Chương 245: 244
The arena fell silent as the Hokage made his way to the center. His mere presence commanded respect and attention, the weight of his authority palpable. Haruto stood among the remaining genin, the tension in the air thick. This was the moment they had all been waiting for—the announcement of who had passed, and what would come next.
The Hokage's eyes swept across the gathered shinobi, taking a brief moment to study the faces of those who had fought and won. Then, with a firm, resonant voice, he began to announce the victors.
"Reina Aoyama, Land of Tea.
Natsumi Inuzuka, Hidden Leaf.
Jiro, Hidden Sand.
Kaito Tanaka, Land of Tea.
Genma Shiranui, Hidden Leaf.
Shisui Uchiha, Hidden Leaf.
Daichi Uzumaki, Hidden Leaf.
Rasa, Hidden Sand.
Pakura, Hidden Sand.
Takeshi Hyuga, Hidden Leaf.
Haruto, Hidden Leaf."
As his name echoed through the arena, Haruto felt a surge of pride. To be named among these skilled genin wasn't just validation—it was a reminder of how far he had come. He had fought hard for this moment, and standing here now, he realized just how important these next steps were. His victory was just the beginning.
The Hokage's gaze shifted from the crowd to the genin directly in front of him. "You will be informed of your next opponent in the coming week," he continued, his voice steady and commanding. "The next round of the Chunin Exams will take place one month from now."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the remaining genin. A month wasn't much time to prepare, but it was enough to sharpen their skills, to hone their jutsu. For Haruto, it felt like just the right amount of time—time to regroup, to focus, and to plan.
"Daimyos from across the lands will be in attendance for the final rounds. This is not just a battle between shinobi. Your abilities will be on display for the leaders of many nations. Train wisely. Learn, grow stronger, and prepare yourselves for what's to come."
The Hokage paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. Haruto felt his mind already racing with possibilities—what new jutsu could he refine in a month? How could he push his lightning techniques further? He glanced at Shisui and Daichi, wondering what kind of growth they'd experience in the next few weeks.
With a curt nod, the Hokage dismissed the non-Leaf ninja. But just as the foreign teams began to file out of the arena, the Hokage raised a hand, halting the Leaf genin in their tracks.
"Those of you from the Leaf who have advanced, stay behind."
Haruto, Shisui, Daichi, and the other Leaf genin exchanged curious glances as they gathered around. There was something in the Hokage's tone that hinted at something important, something special.
When the last of the non-Leaf ninja had exited, the Hokage's voice softened slightly, though it still carried authority. "I have a special offer," he said, allowing a small smile to form on his lips. "To any of you who claim the top spot in the finals, you will be granted a day of personal training with me. You may choose any A-rank jutsu or below that you wish to learn."
Haruto's breath caught in his throat. Training…with the Hokage? That was an opportunity most ninja could only dream of. The chance to learn directly from the leader of the village, to gain insight into techniques that were beyond their usual reach—it was beyond valuable.
Haruto's mind raced. There were so many jutsu he could choose from. Should he refine his lightning techniques further? Or perhaps there was a fuinjutsu technique that could propel him to new heights? The thought of training one-on-one with the Hokage, with access to A-rank jutsu, sent a surge of excitement through him. But alongside that excitement came a cold realization: this offer wasn't just about teaching. The Hokage was playing a larger game, trying to see who was worthy of standing by his side. It was as much a test of loyalty as it was of skill.
He glanced at Shisui and Daichi. He could see the same fire in their eyes, the hunger to win, to claim that prize. The Hokage knew exactly how to push them. This wasn't just a tournament anymore—it was a direct challenge from the most powerful shinobi in the village.
"Now," the Hokage said, his tone becoming more relaxed, "you are dismissed."
The Leaf genin bowed their heads in respect, preparing to leave. But just as they turned, Sakumo Hatake, their Jonin instructor, raised a hand to stop Haruto, Shisui, and Daichi.
"Hold up, you three," Sakumo said, his arms crossed as he studied them. His usual calm demeanor was still there, but there was a seriousness in his voice that caught their attention. "Before you head out, I need to ask—did anything strange happen in the forest?"
Shisui shrugged, playing it cool as usual. Daichi scratched the back of his head awkwardly, clearly in no mood to spill the details. Haruto sighed inwardly. Of course, it was up to him to handle this. After everything that had happened in the forest, after chasing Aika and letting his emotions take over, he knew he deserved to answer.
"Yeah, something happened," Haruto said, his tone measured. He paused, making sure to choose his words carefully. "But it's nothing we couldn't handle. Let's just say it's better not to poke the hornet's nest right now."
Sakumo's gaze sharpened, clearly reading between the lines. He was no fool—he could tell when his students were withholding something. But he also knew when to push and when to let things go. He gave a small nod, acknowledging Haruto's words without pressing further.
"Alright," Sakumo said, his voice softening slightly. "But if anything else comes up, you know where to find me."
Haruto nodded, relieved that Sakumo wasn't going to dig any deeper for now. As they left the arena, he couldn't help but feel the weight of what lay ahead. The month of training, the next fight, and the deeper threats lurking beneath the surface—it all seemed to be piling up.
But as he walked beside his teammates, he realized one thing was clear: this wasn't just about becoming a Chunin anymore. It was about making a mark, about proving who they were and who they could become. And with the Hokage's offer hanging over their heads, the stakes had never been higher.
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