After explaining in detail the principles and methods of chakra nature transformation to Izumi, Eiya said nothing more and returned to his room to rest.
Shiden was a lightning technique created by Hatake Kakashi after losing the Sharingan. Similar in principle to Chidori Stream, it required no hand seals, was versatile for both offense and defense, and was sufficient for most situations.
Eiya estimated that if Izumi could manage to channel chakra into electricity within just three days, it would already be remarkable.
But not long after he had fallen asleep, at dawn, an excited voice shattered the calm of morning and dragged him awake.
"Senpai! I… I did it!"
Izumi's voice trembled with barely contained excitement.
Eiya threw on a robe and slid the door open. The mist of early dawn still hung in the air. There stood Izumi, her right hand raised high, a spark of bright blue lightning crackling at her fingertips.
For a moment Eiya's gaze lingered on her flushed, ecstatic face. Surprise flickered in his eyes, though it quickly vanished as he said evenly, "Faster than I expected. It seems your talent surpasses what I imagined."
Izumi herself was amazed. Hearing his praise, her cheeks burned even redder, and she waved her hands quickly. "N-no, it's only because you taught me so well…"
Eiya gave her a sidelong glance, his tone cool. "No need for flattery. Since I've taken you on, I'll teach you properly."
"N-no, I wasn't just being polite!" she hurried to explain. "It's just… I don't know why, but when you explained it, everything clicked immediately. The training went so smoothly—it all just… felt natural."
At those words, a thought sparked in Eiya's mind.
Could this be the effect of his system's ability, Good Mentor, True Friend?
According to the system, anyone near him would progress twice as fast in training, with stronger effects the closer their bond. Until now, Eiya had paid it little attention. But seeing Izumi's shocking progress, he realized the ability's potential was far greater than he thought.
They had only known each other for a few days, and already she had advanced this far.
A glint of calculation crossed his eyes. Perhaps he could use this ability to cultivate an elite unit loyal only to him.
"What next?" Izumi asked eagerly, her eyes shining. She had trained through the night but was still buzzing with energy.
Eiya shook his head. "Your progress is impressive, but training requires balance. Rest now, restore your strength for the next stage."
He glanced at the lightening sky and added, "At eight, go to the Police Force headquarters. Ask Captain Yashiro for three days' leave to suspend patrol duties. Bring back several unsolved homicide files."
"I understand." Izumi nodded firmly.
After a brief rest, she arrived at headquarters on time.
The moment she stepped inside, she sensed the difference. The usual idle chatter was gone. An invisible pressure hung in the air. Silence and wary glances replaced laughter and greetings.
The internal examination would decide who stayed and who was cast out. Elimination meant humiliation, and no one wanted to be that failure.
Drawing a deep breath, Izumi went straight to Captain Yashiro and made her request.
He wasn't surprised and quickly approved. "Granted."
"Thank you, Captain!" she bowed gratefully.
Yashiro waved her off with a weary sigh. "You're not the only one. Everyone's scrambling to prepare… I wonder how many of us will be forced to leave when this is over."
Then Izumi made her second request. "Captain, may I access the old case files in the archives?"
His brow furrowed. "What for?"
Izumi steadied herself and declared, "I want to solve those unsolved cases within these three days."
The hall erupted. After a moment of stunned silence, jeers broke out.
"Those cases baffled seasoned veterans—what makes you think you can solve them?"
"The stress of the exam's driving her crazy."
"She's out of her depth."
Sneers and mocking laughter filled the air.
Even Yashiro frowned, stepping closer to murmur, "Izumi, instead of wasting time on dead cases, you should train at the grounds. With your good reputation, you'll score well on character. Pair that with a strong combat score and you'll pass. Why take such risks?"
Izumi ignored the mockery, her eyes steady. She met his gaze with silent resolve.
At last, Yashiro sighed in defeat and nodded.
Izumi quietly lifted the heavy stack of old files and marched out under the stares and whispers of her colleagues.
Meanwhile, Eiya was standing before the Hokage's office. He too had business: securing a position as one of the exam overseers.
Inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed his pipe, exhaling smoke rings. "The supervisors haven't been decided, but… you'll be disappointed. I won't choose you."
Eiya's expression didn't change. "Because I'm an Uchiha?"
Sarutobi nodded slowly. "You're a sharp one. The purpose of this reform is to erase prejudice. To do that, fairness must be above question."
Fairness? Justice?
Eiya almost laughed aloud.
"The Uchiha were victims, yet we're punished. To be blunt, after these two incidents, our clan feels wronged and enraged. Even moderates grow restless. Some whisper that perhaps we should leave Konoha altogether, or even…"
He let the words trail, but the threat was clear.
Sarutobi smoked in silence.
Eiya drew a breath, tone heavy. "Will you truly drive the Uchiha to a dead end?"
Sarutobi's brow knotted.
After a long pause, he admitted, "I hadn't realized your clan's plight was already this dire…"
Eiya pressed. "This reform is your chance—not just to appease the villagers, but to send a message to us. Your decision now will shape the Uchiha, and the fate of Konoha."
The room grew still.
Finally Sarutobi raised his eyes, sharp and searching. "Then tell me, why should I believe you can balance this, and satisfy both sides?"
Even he couldn't see a solution.
Eiya smiled faintly. "Truthfully, I will favor the Uchiha."
The bluntness made Sarutobi scowl. "Then there's nothing to discuss."
But Eiya was ready. "Expand the number of overseers to three. The final decision can be based on all three opinions. My presence will reassure the Uchiha, while the others ensure fairness. Everyone wins."
Sarutobi considered this, smoke curling in the air. At last, he nodded slowly.
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