A week passed by quickly.
It was another clear Sunday,
And at this moment,
At the entrance of Amegakure, quite a few people had gathered, far more lively than usual.
However,
They weren't gathered for reasons like a market or gambling.
It was for a major event.
The Joint Chunin Exams.
That's right,
The news that Konoha had invited Amegakure to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams had already slowly spread throughout the entire village.
But since there was no possibility of spies or intelligence leaks within Amegakure, Pain and Konan didn't interfere.
They let it spread on its own.
And today was the previously agreed departure date.
With three days remaining until the official start of the Chunin Exams, time-wise, it was naturally more than sufficient.
At this moment,
The three chosen children stood at the front of the crowd, their expressions showing a hint of honor, but also considerable worry.
Behind them were some residents and other academy students.
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
The reason their team hadn't departed yet,
Was, naturally, to wait for the team leader for this trip-
A specially invited swordsmanship instructor from the Amegakure's Shinobi Academy, personally asked by Konan to serve as the leader for this trip.
It was said he would observe the entire exam and ensure the safe return of these three participating Amegakure's Genin.
With the Angel's guarantee, many people naturally felt quite reassured.
And just at that moment,
An unknown voice suddenly called out.
"Ah! It looks like someone is coming!"
As the words faded, everyone looked in that direction.
They saw a young figure slowly approaching from the distance.
As he drew nearer, his image became clear.
He had fluffy brown hair, casually draped over his shoulders, wearing a simple Amegakure instructor's outfit.
On his face was a pair of black-rimmed glasses, his expression calm, and his hands, as usual, were in his pockets.
He walked over with a very leisurely pace.
He even looked a bit listless.
And at this moment, the moment they saw him clearly,
Not only the watching residents, but even the Academy's students were dumbfounded.
'Huh?'
'Isn't that Kyo-sensei coming?'
'Who... is this?'
'Does our Amegakure even have someone like this???'
Everyone was stunned.
In fact,
Even as this figure approached within two meters of them, no one could recognize him.
Everyone was completely confused.
Some even started scratching their heads in bewilderment.
There's total confusion all around.
And just then,
Kyo naturally noticed their strange expressions. He couldn't help but stop, smile, and gently raise his eyes.
Then, his Spiritual Pressure surged.
At that moment, his golden pupils instantly blazed with a light like flowing white energy, dazzlingly bright!
"-?!"
Seeing this, the Academy's students who had been confused were suddenly startled!
'Wait a minute!'
'Th-Those are blazing golden eyes!?'
'That... Kyo-sensei!?'
Instantly,
The three chosen children all recognized him, and one of the young men exclaimed in surprise:
"K-Kyo-sensei?! Your appearance... how could it be..."
Hearing this,
Kyo walked over, retracting the Spiritual Pressure from his eyes, and said with a light smile:
"Just a little disguise."
"I was afraid that if people from certain villages saw me, they might not dare to continue participating in the exam."
Kyo spoke with a smile, his tone very casual.
Hearing this,
The nearby residents were first stunned, then they all started laughing.
"Ahahaha, Kyo-sensei sure has a sense of humor..."
"Yeah hahaha, this time, we'll have to rely on you to take good care of the three participating children."
"I never expected this young teacher Kyo to be so good at joking haha..."
Some Amegakure's residents laughed very kindly.
Since Kyo was recommended by Konan, they naturally had a good impression of him from the start.
Even if he boasted, they wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
But at this moment,
Unlike the residents,
None of the Academy's students were laughing.
On the contrary, they all stared intently at Kyo, their hearts surging with excitement.
Because they knew Kyo wasn't joking!
After all, according to what Konan had said that day, his strength was at the pinnacle of the entire Shinobi World.
So, if Kyo said that people from other countries were truly afraid of him, it was very likely true!
Thinking this,
The hearts of the Amegakure's Academy students were filled with admiration.
'Kyo-sensei is truly amazing...'
'To avoid frightening others, he even actively conceals his appearance...'
And at this moment,
Kyo also noticed something peculiar.
The three chosen children's attire was different from seven days ago.
Of course, not their appearance.
But rather, they all had something extra on their backs.
A black straight sword.
"Hmm?"
Kyo raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled in surprise.
'What's this?'
'I just gave them a swordsmanship scroll, and they've all equipped themselves with a sword?'
'Are they planning to use it in the Chunin Exams?'
'Well,'
'Maybe it could actually be useful.'
Kyo's eyes flickered slightly, and he didn't intend to linger any longer.
So he glanced at the three and said:
"Let's go. Time to go to Konoha."
"...Yes!"
The three immediately replied in unison.
Then, following Kyo's lead, they gradually left Amegakure behind.
And so, they embarked on this journey to Konoha for the Chunin Exams.
And at this moment,
They had yet to realize just how bizarre this exam would be...
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
In the Land of Fire, within a town near Konoha.
At this moment, a group of Shinobi with unique attire and appearances arrived at a tall building.
The leader is wearing a white robe, a bamboo hat, and a mask covering his face.
Seeing this scene, passersby outside were all shocked.
"Wait! Th-That, could that be the Kazekage's hat!?"
"What's going on... The Shinobi from Sunagakure in the Land of Wind have actually come here?!"
"Uh, I think I heard that the joint Chunin Exams hosted by Konoha and Sunagakure are about to officially begin... They're probably here for that."
"Hmm... probably."
The passersby discussed, and then the group checked into various rooms of the building.
But at this moment,
The leader wearing the Kazekage's hat did not enter a room but went alone to the top floor of the building.
A Sunagakure's Shinobi nearby saw this and asked in surprise:
"Uh, Kazekage-sama, are you going to...?"
Hearing this, the person called Kazekage didn't stop, continuing upward, and said blandly:
"I'm going up to think about something."
"Don't come up and disturb me, understand."
"Ah... yes!"
The Sunagakure's Shinobi immediately replied respectfully, guarding the spot as he watched the Kazekage leave.
...
However, in reality,
At this moment, what they didn't know,
Was that on the rooftop at the very top of this building, a figure was already standing there.
He wore gray-white Shinobi attire, a Konoha's forehead protector, a gray-white ponytail, and round glasses, as if waiting for something.
It's a familiar face. The master spy of the Shinobi World, Yakushi Kabuto.
A moment later,
The person in the Kazekage's robe coincidentally arrived at the rooftop.
Seeing this,
Kabuto's expression lit up with joy.
Then, he immediately went before him, knelt on one knee, and said very respectfully:
"You've finally arrived. I have been waiting for a long time."
"Orochimaru-sama!"
As his words faded, a light chuckle came from beneath the Kazekage's hat.
"Hehe..."
"Seeing that Konoha's forehead protector you're wearing now,"
"All seems to be going smoothly with our plan, doesn't it, Kabuto."
This voice was the scientist, Orochimaru!
And at this moment, for some reason, he was dressed in the Kazekage's attire, his appearance almost identical to the Kazekage himself.
Hearing this, Kabuto lightly pushed up his glasses and smiled:
"As you requested,"
"I have successfully infiltrated Konoha."
"I've also obtained all the data for this Chunin Exam."
"However..."
"Have you truly decided to disguise yourself as a Kusagakure's Shinobi and personally enter this Chunin Exam before dealing with the Third Hokage...?"
Kabuto inquired cautiously.
As his words faded, Orochimaru curled his lips and smiled:
"Of course."
"Although killing Sarutobi-sensei is the most important part of this plan, how could I miss that perfect Uchiha vessel?"
"Since obtaining Uchiha Itachi's body is hopeless, his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, is also an extremely good choice."
Orochimaru said, licking his lips.
Hearing this, Kabuto was momentarily stunned, then chuckled lightly:
"...You're right."
"Well then, I will follow all your operational commands at that time."
"Hmm."
Orochimaru nodded, then seemed to think of something, suddenly asking:
"What about the Shinobi from Amegakure?"
"Have you observed any special movements from them...?"
Hearing this, Kabuto shook his head and said honestly:
"Currently, the participating Shinobi from Amegakure have not yet arrived, so I cannot determine their movements."
"...Is that so?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, then curled his lips again and chuckled lightly:
"Hehe... then there's no need to pay too much attention for now."
"After all, this time, once I successfully overthrow Konoha and obtain the Scroll of Seals, my fifteen forbidden techniques will all be complete."
"Then, I can officially begin to contact that mysterious organization called 'Las Noches'."
"Just thinking about it gets me excited."
Having said this, Orochimaru looked back at Kabuto and said blandly:
"Kabuto, return to Konoha first."
"If any Shinobi from Amegakure arrive, no matter who, be sure to inform me immediately, understand?"
"...Yes."