Konoha: I Have a Gravity Training Room

Tenten was relieved to see that Xia Mu was unharmed.

She then equipped the Dragon's Eye Retractable Sword on her back and summoned the other three pieces as well. She wore armor capable of absorbing an enemy's Chakra, while the Peacock Sword, which could control wind, was in her left hand and the Light Sword, which could emit flames, was in her right. She looked utterly imposing.

The Peacock Sword and Light Sword activated at the same time, unleashing a violent gale and flames. Empowered by the wind, the flames exploded, actually forcing Orochimaru back.

Everyone was stunned by the sight. They had not expected Konoha to have such a powerful ninja.

Though this girl with twin buns did not look particularly strong, once she equipped the full set, she became incredibly formidable.

She had just forced Orochimaru back with one move, right? Right?!

Team 7 was the most shocked of all. "So this is what Teacher Kakashi meant when he said Tenten's fighting style was unusual. And this must be her trump card. She really is strong!"

Even Orochimaru was surprised by such ninja tools and rarely offered praise. "You're Tenten, Xia Mu's girlfriend? You have quite a talent for controlling ninja tools."

To be praised by Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Three Ninja, meant that Tenten was clearly no weakling in this state.

Xia Mu retreated and drew another short blade. But when he looked at the Kusanagi Sword in Orochimaru's hand, he felt that continuing to use a short blade would not give him any advantage.

Perhaps it was time to take out that sword!

Shino summoned a swarm of insects in front of Xia Mu to prevent Orochimaru from launching a sneak attack.

Orochimaru simply stood still. Before the Hokage's reinforcements arrived, he was clearly in no hurry. The nearby examiners merely surrounded him and did not dare attack carelessly.

The examiners knew perfectly well that they were no match for Orochimaru. Charging in would be suicide.

It would be better to surround him and stall for time. The Hokage's reinforcements would surely arrive soon.

However, in the next moment, Orochimaru swept his gaze across them. A chilling killing intent burst from his eyes, immediately rendering most of those present unable to move. Those with weaker nerves either fainted on the spot or vomited uncontrollably. This man's killing intent was simply too terrifying.

Master and Disciple

"W-What is wrong with this guy? He's terrifying..."

Naruto was shaking uncontrollably, yet he could not move. He was clearly being suppressed by the killing intent, his pupils constricting despite himself.

Sakura's eyes had rolled back, and she was clearly about to faint.

Sasuke was also trembling as he knelt on one knee. For the first time, he felt true terror. Only then did he understand just how frightening the opponent Xia Mu had fought earlier was.

As for Xia Mu, he seemed to have only gotten goosebumps, yet he still stood firmly in place.

Tenten and Shino also flinched, but they remained resolutely at Xia Mu's side, gritting their teeth as they endured Orochimaru's killing intent.

I'm actually inferior to Tenten? Even inferior to Shino? How can I accept that?!

Trembling, Sasuke stabbed his thigh with a kunai. The pain jolted him awake, and he finally regained control of his body. At the same time, he pulled out a short blade and readied himself.

Though he had not practiced Hatake Kenjutsu for long, this was the only thing he could use against Orochimaru right now.

He had not yet mastered Chidori—he was not strong enough!

"Damn it! How can I become stronger?!"

Orochimaru gave Sasuke a surprised glance, unable to hide his satisfaction. At the very least, this Uchiha brat had courage. According to Kabuto Yakushi's intelligence, he had even learned Hatake Kenjutsu. His comprehension was not bad either. He should make a fine vessel.

Still, he would have to find an opportunity to place a curse mark on him. The test for a vessel was not that simple.

Unlike Sasuke's unwillingness, Xia Mu, Tenten, and Shino merely felt their hairs standing on end. Facing such terrifying killing intent head-on for the first time was truly unpleasant.

Fortunately, Tenten and Shino were strong enough to endure it.

As for the other examinees, only Neji, Gaara, and a few others seemed capable of holding on. Wasn't the difference in strength obvious now?

Right, Kabuto Yakushi was nowhere to be seen. And although the Sound Ninja Trio had also been frightened, their eyes held admiration as they looked at Orochimaru, as though they intended to help him.

Tch! What a pain! Why hasn't the Hokage arrived yet?!

Shino said softly, "Xia Mu, the opponent is very strong. Don't let your guard down."

Tenten added, "How about the three of us stall him as long as we can? We just need to hold out until Lord Hokage's reinforcements arrive. Orochimaru is too terrifying. We can't defeat him."

"I know. I don't think I can beat him either."

Unless I reveal my trump card, or open the Eight Gates to the Sixth Gate!

Xia Mu added silently, but he had no intention of doing that. His goal was to drive Orochimaru away and prevent him from threatening Tenten and his friends. As for his own strength, his performance just now might already have been enough. Before Hiruzen Sarutobi died, it was better not to reveal too much.

"None of you move! Let me handle this!"

An abrupt voice rang out. Anko, who had been suffering moments ago, stood up and stepped in front of Xia Mu and the others.

Tenten immediately objected. "Examiner Anko, that's too risky. It would be better if we restrained him together and waited for Lord Hokage to arrive!"

Shino agreed. "Examiner Anko, don't force yourself."

But Anko shook her head. "You don't understand. You can't understand the grudge between him and me. Orochimaru, why did you come back? What exactly is your purpose? Why did you abandon me back then?"

Those who did not know the situation were all astonished. There was clearly a story there.

Orochimaru smiled. "Hehehe, Anko, my dear disciple. Long time no see. It seems you've been living quite well in Konoha. But now, are you planning to kill me?"

"That's right! I'm going to kill you!"

As soon as Anko spoke, she charged forward. Her raised hand transformed into a snake that lunged at him. "Shadow Snake Hand!"

However, Orochimaru easily dodged. He opened his mouth and shot out his long tongue, wrapping it around Anko before yanking her toward him. But Anko used the opportunity to throw Orochimaru to the ground, pinning his right hand with her left and driving a kunai through both their hands into the ground.

"Heh, got you! Orochimaru, let's die together!"

Madness filled Anko's eyes as she prepared to use a forbidden technique and perish alongside him. "Ninja Art: Twin Snakes Assassination!"

But in the next second, she discovered that the person beneath her had turned into a clump of mud. Orochimaru himself had somehow already moved behind her.

"You're at least a Special Jonin of the village, so why do you keep using the forbidden techniques I taught you? That's why, Anko, my dear disciple, you were unqualified. That's why I abandoned you."

Orochimaru's words dealt Anko a heavy blow.

Moreover, Orochimaru activated the curse mark, causing Anko unbearable pain and leaving her completely unable to resist.

Just as Orochimaru was about to say something else, the sound of crackling electricity suddenly came from behind him. Xia Mu flashed forward again, slashing at him with a long blade covered in cracks.

Instinctively, Orochimaru raised the Kusanagi Sword to block it.

However, when the cracked blade collided with the Kusanagi Sword, it suddenly broke apart on its own, successfully bypassing the Kusanagi Sword's defense. Though broken, it still slashed toward Orochimaru's head.

This outcome surprised Orochimaru even more. He tilted his head and twisted his body, trying to evade it.

Yet the cracked blade split apart and extended on its own. It was as if Chakra held the fragments together in midair, suddenly lengthening and once again successfully cutting off Orochimaru's head.

This was the special ninja blade Xia Mu had designed—the Thousand Blades Demon Blade!

It made its official debut today!

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tenten controlled the Dragon's Eye Retractable Sword, transforming it into three dragon heads that wrapped around Anko and pulled her back.

"Hehehe, how interesting. Konoha's new generation makes me so excited. I truly want to take all of you back for experiments!"

Orochimaru's voice came from the severed head. Then he crawled out of its mouth again, looking completely impossible to kill. It was enough to drive one to despair.

The Orochimaru-Style Body Replacement Jutsu had always been this absurd, as though it could truly make Orochimaru immortal.

Unfortunately, Xia Mu's genjutsu was not strong enough. Otherwise, if he hit Orochimaru with a powerful genjutsu, the incomplete-souled Orochimaru would be in for a real treat.

"Unfortunately, there's not enough time. The Third Hokage is about to arrive. Well then, everyone, I'll be leaving now. Goodbye!"

After saying that, Orochimaru vanished with a bang.

But Xia Mu did not relax his guard. He hurriedly said, "Neji, Shino, check whether he's still here!"

Neji had already activated his Byakugan. After sweeping the area several times without finding anything, he exchanged a glance with Shino. Both shook their heads. Orochimaru had clearly truly left.

Shino added, "I secretly placed a Female Insect on him, but I can no longer sense its location."

Kiba Inuzuka also spoke timidly. "Akamaru can't smell him either. It's like he really vanished on the spot. That guy is far too terrifying!"

Even as he spoke, his body was still trembling. He had nearly fainted from Orochimaru's killing intent alone.

Hinata had truly already fainted. There was nothing that could be done about that.

Still, everyone let out a huge sigh of relief. It was good that Orochimaru had left. If things had continued, they might not have been able to hold on, and someone might even have died. Like Examiner Anko, who had been prepared to risk her life just now.

Xia Mu and Tenten exchanged a glance and immediately put away their ninja tools.

Good Job

At that moment, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rushed over with several Jonin.

"Is everyone all right? Where is Orochimaru?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave, but after scanning the area, he could not find Orochimaru. Quite a few examinees were already lying on the ground, while many others looked badly traumatized. Anko appeared to be in the worst condition.

Teacher Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Aoba Yamashiro, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Guy had also arrived and quickly stepped forward.

After confirming that their students were unharmed, they finally sighed in relief. Only then did they begin examining Anko. Fortunately, her curse mark had merely flared up, while the injury on the back of her hand was insignificant.

"What exactly happened?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately questioned the examiners present, and they soon explained everything.

This included Xia Mu discovering Orochimaru and trading blows with him, Tenten and Shino providing support from the side, and Anko intending to risk her life against Orochimaru.

As for the examinees' condition, they had merely been frightened by Orochimaru's killing intent. It should not be a major problem.

Still, they might suffer psychological trauma. In any case, there was no way today's exam could continue.

Only after Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed that none of the examinees had been killed or injured did he finally relax completely. He immediately arranged for medical ninja to give simple treatment to the unconscious and frightened examinees.

Anko gradually recovered as well, though she was still somewhat dazed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not press her with questions now and merely told her to rest well.

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Xia Mu with a gratified smile. "Xia Mu, I never expected you to grow to this extent. Back when you came to me with those Ninja Kill cards, I knew that you would have an extraordinary future. I just didn't expect you to shine so brilliantly at only twelve years old!"

I don't believe a word of that! You old bastard are full of it!

I only went to you back then to confirm something about the cards. If the cards hadn't been related to ninja, did you think I would have gone looking for you?

I was hiding myself perfectly at the time. How could you have seen anything extraordinary in me?

If I hadn't later taken the initiative to reveal some of my strength, you probably wouldn't even have bothered paying attention to me, would you?

Xia Mu complained fiercely in his heart, but he looked slightly embarrassed on the surface. "Thank you for the praise, Lord Hokage. I was just lucky."

"Hehe, that was not luck. You truly have the strength."

Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly acknowledged Xia Mu's strength. Luck alone was not enough to contend with Orochimaru. Without sufficient skill, he could never have lasted so long.

Just look at these examiners, then look at Anko, a Special Jonin. Against Orochimaru, they could not even restrain him, let alone have any chance of winning.

But Xia Mu had done it. If that did not count as strength, would that not make everyone else useless?

"By the way, how did you discover Orochimaru?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.

"Oh, intuition!"

Xia Mu wore a serious expression. "When I was making cards, I specifically studied quite a few historical figures. I knew a fair amount about Orochimaru, including his relationship with Examiner Anko. When the female Grass Ninja he disguised himself as was taunting Examiner Anko, there was something strange about his gaze. The name 'Orochimaru' immediately popped into my mind, and I acted without thinking."

"I see. You are very perceptive. That is an essential quality for an outstanding ninja!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him. Though there were many suspicious points in Xia Mu's explanation, that female Grass Ninja had indeed been Orochimaru. Perhaps it truly had been Xia Mu's intuition.

The most important thing was that Xia Mu had proven himself through his strength.

At the very least, he now possessed the strength of a Special Jonin. He was clearly even stronger than Anko, and he knew both Hatake Kenjutsu and the Eight Gates. That was something Hiruzen Sarutobi had to take seriously.

Those with strength would earn respect.

And as one of Konoha's young sprouts, Xia Mu represented Konoha's future in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. As long as he could confirm that Xia Mu was loyal to Konoha, everything else would be fine.

Furthermore, Xia Mu's little girlfriend, Tenten, was also quite impressive. She possessed exceptional talent for controlling ninja tools and could unleash considerable power when paired with special ninja tools. Earlier, she had even helped restrain Orochimaru for a moment. Compared to the pitiful performance of the other examinees, Tenten's showing had been exceptionally outstanding.

Right, the boy from the Aburame clan and the Uchiha orphan had also performed well.

Konoha's new generation was displaying tremendous potential, which was tremendously good news for Konoha.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's previously grim mood improved greatly.

Perhaps he had once been a politician whose methods were not aboveboard, but now, in his old age, he only wanted Konoha to have more strong young sprouts before his death. He also wanted Konoha to once again stand at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World.