Although Red Star wasn't very fast to begin with, and Chen Xing was carrying someone in his arms, he deliberately slowed his flight speed to match the group. It took them five full days to cross into the Land of Fire. At this pace, they would probably reach Konohagakure in another three or four days.
By now, it was already June 26 — which meant the Chūnin Exams would begin in just two days.
High above the forests of the Fire Country, Chen Xing sighed helplessly as he looked down at the girl in his arms.
For days now, Haku had barely spoken to him — either remaining silent or acting coldly distant. Red Star and Iron Star exchanged glances more than once, convinced now that the two of them were in some kind of lovers' quarrel.
"White, are you still angry with me?" Chen Xing asked gently, trying to catch her gaze.
He wanted her to be independent and confident — not cold and indifferent toward him. This kind of silence wasn't what he had hoped for.
"What do you mean, angry?" Haku turned her head away, her expression perfectly calm, her wide brown eyes showing only feigned confusion. She looked so composed it was almost theatrical.
You could win an Academy Award for that act, Chen Xing thought wryly. "Come on," he said helplessly, "you really can't forgive me?"
A faint smile tugged at Haku's lips, though she quickly hid it. "Hmph, so even the famous 'Peacock King' knows how to apologize now?"
"Alright, alright, no need to rub it in," Chen Xing said, rolling his eyes. He could tell she wasn't truly angry anymore — just pretending to be.
When he called her by name again, Haku couldn't suppress a quiet laugh, though she quickly masked it with a small pout. "Fine. I'll forgive you — but only if you promise me one thing."
Chen Xing raised a brow. She's probably going to bring up the Cursed Seal again, he thought. "As long as it's reasonable, I'll agree. Go ahead."
"Then promise me you'll never bully me again!" Haku said in a mock-stern tone, though there was a playful edge to her voice. "If you do, I won't speak to you ever again!"
For a moment, Chen Xing blinked — he had genuinely thought she'd ask about lifting her curse mark. Then he realized what she meant and let out a quiet laugh.
So that's it. She's just afraid I'll 'punish' her again, he thought, amused.
"Alright, alright, I promise," he said quickly.
Satisfied, Haku turned away with a little "hmph," though her cheeks were tinged with pink.
---
Three days later, they were less than a dozen miles from Konoha. Chen Xing stopped flying and dropped down into the forest canopy, moving on foot toward the village.
"The forests here really are endless," Red Star said with a sigh as they leapt from branch to branch. "It's completely different from the Bear Country — all we have there are mountains and that massive valley near Star Village."
Chen Xing nodded, smiling slightly. "That's true. The Land of Fire is the most fertile and prosperous of the Five Great Nations. After this mission and the Chūnin Exams, I plan to discuss something with the Third Hoshikage. If the villagers agree, we might relocate part of Hoshigakure to the Bear Country's Great Forest."
Red Star, Iron Star, and Haku all stopped mid-jump, stunned.
"Relocate the entire village?" Iron Star blurted out. "That's… a huge move. The reconstruction alone would take years, and the forest beasts in the Bear Country are dangerous for civilians!"
Chen Xing nodded calmly. "We've already discussed it. The Third agrees with my plan. We wouldn't move everyone at once — first we'd build new facilities and establish safe zones. The new location would give us better access to natural resources, and the dense forests could serve as natural defenses — like Konoha's Forest of Death."
"That actually sounds like a wise decision," Haku said softly, her usual cool tone warming into a gentle smile.
The group continued forward, chatting as they went. The towering trees of the Fire Country flashed past them like green blurs.
"Someone's up ahead," Chen Xing said suddenly, halting on a high branch. The others landed quietly behind him. "Judging by their chakra signatures, they're shinobi — probably from Konoha."
"Then let's just stay out of trouble and keep moving," Red Star said, adjusting his forehead protector.
But as they moved closer, several figures appeared on the path ahead — a squad of seven ninja, about the same age as Chen Xing's team. The man leading them wore a standard flak jacket, clearly their jōnin instructor.
One of the young ninja looked at Chen Xing's group and scoffed. "Never seen those forehead protectors before… Star Village, huh?"
His tone dripped with disdain.
"Don't pay attention to them," Chen Xing said quietly, signaling his team to keep going.
But just as they passed, the same boy's voice rose again, loud and mocking. "Star Village? Never heard of it! Must be some backwater dump for wannabe ninja!"
Chen Xing stopped mid-stride.
The air grew heavy.
Slowly, he turned around, his expression cold and unreadable. "Say that again," he said quietly — but there was steel in his voice.
The boy froze, but before he could reply, his instructor — a dark-haired jōnin — stepped forward quickly and gave a stiff bow. "My apologies! He's just a kid. Please don't take offense, shinobi from Hoshigakure."
The boy scowled but muttered under his breath, "Did I say anything wrong? It's not like Star Village is important. It's just a no-name place in the middle of nowhere…"
Red Star's chakra flared instantly. "What did you say?!"
Even calm, gentle Haku's eyes turned cold, and Iron Star clenched his fists. To insult their village so openly was an offense none of them could ignore.
The jōnin turned pale. Idiot, he thought, you're going to get us all killed!
He gave Chen Xing a tense look. "Please, forgive him. He doesn't know any better."
Chen Xing's gaze flicked toward the arrogant genin. "If your sensei weren't here," he said quietly, "I'd teach you some manners myself. The next time you mock another village, make sure you have the strength to back it up."
The boy's smirk faltered. He could feel the killing intent radiating from Chen Xing's eyes — sharp, cold, and suffocating.
For a brief moment, he realized that this wasn't some no-name shinobi.
This was someone dangerous.