"No, I don't think so at all," Mizuki Chinatsu shook her head. "I actually think your idea is great. You don't have to force yourself into dreaming of being Hokage. Having a different goal… that's just as valid. Honestly, I think it's more interesting that way!"
"…Really? Thanks. That's the first time anyone's ever told me I wasn't wrong for thinking that."
Yō chuckled, then shook his head, brushing aside the tangled thoughts. "Alright, enough of that. Time's short—let's go hunt down the scrolls." He strode off toward the Forest of Death's exit.
He didn't even notice how much more relaxed he'd become during his exchange with Chinatsu.
"Wait—didn't you say we're hunting scrolls? Why are you heading toward the exit?" Chinatsu asked, confused.
"Think about it. If you wander around blindly, you'll hardly find any. But at the exit? That's where the smart ones wait in ambush. Easier, safer, and most efficient."
"Ohh, so that's the plan. You're amazing!"
Chinatsu's eyes lit with open admiration, her gaze sparkling as if she were looking at a genius strategist.
But before they got far—
"Well, well. Isn't that Natsume Yō? Still haven't managed to gather your scrolls?"
The mocking voice drifted from behind, followed by three distinct bursts of killing intent.
Yō stopped, his expression flattening. Turning, he saw Hyūga Setsuna, Hyūga Tenshin, and Moonlight Gekkō striding up.
"Oh, it's you. What's the matter, Setsuna? Feeling itchy again?"
His mind flashed back—Setsuna had challenged him even before the exam started. It was easy to assume he was here to stir up trouble.
But Setsuna's face was calm, more composed than a week ago. Even when Yō prodded with sarcasm, he didn't rise to the bait. "Hmph. Your mouth hasn't changed. But it's not me who wants you today. It's him."
He pointed at Gekkō.
"Natsume Yō," Gekkō stepped forward, his eyes sharp, his tone commanding. "Fight me. Show me your strength."
"…Yeah, no thanks. No time, no interest." Yō rolled his eyes and started walking.
"Stop right there! You'll fight me—or you're not leaving!"
Gekkō flickered ahead in a blur, blocking his path, cold-faced like someone had stolen his fortune.
"Oi, Gekkō. You're from a respectable clan, right? Didn't anyone teach you manners? Forcing someone to do something they don't want to do—it's rude as hell, you know."
Yō rolled his eyes again, hands raised as if testifying against injustice.
"Fight me, or don't think of leaving."
Unmoved, Gekkō repeated himself word for word, ice dripping from every syllable.
Yō sighed. Great. Just what I needed.
This wasn't Uchiha Yūsuke—a guy he'd already marked for death. With Gekkō, there was no feud, no grudge. Killing him outright wasn't an option.
But playing along was its own trap: if he deliberately lost, Gekkō would just look down on him. If he won, the guy would keep hounding him for rematches.
A real headache. A no-win situation.