Return to Konoha

The lineup from Iwagakure this time could be called luxurious.

Ōnoki, Kitsuchi, and Akatsuchi.

Participating in the Chunin Exams were Jingxin, Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Karin.

In addition, there was an Anbu squad composed of three elite jonin.

Konoha was much the same as when Jingxin had left; it had hardly changed at all.

It remained just as prosperous and bustling.

The group was settled into an inn, and after Ōnoki gave Jingxin a few words of instruction, he took Kitsuchi to the Hokage Building to meet with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Kurotsuchi looked at the lively scene outside the window and stretched. "The scale of this event seems huge, doesn't it?"

There were quite a few factions participating in this Chunin Exam: Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.

There were also many other villages.

With experts from all walks of life gathered here, there was no telling what kind of monsters they might encounter.

However~

Whenever she thought of Jingxin, Kurotsuchi couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

No matter how powerful the other genin were, there was absolutely no possibility of them defeating Jingxin.

She seemed to be able to envision the scene of Jingxin sweeping through the competition already.

Kurotsuchi left her room and knocked on Jingxin's door.

"Come in."

"You really were staying in your room. You haven't been back for so long—aren't you going out to look around?"

"Because this place isn't exactly safe."

Jingxin held a handkerchief, gently wiping his ninja blade as if he were deep in thought.

This inn was used by Konoha to host foreign guests, and among those participating in the Chunin Exams, there was a madman who would kill at the drop of a hat.

If he were to truly go on a rampage, even elite jonin might not be able to stop him.

In fact, Jingxin was considering Deidara's personality and trying to prevent him from provoking Gaara.

If Jingxin hadn't been present at the time, then Deidara, Kurotsuchi, Karin, and Yeying would have been in danger.

This was the reason Jingxin wouldn't leave; he could sense that the dangerous chakra source was still in the inn.

"Ha~" Kurotsuchi walked over with a grin. "Little brother Kintsuchi is truly gentle~ If I hadn't asked, were you just going to protect us in silence?"

Jingxin: "..."

"Let's go, let's go~ Let's go look around." Kurotsuchi pulled on Jingxin. "I'm curious about what Konoha is like, too."

Jingxin sighed, stood up, and picked up the mask resting on the table. "Call Deidara and Karin."

A few minutes later, the group gathered in the hallway.

They then encountered another team of genin who were preparing to "stroll around"; judging by their attire, they were from Sunagakure.

"There are so many handsome guys in Konoha~" The girl with four buns in her hair looked around excitedly. "Unlike ours..."

She then looked at Kankuro beside her.

"..." Kankuro's mouth twitched. "Don't forget our mission."

This trip out was an opportunity to collect intelligence on the terrain of Konoha.

Temari seemed to ignore this, her tone a bit urgent. "Why hasn't Gaara come out yet?"

"I said," a sinister voice came from behind them, "do not discuss me behind my back."

Kankuro gave Temari a look, and the latter offered an awkward smile. "In any case, let's start the mission now."

The three of them walked together, stepping out of the inn, but only Temari and Kankuro remained.

"Hm? Where is Gaara?"

Kankuro looked back, his pupils suddenly constricting.

He saw Gaara leaning against the corner of the hallway, his expression extremely pained, as if he were holding back to 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?"

Faced with this baseless accusation, Kurotsuchi asked in surprise, "Ha? Why are you framing us? Are you looking for a fight?"

The relationship between Iwagakure and Konoha was not very good.

The relationship between Sunagakure and Iwagakure was not much better.

When the two sides met, they were ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Kankuro's expression turned fierce as he raised his hand to the Crow puppet on his back.

Fortunately, Temari remained relatively calm and immediately blocked the space between the two sides. "Please don't mind him; he's just used to being reckless."

After speaking, she did not wait for a reply, instead walking quickly toward Gaara and asking in a low voice, "Gaara... Gaara?"

Gaara's gaze seemed somewhat unfocused.

Temari felt a sense of urgency rising in her heart: "What is wrong with you?"

Kankuro also hurried over, immediately sensing that something was very wrong.

If Gaara were to lose control here, their plan could be considered half-failed.

However, to the surprise of Temari and Kankuro, Gaara's breathing suddenly became extremely steady.

"Is this..."

"Sleepiness?"

Gaara's eyelids began to grow heavy, and the screeching of Shukaku in his ears vanished. He leaned against the corridor, his gaze fixed on the retreating back of Jingxin.

Kankuro swallowed hard, following Gaara's gaze, and began to feel a sense of relief in his heart.

They all knew the reason why Gaara could not sleep.

Now that Gaara felt sleepy, it must mean that Shukaku had quieted down.

Why had it quieted down?

Did it have something to do with that masked genin?

It was fortunate they hadn't actually fought just now...

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Kankuro's forehead.

"I am going to sleep." Gaara's voice was calmer and more rational than it had ever been: "Do not disturb me."

He turned and walked toward the depths of the inn.

Night.

Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the Anbu elite jonin squad consisting of Yeying, Shifeng, and Goriki, along with Jingxin, gathered together.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi has already revealed the contents of the competition." Ōnoki took out a document and pushed it in front of Jingxin, then cast his gaze toward Yeying.

As Jingxin picked up the document to flip through it.

Yeying's voice sounded somewhat helpless: "There are too many experts in Konoha. I only managed to find the general location; it should be underground. The entrance is either at the Hokage Rock or perhaps directly within the Hokage Building. Getting there will not be a simple matter."

After Jingxin finished reading the Chunin Exam procedures, which were similar to the original story, he spoke up: "Knowing this information is enough. Thank you for your hard work, Senior Yeying."

Shifeng continued: "Next is the assessment of strength."

"The leader of Root, Shimura Danzō, is a veteran Kage-level powerhouse with wind-attribute chakra. His subordinates include at least two elite jonin, and the total number is unknown."

"However, the truly troublesome ones are the Anbu."

"Regardless of scale or the number of experts, the Anbu is essentially a super-enhanced version of Root."

Upon hearing this, Ōnoki sneered: "I truly don't know what that old fellow Hiruzen is thinking. A dignified 'Professor' of ninjutsu, yet he cannot suppress Root, leading to the tragedies of the past."

"Blood Gold, when the time comes, the Hokage and the Anbu will be held back by Sunagakure and Otogakure. I, along with Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi, will accept Konoha's request for aid, while Shifeng, Yeying, and Goriki will coordinate with your actions."

"This is your first time facing a Kage-level powerhouse. I have full confidence in your strength, but I must still offer a reminder."

"No matter what happens, you must remain calm. Revenge is secondary; your safety is the priority."

Jingxin said earnestly: "Teacher, I have remembered everything."

Ōnoki nodded: "Goriki, deactivate the concealment barrier. There will be no action for a short time; just watch Blood Gold's performance as usual."