At the same time, in the forest near the abandoned Training Ground.
A giant snake emerged from the ground.
Afterward, it opened its mouth, and a person crawled out from inside.
A second or two later—
Swoosh!
The sound of breaking air rang out.
Immediately after, Masahiko appeared on the tree branch above, and in the next instant, he was already in front of him.
"Lord Orochimaru, if you rashly infiltrate Konoha, it won't be easy for me to help you if you run into danger."
"Mr. Mahiko, besides you and the old man, no one else can detect me."
Orochimaru laughed in a low voice.
Masahiko shook his head: "Not necessarily. Anko can sense you; you should still be careful."
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Mahiko. If you are willing to let go and let Yakumo stay with me for a while, I would be even happier."
Orochimaru chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to her. I'm just quite interested in that special Chakra lifeform inside her body."
Masahiko said: "I've said it before, as long as Yakumo agrees, I can let her follow you temporarily. However—Shennong must not be left alive."
"Fine. Anyway, I've already obtained what I need now."
Orochimaru licked the corner of his lips, "After killing him, we'll look for the Zero-Tails together and study this interesting Chakra!"
"Then, it's a pleasure collaborating with you."
Masahiko smiled.
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curled up as he said: "A pleasure collaborating. By the way—according to the news I've received, another party seems to want to take action against Konoha."
"What a coincidence, I have some news too."
Masahiko smiled, "Besides you and me, there's another party interested in Yakumo, the Byakugan, and the Sharingan. Except for the Byakugan, the other two are your prey."
"It's Hiruko, isn't it?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
Masahiko nodded: "Hiruko wouldn't dare come alone; there might be others. Also, how are the preparations for Neji's surgery going?"
"Ready at any time,"
Orochimaru responded with a smile.
"Good, then we'll be in touch."
"Mm."
News from various Villages gradually reached the hands of the Jonin leading the participating teams, and everyone no longer felt the resistance they had before.
Because the Jashin Cult really existed!
Currently, Kusagakure was in a state of extreme paranoia, not daring to send any Ninja out at all, and had even sent a distress signal to Konoha.
Konoha had consequently dispatched an elite squad there.
The other surrounding Ninja Villages were also in a state of panic, spending large sums of money to request aid from Konoha one after another.
The people inside the Training Ground also lost their temper because of this.
Here, they could still receive the protection they deserved; if Konoha really moved them elsewhere, things might not go so well.
Two or three days later.
Inside a meeting room in the Hokage Building.
The vast majority of Jonin still in Konoha had been gathered for a meeting, with only a portion left outside on patrol.
"Today is the Chunin Exams."
Hiruzen Sarutobi scanned the room, "Everyone knows about the recent crisis. There are still many invisible enemies in the shadows—"
"I hope everyone takes this seriously. You must not let your guard down."
His tone was solemn.
Everyone quickly replied, "Yes!"
Masahiko, sitting below, lightly raised his hand.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, signaling him to speak.
"According to reliable information, Hiruko is very likely to attack Konoha this time. His accomplices are currently unknown. Additionally, Orochimaru and Shennong should also be put on the list—"
Masahiko looked toward Might Guy.
"Senior Guy, Shennong has mastered the techniques of the Eight Gates. Although his taijutsu skills aren't strong, you are the only one in the Village who can reliably deal with him."
"Understood."
Might Guy nodded solemnly.
Masahiko nodded and stepped back, saying no more.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked outside and said: "Then, set out!"
Whoosh!
A sound rang out.
The people in the room disappeared using Body Flicker.
Inside the Training Ground, the Chunin Exams had already begun.
Outside the Village.
On a distant hilltop.
Crows fell from the sky one by one, landing on Itachi's shoulders, arms, and the back of his hands.
He slightly raised his head.
"It has begun."
"Are your crows reliable?"
"You also come from Konoha; you should know that sometimes animals are much more reliable than people."
Uchiha Itachi dispersed the crows and calmly straightened his fire cloud cloak, "If we go now, the Ninja Academy will be on its noon break, giving us an hour."
"You help me find the Byakugan or Kurama Yakumo, and I'll help you kill Masahiko Yagyu."
Hiruko wore a long white robe with a smile on his face, looking elegant and gentle.
Uchiha Itachi nodded calmly: "Mm, let's go."
In Konoha, it was noon break, and the Ninja Academy was bustling with noise.
Neji came out of the school and habitually found a Training Ground within the Village to practice his taijutsu techniques.
More than two months had passed since Masahiko began teaching him taijutsu.
Naturally, there was progress.
He could feel that his control over his muscles and power was becoming more and more precise.
But—
"It's still far from enough!"
"With this level of strength, even if Hiashi Hyuga doesn't use the Caged Bird, he could easily defeat me!"
"Practice more!"
Neji quickened his movements.
Every punch and kick was aimed seriously at the wooden stake.
Just then, the ground split open.
Neji instantly activated his Byakugan, and everything in the surroundings came into view.
Underneath was—
A snake?
No!
Inside this snake, a massive amount of Chakra was hidden, and this Chakra was clearly in a humanoid shape.
He stared in that direction.
"Who are you?"
"Nice to meet you, Neji-kun. My name is Orochimaru. Perhaps you haven't heard of my name—but it's not important."
The giant snake spoke, "I can make you stronger, and develop a power that surpasses the limits of the Byakugan!"
"A power... that surpasses the Byakugan?"
Neji's eyes froze, and a look of desire appeared on his face.
After a moment, he began to hesitate and finally stepped back: "I remember now. You are Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and a Rogue Ninja of Konoha!"
"Hmph, Neji-kun, 'Rogue Ninja' is just Konoha's definition of me. In reality, I am simply pursuing my own goals."
Saying this, Orochimaru let out a light laugh, "If you are so willing to be driven by others, then why bother resisting your own fate?"
Neji fell silent.
He was certainly not willing, and his loyalty to Konoha was indeed not that deep; he even harbored a faint trace of hatred.
Amidst his inner hesitation, the other party said: "By the way, this is a deal between me and Mr. Mahiko. Otherwise, I would have no interest in the Byakugan, let alone you, who are just from a branch house."
"Teacher?"
Neji's eyes widened, his face showing a look of bewilderment.
Then, his eyes turned slightly red.
For his sake, his teacher was actually willing to make a deal with someone like Orochimaru—
He remained silent for a few seconds, suppressing his inner emotions: "What do I need to do?"
"I will transplant cells into you, and then—that's it."
Orochimaru said.
Neji was still hesitating, but finally took a deep breath and said: "Let's go!"
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled up.
"No rush, wait a moment first."
The next second, a thunderous explosion resounded from outside the Village.
From inside the giant snake, a voice came out: "Now it's fine."
Neji used his Chakra to boost his Byakugan's ability and soon saw chaos in the direction of the Ninja Academy; it seemed an attack had occurred.
This is—
Right, it's the Sky Ninja!
Neji was suddenly surprised: "You also teamed up with the Sky Ninja?"
"Neji-kun, diverting everyone's attention so that no one notices you is not that easy."
"Now, let's head to the outskirts first."
After saying that, a hand reached out from the giant snake and pulled Neji directly into the snake's belly.
>