Heading to the Chunin Exams Venue

"Maybe he was inspired by you? Or maybe he never intended to live? Or maybe he was later killed by his own people?"

"That's how the world of ninjas is. They're all tools. In order to complete their missions, they might not even care about their own lives, let alone yours."

"You make a good point. However, I was attacked by him but was not teleported back to Ryūchi Cave. And when I woke up, I found no trace of him."

Shiyu immediately responded, "But you didn't die then, so is it possible that he deliberately injured you, causing the enemy to divert their forces from dealing with you, while he himself attracted the attention of other enemies and withdrew?"

"Humans... are they really that complicated? I've been too simplistic. It seems like humans have always lived in hatred and betrayal." Garaga finally realized that compared to the complex scheming and intrigue of humans, his own experiences were nothing.

"Garaga, do you want to become a dragon?" Shiyu suddenly asked.

"Dragon?" Garaga was also very puzzled, wondering why Shiyu would suddenly ask such a question.

"Give me a chance? Become my Summoning Beast. When I soar high into the sky, you, as my Summoning Beast, will also become extraordinary." Shiyu then unleashed a large amount of his Senjutsu Chakra.

"So powerful! Such abundant Natural Energy!"

"Even if I and the White Scales Immortal joined forces, we probably wouldn't be a match for him!"

"Can this guy really become someone we can't even reach?"

Garaga had already recognized Shiyu as a top-tier expert, not to mention that Shiyu had essentially resolved Garaga's inner turmoil in less than five minutes.

"If you were in the same situation, would you betray me too?" Garaga asked his final question.

Shiyu shook her head and said, "No."

Garaga asked, "I don't believe you. Tell me why?"

"Why would I betray you? And why would I retreat?" Shiyu retorted.

"Isn't a ninja's mission above all else? Did your superiors order you to retreat, or was it simply a matter of circumstance that forced you to retreat?" Garaga retorted once more.

"I'm not like your previous master. Am I that strong? Would I need to retreat? You must be joking! If we encountered an enemy that even I would need to retreat from, the world would probably be destroyed." Shiyu's words were filled with unparalleled confidence, the absolute confidence of a peerless expert, which deeply impressed Garaga.

"You're just as confident as I was before! I like your personality too." Garaga finally nodded and said, "Alright! I'm willing to become your Summoning Beast, but let me make this clear beforehand, I just want to see what your so-called peaceful world looks like?"

"Any reason is fine, as long as you're willing." Shiyu quickly Hand Seals, summoning the Contract Jutsu, and signed the contract with Garaga on it.

"What's your name, kid?" Garaga asked.

"My name is Shiyu!"

"I understand." Garaga nodded.

Shiyu then left the giant serpent's lair with a satisfied expression.

Next Shiyu went to the White Scales Immortal at Ryūchi Cave. However, before Shiyu could even learn any Senjutsu, the White Scales Immortal asked, "Shiyu? Have you already subdued Garaga?"

"Yes." Shiyu nodded.

"I knew it. You'll definitely be fine." The White Snake Sage nodded, then said, "Then prepare to learn Senjutsu from me? It will probably take about three months."

"Three months? I'm afraid that won't work. I might need to go back to my world and do some things." Shiyu thought about the unfinished business he still had.

"Huh? Didn't it take you three months to learn the Black Scales Sage Art?" The White Snake Sage was also very puzzled.

"What?! It's been three months already!?" Shiyu was so engrossed in Sage Mode that he had completely lost track of time.

"Yes, you've been here for three whole months. It seems you still have things to do? Then you'll have to come back to learn Senjutsu next time." The White Snake Sage understood.

"You have now become Snake Sage. As long as you Reverse Summoning, you can return to where you came from. From now on, you should be able to freely travel to and from Ryūchi Cave." The White Snake Sage also said, "Let's go, it'll be too late if we don't leave now."

"Okay! I'll come again next time! Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't make it!" Shiyu was also very anxious, not expecting that three months had already passed since she started learning immortal Senjutsu.

"Those plans were all for naught." Shiyu shook her head, Shiyu used Reverse Summoning Jutsu, disappearing from the spot.

"This guy is really dedicated. I wonder how strong he'll be next time he comes?" the White Snake Sage said to the Three Divine Maidens who had suddenly appeared beside him.

Shiyu used Reverse Summoning to return to the vicinity of Orochimaru's residence. Three months had passed, and Orochimaru had naturally long since disappeared.

Shiyu randomly approached a passerby and learned that today was the day of the Chunin Exams.

"Oh no! I'm probably going to be late!" Shiyu rushed towards the Chunin Selection venue without thinking.

Inside the Chunin Selection arena, the Third Hokage sat high on the dais of the viewing platform, flanked by two of Konoha's advisors. Apart from Danzo, all the prominent figures from Konoha High Command were present.

The Third Hokage asked, "Has Shiyu not appeared yet?"

Mitokado Homura shook his head and said, "I didn't see it."

Utatane Koharu said, "Third Hokage, if he doesn't show up soon, we'll have to draw lots."

Mitokado Homura also suggested, "Let's draw lots first! Since he's a favorite to win, we can relax the rules a bit and put him in the last match."

The Third Hokage nodded and said, "That's the only way. Let's begin the lottery!"

The Chunin Selection venue was bustling with activity, the audience packed with people, as it was the largest and most prestigious Chunin Exams of the Second Shinobi World War.

The audience seats circled the venue, and every seat was filled, demonstrating the grand scale of the event.

The contestants were all waiting in the waiting room.

After receiving the message, the examiner announced, "The exam is about to begin! The drawing of lots will now commence!"

"Why hasn't Shiyu arrived yet? We agreed to learn Hyuga Style Taijutsu together, but he just mysteriously disappeared. Kurenai is quite worried."

"Yeah! This guy even promised to learn the Kakashi Sword Style from my dad, but it seems like he's vanished into thin air; we can't find him at all." Nao also very puzzled.

Katsuhira Yoshida, standing with Violet, also frowned. "I wonder what Shiyu is up to? He's still waiting to go on stage?"

"Shiyu, what happened that delayed you? I have absolutely no confidence against him." Lin lost her will to fight just thinking about Shiyu.