Chapter 18: The Superglue Handshake and the Ramen Dilemma part-3
"I keep an eye on things," he said vaguely, pulling out his orange book (Make-Out Tactics) but not opening it. "You have an interesting chakra, Hinata. It is... volatile."
"It is cursed," I corrected him miserably. "I try to be a good ninja, but I just end up destroying dignity."
Kakashi hopped down. "Dignity is overrated. Effectiveness is what matters. You took down a bandit leader. You captured Tora (eventually). And you managed to stun Naruto into silence, which is an S-Rank feat."
He walked closer. "The Chunin Exams are coming up. Kurenai has nominated Team Eight."
I gasped. "She... she did?"
"She believes in you. And despite your... unique methods... you have potential." Kakashi patted my head.
[System Alert: Headpat Detected. Source: High-Level Jonin. Rito Effect Standing By.]
(No. Please. Not Kakashi. He is cool. Do not ruin Kakashi for me.)
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," I said, staying perfectly still.
"Good luck," Kakashi said.
He turned to leave. As he performed his signature Body Flicker disappear technique, a puff of smoke appeared.
However, because the System is petty, the smoke cleared to reveal that Kakashi had not fully disappeared.
His vest had gotten snagged on a branch of the tree he was standing next to.
"..." Kakashi hung there for a second, suspended by his flak jacket.
He looked at me. I looked at him.
"Well," Kakashi deadpanned. "This is awkward."
[Ding!]
[Passive Effect: "Clumsy Aura." You have infected the surrounding area with bad luck. Even the Copy Ninja is not immune.]
[Reward: 100 Shy Points.]
Kakashi sighed, unhooked himself, and vanished for real this time.
.....................
The next day, Team Eight gathered at the bridge. Kurenai Sensei was holding three application forms.
"I have recommended you for the Chunin Selection Exams," she announced. "This is not an order. You can choose to decline. It is a dangerous exam. People have died."
Kiba grinned, snatching his form. "Died? Hah! They haven't met us! We are taking this, right guys?"
Shino took his form. "I accept. It is the logical next step for our progression."
They looked at me.
I held the paper in my trembling hands. The Chunin Exams. The Forest of Death. Gaara. Orochimaru.
If I went, I would be in mortal danger.
But if I didn't go... I would be left behind. Naruto was going.
"I... I will go," I said firmly.
"That's the spirit!" Kiba slapped my back.
I stumbled forward, but I didn't fall. I caught myself.
[System Notification: Balance Check Passed. You are improving. Don't get used to it.]
"We have one week to prepare," Kurenai said. "We will focus on combat drills. And Hinata... we will work on your 'Accidental Taijutsu'. If we can refine that chaos, you will be unstoppable."
I nodded.
I had 5,300 Shy Points. I opened the shop in my mind.
[Shop Recommendation for Exams:]
Item: The Indestructible Leotard. (Prevents wardrobe malfunctions during high-speed combat. Cost: 5,000 Points).Skill: "Panic Shunshin." (Teleport randomly when frightened. Cost: 4,000 Points).Item: Pheromone Spray. (Attracts enemies. Cost: 500 Points).
I looked at the first option. The Indestructible Leotard.
It was expensive. It would take almost all my points. But if I was going to be fighting in front of an audience... if I was going to be fighting Neji...
I couldn't risk my clothes exploding.
"Buy it," I commanded. "Buy the Indestructible Leotard."
[Transaction Complete. Remaining Points: 300. Item Equipped. It is currently worn under your clothes. It is comfortable, breathable, and immune to tearing, fire, and lightning. You are now safe from nudity. Probably.]
I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I was ready.
"Let's do this," I said, clutching the application form.
As I turned to walk away, a gust of wind blew the application form out of my hand.
"Ah!"
I chased after it. It fluttered down the street.
I ran. I reached out.
I bumped into a tall figure wearing a straw hat.
"Watch where you are going, little girl," a cold voice hissed.
I looked up.
Standing there were three ninjas from the Hidden Sound Village. The one I had bumped into was Dosu, the mummy-like ninja.
[System Alert: New Enemies Detected. Villain Arc Initiated.]
[System Suggestion: Do not trip on the mummy.]
I froze. The Chunin Exams had officially begun.
...........................
Name: Hinata HyugaShy Points: 300.Equipment: Indestructible Leotard (Under armor).New Trauma: The Ramen Facial / Hand-Holding with Naruto.Reputation: Naruto's clumsy girlfriend (according to Teuchi).Passive Effect: Clumsy Aura (Radioactive range: 5 meters).
..................…
The street was silent. The Sound Ninja, Dosu, loomed over me like a bad dream wrapped in toilet paper. He had a metal gauntlet on his arm and a very bad attitude.
"I asked you a question," Dosu hissed, leaning down. "Are you blind, or just stupid?"
My heart was hammering against my ribs. I was wearing my new Indestructible Leotard under my clothes, which gave me a sense of physical security, but emotionally, I was still a wreck.
(Do not engage. Do not engage. Just apologize and leave.)
"I... I am s-sorry," I stuttered, preparing to bow deeply. "I was... chasing my paper."
I bent at the waist for a polite, ninety-degree bow.
[System Alert: Nervousness Detected. Motor Control fluctuations active. Executing Skill: "The Over-Enthusiastic Bow."]
As I bowed, my momentum did not stop. My forehead continued its trajectory downward, aiming for the ground. However, Dosu was standing too close.
Instead of hitting the ground, the top of my head collided with the loose end of the bandage wrapping around Dosu's waist.
"What the—?" Dosu grunted.
My forehead snagged the fabric. Because I was falling forward with the force of a collapsing building, I pulled the bandage with me.
Physics took over. As I fell, the bandage unspooled. Dosu, caught off guard, spun around like a violently activated dreidel.
Whizzzz.
"Stop! Let go!" Dosu yelled as he spun.
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