Amaya Uzumaki POV
Another team training session had just ended, and we were dismissed by Shikaku-sensei, but not before the Nara handed us the registration forms for the Chunin Exam.
There were exactly five pages: two were forms, one for our personal details and the second stating we were aware of the risk of injury or death during the Exam. The rest contained the rules and general regulations for the tests.
Shisui and Kakashi went their separate ways from me, each heading off for their individual training. I decided to stay on one of the benches in the center of the village, taking the chance to read the entire Chunin Exam regulations.
They were simple rules, outlining what we could and couldn't do during the Exam. The only technique they specifically highlighted as forbidden during the test was Sage Jutsu.
If I'm not mistaken, those are techniques that involve natural energy, drawing it into the user's body, I pondered what I knew about it. That's something I should study later, it might be useful if I can't rely on my own chakra.
I kept reading the regulations. It was emphasized that the Exam's objective was to test the genins' abilities and, if their performance was deemed satisfactory, they would be considered for promotion to chunin.
So there's no guarantee that everyone who finishes the Exam will become chunin, I thought. It's such a vague term to say that a "satisfactory performance" will determine the decision to promote someone.
What exactly would be considered a "satisfactory performance"? Mastery over one or more chakra natures? A large arsenal of jutsus? High levels of taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu? I sighed heavily. It's hard to understand...
I moved on to the last page of the regulations, which superficially explained how the Chunin Exam would be organized:
It would consist of three stages, individual and group-based, focusing particularly on the participants' knowledge and capabilities, survival in real combat, and individual fights and/or battle royals. At least that part is straightforward, I noted. It gives a basic idea of what will be expected from participants in each phase to proceed.
I lifted my eyes from the page and briefly looked at the village scene ahead. Since I was in a more elevated spot, I had a broader view of the mid-morning movement. People walked hurriedly, ninjas returned and left for their missions.
Constantly moving..., I mused. Everything is in permanent change. People, creatures, and even though a place might be the same, even the landscape is always changing. Change seems necessary for the course of life.
I looked at my right hand for a moment. Just how many changes have I myself been through so far? I wondered.
I learned the price of taking lives to save them. I witnessed and was the target of people's fear of the unknown. I experienced the bitter taste and the weight that memories can bring to a single person.
I felt on my own skin the pain caused by others' greed, stemming from their desire for power. I lived through the feeling of powerlessness in the face of death and lost people, each one important in their own way.
However, certain things proved more significant than all of that.
I was welcomed by the kindness and compassion that still exists in some people. I also learned the relief that friendships provide and the care from the important people who chose to accept me.
I won people over and captivated them, just as they did with me. I started to show my potential, was encouraged and recognized for it. And I experienced the feeling of being welcomed, of having a place and people waiting for me.
But there's something I still don't know how to name...
I looked at the papers in my hand again. There was a space meant for the signature of the genin's guardians, permitting their participation in the Chunin Exam. That bothered me a little. Legal guardian..., I thought vaguely.
– Amaya...? – A nearby feminine voice brought me back to reality.
It was only then that I noticed Kurenai and Rin were standing beside me, with slightly worried expressions.
– Are you okay? – Rin asked and I nodded quickly.
– Yeah... – I offered a weak smile, pushing my earlier thoughts from my mind.
– We called you, but you seemed to be in your own world – Kurenai commented and I gave a weak laugh.
– Sorry, I was just thinking too much – I looked at them – How are classes at the Academy?
– Monotonous – They answered in unison, visibly dispirited.
– Why?
– Since you and Kakashi graduated, there's no one to make the training sessions interesting to watch – Nohara explained.
– Or someone who can explain things in a way everyone can understand – Kurenai added with a low sigh – Now we need to find Anko to take part in a training session to assess our aptitude as team support.
– Do you want help finding her? – I offered and they looked at me surprised.
– Is it okay with you? – Yūhi asked quickly – I mean, we won't get in your way?
– I've already been dismissed from my training for today – I said calmly – So I have the rest of the day free – They smiled animatedly.
– Then yes, we accept your help! – Rin said quickly – The more help to look for Anko, the better.
I stored the Chunin Exam registration papers in my bag and accompanied the two girls. They explained that the team support training they were supposed to do was geared towards forming medical ninjas.
It was a suggestion brought by one of the members of the Legendary Three Sannin, Tsunade Senju, during the village high Council meetings with certain jounins, for greater mission effectiveness and squad member safety.
That quickly caught my attention, given that it was something that would allow for a higher mission success rate, besides complementing the team's support function.
In my team, the support function was usually my responsibility. Since I needed to balance the teamwork of Shisui and Kakashi, I let them take the lead while I observed from the rear.
Rin explained that the training sessions were conducted in trios to facilitate teaching and so the students could help each other. And she also mentioned that Anko didn't want to participate in this training.
– I lost track of her chakra in this direction – Kurenai informed us as we ran over the rooftops of the buildings – Can you sense anything, Amaya?
– She must be pretty far – I warned – I can't sense her in this area.
– Even using the Sensory Technique? – Nohara asked and I looked at her for a moment.
– Sensory Technique? – I asked confused.
– Yeah, that's how Kurenai manages to track people's chakra – She explained to me – Isn't it the same for you? – I shook my head slightly.
– Not exactly – I said – I just... Feel it.
– That's a new one for me – Kurenai commented and we turned our attention to her – I've never heard of anyone who could sense chakras without using sensory jutsus – She looked at me – I wonder how it would be if you improved that natural skill of yours with the Sensory Technique.
– Can you teach it to me? – I asked, making Yūhi smile.
– For more motivated people like you! – The three of us laughed afterward.
Rin quickly explained the theoretical part involved in the Sensory Technique and Kurenai the practical part, since Nohara didn't have practical mastery of that jutsu.
The technique seemed simple to me, consisting of allowing ninjas to detect and track targets more easily, searching for their chakras and specific signatures. The technique's range area also varied from individual to individual.
– That's the theory – Kurenai finished – In practice, you need to concentrate, try to keep your mind calm and focus on searching for the chakra you want to find – I nodded.
We had already stopped when the girls began their explanations. I closed my eyes to concentrate better. There were many sounds around us and, in a way, that was distracting.
Everything around me was dark. But as I concentrated as Kurenai had explained, I noticed several foci of white energy appearing and hovering around me – that must be the chakra of the people nearby.
– You don't need to force it too much if you can't do it on the first try... – I heard Kurenai's voice and, although I knew she was beside me when we stopped, she seemed very distant.
The chakras around me were of the most varied kinds, as were their intensities. I quickly ignored them and mentally advanced past them. It took me only a second to visualize Anko's chakra, shining in a golden tone with greater intensity.
– Found her! – I announced and opened my eyes.
Third Person POV
The redhead had barely finished speaking and started running, followed by Kurenai and Rin immediately after. They crossed almost half the village, heading towards the village gates, the place where the Uzumaki had sensed the target's chakra.
They found her hiding in one of the trees in the area, with a carefree expression. The two girls argued with Anko about going to their training, while Amaya kept her distance.
But from what the redhead gathered from their conversation, Anko had managed to be excused from the training, given that she didn't have enough skill – or interest – for it.
The girl climbed down from the tree where she had been resting and walked away from them, saying goodbye quickly. Rin and Kurenai apologized to the Uzumaki for the effort she had made to help them and it ending up that way.
The redhead couldn't help but notice the worry on the expressions of the girls near her. Their training needed to be done together, but without a third person things would be more complicated for both of them.
And it was at that moment that a single thought crossed the minds of both Yūhi and Nohara. They looked at each other for a moment, realizing they had thought of the same thing, making them turn their eyes to Amaya next.
– Please, join the training with us! – The two brunettes pleaded, joining their hands in front of the redhead, who had a confused expression on her face.
– What? – The confusion in the Uzumaki's voice was also noticeable.
– We know it's sudden, but I don't think there's anyone else who can help us right now – Kurenai explained.
– But we'll also understand if you don't want to participate... – Rin also started to speak, but Amaya quickly interrupted her.
– It's fine – The two girls focused their attention on the Uzumaki's expression in front of them.
– Really?! – Yūhi asked excitedly, with a big smile on her face, and the redhead nodded with a serene expression – You're the best!
The brunette threw herself at the Uzumaki, hugging her and drawing laughs of amusement from the redhead herself, as well as from Rin.
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– Medical ninjas are those who specialize in medical treatment and the use of medical techniques to heal others – Nurse Lucy explained the theoretical part to the trio of girls before they started their training – To become a good medical ninja, besides a more focused mindset, well-developed chakra control is necessary – The woman quickly glanced over the three – I need to emphasize that all medical area techniques are high rank, so you'll need to train a lot until you can master them precisely – They nodded with full attention – So let's move on to the first technique...
The nurse opened a scroll with inscriptions on it. She had explained earlier that it would serve to more easily direct the girls' chakra for the training, until they could do it on their own.
Lucy then took one of the fish they would use in that training and placed it on the scroll. The small animal wasn't moving and had a cut on the left side of its body.
– The Healing Jutsu allows you to accelerate the body's natural healing process – The nurse explained again – You need to transmit part of your chakra through your hands into the injury or the afflictions of the body parts – She placed her hands over the fish's injury, without touching it – It's important to remember that you need to have enough chakra and be aware of the severity of the disease or even the injury you'll be treating – Lucy concentrated for a moment, making a green light emanate from her palms and go towards the injury on the fish.
The girls' attentive gaze fixed on the injury on the fish's scales, watching it close gradually as it was enveloped in the green light of chakra emanating from the nurse's hands.
The small animal started thrashing again once the injury had completely closed. Lucy put the animal back in the water soon after and turned her gaze to the trio.
– Now it's your turn – She announced excitedly – Let's find out if you can naturally use Yang Release.
The basis of medical techniques was focused on the use of Yang Release, where physical energy is applied to give life to form, shaping the vitality of beings. The limit of healing the techniques would employ varied according to the user, their abilities, and chakra reserves.
Lucy handed scrolls to Kurenai and Rin, but not to Amaya. As a nurse who had treated her before [43], she knew about the little redhead's origin, as well as the "abnormalities" surrounding her, the Uzumaki wouldn't need the scroll to direct her chakra given the fact that she already did it perfectly.
Amaya quickly understood the situation, but Rin and Kurenai found themselves lost about it. However, they didn't question it and mentally noted they would ask the redhead about it later.
Right at the start of the training, they could perceive whether or not they had an aptitude for using Yang Release. Just like Amaya, Rin showed prowess in easily using her chakra with Yang Release, unlike Kurenai.
Their training went on for hours and at a certain point the nurse supervising them had to leave for a few minutes. She said if the girls wanted to take a break, they could do so during that time.
Kurenai was the first to throw herself onto one of the sofas in the room, sighing heavily. Nohara joined her and also sat down to rest.
The training made them tire quickly and also pushed their chakra reserves to the limit. The two girls turned their eyes to Amaya who, unlike them, didn't seem tired or with her chakra draining.
– What do you eat to be able to stay on your feet for so long? – Yūhi asked the Uzumaki in a tired tone and the redhead gave a weak laugh.
– A bit of everything – Even her tone was as usual, habitually calm – But I think this is more because of my genetics... – Her voice trailed off at the end of the sentence.
She then remembered she hadn't told her two friends about herself and her past, where she came from and what she exactly was – although she herself didn't exactly know that last part.
– That reminds me of something – Rin began, gaining the others' attention – Where do you live, Amaya?
– Yeah! We always forget to ask so we can come see you! – Kurenai said and turned her eyes to the redhead, as did Nohara.
– I live on the outskirts of the central area of the village – Amaya told them with a faint smile – It's a not very busy area, so it's extremely quiet most of the time.
– Do you live with your parents? – Rin asked curiously about the redhead.
– I... – The smile that was on her face gradually faded – I don't know my parents – The hesitation in her voice was noticeable.
– Ah, I'm sorry... – Nohara apologized quickly – I didn't know – The redhead shook her head and smiled weakly.
– It's okay... – She tried to hide her pained expression, noticing her memories emerging and reminding her of her past in the laboratory – But I live with two amazing people – Her thoughts led her to the mental images she had of Kushina and Minato – They adopted me and are now my legal guardians – But again her expression saddened.
– Why do I get the impression that something about these people is bothering you? – Kurenai pointed out suddenly and the redhead looked at her.
– I'm just... – Amaya searched for the best words to try to explain what she herself didn't understand about it – Thinking too much.
– You can talk to us if something is bothering you – Nohara suggested and the red-haired girl looked at her.
– That's right! – Yūhi said with a smile – You've helped us a lot. The least we can do is listen to you in a time of need – The Uzumaki gave a weak smile – Now you can spill what's bothering you.
Amaya finally stopped the training she was doing and pondered for a moment. It would be good to get help from someone her own age with those thoughts that had been bothering her since morning and who, unlike her, might know how to handle the situation.
– It's about Kushina and Minato – The redhead explained – My guardians.
– Did they do something to you? – Rin asked worriedly and Amaya quickly denied it.
– No, it's not that... They are wonderful people, extremely kind and they genuinely care about me – A faint smile filled her expression.
– But...? – Kurenai encouraged her to continue and the little redhead sighed.
– But I can't understand my relationship with them – Amaya tried to explain her confusion and turned her eyes to the girls in front of her – The nomenclature that defines our relationship.
– You said they were your legal guardians, right? – Yūhi probed and the redhead nodded.
– Is it because they are your guardians? – Rin questioned and the Uzumaki lowered her eyes for a moment.
– The term is what bothers me – She explained again – "Legal guardians" are defined as individuals empowered to represent a person, whether a minor or incapacitated – The redhead paused for a moment – But that's not how I would define Minato and Kushina – She sighed softly – My relationship with them is different. They don't treat me like a stranger they took in out of obligation or because I needed it. They act in a way I can't explain...
– They act like your family – Kurenai stated with conviction after a few seconds of silence and the Uzumaki turned her eyes to her.
Quickly the meaning of family came to the mind of the owner of the predominantly red hair: "A group of related people, defined by diversity and also by cohesion and solidarity".
That reminded the Uzumaki of various events with the couple:
The blond's concern for her distress with the villagers' stares after her arrival, and his care to make her feel less uneasy [05].
She remembered the initial encounter with Kushina who, even though she didn't know her, defended her as if they were close people [11].
She recalled the second meeting she had with the redhead at her house, when the older one comforted her saying they were "family", given their Uzumaki lineage [21].
The memories of the day the couple announced she would live with them [30], as well as all the happy memories of her days with them quickly came to her consciousness.
Support, sympathy, welcome, concern, care... All the sensations involving the young girl and the two adults: That was what defined the feeling of being important to someone.
With these thoughts permeating the little Uzumaki's mind, a tender smile appeared on her lips. She briefly looked at Kurenai and Rin.
– Even though I don't know how a family truly acts, it seems that what I have with Kushina and Minato is similar, if not identical, to what I imagine a family to be – The owner of the red hair commented, still smiling – Thank you for making me understand that – The girls smiled.
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The training continued until mid-afternoon, when Lucy dismissed them. She highlighted the girls' strengths and weaknesses as potential medical ninjas and emphasized that if they wanted to learn more, they should return in the coming days.
– The medical field isn't my strong suit... – Kurenai said in a tired voice.
– I thought it was amazing! – Rin said excitedly, although she was also tired from the strenuous training – I'll definitely come back in the next few days. Well, as soon as I recover all the chakra I spent today – The three ended up laughing.
– And you, Amaya? – Yūhi asked – Do you plan to continue training to be a medical ninja?
– Yes and no – The redhead announced, leaving her friends confused – I plan to continue the training, but I don't wish to become a medical ninja.
– I try to understand what goes on in your mind, but it's difficult... – Kurenai said and the Uzumaki gave a weak laugh.
– Learning some medical techniques could be useful for me to help my team – Amaya tried to explain her thinking – I'm usually the person who provides team support, and knowing healing jutsus could help me in my role.
– You're always looking to learn new things, aren't you? – Rin pointed this out and the redhead turned to her, agreeing – Why the constant search? – The Uzumaki pondered for a moment before giving her answer.
– I think it's to be able to protect the people important to me – She commented in a calm manner, with a light but serious tone – I believe that's what I'm after, to improve little by little, day after day. Until I'm sure I can protect those close to me.
The two girls accompanying the Uzumaki looked at each other for a moment. They noticed there was a deeper – and probably sad – meaning in those words of the redhead, but they didn't probe her about it.
However, they couldn't help but smile at that declaration from their friend, after all, they had noticed before the sincerity and devotion the redhead had for others. That was the trademark of the Amaya they knew; and they admired her for being that way.