Passing the Second Trial, Lin Fan Surrounded

Sure enough, under Baki's soothing, Gaara's initially explosive rage quickly settled down.

After casting a gaze filled with intense, passionate emotion toward Lin Fan, he turned and flew off toward the Central Tower with Baki.

Lin Fan naturally understood exactly what kind of feelings that look from Gaara contained.

Because he harbored the One-Tail Shukaku within him, the people of Sunagakure had called him a monster since he was a child.

He had never had any friends, either.

In the original story, it was only after Naruto gave Gaara a brutal beating that the latter finally acknowledged his strength and became his one and only best friend.

Lin Fan couldn't help but hum softly: Today there is only a lingering shell, welcoming the glorious years, fighting through the wind and rain with my best friend.

"Let's go, sister!"

Kankuro also snapped out of his shock and spoke softly to Temari.

"Mm!"

Temari nodded gently, while reluctantly pulling her gaze away from Lin Fan.

She was now incredibly envious of Hinata, who had been saved by Lin Fan.

If only Lin Fan weren't an enemy of Konoha, how wonderful that would be.

Lin Fan then arrived at the location of Team 7 and Team 8 with a relaxed expression.

Seeing that Lin Fan had returned safe and sound, Hinata stepped forward and happily grabbed his arm to celebrate.

Lin Fan also affectionately patted Hinata's little head.

This guy Lin Fan, has he actually gotten stronger again?

When will I possess the power to be qualified to stand before that man and demand a thorough explanation!

Sasuke said with a look of resentment.

The Cursed Seal faintly acting up on his neck made him break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

"Come on, get on!"

Seeing Sasuke in this state, Naruto felt a pang of heartache.

He bent down and crouched directly in front of Sasuke.

"Loser, what do you think you're doing?"

Sasuke said with a cold expression.

"Looking at you like this, you won't be able to walk many more steps, right? Don't drag down the progress of Team 7."

"I'll carry you."

Naruto narrowed his eyes and said with a smile.

Although he was unwilling to accept it, under Naruto's repeated insistence, Sasuke eventually climbed onto Naruto's back.

Although the test in the Forest of Death gave the examinees five days to reach the Central Tower, it also meant having to spend the night in the forest.

The nights in the Forest of Death were filled with many venomous snakes and fierce beasts, and there was even the risk of enemy ambushes.

Lin Fan naturally did not want to linger in the forest for long.

Therefore, with both Team 7 and Team 8 having collected the Scroll of Heaven and Earth, the group discussed and decided to travel together to reach the Central Tower as soon as possible!

Just as the group was moving at high speed, they encountered Team 10 and Team 3 along the way.

"How is it? Have you all collected the heaven and earth scrolls?"

Lin Fan said with a smile to Neji and Shikamaru.

"Mm, we've collected them."

Neji said coldly to Lin Fan.

"Although it's a drag that we can't just surrender, fortunately, we got them easily."

Shikamaru said somewhat lazily, "Our Team 10 saw Great Fireballs and sandstorms not far off in the forest earlier, so we wanted to come over and see what was happening."

"Need you ask? Naturally, my big brother Lin Fan had a fight with that gourd-carrying kid who plays with sand."

"You guys didn't see it, but my big brother Lin Fan beat that dark-circled brat so hard his skin was literally peeling off his face!!!"

Naruto said at this moment with an excited expression.

So it really was like that. Has our strength reached a point where we are no longer on the same level as Lin Fan?

Shikamaru couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"Haha, Lin Fan-kun, you are truly so cool!!!"

Ino also looked at Lin Fan with eyes full of hearts.

"Lin Fan, I hope we have the chance to have a serious spar in the future."

Neji activated his Byakugan directly and said with a provocative look.

Hinata was so frightened that she shrank directly into Lin Fan's arms.

"Alright, no problem."

Lin Fan said calmly while soothing Hinata.

Meanwhile, Lee cast his gaze toward Naruto, who was carrying Sasuke on his back.

His eyes immediately blazed with excitement as he shouted: "Naruto-kun, is this how you usually train?"

"It's absolutely amazing! I must learn this too. Burn, my youth!!!!"

"Neji, get on!"

Lee immediately bent down and positioned himself in front of Neji.

"No, get lost. I refuse!"

Neji turned his head away, saying with a face full of disdain.

Undeterred, Lee immediately hoisted Choji, the chubby guy on the other side, onto his back and vanished from everyone's sight in an instant.

The Konoha 13, representing the future of Konoha, flew toward the Central Tower together.

On the other side, inside the Hokage's office.

Anko Mitarashi said with a grave expression: "Lord Third, Orochimaru has come to Konoha. His targets are likely Lin Fan and Sasuke."

"Furthermore, I fear he will take further action. Should we suspend the Chunin Exams immediately?"

Huu.

"The exams can no longer be suspended. We have already invited the Daimyo of various nations to come to Konoha to witness the grandeur of the Chunin Exams."

"If we suspend the exams now, I fear it would trigger a public opinion crisis from all sides!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a breath of murky air and said leisurely.

"Then what should we do next?"

Anko Mitarashi asked, puzzled.

"We have no choice but to send people to protect Lin Fan and Sasuke. Both of them are pillars of Konoha's future; we must not let Orochimaru take them away!!!"

"As for that wicked disciple, if he truly intends to stir up trouble in my Konoha, then this old bag of bones shall have to move as well!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly.

The next day.

Inside the Forest of Death.

The Central Tower, shrouded in mist, stood like a pillar supporting the heavens, piercing the sky.

Lin Fan and the remaining Konoha 13 arrived together.

As soon as they reached the tower's summit, everyone saw Lee, who had arrived two hours early, flashing a smile that revealed his perfectly straight eight teeth.

Beside him was Choji, who was foaming at the mouth and twitching all over.

"Yoshi, congratulations on reaching the Central Tower!!!"

The person who emerged from the tower was none other than Iruka.

"Iruka-sensei, long time no see! I've really missed you!"

After Naruto said this emotionally, he opened his arms and lunged at Iruka.

"I've missed you too, Naruto."

"You brat, you didn't even think to come see your teacher after graduating. Do you know how lonely I was at the academy without you?"

Iruka said with equal excitement.

The two then began to fawn over each other, thick with affection, pouring out their hearts.

The others watched this scene with black lines on their faces. Shall we just leave?

Subsequently, the proctor for the second stage, Anko Mitarashi, also walked out.

"Congratulations, you have passed this assessment in the Forest of Death!!!!"

After confirming that the Heaven and Earth scrolls held by the four teams were intact, she said with a smile.

Thus, led by Iruka and Anko Mitarashi, everyone entered the tower together.

There were now three days remaining until the end of the second stage of the exams.

The candidates who had completed the exam had to register first.

At this moment, Kakashi, Might Guy, and Asuma, the three elite jonin, appeared in the tower one after another.

They surrounded Lin Fan directly.

.The work Naruto: Starting with Infinite Skill Points by Shenqi Xiao Sima.