Hiruzen was a busy person, more so because of the upcoming Chunin exams. So, after our initial session, I was instructed to practise the jutsu that he taught me.
The Water Bullet Technique.
Now, water being the versatile element that it is, enabled the same jutsu to be used in multiple different ways. The water bullet can be used to compress water to try and pierce things. But this jutsu was also the main counter to fire release techniques like the 'Great Fireball Technique'.
In a way, this ninjutsu is more of a defensive and supportive ninjutsu rather than an offensive one. Which was fine considering how multi-faceted it could be.
I practised using this jutsu in my free time, and the rest of the time, I trained in the Inuzuka family techniques with Elder Kazi.
Another week flew by just like that, and our pseudo-vacation was over. Our team 3 met up once again as we were starting our duties as a genin squad.
Reiga sensei looked even older than before, and it was clear from his appearance that he didn't exactly have a nice couple of weeks. When asked about the details of the cult, he masterfully dodged the question. Which basically meant that the matter was way above our jurisdiction.
He also took on a couple of D-rank missions for us to complete. They were... boring chores, really. More specifically, chores related to the Chunin exams.
The Chunin exams this time were the first time after the war that all five great nations will attend. Some of the nations opted out of the previous exams, stating that their rebuilding wasn't done yet. But this time, all will be present.
Which also meant that Konoha needed to up their game and show the other five nations that they were still strong after Minato's death. So, many miscellaneous jobs have been delegated to the genin teams. This way, they don't need to hire other people, costing extra money, and at the same time, the rookie teams get to finish some missions, which will obviously help them meet their quota for the Chunin exams.
Although Daigo was pretty chill with the situation, Sayuri was not. She continuously complained about how annoying the job was for a day or two. Then even her 'complaining energy' went down, and she just kept her mouth shut the whole time.
This time also gave us an opportunity to actually bond with each other as we spent our free time hanging out in restaurants or training together in one of the hundreds of training grounds in the village.
But I wasn't exactly slacking off at that time, as I found the perfect time to try and learn one of my favourite techniques. And a technique that was compatible with me to a frightening level.
The Strength of a Hundred Seal, or the Byakugou seal.
This S-rank jutsu was only possible to make by those who have the pinnacle of chakra control. Although I wasn't at that stage yet, the mere practice of this jutsu was extremely useful for improving my chakra control.
People often mistake this jutsu as a healing jutsu when it is so much more than that. The mere fact that I can store chakra on a level way beyond my current reserve is extraordinary by itself. But the extra cherry on top of this very large sundae was that activating this seal grants the user 100% efficiency in any jutsu they use.
Which meant that on top of getting a massive amount of chakra, I can use that chakra in a perfectly efficient manner.
I still remember distinctly that Tsunade was able to crack through Madara's Susanoo ribcage while using this jutsu.
Although both Tsunade and Sakura used this jutsu to mainly increase their physical power exponentially, I had always thought that there was more potential to this jutsu than just punching things harder. They could also effectively become immortal for some time, but that was largely due to Creation Rebirth, not the seal itself.
I did not have enough knowledge regarding medical ninjutsu nor human anatomy to even attempt to learn Creation Rebirth. But what I did know was how the Byakugou seal was formed.
Basically, I needed to store a portion of my chakra every day to a specific point in my body. I chose a point in my forehead to make it easier for me to visualise. I also put a small object inside my headband so that I could actively feel the point I was storing my chakra in.
Considering I wasn't probably going to go for a serious mission till the Chunin exam ends, I thought that this was as good a time as any to dump a portion of my chakra into a point to train for a technique I may or may not even be able to succeed in.
And a week in, I realised firsthand, why this was an S-ranked jutsu.
The mere act of storing a portion of chakra in a singular specific point was hard enough on its own, and it required extreme attention on my part. But the added part about maintaining the chakra and keeping it inside that point was another enormous hurdle.
The precise chakra control that was needed was truly otherworldly.
My chakra reserves were increasing just from the act of attempting to form this seal. Meaning, I was tired as hell every day just by the sheer focus I needed to store the chakra.
I knew that I was still way too young for attempting to pull off this jutsu, and the seal itself won't appear for years even. But I still wanted to start early so that I could store as much chakra as I possibly can.
Trying to make this seal also meant that I couldn't make as many shadow clones as I could make, as one portion of my chakra is being used to make the seal. Which was another bummer, considering how versatile a shadow clone was.
In a way, it was also a good tool for me to decrease my overreliance on shadow clones. My last name is not Uzumaki, and overwhelming chakra level will never be my main tool.
Even though I have a comparatively larger chakra reserve than my peers, I don't think I will ever have the same chakra reserve as an Uzumaki or Senju.
All in all, I was having progress.
A month passed like this as I continued to train my skills and performed odd jobs.
The tournament portion of the Chunin exams was here, and our team decided to see the tournament together.
Kaho had passed with flying colours in the forest of death, which was totally expected. Sensory capabilities were one of the most vital portions in the forest of death, and our clan never had much problem in passing that portion.
The combat portion was the truly interesting part, as I wanted to see how my foolish elder sister performs in direct combat. Sayuri and Daigo had a couple of their cousins who were participating in the exam. So, they were also interested in seeing the tournament.
Besides, it was fun. Tournaments can never be boring.
After entering the arena, I was greeted with an enormous crowd of people. I recognised a few of them. Most notably, I noticed two Uchiha boys sitting on one side.
I haven't exactly talked with either Itachi or Shisui for quite some time. I have been busy after all.
I was going to guide Umbra and the gang towards another direction, but unfortunately I made eye contact with Shisui.
Being the nice person he is, he waved at us and called us towards him. And being the socially awkward person I am, I started to make my way towards them rather than telling him that I'd found a better seat.
As I was making my way towards the two Uchihas, Sayuri spoke up.
"Do you know Shusui Uchiha?"
"Yeah, he trained me on how to use a sword once."
Daigo, while eating some crackers, spoke up.
"Damn, Rei. You've got some nice connections here, man."
I just nodded hearing that. Shusui was famous in our generation.
I wasn't exactly comfortable sitting with those two. Not because they were Uchihas or anything, but more so because how I trusted neither one of them.
After all, I like my life just like every normal person.
Free of any connection with Danzo Shimura.