… Huh. Apparently, he took his defeat at the Exams the hardest back home. Saddened that such a thrilled journey was over, saddened because of his encounter with Ahma, saddened because of all the questions left in his head. It was so heavy, all of this…
The heaviest burden from the Exams was Atagi’s injuries. Kojirou was out cold during his friend’s preliminary battle against Hotarubi, and perhaps that was a blessing in disguise. Kojirou didn’t witness the event, only the results… it was scary, y’know?
Kojirou was no Medical Ninja, so he felt utterly helpless. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Atagi felt. Damn it, Atagi was so excited for the Exams… it was because of him that Kojirou participated too. The least he could’ve done was make him proud. Then maybe, that could’ve soothed the pain, but clearly it was too late to do such a thing now.
Kojirou returned back home with bags under his eyes. The pressure from Ahma, the the fatigue from the first round, the enmity he felt deep inside, the futility he felt deep inside… he’d made a good job locking it away until now. He wanted to return back home a Chūnin, but he returned home without an answer.
So he talked with his parents… and one would expect the battle-hungry Honō to find disdain in his failure, but far from. If anything, they were overjoyed by the fact that he returned back home – in one piece, even! His parents were there to comfort him, telling him that there was nothing shameful about losing in the Exams as long as he made sure that he did his best. His older brother even went further to rebuke him for looking like such a mess after just one loss.
"Take all that heavy shit and bench press it! And never regret having inherited our Kekkei Genkai!”
In the end, that was his card dealt – a bloodline power so rarely seen had awakened in him, so he had all the reasons to get back up and start training! And who knew – maybe next year, he could do good by Atagi and become the next Village Hero in his stead…
…
…
Kojirou’s Katana Case Holder was far heavier than before. He had been out on a shopping spree, so when he approached Azarea who was waiting for him at the gates to Kusagakure, he was effortlessly carrying that Katana Pack over his back, signaling an increase in strength since last time. "Hi, Azarea! I’ve grown stronger since last time – I’m ready to go!” he called enthusiastically, having returned to full strength as was needed of a shinobi on duty. The previous Exams were a huge motivation to train, and his parents’ suggestions about equipment was sweet as well.
"True, but he also helped me with my recovery. We’re friends now!”
Just like that, Kojirou basically smeared over the hostile relations politically between Kusa and Iwa due to certain alliances. Screw that, he made a new and awesome friend over there – the Exams still had invaluable rewards for him, in the end.
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