Hinata Hyuga Wasn't So Easy to Fool Either

"Shikamaru! Are you tired of living?"

Hinata was furious!

What do you mean I've finally started to care about serious matters?

When have I, the dignified young lady of the Hyuga Clan, ever stopped caring about national affairs?

"Okay, okay... you've always been concerned about important matters... I misspoke, alright!"

Shikamaru immediately raised his hand in surrender; he still has a strong survival instinct.

However, Shikamaru's interruption diverted Hinata's earlier question, and Shikamaru brushed it aside. Turning his gaze to the examination hall, Shikamaru asked, "Hinata, among this batch of Genin examinees, are there any noteworthy individuals?"

The Joint Chunin Exam were not only a microcosm of the Shinobi World War, but also a platform for various villages to gather intelligence.

Although all the examinees are Genin are the future of a ninja village. Especially in a competition that is essentially 'live-streamed' to the entire Shinobi World, even with some unspoken rules involved, each village will still Genin to participate in the exam.

"No!"

Hinata spoke without hesitation. From Hinata's perspective, there were very few people worth paying attention to.

Shikamaru said helplessly, "Don't compare yourself to others. This is also a task assigned to us by the village."

Hinata shrugged.

"Actually, just by looking at the Jonin who leads their teams, you can tell what these people will achieve in the future."

"Ninjas still value tradition!"

Hinata's gaze was also fixed on the examination hall, and she said in a detached tone, "Looking at the strong Shinobi World, almost all of them were first taught by famous teachers before they could become strong."

"Even Jiraiya was young, and he couldn't even use the 'Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique'. But after becoming an apprentice of the Third, Jiraiya surpassed countless people who were called 'geniuses'!"

Shikamaru remained silent for a moment upon hearing this.

It must be said that Hinata's words made some sense.

Shikamaru had never compiled such data or thought about this issue before. Now, hearing Hinata mention it, and thinking about those people in the Shinobi World who are now called 'strong,' he realized that they all first received guidance from renowned teachers before becoming strong.

"That seems to make sense, but..."

Shikamaru frowned slightly; as a mere Chunin, he still couldn't quite understand the reason behind this.

Shikamaru's father, Shikaku Nara, was also very strong, an Elite Jonin of the village, and his Shadow Imitation Technique was renowned throughout the Shinobi World.

However, looking at the entire Shinobi World, Shikaku Nara really doesn't deserve the title of 'strongman'. At most, he can only be considered one of Konoha's top combat forces, and there is still a considerable gap between him and the 'Kage' level.

Shikamaru, on the other hand, was born into a ninja family and received the most elite education, learning the family's secret Ninjutsu.

Although he is lazy, he is extremely responsible.

Faced with the current turbulent situation in the Shinobi World, Shikamaru had secretly worked hard to train.

With a sigh, Shikamaru casually remarked, "What you just said was quite a blow!"

"But..."

Shikamaru hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But... what is the reason for this?"

Is the effort being directed in the wrong direction? Or is there some secret about the 'Shadow' level that outsiders don't know?

"Kindness..."

Hinata pondered for a moment, then said softly, "It's hard to say! But once you reach Uncle Shikaku's strength, you'll probably understand!"

Shikamaru nodded slightly. It seemed that there were indeed some secrets about that realm that were unknown to outsiders.

Hinata said "it's hard to say," which means that everyone faces different challenges...

What are you talking about?

Temari onto the rooftop, glancing strangely at Hinata and Shikamaru, her gaze lingering on Hinata for a few more moments.

"Yo!"

Hinata immediately became interested, and with a mischievous smile, she teased, "I only spent a short time with Shikamaru in private, and you couldn't wait to come here!"

Hinata nudged Shikamaru with her elbow and exclaimed excitedly, "Shikamaru, you're amazing! You even managed to woo a beauty from another village!"

"Hinata, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"I have nothing to do with him, Hinata, don't talk nonsense!"

Shikamaru and Temari's faces turned bright red instantly. If nothing had happened, Hinata would have dared to eat her keyboard on live stream.

She glanced at Shikamaru.

Well, his appearance is average, his strength is so-so, and his intelligence... well, it's just so-so.

I really don't know what Temari saw in him.

"Hey! You guys chat, I'm not going to be a third wheel!"

Hinata swayed her head as she walked towards the stairwell, giving Temari a look that said, "I'm rooting for you."

After leaving the building's rooftop, Hinata suddenly used the 'Body Flicker Technique' to disappear.

"Not good!"

The two Sand Village Anbu Hinata monitoring Hinata were startled, but before they could react, everything went black and they collapsed to the ground unconscious.

"Cut!"

Hinata pouted and stealthily approached the building's rooftop.

Given Hinata's strength, it would be incredibly easy for her to deceive Shikamaru and Temari's senses, especially since neither of them are particularly skilled in sensory perception.

"What happened?" Shikamaru asked softly.

Based on Shikamaru's understanding of Temari, she wouldn't deliberately send Hinata away unless something serious happened.

Although Temari seemed to do nothing after going up to the rooftop, she deliberately revealed her 'private relationship' with Shikamaru, causing Hinata, the 'wise' third wheel, to leave on her own initiative.

Whether the two have an affair or not is another matter, but Temari is definitely not such a petty person.

Temari said in a serious tone, "Information indicates that Orochimaru has appeared in the Land of Wind!"

"What?!!!"

Shikamaru's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. Orochimaru had actually appeared in the Land of Wind?

The Konoha Crush Plan from two years ago is still fresh in our minds. Although the main target of the current crackdown is not Konoha, Orochimaru, the big boss, is still the same big boss as before.

No one would think that Orochimaru appeared in the Land of Wind for a vacation; he simply didn't have the time or inclination.

Now that the Kumogakure is stirring up trouble, and Orochimaru has just happened to appear in the Land of Wind, even a fool wouldn't believe that Orochimaru has no ulterior motives.

Shikamaru calmed himself down and said in a deep voice, "The situation is different now than it was two years ago. With Hinata around, Orochimaru would never dare to act recklessly!"

"No!"

Temari's face darkened as she said, "Orochimaru is no longer the Orochimaru of the past... According to the information you obtained when Konoha besieged Orochimaru last time, Orochimaru's 'Impure World Reincarnation' has become even more perfect, and now there are reports from the Shinobi World that his hands have been restored..."

"Once a major battle breaks out in Sunagakure..."

Temari dared not think any further.

Orochimaru is indeed no match for Hinata, but if Orochimaru were to remotely manipulate the Impure World Reincarnation to fight Hinata in the Sunagakure, most of the Sunagakure would probably be destroyed.

The battlefield where Hinata, Orochimaru, and Pain fought was scouted by Sunagakure!