Time passed quickly. Rorin, under Tsunade's guidance, underwent nearly a month of treatment. During this period, Tsunade was amazed by Rorin's body's recovery ability, which significantly shortened his healing process.
In Rorin's hospital room, Tsunade performed the final treatment to eliminate the abnormal cells in his body.
Wiping sweat from her hand, Tsunade smiled with satisfaction.
"Congratulations, Rorin. Your body is basically fine now. This last treatment is also complete."
Weak, Rorin struggled to open his eyes, managing a faint smile. The final treatment had thoroughly cleansed the abnormal cells throughout his body.
After pushing himself a bit, Rorin finally closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Tsunade didn't disturb him and quietly left the room.
Back at the Hokage building, Tsunade reviewed the scroll in her hand, containing the results of the ANBU's investigation into Village Hidden in the Mist. The report indicated that the Kaguya clan's demise was due to rebellion, ultimately suppressed by the Hidden Mist leadership.
After browsing the report, Tsunade handed it to Nara Shikaku and Hyūga Hiashi standing in front of her.
Shikaku skimmed it roughly, then passed the scroll to Hiashi, looking thoughtful.
"What do you make of this result?" Tsunade asked.
After a moment of contemplation, Shikaku slowly spoke: "Based solely on this scroll, it generally aligns with what Kaguya Rorin said. While Hidden Mist describes the Kaguya clan as warlike, no clan, no matter how aggressive, would recklessly oppose an entire village without any strategy. If the Kaguya clan were truly that incompetent, they wouldn't have survived since the Warring States period. Therefore, I'm inclined to believe Rorin's account."
Hiashi nodded in agreement.
Tsunade tapped the desk rhythmically before declaring,
"I agree to allow Kaguya Rorin to join the Hidden Leaf Ninja Village."
Hiashi looked pleased. Previously, when reporting Rorin's answer, Tsunade had not officially agreed but had sent the ANBU to Village Hidden in the Mist to investigate, mainly to explain to other Leaf leaders, given Rorin's sensitive status.
After a week of recuperation, Rorin's body had fully recovered.
Knock, knock!
Rorin, at Tsunade's invitation, arrived at the Hokage office and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," came Tsunade's voice.
Rorin pushed the door open to see several people inside: Hiashi, Rock Lee, and Might Guy. Tsunade sat behind her desk, watching Rorin with interest.
"Tsunade-sama, Hiashi-san, Rock Lee, hello. And who is this?" Rorin greeted respectfully.
"This is my teacher, Guy-sensei," Lee introduced.
"Hello, Guy-sensei. I am Kaguya Rorin. Please take care of me," Rorin said, hoping to make a good impression. He had a keen interest in the Eight Gates technique.
Tsunade interrupted their greetings.
"Rorin, I heard you want to join the Hidden Leaf Village. Given your age, returning to the ninja academy isn't practical. Today is effectively your graduation exam."
An exam? To test my strength? Who's my opponent? Rock Lee?
Seeing the only ninja his age in the room, Rorin was almost certain his opponent would be Rock Lee. Surely he wouldn't have to face three people at once.
"Yes," he replied.
Honestly, he was eager to gauge his abilities, having not fought since taking over this body.
Seeing Rorin agree, Tsunade stood and waved her hand.
"Let's go."
The five of them arrived at an empty field east of the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade turned to Rorin.
"This is it. The first match: you versus Rock Lee."
Rorin blinked. The first match… wait, seriously? Another fight?
Alright, I also want to see my true strength now.
Tsunade then gave the match rules.
"Rorin, you cannot overuse the Shikotsumyaku power, considering your body just recovered. Please refrain from using it."
Rorin nodded, facing Rock Lee across from him.
"Rorin-kun, let's ignite our youth!" Lee shouted with enthusiasm.
Rorin remained calm. "Go ahead."
Lee lunged with a powerful punch. The wind whistled as it shot toward Rorin, but Rorin sidestepped smoothly, avoiding it.
Seeing his attack fail, Lee spun into a whirlwind.
Rorin blocked with his hands. Without using Shikotsumyaku, he had to rely on his body to absorb the impact. Lacking battle experience, he couldn't fully neutralize Lee's force and slid back five meters.
Lee pressed the attack with a faster forward charge, executing a strong side kick.
This time, Rorin dodged instead of blocking. Back and forth, the fight intensified. Rorin quickly adapted, applying the combat knowledge he had gained from observing Kimimaro.
Growing bolder, Rorin no longer reacted passively but attacked proactively. Suddenly, he surged forward, appearing in front of Lee.
A heavy elbow struck Lee's abdomen, sending him flying and crashing to the ground amid smoke.
Watching, Tsunade, Hiashi, and Guy were astonished. Rorin's strike was perfectly timed and incredibly fast—many chunin couldn't have avoided it.
Rorin smiled faintly, knowing he hadn't seriously hurt Lee—only grazed him using speed advantage. Without Shikotsumyaku, many techniques remained unutilized.
As expected, Lee slowly rose, frowning, muttering: "That hurt. Rorin-kun, looks like I need to show my true strength."
True strength? The Eight Gates? Already?
Rorin watched curiously as Lee unfastened heavy weights on his legs and lifted them.
Boom! Dust flew. Rorin realized Lee had been carrying heavy weights. He would need to be more serious now.
Outside, the others watched, curious if Rorin could keep up with Lee's speed.
Suddenly, Lee moved. His body vanished and reappeared above Rorin, striking downward.
Rorin raised his hands, blocking Lee's leg, using his strength to push him back.
Lee twisted mid-air, landing on one foot, surprised that Rorin had matched his speed and perfectly countered him. He realized he had been outmatched in both speed and power.
Guy, watching, was equally astonished. Rorin's ability to block attacks without relying on techniques was remarkable.
Tsunade quietly observed, recalling that Rorin had survived alone in the ninja world for eight years. Without immense strength, he would have long been defeated.
Even without using Shikotsumyaku, Rorin's level had reached high chunin or even special jonin.
Tsunade declared: "Alright, that concludes this match. The winner is Rorin-kun."
After the announcement, Rorin and Lee ended their fight. Lee smiled: "Rorin-kun, you're strong. I lost this time. I'll train harder and we'll fight again."
Rorin nodded politely: "You flatter me. I sensed you had more tricks. Otherwise, I might have been defeated."
Victorious yet humble, Rorin earned greater admiration from Tsunade and the others.
Lee scratched the back of his head, saying politely: "Likewise. You must have tricks too."
They exchanged knowing smiles.
Tsunade approached, smiling: "Stop being modest, both of you."
Pausing, she looked at Rorin. "Do you want a break?"
Rorin felt certain—there would be a second match. Who would it be? Hiashi? Guy?
No matter who, he wasn't afraid. He simply craved battle.
Perhaps it was the subconscious of this body's warrior lineage. His fighting spirit surged.
Rorin shook his head calmly. "No need."
Guy and Hiashi exchanged a knowing smile.
Did we underestimate him?
Seeing Rorin's fierce gaze, Tsunade smirked mischievously before announcing: "Your second opponents are Might Guy and Hyūga Hiashi. It's a two-on-one match."
--