The Beginning of the Chunin Exams

The Third Hokage found himself growing increasingly fond of Yin Xiang. A child like him would have made a name for himself even in the Warring States period; to carve out such a reputation at such a young age was reminiscent of Kakashi, if not even more impressive than Kakashi had been as a boy.

"The Third Hokage is too kind," Yin Xiang replied modestly from the side.

"This mission will be classified as an S-rank mission. You may collect the reward later. From now on, Yin Xiang, you shall study Sealing Jutsu under me as my apprentice. Are you willing?" the Third Hokage asked, looking at him.

Yin Xiang nodded, accepting the offer.

"Does this mean I don't have to look after Yin Xiang anymore?" Shikaku asked from the side. He had been mentoring Yin Xiang for a year now without even realizing it. Yin Xiang possessed a clear train of thought and meticulous planning skills, and Shikaku took some credit for that. While he couldn't teach Yin Xiang his clan's secret techniques, he had poured all his other knowledge into the boy.

"Yes, starting tomorrow, Yin Xiang will be with me," the Third Hokage nodded. "Very well, everyone, go back and get some rest," he told the group.

Once the Third Hokage had spoken, everyone filed out.

"Come to think of it, the Chunin Exams are about to begin," Shikaku remarked. He had been handling the Hokage's affairs lately and had managed the preparations for the exams, which were starting soon.

"Really! You have to face me in a match when the time comes, Yin Xiang!" Rock Lee shouted at him upon hearing the news.

"If we happen to cross paths, I'll face you," Yin Xiang replied with a smile and a nod, though a hint of bitterness lingered in his heart. Doesn't that mean the Third Hokage is going to die? Is there even any point in learning this Sealing Jutsu now?

Yin Xiang sighed. Even if Orochimaru came, there was nothing he could do about it; he was no match for him.

"I'll head home to rest now, Teacher Shikaku," Yin Xiang said. "Right, from tomorrow on, you can go report to the Third Hokage," Shikaku nodded.

"Understood." Yin Xiang nodded and left. He wasn't in a rush to get home, though; it was only afternoon, so he went straight to Ichiraku Ramen for a bowl before heading back. Once home, he stripped off his dirty clothes, took a refreshing shower, and collapsed comfortably onto his bed.

After a good night's sleep, Yin Xiang ate breakfast the next morning and headed to the Hokage's office, where he knocked on the door.

"Come in," the Third Hokage's voice called from within. Yin Xiang pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Third Hokage, I'm here to report."

"Call me 'Teacher' from now on. These scrolls are what I organized yesterday; they explain the methods for using Sealing Jutsu. You should be able to understand these."

"Understood." Yin Xiang nodded, then sat on a nearby sofa and began to study the Sealing Jutsu. The Third Hokage had written out the incantations in plain language, making them much easier to grasp. Yin Xiang had been studying sealing techniques for years, but had always been held back by his inability to decipher the complex seals.

Now that the Third Hokage had laid out the arrangement of the seals in simple terms, everything clicked. He studied until the afternoon, and suddenly, it all made sense.

"Hands together—Tiger—Rabbit—Snake—Horse—Ram—Bird—Tiger—Rabbit—Snake—Horse—Ram—Bird—Tiger—Rabbit—Snake—Horse—Ram—Bird—Dog—Rat. Evil Sealing Method!" Yin Xiang slammed his hand onto the table in front of him. A series of seals appeared across the surface; he had successfully performed the technique.

"Oh? You've already mastered it? A genius, indeed," the Third Hokage remarked, having watched his movements.

"I've been studying this for ten years. If I couldn't figure it out now that the seals are written so clearly, it would be quite embarrassing," Yin Xiang said with a smile.

He then pulled out a scroll and performed the hand signs again. "Fire Sealing Method!" Yin Xiang pressed his hand onto the scroll, and a sealing formula appeared on the blank page.

"It seems you've learned enough for now. I will teach you more advanced sealing techniques personally later, but for now, go take a walk. I have a meeting to attend," the Third Hokage said as he stood up.

"Is it about the Chunin Exams?" Yin Xiang asked. The Third Hokage nodded. "The exams are in a week. With your strength, you have nothing to worry about."

"Right, I understand." Yin Xiang nodded and walked out of the office. Having finally cracked the code of the seals with the Third Hokage's help, his decade of research had finally paid off. He was thrilled to finally be able to execute the techniques he had practiced in his mind countless times.

Walking down the street, Yin Xiang noticed many ninjas who were clearly not from the Leaf Village. It seemed the visitors from other nations had arrived.

"Ah!!!" Four figures sprinted past him, shouting at the top of their lungs. Yin Xiang saw Naruto and tried to greet him, but Naruto didn't seem to notice and kept running, followed closely by Sakura.

"It looks like Sakura is chasing them," Yin Xiang thought. Driven by curiosity, he followed. After turning a corner, he saw Konohamaru being held up by someone, with Naruto and Sakura standing nearby, shouting anxiously.

"That hurts, you little brat," said the man holding Konohamaru. He wore face paint and a black hood—it was Kankuro, with Temari standing behind him.

"I told you to stop. Be careful, or you'll get scolded later," Temari warned from behind Kankuro.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault for messing around," Sakura apologized, as Konohamaru had bumped into the man while she was chasing them. Who are these people? she wondered.

"Hey! I told you to let him go!" Naruto shouted at him.

Kankuro noticed the Leaf headband on Naruto's forehead and realized he was a genin of the Leaf. "Before the annoying ones show up, let's have some fun with you lot," Kankuro said, still holding Konohamaru.

Konohamaru was struggling, gasping for air as he kicked at Kankuro, which only made the man tighten his grip. Naruto finally lost his patience and charged forward.

He ended up tripping and falling to the ground; Kankuro was a puppeteer and had used a chakra thread to trip him. Naruto had never seen a puppeteer before and had no idea what had happened.

Yin Xiang had been standing by, intending to watch the show, but he couldn't stand by and watch Naruto get bullied. He flicked a kunai, which sliced a long gash across Kankuro's wrist. Kankuro loosened his grip, and Konohamaru dropped to the ground.

"What are you doing in the Leaf, you painted freak?" Yin Xiang walked over slowly, his eyes filled with killing intent as he glared at Kankuro.

Kankuro felt the weight of that gaze and instinctively took a step back. What is this killing intent?

Just then, another stone struck Kankuro's hand, causing him further pain. Everyone looked up toward the trees.

"What are you doing in someone else's village?" Sasuke asked from his perch.