In Wind and Rain, The Exam Hall Awaits You~

"Why are you blushing? I told you to look at that Anbu."

Ino watched Hinata's face turn increasingly pink, a vein pulsing on her forehead.

"Th-that..." Hinata deactivated her Byakugan, shifting her gaze away from Jingxin: "It's him."

He was still alive!

Ino took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, a measure of reason had returned to her gaze.

"You cannot tell anyone about this, do you understand? Hinata."

"Huh?"

"He is our comrade. Regardless of the reason, he must have had his difficulties. We need to ask him clearly in person," Ino explained. "If you reveal his identity, it will likely trigger a conflict between both sides."

"When that happens... people will die."

Hinata was startled by Ino's grim expression, then nodded obediently.

"Mm~ go on then." Ino felt very gratified. She turned off the flashlight that had been shining obliquely on her face, then walked openly to Jingxin's side, sat down, and stared straight at him.

Jingxin swallowed hard.

"Heh heh~" Ino chuckled, her laughter growing increasingly wicked: "Hahaha~ you~~~~ you~~~~~~~"

Jingxin: "..."

Fortunately, Morino Ibiki appeared, interrupting her arrogance.

Morino Ibiki stood at the podium, explaining the rules of the exam.

Ino whispered to Jingxin from below: "How have you been all these years?"

Jingxin knew that if he didn't speak, Ino would never let it go.

Having no other choice, Jingxin replied: "We'll talk after the Chunin Exams end."

Ino winked and made faces at him: "I get it~ I get it~~ I won't reveal a thing."

Their conversation was heard clearly by Kurotsuchi on Jingxin's other side, and she tilted her head to size Ino up.

Almost instantly, Kurotsuchi understood exactly what kind of person this girl was.

The movement was too obvious, and Ino noticed Kurotsuchi, locking eyes with her.

Kurotsuchi pursed her lips, a flash of craftiness appearing in her dark eyes: "We are already engaged."

"Ah!!!!"

The sudden shriek startled everyone in the exam hall, drawing all eyes toward them.

Jingxin: "..."

Morino Ibiki barked: "What are you doing?! Genin!"

"I..." Ino wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and explained: "I was just startled by the rules you mentioned."

Morino Ibiki: "..."

He did indeed want to create an atmosphere of panic.

But don't be so dramatic about it!

The atmosphere he had worked so hard to build had been completely obliterated by Ino's inexplicable scream.

"Forget it," Morino Ibiki said. "If anyone dares to disregard discipline once the exam begins, they will be kicked out immediately. Is there anyone who wants to withdraw now?"

There was dead silence below.

For some reason, Morino Ibiki's chest heaved, and a few veins bulged on his forehead: "The exam begins now!"

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

After the exam ended, Ino didn't return home with the other Konoha ninja; instead, she trailed the Iwagakure genin for several streets.

Seeing that they were about to reach the inn, Kurotsuchi finally couldn't help but turn around and drag her out.

Ino looked around, asking in confusion: "Are you talking to me?"

Kurotsuchi narrowed her eyes, which glinted with a dangerous light.

"That... ahem~" Ino said bluntly: "This isn't the place to talk. You'll know in a moment."

Oh?

You want to wait until later?

Once we get back to the inn and see Grandfather Ōnoki and the three elite jonin, it won't be so easy for you to leave.

Kurotsuchi also knew that Jingxin was special, so she didn't say anything more and turned to quicken her pace.

The group returned to the inn together.

To show their sincerity, Konoha had placed no surveillance here, Konoha ninja.

To avoid escalating the situation, Kurotsuchi spoke to Ino again: "I know what you mean, but we are already engaged."

"But you aren't married yet, are you?" Ino shrugged: "What's the rush?"

Kurotsuchi: "..."

Karin looked at Kurotsuchi with curiosity: "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

Deidara was completely clueless about this and scratched his head: "What a drag, yeah."

He turned and left.

The three girls instantly focused their gazes on Jingxin.

Jingxin raised his hand to remove his mask, revealing that handsome face both familiar and strange to Ino.

"It really is you!" Ino raised her hand to pat her slightly heaving chest: "You wouldn't understand; no one knows how happy I am right now."

Kurotsuchi stared at Ino with a look of displeasure.

Karin was also full of vigilance.

Jingxin swept his gaze over the three girls and spoke: "Everyone go back to your own places. We can talk about anything else after the Chunin Exams."

After saying this, he turned and walked toward his room.

Ino wanted to say something but stopped; she was truly curious, but given Jingxin's words, she had no choice but to turn and leave.

Kurotsuchi and Karin watched Ino's retreating figure.

Kurotsuchi suddenly spoke: "She is much more troublesome than you, though it's a good thing she's from Konoha."

"Sister Kurotsuchi, what are you saying?" Karin looked blank: "I don't understand."

This was called feigning weakness.

Karin knew deep down that she had no advantage compared to Kurotsuchi.

Whether it was her physical development or those "terrifyingly" long legs.

But Jingxin had saved her and her mother; he granted her every request and was the person who treated her best in life besides her mother. She would not change her choice.

At times like this, one had to be a bit "ruthless," otherwise, she feared there would be no happiness in the future.

First, stabilize Kurotsuchi, then launch a surprise attack on Jingxin.

I don't care about this or that; I'll just secure him first.

Hehehe~

Kurotsuchi looked at Karin with disgust: "Can you hide when you're grinning like that?"

Karin: "..."

On the outskirts of the Forest of Death.

Numerous genin were gathered.

This group of genin formed a circle, clearly watching the commotion.

In the shadows, Anko Mitarashi observed secretly.

It wasn't that she didn't want to step out, but she decided to finish eating this melon first.

Because this matter was truly too bizarre.

A few genin from Kusagakure were actually picking a fight in front of that group of Iwa-nin.

And the Iwa-nin leading them had an unbelievably good temper, not even retorting once.

"Do we need to prove that your Iwagakure snatched our ninja?"

"She was originally our property. Do you know how great our losses were after you plundered her away?"

"How many people didn't receive timely treatment and watched their lives drain away in agony?"

Karin hid behind Jingxin, her expression dim; she was clearly remembering something unpleasant.

Kurotsuchi was soothing her in a soft voice.

Although the two were competitors in certain aspects, they were comrades first.

Deidara didn't make a sound either; he knew Jingxin would handle this matter, and his gaze fell upon the three Kusagakure ninja as if he were looking at a group of dead men.

When the other party finally stopped their clamor.

Jingxin's voice was somewhat muffled due to the mask, but it was very calm: "Find me after the exam begins, and I will give you a satisfactory answer."