Seisui adjusted his sunglasses, a satisfied smile playing across his face as he felt the familiar surge of chakra coursing through him. His training and the work at Konoha Hospital had steadily increased his chakra reserves, and though the system granted him varying amounts each day—sometimes as low as ten points, sometimes as high as a hundred—the cumulative effect was undeniable. Over the past month, Seisui had averaged about 300 points of chakra growth per day. In just a few months of disciplined practice and consistent effort, he knew he could surpass eighty thousand points with ease.
The implications excited him. If he maintained his current regimen, a breakthrough to over one hundred thousand points—reaching B-rank—was inevitable. And with that rank would come a treasure chest, a reward he anticipated with bated breath. The first treasure chest had already proven extraordinary; he had obtained a Copy Scroll, granting him the Rinnegan, a power far beyond ordinary expectations. Whatever awaited in the second treasure chest, Seisui was confident it would be equally remarkable.
Time had flown. More than twenty days had passed since he began his preparation, and the joint Chunin Exams were fast approaching. Ninjas from other villages were now converging on Konoha, arriving in waves at the village gates. Seisui's eyes would have instantly recognized familiar faces among them, had he been present at the main gate. One name immediately stood out: Pakura, a Scorch Release user from Sunagakure. She and her team had been dispatched to participate in the exams under the supervision of two Jonin, Pakura herself and Rasa.
"Friends from Sunagakure, please follow me. Konoha has arranged accommodations for you," said a guide, leading the visiting ninjas through the bustling streets. Konoha, as the host, had meticulously prepared every detail in advance.
"Thank you," Pakura replied politely.
As they walked, Pakura and Rasa couldn't help but notice several ANBU operatives discreetly monitoring their movements. Neither was surprised—such measures were standard practice. Konoha had no reason to distrust them; this was, after all, a joint exam, not an invasion. Yet, the presence of the ANBU offered reassurance that the exams would proceed without undue interference.
"The accommodations are modest," the guide continued. "I hope that is acceptable. Should you require assistance at any point, do not hesitate to ask." With that, he left them, and Pakura addressed her team.
"Sensei, may we go out and look around?" one of her subordinates asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Pakura smiled slightly. She, too, wanted a moment to explore Konoha. From the brief view she had seen while arriving, the village was considerably more prosperous than Sunagakure, bustling with life and energy.
Rasa, however, remained immovable. "Do not forget our mission. Wandering around unnecessarily could compromise your performance in the exams. It is better to remain prepared than to indulge in leisure." His tone left no room for argument.
Pakura sighed but said nothing. She understood the importance of the exams and respected Rasa's authority. With a nod, she decided to let her curiosity take the lead. "If you do not wish to accompany us, then so be it," she said. With that, she led her three subordinates out into the streets.
Meanwhile, Rasa's team watched enviously as Pakura and her group explored the village.
"What? Do you want to go out too?" Rasa's voice, calm yet firm, reminded them of their duty. The three subordinates quickly shook their heads, understanding that appearances and responsibility mattered as much as strength.
"Remember," Rasa added, his tone clipped, "you represent Sunagakure. Never be like Pakura, whose failure on a B-rank mission brought shame to the village." He was referring to the mission to capture Okubo Kihei, an operation commissioned by a noble of the Land of Wind. The mission's failure had incurred displeasure upon Sunagakure, though Pakura had worked hard to redeem herself through subsequent A-rank missions.
As Pakura and her team wandered through Konoha, they experienced the village in a way they never could in Sunagakure. The streets were vibrant, filled with the chatter of merchants, laughter of children, and the bustle of everyday life. Villagers greeted each other with genuine smiles—a stark contrast to the stoic expressions often seen in Sunagakure.
"Pakura-sensei, do you think our Sunagakure could ever be like this?" asked Misaki, the only female among the subordinates. Her voice carried a mixture of awe and hope, reflecting the innocence and curiosity of youth.
Pakura glanced at her, choosing her words carefully. "As long as we continue to work hard, we can make progress. Change is always possible, even for Sunagakure." She avoided promising that it would ever rival Konoha. The disparity between the villages was too great for such assurances.
Their conversation was interrupted as two of Pakura's other subordinates, Jin and Gosuke, spotted a familiar figure.
"Huh, isn't that the Konoha ninja we met in the Land of Rain?" Jin exclaimed, uncertainty in his tone.
Following their fingers, Pakura turned to see Seisui walking past the Ichiraku Ramen shop, having just finished a meal. His sunglasses obscured his eyes, adding an air of detachment and mystery.
Seisui noticed them immediately. "I didn't expect to meet you all again so soon. You're here for the Chunin Exams too, right?" he said casually.
"It really is you!" Jin replied, his confidence returning. "This time, we'll all be promoted to Chunin!"
Pakura remained silent, still recalling her defeat at Seisui's hands. She did not know what to say, her pride tempered by respect.
"Then I wish you all the best," Seisui continued. "But if we meet during the exam, I won't go easy on you."
Jin and Gosuke, once brimming with confidence, felt their morale falter under Seisui's calm authority. "It's over. The champion of this Chunin Exam is gone. You're so strong—you'll undoubtedly be the strongest Genin here," Jin muttered, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
A burst of laughter echoed from a nearby alley. A group of Cloud Village ninjas, having just arrived in Konoha that morning, had overheard the conversation. To them, the strongest Genin was clearly Killer B.
Seisui, appearing as an older Genin, was dismissed as untalented in their eyes.
"Those Sunagakure ninjas really have no insight, thinking this untalented old Genin could be the strongest," one of them scoffed.
Jin bristled at the comment. "Bastard! Are you trying to pick a fight?"
"Huh? I'm just stating the truth," the Cloud Ninja replied, unconcerned.
"Damn it!" Jin clenched his fists, his temper flaring. He was ready to strike, but a calm hand on his shoulder froze him in place.
"This is Konoha," Seisui said, his voice steady and authoritative. "Leave such matters to us Konoha ninjas."
The words carried the weight of unspoken warning. Even those who had come to provoke recognized the truth: some disputes were best left unresolved.
The bustling streets of Konoha, filled with the chatter of villagers and the arrival of ninja from distant lands, bore witness to this quiet confrontation. Here, strength and wisdom mattered as much as pride and ambition. The joint Chunin Exams were not just a test of skill—they were a crucible that would reveal the true caliber of every ninja present.
Seisui adjusted his sunglasses once more, readying himself for the upcoming trials. This was the calm before the storm—the moment when strategy, intelligence, and skill would be tested in ways far beyond mere combat. And for Seisui, the journey toward greatness was only beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)