Shota, Megumi, and the others looked at one another. Hinata also turned to Zeyu.
"It's fine. Don't worry," Zeyu said, reaching out to take Hinata's hand.
"Anko, did we send them any supplies?" the Third asked with his hands behind his back.
"No. And there's no rule against bringing your own," Anko replied, then looked at Zaku.
Zaku gritted his teeth, his face full of resentment.
Zeyu grinned smugly, took Hinata's hand, and kissed the back of it. Her cheeks instantly turned bright red.
Zaku, that move cracks me up. Are you just throwing a tantrum because you're powerless? Zeyu thought.
Suddenly, he felt someone watching him. He looked toward the front and saw the Third staring at him.
Their eyes met. The Third coughed twice, signaling Zeyu not to show off too much.
Zeyu promptly kissed Hinata's hand twice more.
The Third saw him and coughed twice again, choking a little.
Kakashi beside him hurriedly asked, "What's wrong, Lord Hokage?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I choked on some smoke," the Third said, clearing his throat.
Zeyu stopped fooling around, but kept holding Hinata's hand. Hinata had noticed the Third watching them, and her face grew even redder as she stole a glance at Zeyu.
But Lord Hokage isn't even smoking right now, Kakashi thought.
Elsewhere, Naruto and the others were checking on Sasuke's condition. In the end, they decided to continue competing.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Kabuto voluntarily forfeited and left.
After Gekko Hayate finished explaining the details, everyone went up to the second-floor viewing area on either side of the hall.
The big screen began randomly selecting names for the one-on-one matches.
Kabuto still left. That means three more people, including me, so the match order for everyone else should stay the same. Which means we'll end up with one extra match. Who will it be? Zeyu stood in the viewing area, pondering.
"It's starting!" Shota said excitedly, gripping the railing.
Everyone turned to the big screen. As it began drawing names, they all grew tense.
"Hm? Why do I feel like I heard two names?" Zeyu said, puzzled. He looked toward Naruto on his right, who was also gripping the railing and staring intently at the screen.
"Uh..."
After that, things went much as they had before. Sasuke went first, then Kakashi took him away.
"Ninja Art: Wind Scythe!"
Temari swung the Giant Folding Fan at Tenten, who was in midair. Tenten's attacks were all blown away, and she was swept into the whirlwind, letting out a cry of pain.
"Tenten!" Lee shouted anxiously, gripping the railing.
Temari watched Tenten get hit, the corners of her mouth lifting in a smug smile.
When the jutsu ended, Tenten lost consciousness and fell from the air.
Temari stood below, propping up the Giant Folding Fan as if she intended to let Tenten fall onto it. She looked up at Tenten.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zeyu leaning against the railing, chin in hand, watching her expressionlessly.
Their eyes met. Temari shivered involuntarily, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
Oh no! Is this guy going to come after me for going too far? Temari thought.
At that moment, Tenten fell right in front of her.
"No! Tenten!" Lee shouted in alarm.
The Konoha ninjas in the viewing area stared tensely at the scene below.
But Temari hurriedly tossed the Giant Folding Fan aside and caught Tenten with both hands.
"Huh? What's she doing...?" Lee said, completely bewildered.
Neji frowned beside him, just as confused.
Temari slowly crouched and laid Tenten on the ground. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, then cautiously looked up at Zeyu.
For some reason, Zeyu found the sight amusing. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Did I scare her? Zeyu thought.
But to Temari, his expression looked terrifying.
I knew it! If I'd really done that, this guy would've gotten back at me! Temari thought, swallowing hard.
Neji followed Temari's gaze toward Zeyu and smiled faintly.
Something must have happened between Zeyu and those girls.
When Gekko Hayate announced the result, Temari returned to her teammates.
"What happened, Temari?" Baki asked, noticing something was off.
"Nothing," Temari replied, glancing at Gaara.
Baki knew Gaara must have ordered her to do it, but Gaara was important. As long as it didn't interfere with the plan, he wouldn't press her.
The big screen on the wall began to scroll.