All Parties Stir

The turmoil of the outside ninja world, the rumors of border conflicts, and the upheaval surrounding the Land of Waves mission never reached this secluded holy land.

Team Seven had indeed followed the original course and accepted a C-rank escort mission to the Land of Waves. Before leaving, Naruto noisily ran to Qianyu's cabin to show off, only to find the door tightly shut and a note Tsunade had left on it: "Special training in progress. Do not disturb."

"What the heck!" Naruto pouted, clearly unwilling to accept it. "That Qianyu guy went off and got stronger behind our backs again!"

Sasuke stood some distance away, looking at the door as a complicated emotion flashed through his eyes. He knew Qianyu was special, and he knew the gap between them was widening. That only made the fire in his heart to become stronger burn even hotter.

Neji became even quieter and more diligent. Since his conversation with Qianyu atop Hokage Rock that night, it was as though he had cast off some invisible shackles and taken on a clearer mission. On the training grounds, he shed several times more sweat than before. Every move of his Gentle Fist carried a ruthless, do-or-die determination. Even Hiashi Hyuga, who was responsible for guiding him, was secretly alarmed, unable to understand why this branch-family nephew had suddenly erupted with such astonishing willpower.

The days slipped quietly by amid sweat and silence.

After carrying out several simple D-rank missions, Team Ten, including Ino, returned to the village. Ino immediately ran to Qianyu's home, only to come up empty-handed again.

It was not just her. Whenever their peers returned, they would unconsciously look for that black-haired boy, yet he was nowhere to be found.

"Where exactly did Qianyu go?" Ino tugged anxiously at Tsunade's sleeve. "Lady Tsunade, he hasn't shown up in such a long time..."

Tsunade had just returned from the casino, in a foul mood after losing. With Ino pestering her endlessly, she finally explained irritably, "That brat's undergoing special training in Shikkotsu Forest. He won't be back anytime soon. Relax, he won't die."

"Shikkotsu Forest?" Ino repeated blankly. She had never heard of the place.

"It's where my summons live. A place for training in sage techniques." Tsunade kept it brief and waved her hand. "Enough already. Stop looking like some worried little wife. That brat's tough as nails."

Even so, as she watched Ino leave in disappointment, Tsunade stroked her chin and muttered, "Maybe I should go back and check on that brat's progress..."

Shikkotsu Forest. Several more months passed.

The once-familiar karst cave had changed dramatically.

The formerly dim Shikkotsu Forest was now covered in lush green vines and all manner of strange flowers and plants, some of which bore faintly glowing fruit. The ground was no longer wet and slippery, instead covered by a carpet woven from dense roots. Wooden structures of various shapes stood throughout the cave: pavilions for resting, arrays of wooden posts for taijutsu practice, and even a small wooden pond filled with flowing, crystal-clear spring water.

The entire space brimmed with life, like a secret garden built deep underground.

And all of it had been created by Qianyu.

At that moment, he stood in an open area at the center of the cave, his eyes naturally closed. There was no sign of chakra fluctuations around him, yet he gave off the strange impression that he had completely merged with his surroundings. He stood there like a tree, like a stone, like a natural part of Shikkotsu Forest itself.

"Perfect." The Slug Sage's gentle voice rang out, filled with undisguised praise. "There is no need for deliberate maintenance. The cycle between natural energy and your own chakra has become instinctive. Lord Qianyu, your Sage Mode has no outward physical changes. It is the most harmonious, most stable, perfect Sage Mode. Even little Hashirama needed to enter that special 'sage face paint' state back then."

Qianyu slowly opened his eyes. A faint golden gleam flashed through the depths of his pupils. Feeling the vast yet gentle senjutsu chakra within him, along with that sense of fullness as though he could draw upon the strength of the surrounding environment with every gesture, was truly intoxicating.

"Slug Sage," he suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "how long did the First Hokage take to learn Sage Mode?"

The slug seemed to ponder for a moment. "Little Hashirama... The first time he came here, I explained to him the principles of sensing and merging natural energy. After listening, he stood by this pool and closed his eyes to feel it for a while."

"And then?" Qianyu pressed.

"Then he patted his forehead and said, 'Oh, so that's how it is. I get it.'" The Slug Sage's tone remained as calm as ever. "Then he opened his eyes, and naturally entered Sage Mode. There were some facial markings, but his level of fusion was extremely high. He could use it steadily almost immediately."

Qianyu: "..."

He stood there silently, looking at the countless traces of Wood Release practice he had left behind in the cave over the past few months—the especially thick and bizarre plants stimulated by senjutsu chakra. Then he imagined Hashirama's absurd process of "patting his head and instantly getting it," and several black lines appeared on his forehead.

Comparing people could make you furious. No, this was comparing humans to gods...

"HAHAHAHA!" A thoughtless burst of laughter came from nearby.

Abin came hopping over with a face covered in dark green, vein-like patterns. The moment he activated Sage Mode, his entire face looked as though he were wearing a bizarre mask, the markings spreading from his forehead to his chin. It looked both ridiculous and eerie.

"Little Dried Fish, why are you agonizing over that? Look at me—I learned it too! Although the Slug Sage and Lady Tsunade said my Sage Mode is a little different, more like I'm eating natural energy and storing it up, I can still use it!"

Abin danced about proudly.

His Sage Mode truly was unusual. White Zetsu's body was naturally highly compatible with nature, and storing natural energy was as instinctive as breathing. Tsunade and the Slug Sage had guided him more like they were teaching him how to release that stored energy more efficiently and aggressively, rather than teaching him traditional fusion.

Though the results did not compare to Qianyu's perfect Sage Mode, Abin's strength had still risen by a huge margin. At the very least, the power of his Wood Release ninjutsu had increased tremendously.

"You two, stop fooling around." Tsunade's voice came from the light of the summoning array.

"Clean up. We're getting ready to return to the village."

Qianyu dispersed the natural energy around him, while Abin rubbed his face and forced those markings back in. The two looked toward Tsunade.

"Did something happen, Master?" Qianyu asked sharply.

"It's nothing major, but it is something lively." Tsunade folded her arms. "This year's Chunin Exams are about to begin. Konoha is hosting, and genin teams from the major ninja villages have already begun arriving."

The Chunin Exams!

Qianyu's heart stirred. Sure enough, the timing had arrived. The Land of Waves mission was over, Naruto and the others would return, and then came the Chunin Exams that would change so many people's fates.

He now had enough strength to protect himself, and perhaps even do something.

"Have you decided whether you'll participate?" Tsunade looked at Qianyu and added, "Although you've always been my direct disciple and never followed the normal team process, with your current strength, you could take on the title of genin and enter the Chunin Exams. You could go through the motions and be promoted to chunin properly. Of course, it's up to you whether you want to join."

Qianyu barely hesitated.

"I'll participate."

Too many things would happen during this year's Chunin Exams.

"Made up your mind?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I'm idle anyway." Qianyu smiled. His tone was relaxed, but there was a trace of deeper meaning in his eyes. "It'll be good to see the geniuses from the other villages too."

"Fine, then let's go." Tsunade did not waste words and immediately began forming hand seals.

The light of the Reverse Summoning Technique enveloped the three of them once more.

After a brief sensation of weightlessness, solid, dry Konoha ground lay beneath their feet. The slightly scorching afternoon sunlight, the clamor of voices, and the familiar outlines of buildings rushed toward them.

Sure enough, the village was permeated with the unique atmosphere that preceded a major competition. There were noticeably more unfamiliar faces on the streets, wearing forehead protectors in all kinds of styles: Hidden Sand, Hidden Rain, Grass Village, Hidden Sound...

The genin from the smaller villages walked Konoha's streets under the supervision of their jonin leaders, some looking around curiously, others putting on an indifferent front. Business was also more lively than usual, especially at ninja tool shops and eateries.

Beneath the surface prosperity and bustle, undercurrents quietly stirred.

"Come with me to the Hokage's office and check in first." Tsunade headed straight for the Hokage Building, with Qianyu and Abin following closely behind.

The Hokage's office was hazy with smoke.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was bent over a pile of documents. Hearing the knock, he looked up and saw Tsunade entering with Qianyu and Abin, a smile appearing on his face.

"You're back? Did your training go well?" He set down his pipe and looked warmly at Qianyu.

The boy before him seemed to have changed again. He appeared to have grown taller, nearly one meter seventy-five, his posture as straight as a pine. The childishness between his brows had faded further, leaving his features more defined and striking.

For a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to see the young Orochimaru—not the cold and sinister man he later became, but the aloofness unique to a genius devoted to jutsu and the path of shinobi. Yet Qianyu's gaze was clearer, concealing something elusive within its depths—gentle, yet powerful.

"Thanks to you, it went reasonably well." Qianyu gave a slight bow, his answer modest and calm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had watched this child grow from a war orphan into who he was today. He had offered him protection, yet had also tacitly allowed Danzo's early probing and coercion. Now, Qianyu had clearly become stronger—so strong that even he could no longer see through him. Was this a blessing for Konoha, or a hidden danger?

"As long as it went well." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded without pressing further. "Tsunade told you about the Chunin Exams, didn't she?"

"She did. I plan to participate."

"Mm, with your strength, becoming a chunin will be easy. But..." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused thoughtfully. "You aren't assigned to a fixed ninja team, so according to the rules, you can't take part in the first written exam. I've already spoken with the chief examiner. You'll be granted direct qualification for the second stage, the Forest of Death exam. Is that alright?"

"No problem. Thank you for arranging it, Lord Hokage." Qianyu answered readily. Skipping the written exam? That suited him perfectly. He would probably only do marginally better than Naruto on those theoretical questions.

After giving a few more instructions, Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the three of them.

As they stepped out of the Hokage Building, the afternoon sunlight was somewhat dazzling.

Qianyu looked up at the azure sky and took a deep breath of Konoha's familiar air.

The Chunin Exams... Orochimaru...

He silently weighed his options. According to the original plot, the first written exam tested intelligence-gathering ability and mental fortitude, and Team Seven would pass. During the second stage in the Forest of Death, Orochimaru would appear in person and plant the Heaven Curse Mark on Sasuke.

"What are you thinking about?" Tsunade's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Nothing." Qianyu withdrew his gaze and smiled. "I was just thinking that the Chunin Exams... should be pretty interesting."

"Interesting?" Tsunade snorted. "Just don't cause trouble for me. Come on, let's go back and see whether Abin has turned the house into a pigsty!"

"Lady Tsunade, that's unfair! I clean properly every day!" Abin immediately protested.

The three figures disappeared into Konoha's bustling streets.

Meanwhile, in a concealed corner of the village, a pair of golden snake eyes silently watched the Hokage Building. Their gaze lingered for a moment on Qianyu's retreating back.

A snake-like tongue slid across pale lips.

"Qianyu... at last, I see you again."