The Third Hokage liked Yin Xiang more and more the longer he watched him. A child like Yin Xiang would have stood out even in the Warring States period, making a name for himself at such a young age, just like Kakashi. In fact, he was even more impressive than Kakashi had been as a child.
"You flatter me, Third Hokage," Yin Xiang said modestly.
"This mission will be counted as an S-rank mission. You can collect the reward afterward. From now on, you'll study Sealing Jutsu under me and become my student. Are you willing?" The Third Hokage looked at Yin Xiang as he spoke.
Yin Xiang nodded and accepted.
"Does that mean I won't have to look after Yin Xiang anymore?" Shikaku asked from the side. Before he knew it, he'd been mentoring Yin Xiang for a whole year. Yin Xiang thought clearly and planned meticulously, and Shikaku deserved some credit for that. He couldn't teach Yin Xiang the clan's secret techniques, but he'd still taught him everything he could in other areas.
"Right. Starting tomorrow, Yin Xiang will study with me." The Third Hokage nodded. "All right, everyone, go home and get some rest," he told them.
After the Third Hokage finished speaking, everyone left.
"Come to think of it, the Chunin Exams are about to begin." Shikaku had been handling the Hokage's affairs lately, and one of the things he'd taken care of was the upcoming Chunin Exams.
"Really? Then you have to face me in a match, Yin Xiang!" Rock Lee shouted when he heard.
"If we get the chance, I'll fight you," Yin Xiang said with a smile and a nod. But a little bitterness crept into his heart. Didn't that mean the Third Hokage would die? Would he still get to learn Sealing Jutsu?
Yin Xiang sighed. Even if Orochimaru showed up, there was nothing he could do about it. He was no match for Orochimaru.
"I'll head home and get some rest, Teacher Shikaku," Yin Xiang said.
"Starting tomorrow, you can report to the Third Hokage," Shikaku replied with a nod.
"All right." Yin Xiang nodded and left, though he didn't hurry home. It was only the afternoon, so he went to Ichiraku Ramen for a bowl of ramen first. Once home, he took off his dirty clothes, had a good bath, and then stretched out comfortably on his bed.
After a good night's sleep, Yin Xiang ate breakfast the next day and headed to the Hokage's office. He knocked on the door.
"Come in," the Third Hokage called from inside. Yin Xiang opened the door and walked in. "Third Hokage, I'm here to report in."
"From now on, just call me Teacher. I organized these scrolls yesterday. They explain how to use Sealing Jutsu, and you should be able to understand them."
"Okay." Yin Xiang nodded, sat down on the sofa nearby, and began studying the Sealing Jutsu. The Third Hokage had written out the seals in plain language, making them much easier to understand. Yin Xiang had been studying Sealing Jutsu for years, but he'd been held back by his inability to read the seals.
Now that the Third Hokage had explained the arrangement of the seals in plain language, Yin Xiang finally understood. He studied until the afternoon, when everything clicked.
"Bring your hands together—Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Ram, Rooster, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Ram, Rooster, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Ram, Rooster, Dog, Rat—Evil Sealing Jutsu!" Yin Xiang slapped his hand onto the table in front of him. Rows of seals appeared across its surface as he performed the Sealing Jutsu.
"Oh? You've already figured it out? You really are a genius," the Third Hokage remarked, watching him.
"I've been studying it for ten years. Now that the seals are explained so clearly, I'd be embarrassed if I still couldn't understand them," Yin Xiang said with a smile.
Then he took out a scroll and formed Hand Seals again. "Fire Sealing Method!" He slapped the scroll, and a sealing formula appeared on its blank page.
"Looks like you've figured out most of it. I'll teach you some Sealing Jutsu myself later. For now, go out and look around. I have a meeting to hold," the Third Hokage said, standing up.
"Is it about the Chunin Exams?" Yin Xiang asked, looking at the Third Hokage. He nodded. "The Chunin Exams are in a week. With your abilities, you have nothing to worry about."
"Okay, I understand." Yin Xiang nodded and walked out of the office. He'd finally understood the seals thanks to the Third Hokage. After ten years of studying Sealing Jutsu, he'd finally made progress. Now he could perform the techniques he'd practiced countless times, and he was thrilled.
As he walked down the street, Yin Xiang noticed many ninja who weren't from Konoha. It seemed that shinobi from other countries had already arrived.
"Ah!!!" Four figures raced past Yin Xiang, shouting as they went. He saw that one of them was Naruto and greeted him, but Naruto didn't seem to notice and ran straight past. Sakura ran after them a moment later.
"It looks like Sakura's chasing them." Curious, Yin Xiang followed. Around the corner, he saw someone holding Konohamaru up by the collar, while Naruto, Sakura, and the others stood nearby, shouting anxiously.
"Ow! You brat!" said the man holding Konohamaru. His face was painted, and he wore a black hat. This was Kankuro, with Temari standing behind him.
"I told you to stop. You'll get scolded if you keep this up," Temari said from behind Kankuro.
"I'm sorry. I was the one fooling around." Konohamaru had run into Kankuro because Sakura was chasing them, so Sakura apologized. At the same time, she wondered, Who are these people?
"Hey! I told you to let him go!" Naruto shouted at him.
Kankuro noticed the Konoha Forehead Protector on Naruto's head and realized he was a Konoha Genin. "Let's have some fun with you before those annoying people show up," he said, holding Konohamaru up.
Kankuro was squeezing Konohamaru so hard that it hurt. Konohamaru shouted for him to let go and kicked him, which only made Kankuro tighten his grip. Naruto finally couldn't take it anymore and charged at him.
But Naruto fell flat on the ground. Kankuro was a puppeteer, and he'd tripped Naruto with his Chakra Threads. Naruto had never encountered a puppeteer before, so he had no idea what had happened.
Yin Xiang had been standing off to the side, ready to enjoy the show. But when he saw Naruto being bullied, he couldn't sit by. He threw a shuriken, slicing a long gash across Kankuro's wrist. Kankuro's grip loosened, and Konohamaru dropped onto his backside.
"What's a face-painted guy like you doing in Konoha?" Yin Xiang walked slowly over from behind them, his gaze fixed on Kankuro, murderous intent in his eyes.
Kankuro saw Yin Xiang's expression and instinctively took a step back. What was that murderous intent?
Just then, another pebble struck Kankuro's hand, making his wrist throb with pain again. Everyone looked up at the tree.
"What are you doing in someone else's village?" Sasuke called from the tree.
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