𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 ★彡 ᵏ.ʰᵃᵗᵃᵏᵉ

➙ 𝘹𝘪𝘹. 𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥

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THREE MONTHS had passed since Team 4's mission in the Land of Waves and Yuri had not let up on their training. After their acceptance into the Chunin Exams, Yuri had been advancing their skills tremendously.

For Doremi, she had been working on her level-headedness. Not allowing her frustration to be her downfall in battle was crucial for her to get far in the exams. They focused on her Mist Jutsu with a close colleague's help who specialised in defensive techniques.

Sezaki's focus was to become more confident in her attacks. Having limited experience fighting tough opponents, her nerves were understandable. But Yuri was determined to bring the girl out of her shell and give her the confidence to succeed. Sezaki entrusted another ninja in her training who faced similar challenges as a child.

Yaragi, being a member of the Hoshigaki Clan, was more difficult. Yuri had previously worked with Hoshigaki members and was familiar with their techniques after her work in the Seven Swordsman. She had taken the responsibility of training Yaragi herself to master swordsmanship. During his training, she had lent him Zabuza's Exectioner's Blade for practice and the two would duel from sunrise to sunset until she deemed him perfect.

After such rigorous training, all three genin had improved to Yuri's liking. The team and multiple Mist Genin squads travelled to Konohagakure for the Chunin Exams. It took a week of boat rides and hiking until they arrived at the gates of Village Hidden in the Leaves. Yuri and the other Jonin leaders bowed their heads to the Leaf ninja waiting for them while the exhausted Genin collapsed on the ground.

"I apologise for our genins, it was a long journey with very few rests. Could we please be taken to your rooms?" Yuri spoke eloquently.

The Leaf Ninja with spikey black hair and a bandage running across his nose nodded. "Of course, your guide will be here shortly. You arrived earlier than we expected." He stretched the back of his neck, nervously.

Yuri nodded with a closed-eyed smile. "No worries. We prefer being earlier than late, hence why these guys are so exhausted." She laughed.

"Sorry, I'm late," a deep familiar voice called out from the distance. Yuri cringed slightly at the familiar bored tone, a visible shudder running down her spine.

One of her colleagues laughed and slapped her shoulder. "Isn't that the guy you hate so much, Ren? How hilarious!" The Mist Ninja laughed hysterically. A quick magenta-coloured glare was shot out to the man who had knocked her shoulder. The Mist Ninja removed his hand rapidly, in fear of losing it.

The familiar deep voice spoke up once more before Yuri could rip the man to shreds. "Yuri, how nice to see you again."

She turned to see a silver head of hair accompanied by a dark blue mask and headband covering one eye. "Hatake. How lovely to see you again," she spoke through gritted teeth.

Kakashi chuckled softly as he bent down slightly to her eye level. "Aw, you were so friendly to me a few months ago, what happened?"

Yuri glared. "Our brief alliance was made out of convenience. As agreed, it ended after our missions in the Land of Waves." Her voice was eloquent and graceful as if she had been preparing her small speech for weeks in case Kakashi brought up their truce. "Now, we are back to being enemies." Kakashi sighed. "But once again, luck seems to be on your side. I'm here for my squad. Not you. I don't need you as a distraction while I encourage them."

Just then, Kakashi was thrown to the ground with a huff. Above him were the three Mist genin he was acquainted with. Doremi, Yaragi and Sezaki all toppled onto him in a group hug. "Kakashi-Sensei!" "How are you?" "Where's your squad!" All of them spoke at once.