The raging storms of the Land of Waves seemed to have been soothed by Konoha's warm sunlight and everyday bustle, but they had left deep marks on every member of Team 7.
The D-rank missions remained endless, but Naruto's complaints now carried some of the confidence of someone who had faced life and death. Though he was still loud, his bluster no longer felt as shallow as before. Sasuke grew even more taciturn, while his training bordered on self-abuse. A fiercer hunger for strength burned in his mismatched Sharingan-two tomoe in the left, one in the right. Sakura devoted more time to the library and training ground, working exceptionally hard on medical knowledge and basic genjutsu. She refused to remain a burden who could only be protected.
Ling's life, meanwhile, was orderly and fulfilling. During the day, he played the role of an "outstanding genin" perfectly, efficiently completing all kinds of D-rank missions and occasionally displaying exquisite Water Release Control and tactical awareness during team training. He met Kakashi's expectations without being too astonishing.
His real training always began during his "independent training time" and in the stillness of late night.
Deep within Training Ground Seven, the waterfall roared.
At Ling's fingertips, azure pure water chakra flowed, traced patterns, and condensed at a speed almost impossible to follow with the naked eye as he attempted to construct the incredibly complex Flying Thunder God Basic Formula. Sweat kept dripping from his chin, and the intense concentration drained him severely.
Pfft-
Once again, just on the verge of success, the formula's structure trembled slightly and abruptly collapsed.
[Stability! How many times have I told you? Stability!] Tobirama's icy voice lashed at his mind like a whip. [Speed alone isn't enough! You must maintain absolute precision and stability at extreme speed! Imagine your chakra is the most precise engraving tool in the world! Again! If you run out of chakra, mold more. Once you've replenished it, keep going!]
Ling did not complain. He swallowed a Soldier Pill and, after a brief recovery, threw himself back into the utterly tedious, utterly difficult training. He knew this was the thorny path to true power.
Beyond constructing the foundation of Flying Thunder God, Tobirama's instruction in Water Release opened Ling's eyes even further.
[Water Dragon Bullet? Watch closely!] In the mental world, Tobirama formed hand seals like lightning. Using only the Four Core Hand Seals, he unleashed an incredibly solid water dragon that roared ferociously as it surged forth, its power and maneuverability far surpassing the original forty-four-seal version. [The essence of power lies in efficiency and control, not flashy, pointless complexity!]
Under Tobirama's guidance, Ling's Water Release evolved at an astonishing pace. Water Severing Wave no longer fired only in a straight line; it could trace deadly arcs. Water Formation Wall could change shape and move at will. He even began experimenting with taking the properties of "pure water" to their limits, developing forms with greater offensive and defensive potential.
Kakashi occasionally came to check on him and was surprised by the speed of his progress. However, he attributed it to the combination of Hatake blood and Yuki talent, along with the stimulus of actual combat in the Land of Waves. He merely reminded Ling to pay attention to his foundations and did not probe further. That suited Ling perfectly.
That day, their mission ended early, and the four of them walked along the street toward the Ninja Apartments.
"Ahh, catching cats again today..." Naruto stretched as he complained. Before he could finish, a small figure suddenly rushed out from the side, shouting, "Big Brother Naruto!" It was Konohamaru Sarutobi, who promptly tripped and fell.
"Hey, Konohamaru, are you okay?" Naruto hurried to help him up.
Just then, three figures blocked their path. Their clothing differed from Konoha's, and they wore Sunagakure forehead protectors.
At their head stood a red-haired boy carrying a huge gourd, with dark circles beneath his eyes and an empty, cold gaze. Beside him were a blonde girl holding an enormous fan and a boy with purple markings painted on his face, his body covered in clothing and a bandage-wrapped object strapped to his back.
"Hey, brat. Don't you know to apologize when you bump into someone?" Kankuro looked down at the fallen Konohamaru, his tone hostile.
"S-sorry!" Konohamaru said fearfully.
"Hmph. So this is all Konoha's genin amount to." Temari folded her arms, her voice tinged with mockery.
Naruto immediately bristled. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean? He already apologized!"
Sasuke watched them coldly, his Sharingan activating involuntarily as he sensed the extraordinarily dangerous aura emanating from the red-haired boy. Sakura edged closer to Sasuke, looking nervous as well.
Ling's calm gaze swept over the three before settling on Gaara. He could clearly sense something terrifying and full of hatred sealed within him, its vast reserves of chakra enough to make his heart shudder.
[Hmph, the jinchūriki of Shukaku, the One-Tail... so he's here after all.] Tobirama's voice carried a chill of foreknowledge. [According to the "plot," Sunagakure colludes with Orochimaru, and these Chunin Ninja Exams mark the beginning of the "Konoha Crush Plan." Be careful of that red-haired boy. He's one of the key pieces, extremely dangerous and unstable. Don't provoke him lightly.]
Gaara's empty gaze slowly shifted toward Naruto, who had stood up for Konohamaru. His voice was hoarse and utterly flat. "...I'll kill you."
An icy killing intent spread through the air, almost tangible, sending a chill through Naruto, Sakura, and even Sasuke.
Kankuro sneered, seemingly ready to attack.
At that moment, Kakashi suddenly appeared like a ghost, placing a hand over Kankuro's just as he was about to unstrap Crow from his back. "Hey, now. Attacking another village's genin and children while you're visiting isn't very nice, is it, you three from Sunagakure?"
Kakashi looked casual, but the pressure radiating from his lone visible eye made Kankuro freeze.
Temari immediately grew wary. "Copy Ninja Kakashi..."
Gaara's gaze also shifted to Kakashi. An almost imperceptible ripple seemed to stir in those empty eyes, but his killing intent did not recede.
"We're here for the Chunin Ninja Exams," Temari said. "It was just a minor disagreement."
"The Chunin Ninja Exams?" Kakashi scratched his head. "Speaking of which, I happen to have something to tell you." He looked at Naruto and the other three. "I just submitted your application forms for the Chunin Ninja Exams."
"What?!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed together. A sharp gleam flashed through Sasuke's eyes. Ling, however, was not surprised.
"Kakashi-sensei! When did you..." Sakura asked in astonishment.
"Just now." Kakashi smiled. "I think you're qualified to give it a try. Of course, if you're scared, there's still time to withdraw."
"Who's scared?! I'm definitely entering!" Naruto shouted at once.
"I'm in," Sasuke said tersely.
"I... I'm entering too!" Sakura mustered her courage.
Ling nodded.
Kakashi turned to the three Sand Ninja. "Then we'll see you at the exams." His tone was mild, but his dismissal left no room for argument.
Gaara gave Naruto one last icy glance, as though looking at a dead man, then silently turned and left. Temari and Kankuro immediately followed.
For the moment, the confrontation had been defused.
After saying goodbye to Konohamaru, the four members of Team 7 continued home, still processing the news that they would be taking the Chunin Ninja Exams and the pressure the Sand Ninja had brought.
Suddenly!
Several shuriken shot out of the shadows on both sides of the street! They came at treacherous angles, aimed straight at vital points!
"An ambush?!" Sasuke exclaimed. His Sharingan activated instantly as he swiftly dodged and parried.
Naruto immediately used the Shadow Clone Technique, disrupting some of the attacks' trajectories.
Sakura searched for cover in a slight panic.
Ling reacted fastest, completing his hand seals the instant the shuriken appeared.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A wall of water rose instantly, blocking most of the shuriken.
Several figures then sprang from the shadows and launched close-range attacks! Their assault was fierce and well coordinated. These were no ordinary bandits!
"Protect yourselves!" Ling barked, stepping forward to engage one attacker with a combination of Water Release and taijutsu. Sasuke and Naruto immediately joined battle with the enemies as well.
The fight erupted suddenly and fiercely. The attackers were skilled, but Team 7 was no longer what it had been, especially after their life-and-death battles in the Land of Waves. Their coordination had grown increasingly seamless. Sasuke's Sharingan anticipated attacks, Naruto's shadow clones disrupted the battlefield, and Ling's Water Release provided defense and control exactly where needed. Even Sakura gathered her courage and drove back an enemy attempting a surprise attack with her kunai.
Before long, all the attackers had been defeated, disappearing in puffs of smoke.
"Clones? Or... genjutsu?" Sasuke frowned.
Just then, the last defeated "enemy" released his Transformation Technique and revealed his true appearance-it was Iruka-sensei, his face bruised and swollen!
"Iruka-sensei?!" Everyone was shocked.
Iruka rubbed his cheek, which Sasuke's shuriken had grazed, and stood with a wry smile. "Sorry for testing you this way. Although Kakashi already tried to stop me, I still wanted to see whether you truly had the vigilance and strength to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams."
He looked at the four before him. Though somewhat disheveled, their gazes were resolute, their teamwork seamless, and they had even managed to counterattack swiftly. His eyes filled with complicated emotions: concern, worry, but above all relief and a hint of... wistfulness.
"It seems... you really have grown up." Iruka let out a long breath and gave them a warm smile. "I'm still worried, but I don't seem to have any reason to stop you anymore. Do your best in the Chunin Ninja Exams! Make sure you come back safely!"
The lingering sunset spilled across the street, illuminating four young faces already beginning to show resolve. Iruka's trial had been like a sudden light rain, washing away some of their restlessness and giving them a clearer understanding of the challenges ahead.
The Chunin Ninja Exams were no longer a distant name, but an imminent reality. They were about to step into an arena teeming with powerful opponents and hidden dangers. The "plot" Tobirama knew was becoming reality, one step at a time.
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