Chapter 43

— Actually, that's only part of the reason, — I changed the topic, — I need a small favor from you.

— What kind of favor? — Mito raised an eyebrow questioningly.

It took about ten minutes to explain Akiko Mitarashi's situation in detail, leaving the listeners quite stunned.

— I didn't know that, — the older Uzumaki shook her head, while the Kushina clone twitched, clearly impressed.

— Well, the Senju and Uzumaki never had such problems, unlike the other clans, — I shrugged.

— Alright, I'll discuss it with Toka-chan, and I think she won't refuse me, — she nodded.

Great, one or two lessons in the kunoichi class, and maybe future generations of mothers won't face issues like Akiko's. And why wasn't this done from the very beginning?

***

After saying goodbye to Saya and Keiko, who had come to see me off, I left the clan quarter and, jumping onto the roof of the nearest house, made my way to the western gates, where the selected teams and their escorts were gathering. Even though I still had about ten minutes before seven in the morning, when the group was scheduled to depart, I needed to hurry—I had to greet the commander, check in, and look for familiar faces among the escorts.

At least one thing was guaranteed—Shibatari had informed me that after a slight adjustment in team coordination, his kids met the criteria required for the exam. There might be someone else familiar, but likely only superficially. After all, many shinobi had passed through my hands, but I only managed to get to know a few of them a bit better, simply because those injured required more prolonged care and recovery after surgery than others.

A few minutes later, I jumped down near the gathering point and surveyed the Konoha delegation assembled at the gate for the world's first international Chunin Exam, frowning in confusion. What's going on? Forgetting about the potential Chunin's strengths, the strongest among whom turned out to be surprisingly familiar faces, sending only four teams to the exam?

Damn, I'm starting to worry about Rui—the kid from my clan, who ended up with a couple of non-clan, not very strong partners. And while the guy's chakra volume still stretched to a very weak Chunin level, the unimpressive, skinny girl in tattered clothes clearly had no business being in Suna, as she herself understood, judging by her uncertain expression.

— Hey, Ryo!

Spotting my friend waving at me, standing in a separate group of Jonin, I leisurely approached them.

— Hi, Kei, — I greeted him, nodding politely to the other shinobi and kunoichi, — how's the eye?

— All good, works like new! — he grinned widely.

— Well, if there have been no issues so far, it should stay that way, — I nodded in satisfaction.

— I think so too, but enough about that—let me introduce you if anyone hasn't met you yet, — Shibatari turned to the Jonin, — this big guy here is Ryo Nara, our resident medical shinobi; I doubt anyone present hasn't heard of him.

— Rising star in medicine and the second Tsunade, just of the opposite sex, if the rumors are to be believed, — smirked a short, dark-haired, sturdy man with a Sarutobi insignia on his sleeve, clearly preferring Taijutsu, — Nui Sarutobi, nice to meet you.

Shaking his offered hand, I merely smirked inwardly—such a handshake was only good for crushing stones, but by channeling a bit more chakra into the grip, I calmly endured the test, earning a respectful glance from the veteran.

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