The Hokage had given them nine days.
Nine days to prepare.
Nine days before the Chūnin Exams would pit them against the strongest genin from Konoha and beyond.
But Henri didn't waste a single second.
---
🏞️ Day One – Mastering the Mutation
Henri stood barefoot in the middle of Training Ground 17, the wind tugging at his clothes. Sweat dripped down his forehead. His hands trembled.
But he wasn't afraid.
He was trying to control the Void Pulse.
---
🟢 [SYSTEM SKILL – VOID PULSE – Lvl 1]
→ Current State: Unstable
→ Description: Stores jump-based chakra energy in Henri's core, then releases in an AOE blast on ground impact
→ Side Effect: Headache, chakra drift, involuntary surges
→ Mutation Risk: Moderate
→ Next Level: Requires Controlled Use x3
---
He inhaled sharply.
Chakra surged down to his legs—he jumped straight into the air.
Midair, he let go.
His body shimmered with violet light.
He spun.
And—
BOOM.
He landed in a hard crouch. A pulse of energy burst outward like a ripple, flattening the grass in a 10-meter circle.
But the backlash was immediate.
"GHHH—!"
Henri clutched his head, collapsing to his knees. Pain lanced through his skull.
---
⚠️ [MUTATION OVERLOAD – CHAKRA COIL STRESS: 62%]
→ Cooldown Enforced
→ Rest Required
---
"You idiot," said a familiar voice behind him.
Jeneya knelt beside him, placing two fingers on his temple and flowing calming chakra into him.
"You're not supposed to push until your coils fray," she muttered.
Henri smiled weakly. "You were watching?"
"Every time."
---
🥋 Day Two – Partner Training: Sky Fang Crescent
"Again!" Jeneya shouted.
Henri leapt into the air, twisting at a 60-degree angle. Jeneya dashed forward, her blade gleaming with chakra.
He called out, "NOW!"
BOOM.
Void Pulse exploded behind him, giving him a mid-air push.
Jeneya jumped off the pulse shockwave, flipping forward.
Their combo connected—
Her sword arced in a perfect half-moon slash, powered by Henri's blast from behind.
A tree exploded.
Leaves rained down.
---
✅ [COMBO MOVE LEARNED – SKY FANG CRESCENT]
→ Type: Dual-user finisher
→ Requirements: Henri jump buff + Jeneya chakra blade
→ Effect: 2x critical multiplier
→ Cooldown: 2 minutes
→ Bond Skill Tier 1 Activated
---
Jeneya grinned. "We're getting good at this."
Henri collapsed onto his back. "I feel like my spine just fought a bear."
She laughed softly. "You're improving faster than anyone I've ever seen."
Henri looked at her. "It's because you're with me."
She looked away, flustered—but didn't deny it.
---
🕶️ Day Three – The Shadow of Shinji
They found him at the western creek near Training Ground 24.
Shinji.
He stood barefoot in the water, staring at his reflection.
Henri approached slowly, Jeneya ready at his side.
"You're from the Forgotten Vale, aren't you?" Henri asked.
Shinji turned. His silver eyes locked onto Henri's.
"And you," he said, "are from the wrong timeline."
Henri blinked. "What?"
Shinji smiled, but it was a cold, hollow thing. "You think your system makes you chosen. But it's a fail-safe. You were never supposed to exist."
Jeneya stepped forward. "Say that again."
"You're not the only one with a mutation," Shinji whispered.
He vanished into smoke.
---
⚠️ [SYSTEM WARNING – TIMELINE VARIANCE DETECTED]
→ Note: Memory Pulse Residue found on Shinji
→ Possibility: Temporal Echo
→ Side Quest Available: "Origin of the System Divergence"
→ Accept? [Yes] / [Later]
Henri selected Later.
This wasn't a fight he could win yet.
---
🕐 Day Five – Tsunade's Announcement
"All selected genin will report to the stadium in four days," Tsunade declared, standing on the Hokage Tower balcony. "You will be watched not only by me—but by every clan, every nation, and every eye in the dark."
Henri stood in the crowd, feeling his heart race.
Beside him, Jeneya's fingers brushed his.
And this time, he held them tightly.
---
🟢 [SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE]
→ Bond Level 89%
→ Confession Route Triggered
→ Skill: Tandem Step (Unlocked)
→ Void Pulse Lvl 2 Achieved (Stability +20%)
→ Henri Level: 7
→ XP: 84 / 700
→ New Passive Unlocked: "Sky's Edge" – All jump-based attacks gain +5% critical chance
---
🌌 Day Eight – Moonlit Confession
They sat on the tallest tree outside the village wall, stars above, silence between them.
Henri finally spoke.
"I used to think I was nothing special. That the jumps, the system... it made me important."
Jeneya didn't answer. She simply listened.
"But now I think... maybe it's not about being chosen. Maybe it's about choosing who I jump for."
He turned toward her.
"I choose you."
Jeneya didn't speak.
Instead, she leaned forward.
And kissed him.
---
💬 [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – ROMANCE PATH LOCKED]
→ Partner: Jeneya
→ Status: Committed Bond
→ Bonus Buff: +15% Willpower in Combat
→ Skill Tree: Dual Awakening Path (Unlocked)
---
As the stars twinkled and the wind rustled the trees, Henri smiled for the first time in days.
He had power.
He had purpose.
And now… he had someone to jump forward with.
---
[To Be Continued…]