The spectators in the stands watched the battle intently, their focus on Reiki, Konoha's genius medical ninja and Tsunade's protégé. His reputation had grown not only due to his skills but also due to his cunning in the Forest of Souls, where he'd left quite a few with lighter pockets.
"Does it seem like Reiki's attacks have some obvious gaps?" one observer asked, frowning.
"Yeah, he's fighting a puppet master but isn't adapting his approach at all," another agreed, sounding puzzled.
As the audience speculated, Darui walked over, overhearing the commentary. Among everyone present, he had the best sense of Reiki's true strength, having fought him directly. He narrowed his eyes. "What's that kid doing…?" he muttered, genuinely baffled.
"Perhaps he didn't get enough rest yesterday?" Yamanaka Kaiyo offered, trying to rationalize Reiki's apparent lack of energy.
Eventually, Reiki claimed victory over Osawa, but he looked weary, as though the battle had been a struggle. He had deliberately held back, trying to appear as though the match had been challenging.
"Yes!" cheered Qian Yuheshi from Iwagakure. "Looks like I'll face him next. If I wrap up my first match quickly, I'll have an easy win against him."
---
Later that evening, Tsunade called Reiki, Shisui, and Nozuki to her quarters.
"Good," she said, smiling as she handed each of them a scorecard. "You've understood the importance of subtlety, and that shows you're ready to become chunin. Your scores are already above the passing threshold, so there's no need to participate in any further matches. But if you want to save yourself the hassle, you can just forfeit the upcoming rounds."
Reiki glanced at his scorecard, a grin spreading across his face. "So…we have plenty of free time now?" he asked, leaning back with a smirk. "By the way, I saw Kato Dan outside earlier, Teacher. Has he been bothering you again?"
Tsunade's face darkened as she recounted the previous day's encounter with Kato Dan. Reiki listened closely, a thoughtful expression forming as he considered the implications.
"I wouldn't worry too much about him," Tsunade said, dismissing the subject. "Now, go enjoy yourselves. I'm off to Cangzi's for a quiet drink."
---
At the barbecue restaurant, Reiki met with a masked ninja, Gulal.
"You tracked me down here?" Gulal asked, looking bemused.
"I sensed the curse seal," Reiki said with a slight smile. "And I've got a task for you."
---
Three days later, as the Chunin Exams wrapped up, Reiki stretched out on his bed, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over him.
"The exam's finally over," he sighed, feeling the weight lift from his shoulders.
"Yeah, but it barely feels like we were part of it," Shisui said, lying back. Throughout the exam, they had been subtly stepping back, allowing others to win or holding back in the Forest of Souls. It was more like training than a real test of strength.
"But hey, the outcome's what matters," Nozuki said with a smile. "Now that we're officially chunin, we can take on solo missions. I've already got plans with my brother for our first one together!"
"I'll probably stay in the village for a while," Reiki said thoughtfully. "There's plenty of work in the hospital, the interrogation department, and the combat training grounds. Besides, my experience grows faster when I stay focused on improving my skills."
"Not me," Shisui said, determination in his eyes. "I need to be out in the field. It's where combat ninjas truly develop."
Nozuki nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "And I've got the chance to work alongside Minato-sensei. It's like a dream come true."
"Alright then," Reiki said, yawning. "Let's rest up tonight and prepare to return to Konoha tomorrow. Once we're back, let's spar properly."
With a wave, he took out a scroll, set up a barrier, and settled into meditation.
Shisui and Nozuki watched, then followed suit, refining their chakra.
---
Within the barrier, Reiki checked his progress, smiling to see that his skill mastery was nearing 90%. "I'm improving," he murmured, though his frustration with his Wood Release remained. He'd gained it almost half a year ago, but outside of the initial breakthrough, it had shown little progress. If he could activate it, it would be a game-changer for his development.
"It's time to consult with Tsunade-sensei," he thought. But just as he decided this, a voice suddenly sounded in his mind. Startled, Reiki swiftly sealed his scroll and prepared to respond, vanishing from the room.
>>>>>
If You would like to read up to 75 chapters ahead you can access my Patr*on at [patreon.com/TranslatorHaven1972]