Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Unlike the previous three consecutive exams, the final official match was scheduled half a month later—to allow time for interested daimyos and Kages to attend, and to give the candidates sufficient preparation.

Walking through the forest, Kurenai asked with some confusion, "Weren't the finals of previous Chūnin Exams usually held after a full month?"

Seiki lowered his voice. "Maybe Hokage-sama is worried they wouldn't wait that long."

Asuma seemed anxious. "Seiki, do you think Raikage and Tsuchikage might use this chance to launch an attack directly?"

Kurenai nodded in concern. "With the Kages of other villages entering our village, if they were to act together, Konoha would have difficulty handling it, right?"

Shaking his head slightly, Seiki replied, "Bringing foreign Kages into our village is risky for us—but it's just as dangerous for them!"

"The number of guards each Kage can bring is limited. Unless they've discovered a way to bypass the Chakra Barrier, their individual fighting power still falls short of ours."

"As for forming alliances among themselves, I believe it's unlikely. Hatred and betrayal run deep between the villages; their relationships haven't reached the point where they can trust each other completely."

"Most importantly, they all know by now that our military strength lags behind the others. Why abandon the safer approach of a full-scale war to take such a risky alternative?"

Seiki smiled faintly as he continued, "In fact, if not for Konoha's decent reputation and their unwillingness to appear cowardly, none of the Kages might have dared come here for this Chūnin Exam at all."

Nodding thoughtfully, Asuma said, "That makes sense. After all, we also have Sister Kushina on our side—so maybe it's them who should be worried."

Suddenly, Seiki stopped walking, narrowing his eyes toward one side. "This kind of behavior could easily lead to misunderstanding."

"We're being followed?" Instantly alert, Asuma and Kurenai both took out kunai defensively.

"I'm sorry—it's just me!" A soft-spoken girl stepped out from behind a tree, placing one hand on her chest apologetically.

"It's her!" Recognizing her immediately, Asuma added, "She's the one who shone brightly during the preliminary rounds—Natsuhoshi."

"No offense taken, though…" Seiki smiled slightly. "May I ask what brings you here?"

Looking hesitant for a moment, as if steeling herself for something significant, Natsuhoshi bowed deeply and formally. "I'd like to request…would you please examine my health condition?"

Kurenai's eyes widened instantly. Here she comes—the shameless "seductress"!

Thinking this, Kurenai quickly moved forward to stand protectively in front of Seiki, casting a hostile glare at the girl. "If you need a medical checkup, go to Konoha Hospital. If you're having trouble finding your way, I can help with that too."

"My condition is beyond what standard Medical Ninjas can diagnose," Natsuhoshi replied with a bitter smile, then looked hopefully at Seiki. "Perhaps only someone like you—a disciple of Princess Tsunade, who commands the legendary summon Katsuyu—can figure it out."

Kurenai hesitated slightly, not wanting her interference to block someone in genuine need. "Are you really sick?"

"First she nodded, then shook her head," Natsuhoshi said honestly. "To be honest, I'm not even sure if what I'm going through counts as being sick."

Moved by her sincerity, Kurenai let out a sigh and reluctantly stepped aside. "Fine… go ahead."

Seeing this, Asuma—who had been eagerly waiting for some drama—couldn't help but sigh in disappointment. "Ah, sis really is being foolish!"

Kurenai shot him an icy glare. "Nobody'll mistake you for a mute if you stay quiet!"

"Thank you!" Natsuhoshi naturally noticed what was happening and felt increasingly grateful toward Kurenai. "What a kind girl!"

With that, she turned to Seiki again and politely asked, "Please, would you mind helping me check?"

Seiki smiled gently like flowing water. "Of course I can—but on one condition. Please don't use such formal address."

Natsuhoshi blinked in surprise, then broke into a bright smile. "I understand. Thank you."

Looking around, she continued, "So where should we do the check-up?"

"This place is fine."

"H-here? Right here?"

Seiki extended his index finger, from which a Chakra Thread shot out and entered Natsuhoshi's body.

Then he focused intently on sensoring the chakra flow within her.

"Oh! So that's how it works?" Both Kurenai and Natsuhoshi blushed slightly, as if realizing something embarrassing.

After a while, the Chakra Thread disconnected.

With a grave expression, Seiki said, "It's indeed quite serious. Your chakra is extremely overactive!"

At that, Natsuhoshi nodded excitedly. "Exactly! That's exactly right!"

This wasn't her first time seeing a doctor. All previous doctors had told her she was perfectly normal. If she hadn't known what fate awaited people like her, she might have almost believed them herself.

Therefore, although she had hoped for something from Seiki, it had only been a tentative attempt.

But unexpectedly, Seiki had identified her issue at first glance.

Standing aside, Asuma muttered, "Overactive chakra? Is that even considered an illness?"

Kurenai also looked puzzled. "Right, shouldn't that be a good thing? I've heard Cloud Village's Taijutsu techniques activate the body through chakra."

"Chakra stimulation is certainly beneficial," Seiki slightly shook his head, "but when it becomes uncontrollable and relentless, it isn't anymore. Her chakra is excessively active, just like someone stuck in a constant state of stimulation. Over time, her body simply won't be able to withstand it."

"What makes it truly dangerous is that this chakra overactivity tricks the brain, making you believe you're full of energy, while actually it's gradually draining your body away!"

Natsuhoshi's breathing quickened with excitement. This must be exactly what was happening!

Many villagers had died from practicing the Star Secret Method (a forbidden technique said to drain life energy through excessive chakra stimulation), yet most people hadn't realized why. It was exactly because their conditions had seemed so excellent before the flare-up that many thought they'd simply messed up their training.

With wide eyes, Natsuhoshi asked, "Then… do you think there's a way to cure it?"

"Without identifying the source of this chakra first, I cannot make an accurate judgment..." Seiki shook his head slightly. "The only thing I can do for now is temporarily suppress the chakra activity using a Seal."

"Still, this means you won't be able to use the Seinin's village jutsu."

"The source?" Natsuhoshi ignored her physical condition, her eyes darting with thought. "The village will never let outsiders get close to the 'Star' (a powerful energy source), so I'll have no choice but to take it by force."

Thinking of that, she forced herself to calm down again. "No, I'm not capable of that right now. I must wait patiently until I become a Jonin before considering this matter."

"I have no choice but to keep my strength!" Natsuhoshi sighed quietly, then expressed gratitude. "Thank you very much indeed. As for the Seal, we can discuss it later."

Asuma and Kurenai exclaimed anxiously, "Didn't you hear what Seiki said? If things continue like this, you might die!"

Natsuhoshi smiled gently. "Die? Isn't that something every ninja must accept?"

After saying that, she looked at Seiki with determined eyes. "Please wait for me a few more years. I'll definitely bring that source to you!"

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