"By the way," Tenten suddenly asked after walking a few steps, "will you be assigned to a team like us?"
Chiba tilted his head. "Am I supposed to be special or something?"
"Don't you think so?" Tenten said with an odd look.
Seriously, what kind of normal academy student came up with a brand-new jutsu every few weeks? At this point, if Chiba went silent for a month or two, she actually started to feel… uneasy. Like something important was missing.
"Maybe a little," Chiba admitted with a small smile. "But unless something unexpected happens, my team assignment should be the same as everyone else's. As for who my teacher will be—no idea."
He shook his head.
Though in truth, he had a pretty good guess.
If he remembered right, this was around the time Kakashi officially retired from the ANBU. According to the documents he'd read, Kakashi had begun taking on students in recent years—but his rejection rate was 100%. Not a single one had lasted.
Given how often Kakashi had been showing up around him lately…
It was highly likely that his instructor would be Hatake Kakashi.
That would fit perfectly with the Hokage's usual style.
As for Tenten, it was harder to say—maybe she'd end up with kid, maybe even in the same team as him.
Aside from Tenten and Neji, there weren't many particularly outstanding students this year, so the rest of the team compositions would probably just be patched together for balance.
Chiba pondered quietly.
Seeing him lost in thought, Tenten held her breath and didn't say a word, afraid she'd interrupt whatever new inspiration was forming in his mind.
After a while, Chiba glanced at her curiously. "Why are you that face?"
"Uh… I didn't want to disturb your thinking." She scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
"There's nothing to disturb," Chiba chuckled. "Anyway, you should focus on your training these days. Get your chakra threads up to combat level soon. I heard there's still another exam after graduation."
"Another exam?" Tenten's face went pale.
That was way too much! They'd already gone through team assignments—why was there still another test?!
She didn't get it… but seeing how certain Chiba looked, she couldn't help believing him. She nodded heavily, feeling a bit deflated.
Chiba prepared to leave.
He wasn't particularly close with most of the students—aside from Tenten and Lee, there wasn't anyone he really talked to. So he'd just come to look around, and now that he had, it was time to go.
But just as he turned to leave, something caught his eye.
At the far end of the training field, in the throwing area, a flash of bright blond hair stood out among the crowd.
UzuBaki Naruto.
Now that he thought about it… if Kakashi really ended up being his sensei, wouldn't that mean Naruto's team next year would have to be reshuffled?
He thought about it for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.
Whatever happened with Naruto or Sasuke wasn't really his concern.
"What's so funny?" Tenten asked.
"Nothing," Chiba said with a small smile. "Just remembered something. Oh right—starting in a few days, the hospital will be selling a new herbal bath formula that strengthens the body. You should pick some up."
"Wait—did you make it?" Tenten's eyes lit up instantly.
So that's what he'd been busy with all this time!
Chiba nodded slightly, then raised a finger to his lips. "Tell Lee about it if you want, but don't spread it around."
"Mm-hm!" she agreed eagerly.
Three days later, Chiba received word.
The medicine had passed review—the tests were successful, and it was officially approved for sale. Several clans had already caught wind of it early, especially the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
By now, the Academy exams were wrapping up, and news of the new medicine was spreading all over the village via the announcement boards.
There would be two sales points: one at Konoha Hospital, and another at the Nara Clan's herbal store.
The next morning, Chiba came to work as usual—and froze.
A massive line stretched from inside the hospital all the way down the street, a huge crowd buzzing with excitement.
And among the heads in the crowd… there was one rather unique figure.
While everyone else stood upright, this one had his legs pointing skyward.
Chiba walked over, half amused. "kid, why are you here?"
"No missions lately," kid said cheerfully, still doing a handstand. "Figured I'd come see what all the fuss was about! If I can buy some, all the better!"
Chiba lowered his voice. "kid…"
"Chiba-kun!"
A cheerful voice called out from the front of the line.
He looked up to see Tenten waving at him excitedly.
Behind her stood a girl who immediately shrank back as he looked over—slender frame, quiet posture, her attire neat and reserved. He vaguely recognized her from the Academy, though her name escaped him. She'd always sat near the corner of the classroom, keeping to herself.
After thinking for a bit, he finally spoke softly to kid. "Sensei, I actually made this formula. I can let them know for you—"
"No need!" kid said proudly, still balancing on his hands. "Waiting in line is part of training too, my youthful friend!"
He flashed a blinding thumbs-up, teeth sparkling.
Well, since he insisted…
Chiba could only nod, then walked to the front where Tenten was nearly at the counter. She beamed when she saw him.
"Chiba-kun, thanks for warning me yesterday. If you hadn't, I'd be stuck waiting forever!"
Chiba smiled. "Don't mention it. I just happened to think of it. Oh right—who's this?"
He glanced at the shy girl behind her.
The girl ducked her head so far down she was almost out of the line.
"She's—" Tenten began, but the girl interrupted nervously, blurting out in a soft, trembling voice, "M-my name is Tsukikage Kaza! It's… it's an honor to meet you!"
Chiba blinked. "Ah—right. I remember now. You sat next to me once when I came in late. Sorry, forgot your name earlier."
He recalled sneaking in through the back door one morning and taking the seat beside her.
Definitely shy—borderline socially anxious, if he remembered right.
"It's fine," Kaza murmured quickly. "I always sit in the corner. It's normal that no one notices me."
Tenten glanced at the endless line behind them and sighed. "This is getting ridiculous—it's already spilling into the street. Chiba-kun, could you maybe… come up with a solution?"
So that's why she'd called out to him.
And she wasn't wrong. The crowd was getting unruly—people were packed so tight it was hard to even move.
Chiba nodded. "I'll talk to the staff. We'll organize a number system—people can take a ticket and come back when their turn's up."
"Thank you!" Tenten said, clasping her hands together gratefully.
"It's fine," Chiba said, waving her off. "Having everyone crowd here like this really isn't ideal."
But before he could leave, someone in the crowd recognized him.
"Wait—Chiba? So you're that genius kid, Yagyu Chiba? Incredible! Does this medicine really work like they say?"
"The effect's definitely real," Chiba answered quickly.
"How much does it cost?"
"How'd you even come up with something like this at your age?"
"Hey, are you engaged yet?"
The questions started out normal—then got progressively more deranged.
Chiba's face turned pale as he realized the direction this was heading. He bolted from the scene.
Tenten covered her mouth, stifling her laughter, though she did feel a little guilty.
If she hadn't called out to him, maybe no one would've recognized him in the first place.
Behind her, Tsukikage Kaza peeked timidly at the direction Chiba had fled, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Chiba dashed straight back to the Medical Department, only relaxing once he saw the lab was empty.
"Too scary…" he muttered, exhaling deeply.
Thank goodness no one dared to chase him into here.
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