Let's Settle the Score

At the center of the hall, countless gazes fixed on Tsukimi, filled with unease, shock, and emotions too tangled to name.

The smile on his face did not change. His eyes swept slowly over the senior figures from every ninja village present, and he spoke with easy amusement.

"What's wrong? You all look disappointed to see me standing here alive."

One sentence punctured the awkward silence.

Mitokado Homura had been burning with anger and anxiety, but the moment he saw Tsukimi, it all vanished.

He forgot about confronting Cloud Hidden and hurried forward, circling Tsukimi to look him over carefully.

Once he confirmed that Tsukimi was uninjured, breathing steadily, and in perfect condition, the weight on his chest finally lifted. He let out a long breath.

"Thank goodness you're alive. Thank goodness."

He did not ask about the Tailed Beast Bomb's explosion or what Tsukimi had used to survive it.

Every top-tier ninja had a last resort for staying alive. Everyone understood that unspoken rule.

As long as Tsukimi was alive, nothing else mattered.

The safe return of Konoha's most talented young ninja was wonderful news for the entire village.

Konoha had barely relaxed when Brazza, standing opposite them, grew anxious.

The Cloud Hidden adviser, who had been in the wrong and could only take the accusations, suddenly found an opening. He stepped forward and spoke sharply.

"Nara Tsukimi! You dare show your face here?"

"Konoha owes Cloud Hidden an explanation!"

Mitokado Homura frowned and was about to intervene, but Tsukimi spoke first, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"An explanation?"

"The Chunin Ninja Exams allow Genin from every nation to fight freely. Whether they live or die depends on their own skill."

"Someone dies because they weren't strong enough, and now you want to settle the score after the exam?"