Since that sparring match with Kurenai Yuhi, Team 8's training pattern had quietly changed.
Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame were still under Kurenai's guidance, undergoing targeted basic tempering and tactical development. Kiba no longer just blindly charged but started trying more complex detours and feints with Akamaru.
While Shino consolidated his Taijutsu, he developed new techniques using his bugs for short-distance levitation and creating sonic interference.
As for Hyuga Hinata, she obtained Kurenai's special permission for independent cultivation.
After completing the necessary teamwork missions, she could freely arrange her time, which was exactly what she wanted.
Her life formed a new pattern. During the day, if there were no missions, she would go to the Family training ground or a secluded spot outside the Village. On the surface, she was practicing Gentle Fist, but in reality, she was deeply researching more applications of Multiple Shadow Clones and trying to understand the principles of the Flying Thunder God Technique involving spatial mysteries.
The convenience of Multiple Shadow Clones was beyond imagination, but her modified version clearly had even more ridiculous consumption. She could maintain a maximum of three spiritual clones at the same time for different cultivation projects.
One would sit in meditation for Qi Refining, one would practice Taijutsu, and one would study scrolls or try to analyze the Flying Thunder God.
Although the mental load and spiritual energy consumption were not small, the feedback from the cultivation results made it all seem worthwhile. Her Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation was steadily consolidating, and her control over spiritual energy became increasingly refined.
Occasionally, she would use a spiritual Clone to replace herself in performing those boring D-rank missions.
The main body would hide in the shadows to Cultivate or observe. Multiple Shadow Clones has a very buggy point, which is that others cannot discover the difference between the main body and the Clone; this point is very overpowered.
One day, Hinata was cultivating in a corner of the Family training ground.
Suddenly, she caught the low-voiced conversation of two Chunin on patrol at the edge of the training ground.
"...Have you heard? Recently, the Border Patrol reported traces of suspected Otogakure activity."
"Otogakure? That small Village? What are they doing at the border of the Land of Fire?"
"Not sure, but it feels a bit off. And on the Hidden Sand Village's side, they also seem to be a bit restless..."
"Sigh, I just hope nothing goes wrong."
Otogakure? Sunagakure?
Hinata's fist technique paused slightly, a hint of realization flashing in her pure white eyes.
[Orochimaru...]
[Is it finally going to begin?]
She thought to herself that in the original work, on the eve of the Chunin Exams, it was the Otogakure controlled by Orochimaru colluding with the Hidden Sand Village, brewing the Konoha Crush plan.
These abnormal movements at the border were undoubtedly signals before the storm.
"It seems the peaceful daily life won't last much longer."
She composed herself and continued practicing Gentle Fist, but her mind had already started calculating rapidly.
The Chunin Exams, she definitely had to participate. This was not only a reasonable promotion channel, although she had no interest in the title of Chunin.
For her, it was an even bigger platform where she could witness and possibly participate in changing many key events, obtaining a large amount of System points.
Moreover, amidst the chaos, there might be some unexpected gains.
Hinata assessed herself; with her Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, dealing with this crisis wouldn't be a big problem, and she could even hide her strength.
Orochimaru's targets were Naruto and Sasuke, having nothing to do with her.
Even if Orochimaru targeted her, she was confident she could retreat unscathed without exposing all her trump cards.
Even going all out, she couldn't kill Orochimaru; this guy was a legendary King of Survival.
You could chop him into mincemeat and he would still live.
However, her Flying Thunder God must be mastered as soon as possible. Even if it was just the most basic teleportation, it was a god-level skill for life-saving and surprise attacks.
The load limit of Multiple Shadow Clones also needed to be tested; it might play a miraculous role at a critical moment.
She secretly made up her mind to speed up the cultivation progress of these key techniques.
In the evening, Team 8 gathered to report today's progress.
Seeing Hinata looking thoughtful, Kurenai Yuhi spoke up to ask.
"Hinata, is your independent cultivation going smoothly? Do you have any doubts?"
Kurenai asked with concern.
"No, it's going very smoothly. Thank you, Kurenai-sensei."
Hinata replied politely, not saying much.
Kurenai nodded and didn't press further; she was now used to Hinata's current state.
She turned to Kiba and Shino, guiding them on the problems exposed in today's training.
After dismissal, Hinata didn't go home immediately but took a detour to Konoha's Ninja Tool Shop to restock some specially-made Kunai and tough blank scrolls.
She planned to start trying to carve the basic Runes of the Flying Thunder God formula. Even if she couldn't master Spatial Teleportation immediately, it was good to familiarize herself with the rune structure first.
Night fell, the lights were coming on, and the streetlights on both sides lit up every corner of Konoha Village.
Hinata strolled alone on this bustling street, looking at the bustling Konoha villagers, a faint sense of melancholy involuntarily rising in her heart.
As she walked, she thought about the issue of modifying the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was an extremely complex Ninjutsu. To transform it to be driven by spiritual energy would probably not be an easy task, requiring a lot of time and energy to research and try.
Hinata couldn't help but sigh. This technique itself was already complicated to death, and now she had to modify it; it was simply harder than hard! Just thinking about it made her feel like her hair was going to fall out.
However, Hinata knew the potential and importance of this technique well. If she could successfully modify it, it would be a huge help to her strength enhancement. Let the difficulties be difficulties.
Currently, some people did know how to use this technique, but it required three people to perform it together.
This showed how difficult the Flying Thunder God was to use; it was simply not prepared for ordinary people.