"Okay."
Ino smiled, reluctantly letting go of Xia Li's hand before carefully putting away the black rod.
There was no need to refuse anything between them. Ino understood that if she rejected it, he would only worry more. It was better for her to work harder in the future so Xia Li would have less to worry about.
After putting it away, Ino noticed Xia Li bend slightly and tap his cheek with a finger. Her face flushed, but she didn't refuse. Instead, she leaned forward.
Then she took Xia Li's hand again, and the two of them walked home together.
A hint of delight appeared on Xia Li's face. The brief touch just now—and the occasional brush of her arm—finally made him feel that the girl next door had truly grown up.
As for the black rod he had just given Ino, it was a small gadget Xia Li had recently developed. It could technically be considered a self-destruct device, but inside it was engraved with the formula for the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Once the button was pressed, the Flying Thunder God seal inside would instantly deactivate, and Xia Li would use the Flying Thunder God kunai marked on Ino to teleport directly to her location.
It sounded practical, but in reality, it wasn't particularly useful. Xia Li could use it only because he was now able to maintain a normal state even while in his "void" condition. That allowed him to retain a certain range of perception at all times without actively focusing.
Therefore, when a Flying Thunder God mark disappeared within his sensory range, he could immediately detect it. This principle was what he used to create the black rod.
Only Xia Li could maintain that kind of perception. Even the Fourth Hokage wouldn't have been able to use this method.
Still, its usefulness was limited. Xia Li's sensory range was small and circular. Fortunately, the Chunin Exams were being held in Konoha. He planned to apply for a position at the central tower of the Forest of Death, which made it somewhat practical.
The Flying Thunder God's range worked differently. Xia Li's perception covered a circular area, but the Flying Thunder God functioned in a straight line. As long as it connected to a marked kunai, replacing the circular area with an extremely thin line, the effective distance could be extended much farther…
"Is that Naruto over there? It looks like he's having a conflict with someone," Ino said, pointing ahead.
"Oh, it's them." Xia Li had noticed earlier. He had been watching the familiar red-haired figure from the Sand Village—Gaara—and the two following behind him. Kankuro and Temari. "Let's go take a look."
"Okay." Ino followed closely behind.
"What's going on?" Xia Li asked when he arrived.
"Xia Li, some strangers came to Konoha," Sakura said immediately upon seeing him.
"Strangers? Don't you know? The Chunin Exams have already begun. Konoha is hosting this time. We came because of your village's invitation," said the black-clad boy—Kankuro, whose face was painted and whose body was wrapped in bandages.
He glanced at Xia Li. "Are you a chunin from Konoha? That brat from your village ran into me."
"I already apologized!" Konohamaru protested—the Third Hokage's grandson.
"If he apologized, then there's no need to make a fuss over a child," Xia Li said calmly. If someone bumped into you and apologized, that should be enough.
"That's enough, Kankuro," said Gaara quietly.
His gaze shifted from Naruto and Sasuke to Xia Li. "You're strong."
His words shocked both Kankuro and Temari. If Gaara said someone was strong, then that person definitely wasn't ordinary.
"You're not bad yourself," Xia Li replied, meeting Gaara's eyes. The faint killing intent leaking from him was unmistakable. When Xia Li had just left the ANBU, people around him—perhaps even the Third Hokage and his future father-in-law—had probably sensed something similar in him.
"Too bad you can't participate in the Chunin Exams," Gaara said after noticing the flak jacket indicating Xia Li's rank. His eyes then shifted to Sasuke and Naruto.
Sasuke felt strong to him. But from Naruto, he sensed something strange—something he couldn't quite identify. Even so, he couldn't stop looking at Naruto.
"That's not a pity. You should be glad I can't participate," Xia Li yawned.
Gaara said nothing more and left with Kankuro and Temari.
As Temari walked away, she couldn't help glancing at Sasuke and Xia Li, sighing inwardly. There were so many handsome guys in Konoha—she had just seen two at once.
After the Sand trio left, Naruto asked, "Xia Li, what's this Chunin Exam they were talking about?"
Sasuke and Sakura also looked at him.
"It's about the Chunin Exams. Kakashi probably already knows and might have registered you, but he hasn't told you yet. Just wait for him to inform you," Xia Li said, deciding to leave the explanation to Kakashi.
Remembering Kakashi's chronic lateness, Naruto and the others rolled their eyes. It wouldn't be strange at all if he forgot to tell them.
"So if we pass, we'll become chunin? We'll be one step closer?!" Naruto's eyes shone with excitement.
"You have to pass first. It's not that easy," Ino said, unable to hold back.
"Hmph, I'll definitely pass!" Naruto shouted, drawing attention from others nearby.
His teammates could only sigh helplessly. He was as carefree as ever.
"Come on. I hope you'll all keep up with me," Xia Li said, his gaze sweeping across not only Naruto but everyone present.
This time, even Sasuke clenched his fists slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He now had another reason to pass and become chunin.
Ino silently resolved to work harder too—and to nag Shikamaru into being less lazy, and prepare snacks for Choji afterward.
Eventually, the group dispersed. After escorting Ino home, Xia Li walked back alone.
He kept thinking about Konoha's impending destruction. No matter how he analyzed it, only Orochimaru, the curse mark on Sasuke's neck, and the death of the Third Hokage came to mind.
He couldn't remember anything else clearly—but it didn't matter.
Looking at the distant sunset, Xia Li smiled confidently.
This time, he was here.
Chapter 128: Orochimaru
Night fell.
In the central tower of the Forest of Death, Xia Li sat quietly cultivating.
Several days had passed. The Chunin Exams had entered the second round—the Forest of Death—so he was stationed here.
He had been somewhat interested in the first test, but the proctor was Morino Ibiki, who had his own philosophy regarding torture and psychological evaluation. Xia Li couldn't replace him.
After the test, however, Xia Li had reviewed the answer sheets of those he knew.
As expected, even with such difficult questions, Sakura scored full marks. Sasuke did slightly worse. Previously, the tests hadn't been difficult enough to reveal the gap, but now the difference was clear.
When Xia Li saw Naruto's score, he was stunned.
It was exactly the same as Sakura's.
Only after reviewing Ino's paper did he understand.
Because of Xia Li's presence, Ino had no reason to be interested in Sasuke, nor did she have any conflict with Sakura.
It was likely that Ino used her Mind Transfer Technique to communicate with Sakura, and Sakura then passed the answers to Naruto—with Sasuke present.
Ino would never refuse Sakura. And she was on good terms with both Sasuke and Naruto.
As for Sasuke, perhaps his pride prevented him from relying on such methods, so he completed it himself.
Looking at Choji's paper confirmed his suspicions.
As for Shikamaru—his answers were almost entirely correct and even more concise than Sakura's.
Ibiki later mentioned how Naruto's shocking speech during the exam had disrupted the intended psychological pressure, giving him quite a headache.
Xia Li smiled and shook his head. Naruto truly was the most unpredictable ninja.
For the second round, Xia Li had requested to be stationed at the central tower—the final destination of the Forest of Death.
He also encountered the proctor for the second round: Anko Mitarashi.
The moment he saw her, Xia Li felt an instinctive wave of disgust. It startled him.
Why?
After thinking carefully, he remembered—Anko bore Orochimaru's curse mark.
That must be it.
The curse mark. It wasn't just a seal; it was essentially a corrupted version of Sage Mode.
While true Sage Mode came from Mount Myoboku, Orochimaru had developed his own twisted transformation. Anyone who used it underwent grotesque physical changes.
Thinking of Sasuke's second-stage transformation was enough to understand—it was unnatural.
So why did Xia Li instinctively loathe it?
He wasn't sure.
Truthfully, he had once been interested in researching the curse mark. The ability to absorb natural energy and convert it into chakra was fascinating. After all, very few people in the world could store chakra long-term—like Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal.
But if his instinctive rejection remained, forcing himself to study it would only go against his own nature.
Now, he considered the upcoming events.
In the second round, Sasuke and Naruto would encounter Orochimaru.
That man was no ordinary opponent.
Even though Naruto and Sasuke had grown significantly stronger, the gap between them and Orochimaru was still enormous.
Xia Li sighed.
He had to expose Orochimaru during the second round. Otherwise, he wouldn't have justification to mobilize his power.
He had already engraved Flying Thunder God marks throughout Konoha, but alone, that wouldn't be enough.
He needed Konoha's collective strength.
Closing his eyes, Xia Li sank into deeper emptiness and darkness.
He felt the void within him swelling, threatening to erupt.
The Forest of Death was pitch black, as though concealing unspeakable secrets.
Orochimaru had already locked onto his target—Sasuke.
Despite his overwhelming killing intent, both Sasuke and Naruto could still move.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with admiration.
Worthy of the Uchiha heir. And that one beside him—the Nine-Tails' son? Not bad at all.
What surprised him most was that he couldn't easily endure Naruto's attacks.
The violent wind swirling around Naruto was unexpected.
Wind Release: Gale Palm?
That Nine-Tails boy had actually trained to this level. That technique should already be B-rank.
But still—it was insufficient.
Orochimaru effortlessly avoided every attack.
Suddenly—
"What?"
His expression changed.
It sounded like a thousand birds chirping in his ears.
Chidori.
Naruto's attacks had all been feints—to buy time for Sasuke.
"That's Kakashi's Chidori," Orochimaru murmured, not afraid but even more greedy.
Fresh out of the academy, already able to use Chidori.
As expected of an Uchiha genius.
Then—
Countless snakes burst from Orochimaru's sleeves, hair, mouth—everywhere.
For anyone with trypophobia, the sight would be horrifying.
Sasuke's Chidori lost its target amid the swarm. It wasn't suited for dealing with so many small snakes.
Naruto's shadow clones were bitten and dispelled one by one.
And Naruto himself was seized by Orochimaru's elongated neck.
The gap was still far too wide.
"Naruto!!"
Sakura covered her mouth, hiding in the shadows, knowing she would only get in the way.
"Let go of me, you ugly freak!" Naruto struggled, pounding against Orochimaru's arm—but it was like striking iron shackles.
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