It was a gift he had no reason to refuse.
In fact, judging by the danger she had just faced, Ranne really might have died at Kisame Hoshigaki's hands without Kei's help. Although this missing-nin from Kirigakure in the original story was not bloodthirsty like Zabuza, he was certainly no kind soul either. Killing someone was absolutely an everyday occurrence for someone like Kisame Hoshigaki, even if he was only ten years old now.
As for Ranne's identity?
Sorry, someone like Kisame Hoshigaki really would not care. Besides, this was a Ninja Academy graduation exam, not a malicious murder in everyday life. It was not as though members of the three great ninja clans had never died in previous Ninja Academy graduation exams. As long as the casualties were not truly severe, or the two or three most highly valued core members did not die, the three great clans would not really care much!
Geography had certainly played a part in their decision to join Kirigakure during those war-torn years, but more importantly, the philosophies and styles of the three great ninja clans were naturally very close to Kirigakure's. This was also true of the Yuki no Minazuki Clan that Kei belonged to, though compared with the Kaguya and Hozuki clans...
Their Yuki Clan was somewhat more reserved and exercised a little more restraint!
Thus, if Minazuki Ranne really died in this graduation exam, the Yuki Clan truly would not pursue the matter, as long as everything had unfolded within the bounds of the "normal course."
Not to mention that, in an exam like this, where the examiners would almost never venture deep inside to supervise, who would know that Minazuki Ranne had died at Kisame Hoshigaki's hands if Kei had not been there!?
Therefore, saying that Kei had saved Ranne's life was no exaggeration at all.
The two also shared an unspoken understanding of this.
"Mm!"
When Ranne heard Kei's words and saw that he was willing to accept the mission item in her hand, she gave a happy smile, seemingly relieved. Although this was still far from an equal repayment, what Ranne valued more was the meaning behind Kei's action. Had Kei actually refused, she would instead have been left feeling uneasy. In some circumstances, one really could not be too much of a "gentleman"!
Occasionally, it was still necessary to show a slightly "self-serving" side.
Only then could one further foster harmonious relationships with others.
"Then, Ranne, come leave the exam grounds with me. We're still some distance from the exit!"
After placing the glass bottle inside his clothes, Kei looked straight at Ranne before him and continued.
Ranne was planning to give up on the exam anyway.
With all his own tasks already complete, he could naturally escort Ranne out of the exam grounds along the way. Otherwise, given her current injuries, never mind encountering classmates from the other three great clans-even any graduate with reasonably good fundamentals could very well finish Ranne off here!
"Mm, sorry for the trouble, Kei!"
Ranne replied softly, gratitude on her face.
"You're being too polite, Ranne. We're clansmen, after all!"
Kei also answered with a gentle expression.
To survive in this world, personal strength was one aspect, while the power and influence one could command were another.
Setting personal strength aside, power and influence, to be more specific, meant whether one could gain the recognition and support of others. As someone born into the Yuki Clan, Kei's first goal in gaining power would naturally be to become someone with a certain degree of influence within his clan. By establishing his standing within the clan, he could very easily enter the village's upper ranks!
This was also the greatest shortcut available to members of prestigious ninja clans!
But accomplishing this was immensely difficult as well.
Without any backer to support and help him, Kei could only rely on himself. Starting with contemporaries like Ranne and winning their recognition one after another, or even their willingness to follow him, was one of his best options for rising within the clan.
A road had to be walked one step at a time, and a meal had to be eaten one bite at a time.
Those who reached too far...
Were often the ones most likely to stumble.
This was also the sort of terrible development Kei had always warned himself, both in his previous life and this one, that he had to avoid at all costs.
"Mm, yes. We're clansmen!"
The expression on Ranne's face grew even gentler at that moment, and the warmth in her eyes as she looked at Kei deepened further.
With both of them having made their decisions...
There was naturally no need to delay. Although Ranne had already given her injuries some simple treatment herself, it was merely the most basic treatment to stop the bleeding. Leaving the exam grounds as soon as possible and returning outside to receive proper treatment was the right course of action.
After choosing their direction...
The two darted toward the designated exits of the exam grounds, one behind the other.
Along the way...
Kei deliberately took a slight detour to avoid the other examinees. Of course, unlike before, this time it was purely out of consideration for the injured Ranne. Otherwise, after his fight with Kisame Hoshigaki, Kei's mindset had already begun to undergo a subtle change. Had he truly been alone, he would have headed straight ahead.
As long as the situation was clear...
What did it matter if someone intercepted him? He would simply fight to the end!
However, this graduation exam clearly would not unfold according to Kei's wishes. Whether it was Heiji Kaguya's frenzied attack at the beginning or the encounter with Kisame Hoshigaki just now, unexpected events always occurred when Kei did not want to run into them.
When Kei had led Ranne out of the central area of the exam forest and reached its outskirts, just about to arrive at the exit...
Kei's heart suddenly tightened.
His steps stopped instinctively.
Although Ranne did not know what had happened, she stopped right after Kei as well.
"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"
Within those few seconds...
Before Ranne could open her mouth to ask...
From diagonally above them in front...
A sharp female cry rang out.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
Countless tiny, crystal-clear water bullets shot toward them, filling their field of view.
As they rapidly closed in on Kei...
"Ice Release: Ice Wall Jutsu!"
Kei reacted on instinct, immediately forming hand seals. The instant he molded a large amount of chakra...
"Hum!"
Particles of ice crystals gathered in the air, forming an exceptionally beautiful wall of ice in the shortest possible time!
"Clink, clink, clink, clink!"
"Bang!"
"Rumble!"
It blocked every last water bullet head-on.