Chapter 28: The Wind Shadow

At that moment, Mitarashi Anko arrived in a hurry with several examiners.

She swiftly scanned the surroundings, then fixed her gaze on Luo Jie and asked, “Who just fought with Itachi?”

Luo Jie pointed at the bound Copper Armor: “His teammate—and a Grass Ninja.”

“They’re likely a team—nothing like normal examinees. Their behavior was suspicious, and their strength was strange.”

Lei Menyue glanced at Luo Jie upon hearing this.

Your strength is even stranger!

Don’t exclude yourself!

Mitarashi Anko nodded, her expression solemn. “This matter involves a Level-S missing-nin from the Hidden Leaf. We’re taking this one.”

With a wave of her hand, her examiners stepped forward and dragged away the Copper Armor.

Lei Menyue stood aside, watching the scene, utterly stunned.

No way—it’s really a spy?

This doesn’t make sense.

After Mitarashi Anko and the examiners left.

Lei Menyue finally snapped back to reality, remembered something, and hastily pulled a scroll from his chest, his face flushed with barely concealed excitement.

“This is what I found on that traitor.”

Hearing this, Luo Jie lifted his gaze, a flash of delight in his eyes.

“Well done. It’s the Earth Scroll.”

With the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll, we can bypass the rest directly.

“Good. Let’s head straight for the Central Tower.”

Lei Menyue’s voice brimmed with delight.

Who says I’m useless?

I’m incredibly useful.

Luo Jie nodded, turning his gaze to the still-weakened Koma Yagumo.

“Let’s let Bayun rest.”

Koma Yagumo leaned against Luo Jie, her face still pale, yet she forced a faint smile, signaling she could hold on.

After the three left.

A faint footstep broke the silence of the area.

Three Hidden Leaf brats appeared nearby.

It was Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten.

With the Byakugan, they arrived fastest, naturally.

In fact, Neji Hyuga had spied on part of Luo Jie’s battle.

They stared at the chaotic scene before them.

Burnt trees, broken branches, scattered weapon fragments, and a faint scent of gunpowder lingering in the air.

All three wore grim expressions.

A major battle definitely occurred here!

“Neji, what do Itachi think?”

Rock Lee turned to Neji Hyuga beside him, eyes alight with eagerness.

Neji Hyuga frowned slightly and said slowly, “This Chuunin Exam’s opponents are formidable.”

“Lee, your strength won’t suffice.”

Suddenly, Neji Hyuga sensed something, his expression sharpening.

“Come. Someone’s approaching.”

…

Less than an hour later, Luo Jie’s trio successfully crossed the perilous Death Forest and arrived at the Central Tower.

Stepping into the hall, it was empty.

They appeared to be the first team to arrive.

Yet this calm did not last long.

Soon after, the Sand Village’s Crown Prince’s team entered.

Kankuro had been in high spirits.

Only ninety minutes into the second exam, they’d reached the Central Tower.

Their team must be the fastest.

Hmph. Hidden Leaf brats raised in a greenhouse.

No match for Sand Village elites like us.

But when he stepped into the hall and saw the three Hidden Leaf ninja standing not far ahead, his smile froze, replaced by disbelief.

What’s going on?

Are there any other experts?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

He violently denied it in his mind.

These Hidden Leaf brats must have cheated.

Unable to suppress his irritation, Kankuro sneered, “Itachi got here so fast?”

“The Hidden Leaf really likes giving their ninja special treatment, huh?”

His voice was shrill and full of provocation.

Hearing this, Luo Jie’s gaze instantly turned sharp.

Outsiders’ ninja are terribly rude.

The Wind Shadow’s idiot son loves to spout nonsense.

Judged as an action-figure addict.

Take away his figurines, and he’ll behave.

The next instant, Kankuro felt a powerful gust of air slam into his face.

Before he could react, he flew backward like a cut kite, crashing hard into a large tree outside the hall, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The poor tree lay motionless.

The nearby Sand Demon brat, sensing Luo Jie’s move, immediately summoned sand around him, wrapping it like a crushing wave.

The sand hissed sharply, as if intent on grinding Luo Jie to dust.

But Luo Jie showed no fear.

He merely raised his hand and swept it lightly, dispersing the surging sand completely.

At this moment, Temari, who had been admiring the handsome man, finally reacted.

She swiftly unslung her fan from her back, gripped it tightly with both hands, and assumed a defensive stance.

Her eyes revealed tension and caution.

After all, the Hidden Leaf’s handsome man had displayed strength far beyond her expectations.

So handsome and so strong!

No wonder it’s the Hidden Leaf.

Seeing his sand scattered, Gaara’s pupils shrank sharply.

He suddenly clutched his forehead tattoo, his face twisted with pain and excitement, gasping heavily, interspersed with low, guttural growls.

His entire body trembled slightly, as if desperately suppressing some violent force within.

Luo Jie watched Gaara’s condition and sighed.

The naturally evil Sand Demon brat is having another episode?

Fine.

Respect. Understand. Wish him well.

After all, someone lost his mother from birth.

As the scene fell into brief stalemate.

Kankuro snapped back to himself, his face flushed crimson like a ripe tomato, eyes locked on Luo Jie as if ready to devour him alive.

Humiliated. Utterly humiliated.

As a Kage’s son, when had he ever endured such shame!

What, bullied by his little brother?

How is that the same?

Kankuro roared, pulling his beloved figurine from his back, desperate to charge forward and kill Luo Jie to erase this disgrace.

But before Kankuro could enter the hall, the Sand Demon brat, who had been clutching his head in madness, seemed to return to normal.

“Kankuro, shut up.”

Gaara turned his head, expressionless, staring at his oniisan as if Kankuro were a mere stranger of no consequence.

“Don’t Itachi think Itachi’ve embarrassed yourself enough?”

Hearing this, Kankuro shuddered, frozen in place, throat choked, instantly falling silent.

The entire exchange was seamless.

Old artist.

Gaara snorted coldly and walked forward.

As they passed each other, he slightly turned his head and whispered in a voice only Luo Jie could hear.

“I will kill Itachi.”

The voice brimmed with uncontrollable killing intent and excitement.

Temari and Kankuro silently retracted their fans and puppets and obediently followed Gaara away.

After passing him, Temari even turned back to throw Luo Jie a seductive glance.

Kurenai saw this and seethed inside.

She clenched her teeth, fists tightly balled.

The sand village’s seductress dares to openly flirt with a Hidden Leaf man.

How shameless!

Even worse than Ino!

(End of Chapter)