If It's Hinata, Then I Wouldn't Mind

A few more days passed.

As for the bet, Kanami had not decided what he wanted yet, so he put it aside for the time being.

During that period, he relied on memories from his past life to master several practical ninjutsu.

For example, the A-rank genjutsu developed by Tobirama Senju, the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.

It was a genjutsu specifically designed to block vision. As for who Tobirama had been targeting, that went without saying.

At the same time, he had also made some progress with the Third Raikage's Cell Activation.

When he covered every cell in his body with Lightning-nature chakra without holding back, although his physical strength still could not compare to the Third Raikage's, ordinary shuriken and the like could no longer easily hurt him.

However, the Kekkei Genkai he cared about most had not made much progress.

After nearly two weeks, he had only condensed Yin-Yang Power to about half the size of a ping-pong ball.

In his view, unless he went to one of the Three Great Sage Lands, there would be no major changes in the short term.

At that moment, Kanami trained while speculating about Naruto's situation.

"They should have run into Zabuza Momochi by now, right?"

For Kanami in his past life, this had been the battle that left the deepest impression on him.

If Haku had been a girl, Kanami might already have been on his way to the Land of Waves.

Unfortunately, that damned Kishimoto drew a girl and insisted she was a boy. Haku was obviously such a cute girl, yet he had to be written as male.

The young Kanami had been unable to get over that for a very long time.

Kanami sighed and turned to look at Hinata, who was drenched in fragrant sweat nearby.

Hinata, who was training, keenly noticed Kanami's gaze.

She gave him a shy smile.

Kanami smiled back at the sight.

He stopped thinking about Naruto's situation.

He already had a treasure like Hinata. Why risk coveting something that belonged to someone else?

At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi walked over from the distance and called out.

"Come over here, all of you."

Hearing her, Kanami and the others stopped what they were doing and gathered before Kurenai Yuhi.

Kiba Inuzuka asked, "What is it, Kurenai-sensei?"

After sweeping her gaze across everyone, Kurenai Yuhi spoke seriously.

"The Chunin Ninja Exams should be held in about half a month.

Do you want to participate?"

"Of course! If not for the Chunin Ninja Exams, who would spend every day doing missions like finding cats and dogs or catching thieves?"

Following Kiba Inuzuka's excited declaration, Hinata and Shino both looked at him in agreement.

If life had not forced them to, who would willingly bend their backs for a few grains of rice?

They took on those tedious missions because registering for the Chunin Ninja Exams first required eight points—that was, completing at least eight D-Rank Missions.

Kanami felt indifferent about it.

He had little desire to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

His mental age had long passed the stage of burning with youthful passion. He had little enthusiasm for the fame and battles they pursued.

Besides, he knew that because Orochimaru was carrying out the Konoha Crush Plan, Shikamaru would be the only one to pass the Chunin Ninja Exams and become a Chunin in the end.

Even if they wanted to become Chunin, they would basically have to wait until the following year.

Kurenai Yuhi nodded and said she would register them.

Then she said to Kanami, "Come with me for a moment."

Kanami nodded and followed her.

The two arrived at a corner some distance away from Hinata and the others.

Kurenai Yuhi looked hesitant as she spoke.

"Kanami, there's something I need to tell you."

"Mm, go ahead."

"I told the Hokage about your situation. He recognizes the mission points earned by a four-person team, but for the Chunin Ninja Exams selection, it has to be teams of three..."

Hearing Kurenai Yuhi's hesitant words, Kanami smiled.

No wonder she had looked a little upset.

"It's fine, Kurenai-sensei. I won't be participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams."

Seeing his expression, Kurenai Yuhi thought he was only pretending to be calm to comfort her.

"Actually, if you want to participate, I can help you look for another team that needs someone."

In Konoha, not every Genin had a teacher leading them. Some average Genin without teachers would usually form temporary teams if they wanted to pass the Chunin exams.

Because of issues such as teamwork, temporary teams had almost no chance of passing the selection.

Although the Chunin Ninja Exams came with a mortality rate, every year there were still unusually old Genin taking the test.

Perhaps Konoha's housing prices were too high, and they had no choice but to gamble on it.

Kanami waved off Kurenai Yuhi's suggestion.

"No need. I don't really want to participate."

With Naruto and Sasuke, known as Konoha's strongest Genin, he felt there was nothing bad about being a Genin.

Even if he did not have enough money in the future, he could still cling to Hinata's thigh. The Hyuga Clan was wealthy and powerful, one of the foremost clans in Konoha no matter how one looked at it.

How wonderful it would be to live off a woman.

Kurenai Yuhi sighed.

"Fine, but if you decide you want to participate before the Chunin Ninja Exams, you can come find me. I'll do my best to find you good teammates."

"Don't worry, Kurenai-sensei. I really won't participate."

Only after Kanami repeatedly emphasized it did Kurenai Yuhi finally leave.

He was speechless. Did he really look that eager to participate?

Chunin Ninja Exams selection? Not even a dog would go.

Yet not long afterward, he regretted it.

As Kanami lay beneath a large tree enjoying the shade, Hinata sat down beside him.

"Kanami, Kurenai-sensei said you don't plan to participate in the Chunin exams?"

He removed the leaf covering his eyes.

"Yeah. I'm not that interested in becoming a Chunin, and teams can only have three people anyway."

"B-but..."

There seemed to be something Hinata found difficult to say.

Kanami thought for a moment, then sat up and looked at Hinata.

"Do you want me to participate in the Chunin exams?"

"Mm."

Hinata nodded.

Kanami revealed a faint smile. "If it's for you, Hinata, then I wouldn't mind participating. But why? Do you want to take the exams with me?"

Hinata nodded shyly, then immediately shook her head.

Kanami scratched his head in confusion.

What did that mean?

Hinata clasped her little hands together, her fingers twisting around each other nervously.

Her gaze drifted one moment, then turned resolute the next.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally blushed and revealed a determined expression.

"Actually, it was my father... He said that if you perform well in the Chunin Selection Exams, then... then he won't stop us anymore..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter.

For the final three words, "being together...," she merely hummed them out through her closed lips.

But that did not affect the overall meaning. Kanami's eyes widened.

What Chunin Selection Exams? This was clearly an assessment from his future father-in-law!

Damn it, now I had to participate.

Kanami grabbed Hinata's little hand and stared at her seriously.

"Don't worry, Hinata. I'll participate. Just watch me punch Naruto and kick Sasuke around."