After returning to Konoha, Kurenai Yuhi reported everything that had happened during the mission to the Land of Waves.
Of course, she skillfully glossed over key details concerning Ye Chuan's strength, which far surpassed that of a Genin, especially his instant killing of Chunin. She only said that Team 8 had worked together and finally completed the mission after a bitter struggle.
After hearing her report, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, fell silent for a long time.
He ultimately ruled that, given their encounter with the S-rank rogue ninja Zabuza Momochi during the mission, its rank would be raised directly from the originally assigned C-rank to B-rank.
Although it had not been raised to A-rank, this still counted as recognition of Team 8's performance beyond the mission's requirements.
The dangers of the Land of Waves mission had left everyone in Team 8 mentally exhausted.
After the mission ended, they were given a precious period of rest.
As their Jonin instructor, Kurenai Yuhi had been affected the most. In particular, the near-total failure of her prized Genjutsu against Zabuza had dealt her a severe blow.
After returning, she began training twice as hard so she could better guide her students, especially the unfathomable Ye Chuan.
Kiba Inuzuka had also been deeply shaken.
Always proud and competitive, he seemed like a different person after returning. He dragged Akamaru into a frenzy of training, determined not to hold the team back again.
Ye Chuan, meanwhile, continued his routine, living like an ascetic.
For him, the greatest gain from the trip to the Land of Waves had been confirming that actual combat could accelerate his inheritance progress.
In his spare time, he would occasionally give pointers to Hinata, who often "happened to run into" him.
Perhaps because of Ye Chuan's earlier encouragement, Hinata also trained exceptionally hard.
She was already no longer the timid girl from the original story who only hid behind others.
With Ye Chuan's occasional pointers, combined with her own talent and effort, Hinata's strength now advanced by leaps and bounds, far surpassing her level at the same point in the original story.
She had long since mastered the basics of tree climbing and Water Walking. She could even perform the Hyuga Main Family's highly difficult Taijutsu, Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, completely and proficiently!
This made Ye Chuan nod inwardly as well. It seemed that, as a little butterfly, he had already unknowingly changed the course of some people's destinies.
Just like that, nearly two more months passed.
During that time, Team 8 completed several more D-rank missions in succession to meet the mission-count requirement for entering the Chunin Ninja Exams.
By then, their total number of completed missions had reached Konoha's minimum requirement-eight.
That day, after training ended, Kurenai Yuhi gathered the three members of Team 8.
"I have some news for you."
"This year's Chunin Exams will begin soon. Registration officially opens in a few days."
The Chunin Ninja Exams! Were they finally here? Something stirred in Ye Chuan's heart.
"According to the rules, Genin can only qualify to participate as a three-person team recommended by their Jonin instructor," Kurenai Yuhi continued.
"Our Team 8 has already met the basic mission-count requirement, so I want to hear your own opinions-do you want to take part in these Chunin Ninja Exams?"
"I do." Ye Chuan answered immediately, with almost no hesitation.
For him, the Chunin Ninja Exams were not merely a chance to test his strength, but an excellent platform for gaining more inheritance experience!
He could not possibly miss them, especially when he thought of Orochimaru and Gaara, whom he might encounter during the exams...
"I-I'll participate too!" Hinata said right after him, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
She wanted to become stronger and catch up with Ye Chuan. The Chunin Ninja Exams were the best opportunity to prove herself.
"Hmph, of course I'm entering! I've been itching to show those guys from the other villages just how great I am!"
Kiba Inuzuka grinned, and Akamaru beside him gave two excited barks.
Seeing her team members so full of fighting spirit, Kurenai Yuhi nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good! Then I'll submit Team 8's recommendation and registration form later."
"But the Chunin Ninja Exams are extremely dangerous, nothing like sparring at the academy. You need to prepare yourselves mentally!"
"Yes, Ms. Kurenai!" Hinata and Kiba Inuzuka answered in unison.
Ye Chuan also nodded lightly, while rapidly recalling every detail about the Chunin Ninja Exams from the original story.
The Chunin Ninja Exams... the written test, the Forest of Death, the elimination rounds... and Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan, the future Kazekage's rampage...
What an eventful time.
Still, chaos also meant opportunity.
Perhaps these exams would be his chance to find a new source of experience, or even truly gain a basic grasp of Armament Haki.
That evening, in the clearing behind Ye Chuan's house.
Under the bright moonlight, two figures darted past one another.
They were Ye Chuan and Hinata.
Since returning from the Land of Waves, Hinata would occasionally seek Ye Chuan out to train together, and he had not refused.
At that moment, Hinata had activated her Byakugan, her hands becoming countless blurs as she unleashed Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
"Two palms! Four palms! Eight palms! Sixteen palms! Thirty-two palms! Sixty-four palms!"
Her movements flowed smoothly, each strike aimed precisely at the major Chakra points on Ye Chuan's body, attempting to seal his Chakra flow.
She had already become quite proficient in this palm technique.
Yet, facing Hinata's storm of attacks, Ye Chuan merely stood where he was, without even activating Observation Haki to dodge.
He let Hinata's Gentle Fist strike his body.
Strangely, however, every blow Hinata landed on Ye Chuan seemed to hit solid rock, producing dull thuds without truly hurting him in the slightest, let alone sealing his Chakra points.
On closer inspection, under the moonlight, an extremely faint layer of energy seemed to cover the skin wherever Ye Chuan was struck.
It was Armament Haki!
Through these past few months of training and reflection, especially after killing Zabuza, his understanding of Armament Haki had deepened another level.
Although he was still far from being able to cover his entire body, he could just barely concentrate Haki on a single point of his body for basic defense.
Hinata's Gentle Fist was just right for testing Armament Haki's defensive power.
After finishing a full set of Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, Hinata was drenched in sweat and panting softly. Looking at the completely unscathed Ye Chuan, her eyes held both frustration and fighting spirit.
"Ye Chuan, your body... is so hard..."
"Your palm technique is improving quickly. Your speed and power have both increased considerably."
Ye Chuan withdrew his Armament Haki, offering a calm assessment and words of encouragement.
"Keep this up, and you'll surprise everyone at the Chunin Ninja Exams."
"Mm!" Hearing Ye Chuan's approval, Hinata nodded firmly, a smile blooming once more on her fair cheeks.
Ye Chuan looked at her and gave a slight nod as well.
The Chunin Ninja Exams would bring together many powerful fighters, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.
And he, too, needed to prepare for this approaching feast.
Before you continue