Chunin Exams

"Jiraiya-senpai, Orochimaru may attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams. In the coming days, or during the exams themselves, it would be best for you to lie in ambush and launch a surprise attack once he makes his move."

"Rest assured. If Orochimaru dares to strike this time, a net of heaven and earth laid by Konoha awaits him. I should thank you for saving Gekko Hayate; it allowed us to learn of the conspiracy between Orochimaru and the Land of Wind in advance."

Jiraiya spoke to Yi Xiang with a rare, solemn gravity, as if capturing Orochimaru was his absolute top priority at the moment.

It seems Konoha has been exchanging intelligence with you all along. With this, the enemy's strength shouldn't be enough to threaten the Third Hokage.

Just as Yi Xiang wore a thoughtful expression, Jiraiya suddenly reverted to his usual lecherous grin.

"Yi Xiang, you haven't used the Transformation Technique for me to reference today. I've found that among all the material I've gathered recently, yours remains the most eye-catching. Hehe~"

Yi Xiang immediately sought an excuse to take his leave and change locations; his goal had already been achieved.

"Jiraiya-senpai, you should focus on training Naruto! I have matters to attend to, see you next time!"

In the blink of an eye, Yi Xiang's figure vanished from before Jiraiya, clearly having departed via the Body Flicker Technique.

Regardless of whether the Third Hokage falls this time, as long as I gather enough for a ten-pull, no one can stop me. Danzo must die a miserable death!

As his thoughts raced, Yi Xiang grew annoyed regarding the location where Kakashi was training Sasuke. Last year, he could have learned the Chidori from Kakashi, but he kept dragging his feet until the release of the system mission provided him with full motivation.

Meanwhile, in an underground base in Konoha, the headquarters of the Root organization.

"Monitor the movements of the Chunin Exams at all times. If the Hokage falls, act according to the original orders. If he is still alive, then record everything that happens from the shadows."

Danzo's already gloomy face grew even uglier, for with the enemy intelligence intercepted by Gekko Hayate and the addition of Jiraiya, it would be difficult for the Third Hokage to suffer an accident at the hands of Orochimaru.

"Yes!"

The Root members who bowed respectfully to Danzo were like marionettes, their speech monotonous. Their expressions were eternally unchanging, making them masters of facial expression management.

At the end of the month, tomorrow was the day the Chunin Exams would begin.

"Naruto, it's just that brat Neji Hyuga, are you still worried about not being able to beat him? Should I sneak over and bury him later? That way, you'll be declared the winner of the first match immediately."

Eating Three-Color Dango with pink, white, and green flavors, Yi Xiang spoke as if he would do it to his satisfaction the moment Naruto nodded.

The commercial street of Konoha at night remained boisterous, with diners in the meat shops chatting and laughing. Men in the taverns boasted and joked, talking of nothing but the lithe figures of young women and other crude remarks, fully displaying their masculine nature.

"No, absolutely not! Brother Yi Xiang, even if I am a little worried about the outcome, how could I let you do something like that? Besides, I might not even lose!"

Naruto's worried and anxious expression dissipated for the most part, replaced by a serious rejection of Yi Xiang's bold and dishonorable proposal.

"That's fine too. I'll be watching the match tomorrow. If he dares to use heavy blows, I'll grab him and hang him up to beat him."

"You don't have to go that far... Don't worry, Brother Yi Xiang, I will definitely win."

Naruto gave a solemn guarantee. In his heart, he felt both joy at Yi Xiang's protection and a sudden urge to pray for Neji, hoping that he would lose to him in tomorrow's first match.

"It's a pity Sasuke is still in special training with Kakashi-sensei. Tonight's feast will have to be finished by the two of us! Hehehe."

The next morning, inside Yi Xiang's residence.

"Ding-a-ling-a-ling..."

Bang. After turning off the alarm, Yi Xiang felt a slight surprise. He had agreed on a time with Naruto, intending to wake him a few minutes before his own alarm, but now the alarm had rung and he didn't know if the boy had gone or not.

Naruto had long planned to live near Yi Xiang to make cooking more convenient. Since Yi Xiang's savings had increased significantly, he had simply spent a slightly higher price to purchase a one-bedroom apartment next door for Naruto to live in.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Naruto, have you gone to the match yet!"

"Co... coming, I'll be done washing up in a second!"

Naruto rubbed his sleepy eyes, hurriedly took off his pajamas, and changed into his orange jacket with the Uzumaki symbol. After a quick face wash and rinse, he dashed out the door.

By the time the two arrived at the competition venue, the surrounding area was already packed with civilians watching the event, and the proctoring ninjas below all stood with chests puffed out, facing the position where the Hokage sat in the center.

After strolling up to the spectator stands, Yi Xiang happened to see Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, walking toward the Hokage's seat with a fierce look in his eyes.

Just as Yi Xiang withdrew his gaze, Orochimaru, wearing the Kazekage's hat and a human-skin mask, suddenly stared at Yi Xiang, who was sitting in the position of Team Five, the corners of his mouth beneath the white veil curling high.

Not long after, Naruto relied on the Nine-Tails chakra within his body to narrowly win his first match.

In the second match, among the few people other than Yi Xiang, the other spectators were all surprised and regretful that Nara Shikamaru had conceded to Temari despite having a great advantage.

Compared to the majority of the audience who felt that Nara Shikamaru had suffered a massive loss, Yi Xiang smiled and thought:

What is a Chunin match worth? This guy Shikamaru has already won the heart of the princess of the Land of Sand. If he doesn't want to stay in Konoha in the future, going to the Land of Sand to become a royal noble also has a bright future.