Chapter 3

Seeing Boruto's determination, Sarada pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then hardened her resolve: "Boruto, I'm with you."

"No, we're together," Mitsuki chimed in.

Onstage, Luo En's power intensified; Bai Luo was forced to retreat, her grip loosening, until she barely steadied herself at the edge of the platform.

Luo En stood effortlessly in place, watching Bai Luo.

"I didn't realize—apparently appearances deceive. I underestimated you," Bai Luo frowned, pretending to rest her dagger at her waist, her gaze flickering.

Luo En noticed it all—he suspected Bai Luo would strike soon.

"You flatter me," Luo En replied politely.

Frustration surged; Bai Luo pressed forward again, gripping tighter, channeling force toward Luo En, who opened his palm and perfectly enclosed her fist.

Bai Luo widened her eyes, straining to push forward, but Luo En's hand was like steel plate—she couldn't budge it.

How is this possible?

Bai Luo couldn't believe it; the crowd below was even more stunned, staring at Luo En.

He blocked it with just one hand? Such strength—and he's still below Chunin rank?

Luo En counterattacked, pushing outward with his palm; Bai Luo felt like a wad of cotton, easily swept aside despite her full strength.

Bai Luo glanced at Luo En—he looked calm, as if he hadn't used any effort at all. In less than a second, she was forced back to the platform's edge again.

This time, she bent over, leaning against the platform's pillar.

That single push, though seemingly simple, had already bruised her internal organs; Bai Luo sensed Luo En had deliberately held back.

"How could this happen?" Bai Luo gritted her teeth, clutching her chest, still refusing to accept it.

She had trained since childhood, enduring daily hardship, all to shine in every exam and make a name for herself.

After seeing how no one dared challenge Luo En after he defeated that giant, she had planned to defeat him and earn praise.

But reality was utterly contrary to her expectations—she simply couldn't understand it.

"Still going?" Luo En slipped his hands into his pockets, speaking calmly.

"Yes! I don't believe it!" Bai Luo snorted, charging at Luo En again; in the crowd's distraction, she drew her dagger.

But Luo En saw it—he smirked inwardly, feigning ignorance, and sparred with her bare-handed for a while.

Bai Luo aimed every strike at vital points, hoping to force Luo En into painful submission, but his speed was swift—he evaded every attack.

Failing to land a hit, Bai Luo grew discouraged, then gritted her teeth and thrust the dagger toward Luo En's arm; he caught it barehanded, unleashed a powerful jolt, and sent her flying backward onto the platform.

Bai Luo struggled to stand, her eyes dull. "I yield. You're strong."

She bit her lower lip, still unwilling, but had no choice—she stepped down.

Luo En tossed the dagger back to Bai Luo; she caught it, glanced at Luo En, then descended.

"Congratulations to this silver-haired boy for another victory! Does anyone else wish to challenge him?"

At that moment, someone stepped onto the platform—stunning everyone present.

Someone couldn't help exclaiming, "Hokage!"

Others froze in shock—the Hokage was the highest-ranking person in the Hidden Leaf Village. Why was he here at the Chunin Exam?

Hokage?

Luo En looked at the man before him—simple attire, a full face of white beard, resembling an elderly grandfather.

4, Acquaintance (No need to read)

"Pleased to meet you all."

Boruto released his grip, curiously asking, "Are you from somewhere else?"

"Sort of. Are there any vacant houses here?" Luo En suddenly remembered he needed temporary lodging—he might have to stay here for a while.

"Vacant houses?" Sarada thought for a moment. "Why not come with us? This Chunin Exam is a graduation test—we plan to go on adventures. Your strength is so great, why not join us and travel together?"

Mitsuki chimed in, "Yes, more experience will strengthen your abilities."

Boruto spoke, his eyes filled with longing and resolve: "We plan to rise step by step—from Chunin all the way to Kage."

Luo En considered, then nodded. "Alright, I'll join you."

The world's principle here is peace—which is also indirectly boring. Better to travel with Boruto and the others; the protagonist will surely encounter many stories.

On the other side, a man glared at Luo En, his gaze sharp and filled with contempt: "What's so special about him? Always pushing himself forward—does he really think he's someone?"

Another man agreed: "Exactly! If we don't teach him a lesson, he'll start thinking he's important!"

"Let's test his strength after this. Given his age, he probably took some shortcut—how else could he get such high treatment from the Hokage? Since he's taking the Chunin Exam, he must still be a Chunin!"

The man snorted, clenching his fist, his eyes burning with hatred toward Luo En.

Luo En sensed it—he smiled faintly, his gaze turning to a certain spot, directly meeting the man's.

The man froze, then reassured himself.

Impossible—I was just glancing. How could Luo En possibly know?

"Young Lady, that boy named Luo En seems to be looking at us," one man stammered, his face trembling.

"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?" The woman called Young Lady snapped, swatting the man randomly.

"We were just watching him. How could he feel it? He only exchanged a few blows with the Hokage Elder—do you really think he's some kind of god?"

"After this, I'll make him beg on his knees, calling me 'Auntie'!"

The Young Lady sneered, her eyes brimming with disdain as she stared at Luo En.

She didn't know that every word had reached Luo En's ears—he still wore that faint, knowing smile.

Beg on his knees? He'd wait to see.

"Have you only just arrived in the Hidden Leaf Village?" Sarada asked again, studying Luo En's appearance with growing admiration, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She hadn't noticed him closely before, but now that she was closer, she realized how handsome he was—he was by far the most striking boy she'd ever seen.

"Sort of. I've been here a while," Luo En replied, glancing at Sarada, his mind already turning over thoughts.

He still figured it was best to keep some cards up his sleeve. These few people were easy enough to get along with, and they were decent in the original anime too, but caution was still the way to go.

At that moment, a girl stepped onto the stage. The host called out, "Someone has already taken the stage now — does anyone want to spar with this Young Lady?"

The girl was thin and frail-looking, as if a gust of wind could knock her over, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail. Sarada's eyes lit up. Boruto read her expression. "Sarada, go on, this is a good chance!"

Sarada nodded and quickly went up onto the stage.

Luo En glanced at the girl on stage and offered a word of warning. "Don't let your guard down."

Sarada was caught off guard, not quite understanding Luo En's words.

The girl on stage looked so thin and frail — was there really any need to be careful? It all felt a little strange.

"Listen to Luo En." Mitsuki had seen through Sarada's confusion and quickly answered.

But Sarada had already turned her head and put some distance between them — she didn't hear.

"What power did you just use fighting the Hokage Elder? The force the Hokage Elder first stirred up made my head ache terribly."

Boruto couldn't help asking. He had come over to talk with Luo En on his own initiative not only because he was drawn to his presence, but also because of that power.

Being around people with strong power meant he himself would improve too. It was necessary to make more friends like this. Besides, somewhere deep down he had a premonition that Luo En would be a great help to him in the future.

"Yeah, I was watching and it was dazzling, but I really don't want to feel that splitting headache a second time."

Mitsuki chimed in as well, and by the end of his words the hairs on his neck were standing on end.

Seeing Mitsuki's state, Luo En couldn't help being a little amused. "You'll have that too later on. A genin has to grow step by step, keep improving your abilities, and eventually you'll become a Kage too."

"Speaking of Kage, the elders of our Konoha are only the Hokage. I only know that the Kage are the bosses of the elders of several villages. I've never seen one in person, and I've never sparred with one."

Boruto thought it over, hand on his chin, his eyes flicking toward the stage every now and then.

On stage, Sarada stood ready for battle. She went in with a spinning kick; her opponent also stepped forward to face Sarada, and a small spark flew between the two of them.

Clearly Sarada had the upper hand, yet she was gritting her teeth, as if it was a real struggle.

"Sarada seems to be losing ground." Boruto's heart skipped a beat, and he gestured for Mitsuki and Luo En to look at the stage.

Luo En had foreseen it long ago and said, out of nowhere, "Sarada will win."

Hearing Luo En's words, Mitsuki was stunned and looked toward the stage.

Sarada and her opponent began to fight, using both hands and feet, every kind of punching and kicking technique coming out. Sarada kept a high stance against her opponent, her hands working technique after technique without pause.

Yet her opponent threw very few punches, mostly dodging, occasionally clashing head-on before striking back.

After fighting for a while, Sarada was a little out of breath. Looking at her opponent, who still seemed full of energy, she couldn't help feeling puzzled.

How could this be? By rights she should have wrapped things up quickly, but how was this girl acting as if nothing was wrong, not the least bit troubled by her punches and kicks?

As for herself, half her stamina was already spent.

"Oh no, she's wearing Sarada down. She's probably planning to exhaust her and then land a finishing blow at the end." Mitsuki grew tense.

This exam was very important to Sarada. If she lost, she probably wouldn't have the confidence to take the genin exam again.