Chapter 86

Mebuki was grinning victoriously at me while I stayed silent and just stared at Aoi. I completely felt betrayed. I knew she was right, but still. My stare was beginning to make her nervous as I saw her fidgeting and looking uncomfortable. Just like a good sister I nodded with a smile which made her relax visibly until I turned to Mebuki and spoke, "Did you know Aoi actually let her guard down during the last mission and let herself be captured? I think she needs more training.". Her face instantly fell as Mebuki's instantly widened. She grabbed Aoi and Kouki and forced them to retell what happened.

Okay, I admit that was a low blow. I almost felt bad when I saw Mebuki nagging them nonstop. Almost. I was right; She promised much more intensive training. Good for them. Don't misunderstand, I would have told Mebuki regardless. I needed to be confident to know my siblings were alright after I left the village. A situation like what happened was the bad case scenario; She being controlled was better than her dying. The training would do them good.

After an extremely long time of nagging. It was decided mother was going to be staying with us in my place. As for how, I had no idea. The conversation turned towards a different direction so quickly and smoothly that before I realized, I was added to the mix. Looking at mother's smiling face, I somehow felt I lost. It did not really matter. The house had more than a few rooms to spare. I could only roll my eyes at her.

Just like that, two months passed peacefully.

*****

Two months had passed peacefully and I was happy. I got my more than enough rest and I could lazy about anyway I wanted. Although I got to be lazy, that was only when we were not training. Well, it was more me bullying Aoi and Kouki; Mother was serious. She completely freaked out when she learned what had happened, and just as predicted, she amped their training. It was just that in her condition, all of us completely forbade her from doing any heavy work. So, it was up to me to bully them. While they completely exhausted themselves to the point of breaking, I would soothe their bodies with medical ninjutsu, barely healing them. At some point, I wondered if their Kekkei Genkai darkness could not heal them.

Like I said, it was probably because of the era I was from, I could try and think about abilities from different perspectives. In my case, I have not created different jutsus because I was more than content with the ones I had created. As they say 'Do not fear the man that kicks something thousand but rather something thousand himself or something'. I'm sure someone knows it. Basically, I'm saying I would rather be extremely proficient in my few jutsus than have so many jutsus which I would not even use at some point like some weird transmigrator or reincarnator with so many store-bought jutsus.

I was almost sad because it was almost time for my usual three-month mission; That meant another long stay away from home again. I did not know exactly when the chuunin exam would begin, but I knew very well it would begin soon. We had already been back from the Great Bridge arc for more than two months now. It would definitely not be long till it began. I was not worried about me leaving for my mission because I knew there was another whole month of recess after the forest of death part of the exam was over. That meant I had one whole month to finish my mission, and that also meant I had to blaze through the mission; With my fastest speed without rest.

I came out of my room to the living room to find the whole family, except Kouki in the living room; He was probably training somewhere in the back. Yes, I meant the whole family. During the two months, somehow dad had also moved in. 'There is no way I am leaving my wife alone here', he said. And just like that, he moved in as well. That meant we were back at square one once more. What was the whole point of me getting my own place then?

I glared at him but he completely ignored me and continued to read his scroll like I did not just send him a death glare. Mother was sitting by him reading through the scroll as well, while Aoi was preparing breakfast. Just as I was about to sit, I heard a knock on the door. Everyone else ignored it as if I was the only reasonable option to answer it; Granted, I was, but still, the fact they all came to that conclusion pissed me off.

With a low growl, I went to answer the door. It was an Anbu agent. I had been summoned by the Third Hokage. That was surprising; It was not time for my village mission, and he knew it was almost time for my three-month mission. I acknowledged before the Anbu flickered off.

I wore my sleeveless white hooded shirt and black pants with the Konoha headband around my neck. I grabbed a quick toast before heading out to the old man's location. This time I was summoned, which meant it was official so I could not use the stairs like I always did even if I wanted. I climbed up the stairs and knocked once before entering.

When I did, I noticed the office was practically full with so many shinobi present. All eyes were drawn to me the moment I entered the office. "Hello." I awkwardly greeted everyone, which earned a snigger from Guy and a chuckle from Kakashi. I saw the old man Hiruzen smiling as well. Yeah, I could slaughter so many without batting an eye, but I felt awkward when there were so many non-hostile eyes staring at me.

I stood beside them and greeted them. "Good. Now that everyone is here let's begin. I am sure all of you have been aware of the sudden influx of foreigners in our village. As you all know, the chuunin exam is about to begin." If I remembered correctly, in the manga the were summoned by a hawk or bird of some kind. How come I was summoned as such? And there was? My eyes widened in surprise. Not because of the exam beginning; No, that I knew. It was about the influx of people. I had not noticed a single thing. Wait, how did you recognize them? Maybe if it was the people of the cloud, I would be able to

While I was droning on about not being able to notice the foreigners in my head, the Third Hokage continued, "Now, I am sure most of you are wondering why we are continuing to host the chunin exam when we somehow lost our council member." Speaking to here, I could see some shinobi nod their head. Looking round, I realized I really did not know a single person aside the main cast of Jounins. The only chunin I knew was Iruka. I was almost feeling terrible. No wonder I could not differentiate the foreigners from our own villagers.

"It is precisely the reason why. It is the time to show the other villages we are stronger regardless of the loss. As such, I expect even more vigilance from all of you. Understood?"

"""" Yes!""" We all replied. Which he nodded in content.

"Good. Then I will announce it officially; Seven days from now, on the first day of the seventh moon. The chunin exam will officially begin. Now, those among you in charge of the new Genin and feel their genins are ready for the chunin exam, regardless their inexperience, step forward." His wording sounded weird to me. It was almost saying 'whatever happened to them, it was your fault because you knew they were inexperienced.' I chuckled to myself.

Three jounins stepped forward; Sarutobi Asuma, Kureha kurenai, and Hatake Kakashi. Looking at the Jounins who stepped forward I wondered if I had been sent to this world earlier, if I would have been given a team as well. The Third Hokage nodded his head, seemingly unsurprised by the three Jounin