Leaving Nothing To Chance
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This is the second chapter of the day. If you haven't seen the first one, check please.
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The next morning, Horyu entered the academy grounds with a calm, collected demeanor. His eyes were sharp, his movements purposeful. As he walked, he could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, their whispers a mixture of awe and uncertainty.
Hinata approached him, a determined look on her face. "Ready for the practical exam, Horyu?" she asked, her voice steady.
Horyu nodded, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Absolutely. It's time to put all our training to the test."
Waiting outside the classroom, Horyu leaned against the wall, his eyes observing the nervous energy around him. His last name, Uchiha, meant he would have to wait a bit longer than most. He preferred it that way; it gave him time to gather his thoughts and observe others. Beside him, Hinata shifted uneasily, her nervousness palpable.
"Don't worry, Hinata," Horyu said, his voice low and steady. "Remember your training. You've got this."
Hinata nodded, drawing a deep breath. "Thanks, Horyu. It's just... the pressure," she admitted.
Before Horyu could reply, Ino approached them, a calculated smile on her face. "Hey, Horyu, Hinata. Nervous about the exam?"
Horyu glanced at her, his expression neutral. "It's just another challenge," he responded calmly.
Ino's eyes lingered on Horyu, her interest evident. "You've been quite impressive lately, Horyu. I never took you for such a skilled ninja."
Horyu's response was polite but non-committal. "We all have our surprises, Ino."
Hinata watched the exchange, a hint of discomfort in her stance. She wasn't fond of Ino's sudden interest in Horyu, especially after the way most of their classmates had treated him before.
Their conversation was soon joined by a few other girls from their class – Mina, Yui, and Pony. They clustered around Horyu, their giggles and flirty comments a stark contrast to the serious atmosphere of the exam.
Mina, a girl with bright eyes and a friendly smile, spoke up. "Horyu, you were amazing in the taijutsu match. How do you train?"
Horyu answered with a polite, if somewhat vague, response. "A lot of practice and focus."
Yui, her hair tied in a stylish ponytail, chimed in. "Do you think you could show me some of your moves sometime?"
Horyu gave a small, non-committal smile. "Maybe. Right now, the focus is on the exams."
Pony, always the more direct of the three, leaned closer. "You know, we could study together sometime. I could use a bit of your brainpower."
Horyu's answer was diplomatic. "Thanks for the offer, Pony. But I prefer studying alone."
Hinata, standing a bit apart, watched the scene unfold. Her gaze shifted to Horyu, a silent plea in her eyes. She didn't like the attention these girls were giving him, especially since they hadn't shown any interest in him before his recent victories.
Horyu engaged with the girls politely, his responses measured and devoid of any real interest. He wasn't Sasuke; he knew how to handle the attention without being dismissive or arrogant.
"So, Horyu, have you always been this good, or is it something new?" Mina asked, a curious tilt to her head.
"It's a result of consistent training and understanding my own weaknesses," Horyu replied, his tone even.
Ino, leaning against the wall beside him, chimed in with a playful smile, "You seem different from the other boys, Horyu. More... mature, I guess."
Horyu offered a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "Maybe it's because I've had different experiences. Everyone grows at their own pace."
Yui giggled, nudging Pony, "He's so serious, isn't he? It's kind of cool."
Pony nodded, her eyes still fixed on Horyu. "Definitely. You're like a mystery, Horyu. It makes people want to know more about you."
Horyu's response was noncommittal, a simple "Is that so?" as he glanced at Hinata, who was frowning slightly at the ongoing conversation. He could sense her discomfort, the way she shuffled her feet and avoided looking directly at the girls.
When Hinata's name was called for the exam, she cast a warning glance at the girls, but they seemed undeterred, continuing their attempts to flirt with Horyu. Hinata's expression hardened as she walked away, her resolve clear.
Left alone with the girls, Horyu maintained his polite but distant demeanor. He answered their questions with brief responses, keeping the conversation light and non-personal.
Ino, sensing an opportunity, moved a step closer. "Horyu, I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with Hinata. She's changed a lot, hasn't she?"
Horyu nodded, his gaze steady. "She's worked hard. It's paying off for her."
Mina chimed in, "And you, Horyu? What drives you? You've become quite the topic in our class."
He considered the question for a moment before replying, "Personal goals, mostly. I have a clear idea of what I want to achieve."
Before they could continue, Iruka's voice called out, "Horyu Uchiha!"
Horyu excused himself and walked towards the testing area, leaving the girls whispering among themselves. As he approached, he scanned the arena, his mind shifting to the task at hand.
Iruka greeted him with a nod, "Ready for your practical exam, Horyu?"
"Ready as I'll ever be, sensei," Horyu replied, his voice calm.
Iruka outlined the tasks – demonstrating the Clone, Transformation, and Substitution Jutsu. Horyu listened intently, his expression focused.
He started with the Clone Jutsu, forming multiple clones that mirrored his movements perfectly. The clones dispersed at his command, eliciting nods of approval from the examiners.
Next was the Transformation Jutsu. Horyu transformed into various people and then into Iruka himself, the resemblance so uncanny that it drew gasps from the observers.
Finally, the Substitution Jutsu. Horyu's execution was flawless, his movements quick and precise, leaving a chair in his place as he evaded an attack from one of the examiners.
Iruka, observing the performance, couldn't hide his impressed expression. "Excellent work, Horyu. Your control and precision are exceptional."
"Do you have any other Jutsu you would like to demonstrate? You already passed the exam and graduated," Iruka said, holding out the forehead protector. "But if you do show more Jutsu, your mark will raise."
Horyu weighed his options. Revealing the Kage Bunshin Jutsu could draw unnecessary attention, yet he also knew Sasuke would likely showcase at least two Fire Jutsu. He had to balance the desire to stand out with the need to keep certain abilities hidden. "I think I have something," Horyu finally said, nodding.
Creating a clone, Horyu prepared for the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. The clone mimicked his stance, and together they exhaled a massive fireball, the flames roaring as they engulfed the target.
Iruka, along with the other examiners, watched in awe. The precision and scale of the fireball were impressive, even for an Uchiha. "Very well done, Horyu," Iruka praised, handing him the forehead protector. "Your skills are commendable."
Thanking Iruka, Horyu took the forehead protector and wrapped it around his left arm. Wearing it on his forehead? That wasn't his style. Iruka then informed him to arrive early the next day to learn about his team assignment. With a nod, Horyu exited through another door, where Hinata was waiting for him.
"Looks like you aced it," Hinata said, a smile brightening her features.
Horyu shrugged nonchalantly. "It went well. How about you?"
Hinata beamed. "I passed too! Thanks to your training."
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