My Techniques are a bit off

July 1st, Konohagakure, Afternoon, Ninja Academy Entrance.

"Do your best in the exam today," Link said, pressing a hand on the shoulders of Iris and Ami. Once the Chūnin Exams started at 4 PM, he would head to the Medical Corps headquarters to join his team at the central tower in the Forest of Death, ready to treat injured candidates.

Although he wanted to witness the legendary scenes of candidates creatively cheating in the first exam, he simply didn't have the time. The proctors wouldn't allow him to loiter in the exam halls either.

"Got it, boss." Both teammates gave him a thumbs-up, brimming with confidence, before heading toward their new team, entering through the academy gates together.

Link didn't leave right away. He lingered near the gate for a while, spotting Team 7 arriving. He raised a hand to greet them.

"Yo!"

"Link, did you come to see me off for the exam?" Naruto Uzumaki asked, visibly moved.

"Do your best, Naruto," Link said warmly, the same encouragement he'd given his own teammates.

Naruto's eyes filled with tears of gratitude, his spirits surging as he declared, "Alright! I'll beat everyone and become Hokage!"

"It's the Chūnin Exams, not a Hokage campaign…" Sakura Haruno muttered.

Link gave her a thumbs-up, smiling. "Then you'll have to work really hard."

"Yes!" Naruto cheered, raising both hands in excitement.

As the trio walked into the academy, Link stopped Uchiha Sasuke, who was bringing up the rear, by placing a hand on his shoulder. His tone was light. "Good luck."

"Hm."

Sasuke didn't resist, pausing briefly to allow Link's hand to linger before continuing forward.

Such a tsundere.

Link glanced at the academy building one last time before gathering chakra underfoot and vanishing with a Body Flicker to head to the Medical Corps building. Once, he'd envied Jonin who could zip around effortlessly with this technique. Now, it had become second nature to him.

"Orochimaru… when will you show up? Will your target still be Sasuke, or…"

"I'll wait for you to make the first move."

…

Ninja Academy, Second Floor.

"I want to challenge you!"

Rock Lee leapt from the staircase, landing in front of Team 7, striking a fighting pose. "I wish to see if my techniques can defeat the so-called prodigies of your clan!"

"Let me handle him!" Naruto, overly enthusiastic, interjected prematurely, charging straight at Lee without hesitation.

"This guy…" Sasuke muttered, too speechless to react.

"Smack!"

Lee casually slapped Naruto aside, following up with a swift Leaf Whirlwind, sending the hyperactive ninja flying.

"I knew he was useless," Sasuke thought as he dashed forward, Sharingan flaring to life as he moved.

After two weeks of rigorous training—where his physical limits were pushed under Link's healing—and constant sparring with Iris and Ami, Sasuke's potential had begun to blossom. While his body still lagged behind Rock Lee's, his Sharingan provided a crucial edge.

"Such speed… and those eyes…"

Lee's expression grew serious as he engaged Sasuke in close combat.

"Smack!"

On the upper level, Ami crossed her arms. "Who do you think will win?"

"Sasuke," Iris replied without hesitation. "Those eyes are cheating…" He grimaced at the memory of his sparring sessions where, despite being faster, he was still overwhelmed.

Down below, the skirmish quickly reached its climax.

Sasuke, leveraging his Sharingan to keep up with Lee's superior physique, devised a plan to change the tide. Deliberately taking a kick and being flung backward, he formed hand seals mid-air—

"Snap!" "Snap!"

Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy simultaneously appeared via Body Flicker, one stopping Sasuke before he could unleash Fireball Jutsu, the other intercepting Lee, who had begun unwinding his hand bandages.

"That guy seems to have more tricks up his sleeve."

Ami frowned. "That bushy-browed kid is dangerous. His taijutsu is…"

"Come on, Iris, Ami!" Their teammate called from the classroom. Without further observation, the two entered Room 301.

…

Forest of Death, Central Tower.

"It's not my first time in the Forest of Death, but it's my first time inside the central tower…"

Link stood among the medical ninjas, quietly listening to the briefing.

For the next five days, they'd be stationed here, alternating shifts to provide medical aid to candidates in need.

"Relax," Medic-Nin Mokusa said, patting Link on the shoulder. As the youngest member of the team, he was clearly trying to ease Link's nerves. "They're probably still in the first exam. Most of the time, we won't even be called out."

"Everyone except those on duty is free to move around."

With those words, the medical ninjas dispersed.

"Yawn~" Link's shift partner, Kunshi, stretched. "I'm going to rest. If anything happens, find me in my room."

He'd been up all night working on a new medicine and looked completely exhausted.

Once the group scattered, Link wandered the tower to familiarize himself with its layout before retreating to his room to study.

While he had mastered Mystical Palm Technique, his skills in pharmacology were still rudimentary. Without hands-on guidance, he had to rely entirely on self-study, requiring extra effort.

"I hope Iris and Ami are doing well. They should handle the first exam fine…"

As the sun set, nearing his shift, Link packed up and headed toward the medical station. Concern lingered in his mind.

His teammates were strong enough to meet the Chūnin standards, but the Forest of Death was dangerous. As long as they didn't encounter Gaara's team or Orochimaru, even a defeat wouldn't be fatal.

"Step."

He halted, hearing the distinct sound of sand shifting against the ground.

Turning, he saw three familiar figures.

"Long time no see," Temari greeted with a smile. "Link."

Gaara glared at him with murderous intent, his expression twisted with hostility. Beside him, Kankuro tensed, his muscles tight, too afraid to intervene or reprimand his 'brother.'

After all, they'd seen this Konoha "Chūnin" battle Orochimaru like a monster…

Link glanced at them, unfazed, before walking past them toward the medical room without a word or change in expression.

To him, the Sunagakure Genin team posed no threat whatsoever.

~~~

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