[NTU] [ARC-24] Chapter : 322

As the final battle of the Chunin Exams drew near, Toshiro found himself busier than ever.

Meetings with merchants and nobles—both foreign and domestic—filled his days. Such social obligations were part and parcel of being Hokage.

"Itachi, any updates on the investigation?"

After seeing off a wealthy sponsor eager to curry favor, Toshiro turned to the shadows beside him, where the light dimly flickered.

"We've used both the Sharingan and Byakugan to cross-verify the visitors’ guards. While some possess decent strength, none pose a significant threat."

"Good to hear."
Toshiro sighed in relief.

Security was the biggest headache when hosting an event of this scale. If anything went wrong—if something akin to the original timeline’s Chunin Exam disaster occurred—Konoha would become a laughingstock across the ninja world.

"Any movement from the Sand Ninjas?"

Though Orochimaru had largely been neutralized, and Rasa was theoretically aligned with him, Toshiro wasn’t one to leave anything to chance. The Sand Village's actions still warranted close scrutiny.

"According to our spies, there's nothing out of the ordinary."
Itachi was as thorough as ever.

"In fact, not just the Sand Ninja—Cloud, Rock, Mist, and even the smaller villages participating in the exams—none have shown any unusual activity."

"You've done well. Thank you."

Itachi was truly a model subordinate. He flawlessly executed every assignment, and often anticipated issues before they even arose.

"This tournament is a crucial opportunity to foster cooperation among the Five Great Nations. We must remain vigilant."

Toshiro dismissed him with a nod.

Marriage had changed Itachi. The once-cold operative who hid his emotions behind an impassive facade now showed more expression—more life. His previously turbulent spiritual energy had settled into something calm and composed. It was a welcome transformation.

One Week Later

In a grand coliseum with a sunlit arena at its heart and thousands of spectators filling the stands, the final elimination round of the Chunin Exams commenced.

"Father, watch me closely."

A young boy, handsome and sharp-eyed, turned to the man beside him. Determination blazed in his gaze.

"I swear I won’t tarnish the Hyuga name!"

In this timeline, Hizashi had survived. Neji had grown up with a loving father, receiving not just discipline, but support—and it showed. He was no longer the bitter boy consumed by fate and resentment.

Toshiro, seeking peace, had also ensured Hinata and Neji didn’t face off during the exam.

"Go, Neji," Hizashi said, resting a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. Though his face was serious, pride softened the lines around his mouth.

"No matter the outcome, you're already my pride."

He looked over Neji’s bandaged limbs and the forehead protector gleaming under the sunlight. A flicker of regret crossed his eyes.

Neji had always been mature beyond his years. Even when burdened with an unfair destiny, he never gave in. Instead, he pushed himself harder—twice as hard—and that filled Hizashi with both pride and guilt.

"Yeah!"
Neji gave a sharp nod and strode toward the arena.

His opponent was waiting.

"N-Neji nii-san!"

A soft, hesitant voice reached his ears as he passed the stands.

He turned slightly. At the railing stood a girl with downcast eyes, her long lashes trembling as she nervously lowered her head.

Even though they hadn’t fought, Hinata had still been eliminated earlier in the exams.

"Hinata, if you want to say something, say it loud and clear!"

A cheerful blond boy beside her made a goofy face before leaping down to join Neji on the field.

Naruto, of course, planned to make a grand entrance with him.

"Naruto... and Neji nii-san—good luck!"

Hinata finally found the courage to cheer them on, her voice barely more than a whisper. If it weren’t for their keen hearing, neither of them would’ve heard her.

"Hey Hinata, watch closely!"
Naruto called back, flashing a thumbs-up as he dashed ahead. He didn’t even glance at Neji—he was too eager to show off the results of his training.

"...Thank you."

Unlike the carefree Naruto, Neji looked back at Hinata with a more complex expression.

He felt a sense of duty to protect her—as any brother would. But at the same time, as a member of the branch family, the cursed seal on his forehead was a constant, bitter reminder of his limitations.

He parted his lips to speak, but the words came out in a whisper only he could hear.

"...Kushina, is that the girl you like? She doesn’t exactly match your energy."

In the stands, Tsunade lounged casually, her attire relaxed and her gaze sharp. She raised an eyebrow as she watched Hinata’s shy interaction with Naruto, then turned to Kushina beside her with a knowing smirk.

"Hmm."
"Hinata’s still a bit too timid, isn’t she?"

Kushina let out a small sigh of concern, though she knew the kids were still young. Who could predict what the future held?

That said, she couldn’t help but think Hinata’s gentle nature was a perfect complement to Naruto’s boundless energy.

"Tsunade, can we not turn this into a soap opera about kids and their crushes?"
"Let’s focus on the match instead!"

Jiraiya, seated a level below Tsunade due to the tiered seating, had to crane his neck to look up at her. Unfortunately, his eyes locked onto a view he couldn’t quite tear away from.

"Tsk."

Tsunade clicked her tongue, her cold demeanor slicing through Jiraiya’s haze.

"I know that look. What are you scheming now?"

She knew Jiraiya like the back of her hand. The moment he shifted in his seat, she could tell mischief was brewing.

"How about a little wager?"
Jiraiya swallowed hard, dragging his gaze away with effort.

"If I lose, I’ll hand over all my royalties. Every last ryo."

"And if you lose…"
He paused dramatically, eyes softening with mock longing.

"You have to promise me—"

"No."
Tsunade’s answer came like a hammer before he could even finish.

She saw right through him. Whatever new scheme he’d dreamed up, she wasn’t falling for it.

"What?!"
Jiraiya froze like he’d just been hit by a bolt of lightning.

"Why not? Since when do you turn down a bet?"

Everyone knew Tsunade had a gambler’s soul. She could skip meals, but never skip a wager. Her refusal threw him off completely.

"Too late," she said, digging casually into the ample curve of her chest—an act that nearly gave Jiraiya a nosebleed on the spot—and pulled out a betting ticket.

She held it up with a grin. The bold print showed 50 million ryo.

"I’ve already placed my bet."

Jiraiya’s jaw hit the floor.

"This is my hard-earned medical fee stash. Took a lot of scraping together."
Tsunade tucked the slip back into her cleavage, eyes gleaming as she scanned the arena.

"This time, I’m winning back my principal and interest!"

It was a perfect storm. That cocky kid from the Mist had come at just the right time, and she’d been merciless. While she hadn’t completely healed the boy from the Kaguya clan, she’d stabilized his condition—on the strict condition he never activate his bloodline again.

As for a cure? She wasn’t a miracle worker.

Jiraiya let out a groan and flopped dramatically onto his back like a man who had just seen his will to live evaporate.

Chasing Tsunade on a kid’s advice? Maybe he was the idiot.

But after a moment of pained reflection, he snapped back with renewed vigor. A ninja’s most important trait was perseverance!

"Then I’ll up the ante!"
He gritted his teeth and pulled out a ledger from behind his back.

"Check this out!"

He flipped to the last page and pointed to a long string of zeros with a triumphant grin.

"Forget the bet. Just say yes to my condition."
"Come on, Tsunade. Just imagine the profit—you know you want to."

This wasn’t a joke. Jiraiya was going all in—every commission and royalty he’d earned over forty years, laid bare. If he lost, he’d be broke. Dead broke.

Shizune and Kushina, seated on either side of Tsunade, leaned closer instinctively.

"One, two, three… eight, nine..."
Shizune’s eyes sparkled as she counted the zeros. She hugged her chest in excitement, cheeks flushed. The glow in her eyes could’ve burned holes in Jiraiya’s soul.

"Lady Tsunade!"
She practically tackled Tsunade with glee.

If they had that kind of money, they could finally pay off their debts. No more running clinics for pocket change. Freedom!

But Jiraiya wasn’t looking at Shizune. His gaze remained fixed on Tsunade, whose expression had gone oddly still.

This was the money he’d spent years saving—the fund he’d planned to use to settle her debts, to finally marry her.

God knew how frugal he’d been, skipping luxuries and chasing missions, all for this one moment.

He had to make her bite. He didn’t believe for a second that Tsunade, legendary sucker for high-stakes gambling, could resist a prize this grand.

This was it. His final hand.