Those three ears in the trees, enjoying what you heard?

No one spoke.

The surroundings suddenly became eerily quiet.

The wind died down, and the birdsong seemed to have been cut off.

Wu Chiwu blinked, a wide smile spreading across his face.

He clasped his hands together, trying to appear mature.

"Kid, you're pretty quick-witted. You guessed it so fast."

"I didn't expect Konoha to have someone as smart as you."

Bandages covered most of his face, but he couldn't hide his excitement at finding a kindred spirit.

Um... what is all this about?

That said, is this something to be so happy about?

And is your guess reliable?

Your companion actually believed it?

Ninjas can walk upside down on trees because their Chakra is absorbed into the soles of their feet.

What does it have to do with body weight?

You guys... just believed what he said?

Sakura leaned close to Naruto's ear and whispered.

"This guy seems even less reliable than you."

Naruto's ears perked up, and he immediately wilted.

"I'm unsure?"

Sakura thought he was unreliable...

The resentment emanating from him was almost tangible.

Sasuke propped his forehead with one hand and silently moved a little further to the side, Wu Chiwu and his two companions.

My second brother's personality hasn't changed at all.

Exactly the same as before.

Gaara Wu Chiwu Goku's nonsense and stared intently at the bandaged man opposite him.

"Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, you've piqued my interest. What's your name?"

Putting aside those absurd things, Gaara had a hunch that this guy must be pretty good at fighting.

Only those who are truly capable deserve to have their names memorized.

I'll deal with them one by one later.

"Name?"

Wu Chiwu his hands together and put on that deep, serious expression again.

"Nikolaisky's Wu Chiwu, the Dark Wings."

???

What the hell is that name?

Everyone present stared at the Bandage Freak, speechless.

How did his teammates manage to hold back from killing him?

Wu Chiwu finished reciting that long list of names, Hozuki Kagetsu and Shiro exchanged a glance, their understanding perfectly in sync.

The two looked at the others expressionlessly, their tone as flat as if they were reading a textbook.

"Nikolaisky's Kagetsu, the Dark Wings."

"Nikolaisky's White Wings in Darkness."

Like going through a formality, I recited that string of names without any emotion.

An eerie silence followed, and the two of them remained silent.

Hahaha...

You ninja village folks are quite the comedians.

Everyone was too exhausted to even complain.

However, this commotion completely made everyone forget their earlier doubts about the three men's strength.

"Wu Chiwu? I'll remember that."

Gaara precisely chose the name, not a single word more.

He glanced at Wu Chiwu, then turned and strode towards Kankuro and Temari.

"Let's go, we didn't come here just to stroll around."

Kankuro nodded to Gaara, who was walking ahead.

"Know."

The three figures vanished from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

Kagetsu turned her head and asked Bai.

Are we being treated like we don't exist?

They didn't even give him a second glance.

Bai calmly countered with a question.

"That's not good?"

"Not really."

Kagetsu responded with a reply.

She had absolutely no interest in being stared at by a bunch of people; she'd rather leave that to that vulgar and tasteless Master Wu.

After Gaara and the other two left, Wu Chiwu looked up at the layers of tree canopy above.

Beneath the bandages, a pair of Azure eyes flashed with an indescribable light.

It grows quite lushly, but it's pressing down on too many things that shouldn't be pressing down on it.

Were the three ninjas eavesdropping above satisfied with what they heard?

Sasuke took two steps forward, then turned back Wu Chiwu called out to Goji.

"They're gone."

"Okay, okay."

Wu Chiwu nodded lazily.

Just as the four were about to set off, Sakura suddenly called out to Sasuke.

"Sasuke, aren't you coming with us?"

She asked the question with some hesitation.

Didn't we agree to train together?

Are Sasuke that familiar with them?

Why are you going with me now?

Sasuke Uchiha was taken aback upon hearing this.

Intensive training?

broken.

I was so excited to see my second brother that I forgot all about this.

He raised his eyes, glanced at Sakura and Naruto waiting for him not far away, then looked back at his carefree second brother, and made up his mind.

"Help us train."

He stared at Wu Chiwu, his words resolute.

I almost blurted out "Second Brother" just now, but then I remembered that this guy was hiding his identity.

Let's leave it at that for now.

"No way, it's too much trouble."

Wu Chiwu yawned and lazily declined.

"I remember someone disappeared for many years, and then..."

Sasuke stared into Wu Chiwu's eyes, only saying half of what he meant.

"Okay, okay."

Wu Chiwu touched the bandage on his face, and a sudden pang of guilt struck him.

These kids these days are really hard to deal with.

Sasuke said something that he would later deeply regret.

"He's quite capable. If we get him to help with training, we'll definitely improve a lot."

"Really? That's great!"

Naruto's eyes lit up; he was overjoyed.

"Mr. Bandage, we can train together now!"

"Thanks."

Sakura hesitated before speaking.

But he's also a candidate for the Chunin Ninja Exams, is it appropriate to let him teach us?

And he's from another village, is that really okay?

After a moment's thought, she finally fixed her gaze on Sasuke.

Being able to train with Sasuke is all I care about; nothing else matters.

Sakura's eyes shone brightly as she thought excitedly.

"Let's go then."

Wu Chiwu flicked his white hair and said casually.

A group of people quickly left the woods.

A long time passed.

Three more figures appeared in this unusually quiet place.

They crouched in the tree, watching the backs of Wu Chiwu and his gang.

What do you think?

A ninja sitting on a tree branch spoke slowly.

"I don't think it's a big deal."

The other ninja shook his head.

"Keep a close eye on the black-haired guy from Konoha and the one from Sunagakure with the Sunagakure on his back. There's nothing else to worry about. What about those three guys from who-knows-which-village-area?"

The seated man continued to ask.

"His ability to conceal his aura is decent, but I can't see anything else for now."

Another ninja continued.

"But he doesn't look like he's that capable."

Don't be careless.

The seated ninja's gaze turned cold.

"By the way, I heard..."