Chapter 30: The Weight of a Promise
"Ryouma-nii..." Hinata coughed, a trickle of blood staining her lips. She struggled to her feet, looking at Ryouma and forcing a weak smile. "Ryouma-nii, I'm... I'm alright... Please, don't..."
Understanding her reason for saying this only made Ryouma's heart ache more. He sighed, then turned his cold gaze back to Neji, dispersing the Great Ball Rasengan. "If there's a next time," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "believe me, this Rasengan will be aimed directly at you."
"Hmph!" Neji snorted dismissively. "Fate... hah..."
"No one remains the same forever," Ryouma said, walking over to Hinata and crouching down beside her slumped form.
"Huh?"
"Stop talking about fate. Fate is always in your own hands."
"Why?"
Ryouma looked up, his eyes meeting Naruto's across the room. Naruto was already watching him. Ryouma gave him a small, knowing smile. "Because," he said, his voice carrying clearly, "you are not a dead-last!"
...
"Gaara, what are your thoughts on that genin? Could he be..." Baki, Gaara's jōnin instructor, looked uncharacteristically solemn.
Gaara narrowed his eyes slightly, a bloodthirsty smile twisting his lips. "I will kill him."
Due to Ryouma's interference, the order of the remaining matches was disrupted, leading to a slightly different list of finalists.
The winners were: Akizuki Ryouma, Uzumaki Naruto, Gaara, Temari, Nara Shikamaru, Hyūga Neji, Yamanaka Ino, Haruno Sakura, and the final spot went to Tenten.
With the preliminaries over, there was a one-week break for rest and recovery. After all the genin had left, the Konoha jōnin gathered around Hiruzen Sarutobi, their expressions varied.
Kakashi, having just returned from sealing Sasuke's Cursed Seal, also wore a grave look.
"Kakashi, was there any change with the Cursed Seal?" Hiruzen asked, noticing his expression.
"The seal itself is fine. It's almost as if it was pre-sealed... but..."
"But what?"
"I encountered Orochimaru just now."
"What? Orochimaru?" The assembled jōnin reacted with a mix of shock and anger. "Why has he come to Konoha? Is he seeking his own death?"
"Orochimaru..." Hiruzen's brow furrowed deeply. "I understand." He nodded slowly. "What is your assessment of Akizuki Ryouma?"
"Ryouma..." The name prompted a collective, thoughtful silence. Everyone had an opinion, but none seemed entirely certain.
"Kurenai, you are Ryouma's jōnin instructor. What are your thoughts?" Hiruzen turned his gaze to her.
"He's growing at an astonishing rate. His mind is quite mature for his age. And as for his ninjutsu... no one taught him. It's as if he had a sudden epiphany and could use them. His talent is... terrifying." Kurenai thought carefully before giving her honest evaluation.
"I see... The third exam will be held in one week. Orochimaru likely has other objectives. Everyone, remain vigilant. That will be all."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
After the jōnin had departed, Hiruzen took a long, slow drag from his pipe and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Should we recruit him into the ANBU now...?" He pondered for a long moment, then shook his head. "No... Ryouma's strength still has significant room for growth... Dragon."
"Lord Hokage." A masked ANBU operative appeared before Hiruzen, kneeling on one knee.
"What is your evaluation of Akizuki Ryouma?" Hiruzen looked out the window, watching birds soar through the sky.
"Although he is only a genin, the level of ninjutsu he employs surpasses that of a typical chūnin. He is exceptionally powerful. His teleportation ability, combined with his kenjutsu, makes him a formidable talent, like a tiger that has grown wings."
"Mm..." Hiruzen grunted in agreement, his expression turning serious. "In that case, there is no need for him to continue the Chūnin Exams. Inform Ryouma that he is to be promoted to chūnin, effective immediately."
"As you command, Lord Hokage!" The ANBU operative, codenamed Dragon, responded without hesitation before vanishing in a flicker of movement.
Hiruzen stared at the empty space where Dragon had been. "Akizuki Ryouma..."
"Hey, Ryouma! Where are you headed?" Ryouma was walking back, Hinata on his back and Kiba at his side, when Naruto caught up to them, calling out.
"Ah... Naruto-kun..." Hinata, perched on Ryouma's back, flushed a deep crimson upon seeing him and buried her face.
"We're planning to get something to eat and then get a good night's sleep, obviously!" Ryouma shot Naruto an exasperated look, feeling Hinata's slight squirming on his back and secretly amused.
"Well, I was thinking of getting everyone together to visit Lee and Sasuke in the hospital. Wanna come?"
Ryouma thought for a moment. "Alright. Hinata is injured anyway; she should go to the hospital to recuperate."
"N-no... it's really not necessary... I'm fine..." Hinata protested softly from behind him, though her voice lacked conviction.
"It's truly not necessary. I will take care of the young mistress." A man with the same distinctive white eyes as Hinata suddenly appeared. Seeing Hinata being carried by Ryouma, he frowned deeply.
"Ah... Uncle Harukoshi." Hinata recognized the man and greeted him politely.
"Young mistress! How did you get injured like this?!" Hyūga Harukoshi's eyes widened in alarm upon seeing the blood at the corner of her mouth. "I'll take you back for treatment at once!"
Without another word, Harukoshi moved to take Hinata from Ryouma's back. Ryouma sidestepped smoothly, his voice flat. "I will take care of Hinata."
Internally, Ryouma was cursing this 'Hyūga Harukoshi'.
Just when I finally get a chance to get closer to Hinata, this guy shows up to ruin it. I really feel like slapping him with a Rasengan.
"And who might you be?" Harukoshi was already displeased seeing Hinata in such a position with a boy. Now, this boy dared to speak to him in such a tone. His anger flared.
"Uncle Harukoshi, Ryouma-nii is my teammate..." Hinata spoke up in Ryouma's defense from over his shoulder.
"Ryouma..." Harukoshi grumbled, frowning as he searched his memory. The name was familiar. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead and let out a derisive laugh. "So it's you! The one who spent three, four years at the Ninja Academy without passing a single exam! The worst of the worst!"
"Is that who I thought it was? Hmph, do you think just because you've finally become a genin, you can speak to me like that?" Harukoshi looked down his nose at Ryouma, his eyes filled with contempt.
Conceited fool, Ryouma sneered inwardly, his own expression turning to ice.
The backstory the system gave me is really something. Anyone and everyone feels they can look down on me. Just you wait. When the third exam is held, watch me with your own eyes!
"What's with that look? Are you dissatisfied?" Hyūga Harukoshi thrust his head forward, attempting to knock his forehead against Ryouma's. Ryouma turned his head, easily dodging the gesture. Without breaking stride, he drew the sword from his waist with one hand and slashed at Harukoshi!