Iwagakure had brought an impressive lineup this time.
Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, and Akatsuchi.
Among those participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams were Jingxin, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Karin.
They were accompanied by three Anbu squads made up of elite jonin.
Konoha had barely changed since Jingxin had left.
It was still just as prosperous and lively.
Everyone was assigned rooms at an inn. Ōnoki gave Jingxin a few reminders, then took Kitsuchi to the Hokage Building to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kurotsuchi gazed at the bustling scene outside the window and stretched. "This event seems pretty big~"
Quite a few villages were participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams this time: Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.
There were also many other villages.
Experts from all over had gathered. Who knew what kind of monsters they might encounter?
But~
At the thought of Jingxin, Kurotsuchi couldn't help feeling a little excited.
No matter how strong the Genin were, there was no way they could defeat Jingxin.
She could already picture Jingxin cutting a swath through the competition.
Kurotsuchi left her room and knocked on Jingxin's door.
"Come in."
"I knew you'd be cooped up in your room. You've been away so long—aren't you going out to look around?"
"Because this place isn't safe."
Jingxin held a handkerchief, gently wiping his ninja blade as if deep in thought.
This inn was used by Konoha to accommodate foreign guests. Among those participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams was a madman who killed people at the drop of a hat.
If he went on a rampage, even an elite jonin might not be able to stop him.
In fact, Jingxin was considering Deidara's temperament and trying to keep him from provoking Gaara.
If Jingxin hadn't been there at the time, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, Karin, and Yeying would have been in danger.
That was why Jingxin wasn't going out: he could sense that the source of that dangerous chakra was still in the inn.
"Ha~" Kurotsuchi came over with a grin. "Little brother Kintsuchi really is so considerate~ If I hadn't asked, would you have just kept protecting us without saying a word?"
Jingxin: "..."
"Come on, let's go for a walk~" Kurotsuchi tugged at Jingxin. "I'm curious to see what Konoha's like, too."
Jingxin sighed, stood up, and picked up the mask on the table. "Get Deidara and Karin."
A few minutes later, they gathered in the hallway.
Then they ran into another Genin squad that was also getting ready to "look around." Judging by their outfits, they were probably from Sunagakure.
"There are so many handsome guys in Konoha~" The girl with four buns tied at the back of her head looked around excitedly. "Unlike ours..."
Then she turned to look at Kankuro beside her.
"..." Kankuro's mouth twitched. "Don't forget our mission."
They were heading out to secretly gather intelligence on the layout of the Konoha Shinobi Village.
Temari seemed to ignore him, her voice a little urgent. "Why hasn't Gaara come out yet?"
"I told you." A sinister voice came from behind them. "Don't talk about me behind my back."
Kankuro gave Temari a look, and she forced an awkward smile. "Anyway, let's start the mission now."
The three of them headed out together, but soon only Temari and Kankuro remained.
"Hm? Where's Gaara?"
Kankuro looked back, his pupils suddenly contracting.
Gaara was leaning against the corner of the hallway, his expression anguished, as if he were at his limit.
And right in front of him, Jingxin and the others happened to be passing by.
"Hey?!" Kankuro frowned. "What did you do to Gaara?"
Taken aback by the baseless accusation, Kurotsuchi said, "Huh? Why are you blaming us? Are you looking for a fight?"
Iwagakure and Konoha didn't get along.
Sunagakure and Iwagakure weren't on good terms either.
When the two sides met, they were ready to throw down at the slightest provocation.
Kankuro's expression hardened as he reached for the puppet Crow strapped to his back.
Fortunately, Temari was calm enough to immediately step between them. "Don't mind him. He's always been reckless."
Without waiting for a reply, she hurried over to Gaara and asked quietly, "Gaara... Gaara?"
Gaara's gaze seemed a little unfocused.
Temari grew anxious. "What's wrong?"
Kankuro hurried over as well, and immediately sensed that something was very wrong.
If Gaara went berserk here, their plan would already be halfway to failure.
However, what Temari and Kankuro hadn't expected was that Gaara's breathing suddenly grew very steady.
"So this is..."
"Sleepiness?"
Gaara's eyelids began to grow heavy. The strange cries of Shukaku in his ears faded away. He leaned against the hallway and watched Jingxin's retreating figure.
Kankuro swallowed and followed Gaara's gaze, beginning to feel relieved.
They all knew why Gaara couldn't sleep.
Now that Gaara was feeling drowsy, Shukaku must have quieted down.
Why had he quieted down?
Was it because of that masked Genin?
Good thing they hadn't actually started a fight just now...
A bead of cold sweat ran down Kankuro's forehead.
"I'm going to sleep." Gaara's voice was calmer and more rational than ever. "Don't disturb me."
He turned and walked deeper into the inn.
Night fell.
The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki; the elite Anbu jonin Yeying, Shifeng, and Goriki; and Jingxin gathered together.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi has revealed the details of the exams." Ōnoki placed a file in front of Jingxin, then looked toward Yeying.
As Jingxin picked up the file and began reading it,
Yeying said helplessly, "Konoha has too many experts. I only found the general location. It should be underground, with the entrance at Kage Rock—or perhaps the Hokage Building itself. Getting there won't be easy."
After Jingxin finished reading the Chunin Ninja Exams procedures, which were much the same as in the original story, he said, "This intelligence is enough. You've worked hard, Senior Yeying."
Shifeng continued, "Next, an assessment of their strength."
"Root's leader, Shimura Danzō, is a veteran Kage Level powerhouse with Wind Release chakra. He has at least two elite jonin under his command, though we don't know how many in total."
"But the Anbu are the real problem."
"In terms of both size and the number of experts, the Anbu are basically a greatly enhanced version of Root."
Ōnoki sneered after hearing that. "I don't know what that old fool Sarutobi was thinking. The Shinobi Hero couldn't even keep Root in check, and that led to the tragedy back then."
"Blood Gold, the Hokage and Anbu will be tied up by Sunagakure and Otogakure. Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, and I will respond to Konoha's call for help. Shifeng, Yeying, and Goriki will assist you."
"This is your first time facing a Kage Level opponent. I trust your strength, but I still have to remind you of one thing."
"Whatever happens, stay calm. Revenge comes second. Your safety is what matters most."
Jingxin replied earnestly, "I'll remember, Sensei."
Ōnoki nodded. "Goriki, take down the barrier. We won't be making a move anytime soon, so just sit back and watch Blood Gold's performance."
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