Chunin... Exams?

The first thing Ling Xuan did after returning was dismiss all the Shadow Clones he had left behind in the village.

In an instant, a flood of information poured into his mind. During this time, the clones he had left behind had been working through various basic theories, deeply analyzing Chakra Nature Transformation, and practicing Sealing Jutsu...

All the information merged perfectly with his original memories at that moment.

Ling Xuan's brain was like a computer that had just completed a system upgrade, becoming more powerful and efficient.

The mission in the Land of Waves was immensely rewarding. Ling Xuan silently took stock.

First, he had obtained combat data on Zabuza Momochi and Haku, especially Haku's Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, which provided valuable examples for analyzing how different chakra natures could be combined.

Second, actual combat had allowed him to test the effectiveness of his self-created Wind-Flame Spiral and Miniature Wind Blade, while also giving him data to improve them.

Third, he had successfully recruited Zabuza and Haku. They would become a pair of eyes outside the village and provide a secret base for gathering resources and intelligence. This covert network would play a vital role in the future.

Finally, and most importantly, fighting ninjas of Kakashi and Zabuza's caliber had given Ling Xuan a clear understanding of his current strength and the gap between him and the world's top fighters.

He opened his hand and looked at his still somewhat youthful palm. He was still weak. He had to grow stronger, and fast.

Ling Xuan created five Shadow Clones again. This time, their assignments were more clearly defined and more advanced.

Clone One began researching an entirely new subject: how to create a jutsu that could transmit chakra signals over long distances, one way, and in an encrypted form.

He needed to solve this problem in order to establish a stable communication channel with Zabuza, who was far away in the Land of Waves.

Clone Two combined all the combat data on Ice Release with the library's theories on Wind and Water Release chakra natures, then began a bold experiment: reverse-engineering how Kekkei Genkai were formed.

Ling Xuan wanted to know whether Kekkei Genkai truly came from inherited bloodlines, or whether they were simply an exceptionally precise technique for combining chakra at specific frequencies.

While continuing to refine the Domain of Silence Sealing Jutsu, Clone Three began designing a new training seal for Ling Xuan's own use.

The seal would place a slight, constant chakra load on Ling Xuan's body during his daily activities, allowing him to train his chakra control and physical endurance around the clock.

Clones Four and Five took part in even more intense Taijutsu and ninjutsu sparring, incorporating Kakashi and Zabuza's fighting styles into their mock battles.

After this mission, Ling Xuan's training factory officially entered the 2.0 era.

Weeks slipped quietly by in days that seemed peaceful, yet simmered with undercurrents.

Team 7 continued to carry out all sorts of boring D-rank missions, but everyone could feel that the team's atmosphere had changed completely.

Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry had become more focused, Sakura had begun studying of her own accord, and all three of them felt a reflexive trust and respect toward Ling Xuan.

That day, after they completed yet another D-rank mission—handing out flyers to shops on the commercial street—Kakashi summoned the four of them to Training Ground 7.

"All right, brats." Kakashi pulled four application forms from his vest and spoke lazily. "The boring days are over."

"As your leader and jōnin instructor, Hatake Kakashi, I'm recommending you for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"The Chunin... Exams?!" Naruto's eyes lit up at once. "Awesome! I finally get to show what I can do!"

Sasuke's gaze sharpened too. The Chunin Exams meant a chance to fight strong ninja from other villages. It was the perfect opportunity to test the results of his training and take another step toward that man.

Sakura, on the other hand, looked nervous and worried.

Ling Xuan calmly took the application form. His face showed no emotion, but his Eye of Truth was already working at full speed.

The Chunin Exams...

Genin elites from the Five Great Shinobi Villages would gather in one place. It was the perfect opportunity to collect data on each village's ninjutsu, Kekkei Genkai, and the combat abilities of its prodigies.

Several names surfaced in Ling Xuan's mind.

Sunagakure's Jinchūriki, Gaara. The Hyuga Clan's prodigy, Neji Hyuga. And the one who would surely appear, lurking in the shadows—the S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha...

Orochimaru.

Ling Xuan looked at the application form and picked up his pen. In the space for participants, he wrote his name.

In the weeks after Kakashi announced his recommendation for the team to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams, time flew by amid a near-burning intensity of training.

Each member of Team 7 made a final push in their own way for the gathering of elite ninja from the Five Great Shinobi Villages that was fast approaching.

Naruto was the loudest and most tireless of them all.

Under Kakashi's guidance, he stopped focusing solely on increasing the number of Shadow Clones he could make and began learning how to use them effectively in coordinated tactics.

Luring enemies, feints, creating confusion...

Naruto's fighting style was shifting from single-minded brute force toward the beginnings of teamwork. His chakra control had also improved considerably through his endless Water Walking competitions with Sasuke.

Sasuke was like a blade of fine steel thrown into the furnace, tempered again and again under intense pressure.

The battle in the Land of Waves had made him keenly aware of the gap between himself and a true powerhouse. Ling Xuan's foresight and ability to see through everything had made him feel more pressed for time than ever.

He relentlessly pushed every ounce of his potential. Taijutsu, Shurikenjutsu, Fire Style...

He honed every skill to the limit of what his body could currently manage. He even asked Kakashi several times to teach him a stronger jutsu: the Lightning Release technique that could cry out like a thousand birds.

Sakura had changed too. She no longer devoted all her thoughts to Sasuke, instead pouring much of her energy into studying theory and learning the basics of Medical Ninjutsu.

During the battle in the Land of Waves, being the only "noncombatant" had left her feeling helpless and like a burden. The feeling had cut deep, making her long to contribute something real to the team, even if it was only bandaging a wound.

On the surface, Ling Xuan simply took part in Team 7's regular training sessions and performed flawlessly. In reality, his training had long since reached another dimension, proceeding around the clock with terrifying efficiency.

The training seal he had invented for himself had completed its final adjustments. The miniature array inscribed on his body continuously applied a slight resistance to the flow of chakra throughout his body, like rowing against the current.