"Whew, we finally made it!"
Determined not to be late for the Chunin Ninja Exams, the five youngsters had raced through Konoha's streets, kicking up billowing clouds of dust. After their frantic dash into the exam venue, all five sighed in relief almost at once, slumping against the wall in awkward poses and panting hard, drawing countless curious looks.
"Yakushi Chinatsu."
Before the breathless group could recover, Tobirama Senju, who was presiding over the matches, strode toward them. Caught off guard by the call, Yakushi Chinatsu hurriedly straightened up. When she caught sight of Tobirama's cold, visibly darkened expression, she nearly lost her footing and stumbled.
"H-here!"
Watching Chinatsu stand stiffly at attention in a panic, Tobirama sighed softly and motioned for her to hurry onto the training ground.
Following the direction he indicated, she saw Chiyo of Sunagakure already waiting in the circular training ground, surrounded by spectators.
"Will Chinatsu really be all right?"
Kagami watched Chinatsu's back with concern as she stepped onto the battlefield, then turned to Shingetsu, whose brows were likewise drawn together.
"Shingetsu, do you think Chinatsu can win?"
Shingetsu frowned in thought for a moment, then shook her head.
Over the past three years, Chinatsu had been working toward becoming a medical Shinobi. Rather than combat skills, she preferred honing her medical expertise and precise chakra control.
Chinatsu had outstanding talent in Medical Ninjutsu, something both Yakushi Chan and Senju Toka had praised highly. Even Tobirama Senju intended to send her to the Medical Department for training. Against a Shinobi who used Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, she should have been able to hold her own with her excellent medical knowledge and Medical Ninjutsu. But against Chiyo and her Puppet Technique, Chinatsu's abilities offered no advantage whatsoever.
In the arena, the two formed the Seal of