Prelude to the Chunin Exams

Nanfeng's words were shocking, and when he said them, Sasuke's brain couldn't process them.

What does it mean for a body to be on the verge of collapse? Is this guy in trouble? How can someone who's about to die guide my training?

"Reanimation Jutsu, a Ninjutsu created by Orochimaru in his pursuit of eternal life. It has a significant impact on the soul, but it can achieve immortality by changing bodies. The limit is three years. According to Zabuza and the others' intel, Orochimaru was severely injured during his previous fight with your brother and defected to Akatsuki. Since then, his desire for the Sharingan has become extremely intense."

Nanfeng spoke, once again praising his plan to save Zabuza and Haku back then. Otherwise, with so many things happening, it would have been hard for him to find a reason.

You mention Konoha Hospital? What secrets could the ninjas at Konoha Hospital possibly know? If I told them, let alone Naruto and Sasuke, even I wouldn't believe it!

But then again, Zabuza and Haku did get almost all the money from Gato. Compared to Nanfeng, the big boss, their lives were much more comfortable. Looking at his own shriveled wallet, Nanfeng felt a bit displeased.

When will I use the Flying Thunder God Technique to go find them and ask for some money? I can't let my life be too miserable. Besides, Hinata is a big eater; I can't afford her if I don't have money!

Cough, cough, I'm getting sidetracked. Nanfeng's gaze became more distant. He coughed to pull his mind back.

"So, Otogakure's goal in participating in the Chunin Exams this time is to get my body?" Sasuke said with a grim expression. Among perverts, Orochimaru's actions could be considered quite perverted.

"That's roughly the situation. He is indeed a very good teacher, and Orochimaru's value isn't just here; his knowledge is the most important treasure. If there's anyone in the ninja world who deeply understands Ninjutsu, it's the Second Hokage, the Hokage of all forbidden jutsu, and Orochimaru. His research in these fields is beyond our imagination."

"If you can comprehend some of his understanding, it will be very helpful for your future Ninjutsu training and even for developing your own unique style of Ninjutsu. However, for now, you should focus on mastering his Raikiri with Kakashi. It seems you haven't fully mastered this Ninjutsu yet?" Nanfeng glanced at Sasuke subtly.

He clearly remembered the situation when Sasuke first used Raikiri, activating his cells with lightning-attribute Chakra. He face-planted, a textbook example!

"Cough, cough, I'm almost there. Doesn't Naruto's Rasengan still need a breakthrough?" Sasuke said somewhat awkwardly.

"He can't, because most of his Chakra is used to suppress the Nine-Tails. Besides, I'm not a qualified teacher. My own Rasengan is half-baked, so I can't guide Naruto at all. And you have the nerve to talk?" Nanfeng said mercilessly.

Sasuke stammered, then started talking about ninja matters, how training could be linked to talent, and then turned to talk about the pride of the Uchiha clan. This made Nanfeng and Naruto burst into laughter, filling the room with a cheerful atmosphere.

"That's all for today. This is all the information I can get for now. For what happens next, I hope you will all participate in achieving the world order of our dreams. We are all idealists, idealists based on reality. Remember..."

"Don't live in an ideal world; learn to accept the darkness. An overly idealistic ninja is Akatsuki. If you're willing, I can take you to register right now?" Nanfeng said, half-jokingly, half-seriously.

Naruto and Sasuke nodded. They weren't fools; they could distinguish these words.

"Let's eat, let's eat. Why is my lamb all overcooked?" Nanfeng stopped talking, looking at the slightly overcooked lamb with annoyance and shaking his head. After eating it, he put down another plate of lamb. The atmosphere was harmonious and friendly, but they didn't know that the next time they would have such a harmonious time would be years later.

The three of them, after their conversation ended, spent the following days diligently. Of course, Nanfeng also took time to visit Hinata. When they returned from their mission, Nanfeng specially brought gifts to welcome them. Seeing Kurenai Yuhi's half-smiling eyes, Hinata's face turned red as she quickly pulled Nanfeng away.

"Youth is wonderful!" Kurenai Yuhi said with a smile, watching the departing pair. I wonder when that blockhead Asuma will finally catch on?

Aside from his heartwarming time with Hinata, they spent the rest of their time training. Seeing Nanfeng train so hard, Hinata also joined them during her breaks. In a few days, Hinata's relationship with them became even closer, even making Inuzuka Kiba a little jealous.

"Hey, who's Hinata's teammate here?" Inuzuka Kiba said while eating barbecue, looking at Team 7 in front of him.

"We're all classmates. Come train with us when you have time. It's livelier with more people, and exchanging ideas can lead to new insights, right?" Nanfeng said with a smile, putting grilled meat into Hinata's bowl.

"Then remember to notify us next time. And tell Naruto to stop farting; his last fart almost stank me to death!" Inuzuka Kiba complained. He had a good relationship with Naruto now.

They were all kids, and their past animosity had long disappeared. But was that really the case?

After eating their fill and parting ways with Hinata and the others, Nanfeng walked alone on the road. The warm afternoon sun made him feel a bit lazy. He had always been good at balancing work and rest. What should he do next? Forget it, I'll go back to sleep!

With this thought, Nanfeng turned to go home, but he noticed something unusual on the way.

Konohamaru was being held by a stranger covered in face paint. Judging by their headbands, they were ninjas from Sunagakure. It seemed the Chunin Exams were about to officially begin?

"Let me go!" Konohamaru struggled, flapping his little legs, but his struggles had no effect on Kankuro.

"If I'm not mistaken, you should be ninjas from Sunagakure, participating in the Chunin Exams? However, this is no reason to attack our village's children within Konoha. And this beautiful young lady should be the princess of the Land of Wind, right? The child you're holding is the Third Hokage's grandson. Are you trying to instigate a war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind? Or has Sunagakure become so confident in its strength that it can arbitrarily bully the grandson of another village's leader?"

Nanfeng looked at Kankuro and the others in front of him, speaking calmly.