Chunin Exams

A mountain breeze swept through, and in the Sound Village, dozens of people stood in a circle, with Orochimaru in the center explaining his plan.

Suddenly, a sound came from the nearby trees, and everyone grew alert, casting their gazes toward the source.

It was Feng Yao, who had just returned from Shikkotsu Forest.

Feng Yao slowly scanned the circle, his sharp, piercing gaze making those around him afraid to meet his eyes.

"Yao-kun, you've finally returned. Hehehe, I thought you had given up on your revenge."

Seeing that it was Feng Yao, Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief. After returning, he had heard that Feng Yao had left and had even sent people out to search for him.

The search had yielded nothing; if Feng Yao had run off, he would have lost a perfectly peerless vessel.

"Hmph, has the plan already begun?"

Feng Yao glanced at Orochimaru and went straight to the point. It was already nearly July; the Chunin Exams were approaching.

According to the plot, Orochimaru would first send three Sound ninja to participate in the Chunin Exams in Konoha, while he himself would impersonate the Fourth Kazekage to launch the Konoha Destruction Plan during the exams.

"Of course. In a few days, Konoha will host the Chunin Exams. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter Konoha openly. I will also send my subordinates to infiltrate the village. We will coordinate with Sunagakure to destroy Konoha from within and without. By then, Yao-kun, you will surely get what you wish for."

Orochimaru cast a subtle, ambiguous smile toward Feng Yao.

Strange, how did Orochimaru manage to impersonate the Kazekage back then?

Kimimaro is here, and Kabuto should be in Konoha; logically, Orochimaru should be in Sunagakure right now.

Could it be that my appearance resulted in the Fourth Kazekage not dying at Orochimaru's hands?

"Naturally. From this day forward, there will be no more Konoha Ninja Village."

Feng Yao replied in an icy tone. Though his voice was not loud, everyone present could feel his chilling killing intent.

The expressions of those present varied. Some did not yet know Feng Yao, while Tayuya stood with her hands clasped, looking like a little fan girl.

"Oh, right, let me introduce you to the ninja from my Sound Village who will be heading to Konoha this time." Orochimaru smiled broadly and pointed out the few who were to go.

First were the full Sound Four. Kimimaro was not yet terminally ill at this time, which proved that he had not clashed with Orochimaru when he encountered the Fourth Kazekage.

In addition, there were Zaku, Dosu, and Kin, who were participating in the exams.

Congratulations to the Host for triggering the mission: Seize the Top Spot. Mission requirements: Obtain first place in the Chunin Exams held in Konoha. Reward: One random draw.

Slogan: Young man, others are already Chunin at this age, and you aren't even a Genin. Go prove yourself.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yao exploded in anger.

"Damn it, don't you know the situation with this Chunin Exam? It's riddled with crises, and fighting could break out at any moment. You want me to participate in some damn Chunin Exam?"

But the system ignored him. He silently gave the system the middle finger; his current mission count had already piled up to three.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet.

"I think I also need a legitimate identity. Let one of these three give up their spot for me."

Feng Yao's voice was low, but his tone was filled with an unquestionable authority as he spoke to the three Sound ninja.

Zaku, Dosu, and Kin looked at each other. Feng Yao had always kept to himself, and they had no idea who he was.

"Why should we give up our spot to you? Who do you think you are? This is Lord Orochimaru's order."

Dosu stepped forward and directly challenged Feng Yao.

"Hmm, you'll do just fine. You're already wrapped in bandages, so I won't have to put much effort into my disguise."

Whoosh.

Before Dosu could react, Feng Yao was already behind him, pressing his hand against the back of his head and slamming him directly into the ground.

A crisp sound echoed as the forehead protector struck the floor.

Gravel and blood splattered everywhere. Orochimaru frowned as he watched.

Although he didn't care much for the life of this subordinate, the fact that the other party had attacked right in front of him was bold, but now was not the time to fall out.

"Hehe, Yao-kun, spare him. He didn't mean to be disrespectful to you. I agree to your request."

Hearing Orochimaru say this, Feng Yao released the back of Dosu's head. The man had been knocked unconscious by the violent impact.

The surrounding people should have been angry at this sight, but under the influence of Feng Yao's aura, no one made a sound—though it was also possible they were simply terrified of him...

It was late at night, and the sky was gloomy with low-hanging dark clouds, a sign that a storm was brewing.

A great war was about to begin.

The next day.

Feng Yao, Zaku, and Kin were traveling along a mountain path.

At this moment, Feng Yao's face was covered in bandages, and he wore a Sound ninja forehead protector, revealing only one deep blue eye.

"Feng... Lord Dosu, are you hungry? I have some food here."

Kin stepped forward to ask Feng Yao questions in a friendly manner. Since he was disguising his identity, Feng Yao instructed them to address him as Dosu as well.

Kin had been completely captivated by the aura radiating from Feng Yao, and she spent the entire journey fawning over him.

"Tell me, System, can this passive ability be turned off? It's too annoying. Every person I meet wants to cling to me. If I lose my integrity like this, wouldn't that be..."

"Host, given your current level, you probably can't turn it off yet. This is a treatment others would kill to have, you know."

The System's voice wasn't cold, but rather carried a hint of teasing.

"Even so, I don't want to accept everyone's..." Feng Yao sighed inwardly.

After rejecting her, he quickened his pace, and soon, a large village appeared before his eyes.

Feng Yao stared at it for a moment.

His gaze filled with reminiscence and self-reproach, and he suddenly closed his eyes and knelt on the ground.

He was bowing in the direction of his former home.

Zaku and Kin could not understand what Feng Yao was kneeling for.

"Feng Yao has returned this time with two people to kill and one village to destroy. I hope Father and Mother can rest in peace in the afterlife; your child will give you both justice."

Having finished his silent vow, he led the somewhat confused Zaku and Kin toward Konoha.

At the main gate of the village, only one Jonin and a few Chunin were responsible for guarding and checking entry permits.

Most of the others were stationed at various points throughout the village, ensuring the security of the upcoming exams.

Feng Yao stepped forward, produced his permit, and handed it to the guards for inspection. Once confirmed, he walked into Konoha in broad daylight.

Not long after moving forward, he heard the sound of an argument ahead.

"Kid, that hurts."

"Fatty, let him go!"

That was Naruto's voice! Feng Yao recognized it immediately; it seemed he had just happened upon Gaara's team.

He leaped onto a tree to observe the situation ahead.

"Don't embarrass me here..."

A calm, indifferent voice drifted from a nearby tree. It belonged to a boy with fair skin and heavy dark circles under his eyes. The most distinctive feature was the character for "Love" carved into his left forehead—it was Gaara.

"Lord Dosu, that seems to be a ninja from Sunagakure."

Kin whispered from the side, but Sasuke heard her and immediately flicked a pebble at them.

"Who's there? Stop hiding."

Feng Yao caught the projectile with one hand and had no choice but to land and reveal himself.

"This forehead protector is... a ninja from Otogakure?" Temari looked at the protector, lost in thought.

Naruto squinted his eyes upon seeing Feng Yao, as if pondering something.

Then, he suddenly shouted, "Aren't you that kid who helped Zabuza escape in the Land of Waves? How did you grow so tall! Why are you coming to our village?"

Sasuke and Sakura both widened their eyes, re-evaluating Feng Yao. Although there was a difference in height and build, those deep blue eyes could not be mistaken.

This was indeed the ninja who had even defeated Kakashi-sensei.

Feng Yao was instantly stunned. Was his plan to attack Konoha going to end before it even began?

However, seeing that they were only surprised and didn't seem to know his name was Feng Yao, he wondered: had Kakashi not informed Danzo of his appearance?

"Ahem, you must have mistaken me for someone else. We've only just met."

Feng Yao continued to bluff. He wouldn't admit it outright; there was no telling how many eyes were watching in this village.

But Sasuke clearly had no intention of listening to his explanation. Ever since that incident, Sasuke had been desperate to grow stronger.

Especially after seeing Feng Yao, who was around his own age, in the Land of Waves, his resolve had only hardened. He rushed forward and threw a kick at Feng Yao.

"I'll know if I test you."

But how could the current Sasuke be a match for Feng Yao?

He grabbed Sasuke's ankle, pulled him forward, used the momentum to spin his body, and then seized him by the back of the neck.

"Don't be impulsive. We are only here to participate in the exams."

Once restrained by Feng Yao, Sasuke noticeably quieted down.

The pure aura radiating from Feng Yao diluted the darkness and hatred in his heart. For a moment, he didn't even struggle.

He felt that the words spoken by the man behind him could bring him peace, and he inexplicably wanted to do as he said.

"Don't hurt Sasuke!"

Seeing Sasuke captured, Sakura shouted anxiously from the side.

Naruto's gaze turned sharp, his hand resting on the Kunai at his waist, ready to strike at any moment.