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Chen Xing understood very well that he could not afford to offend someone of such status. It was obvious this ninja had appeared suddenly after observing him for a while, likely intrigued by his training. This could be a great opportunity.
"Well, I just saw you working hard here," the woman said. "But it seems you haven't learned how to refine chakra yet. Normally, the Star Training Hall selects promising children from the village. Why haven't you gone? You don't look like someone unsuited for shinobi training."
As she spoke, the woman—whom Chen Xing later learned was called Summer Star—extended her right hand. A faint, shimmering purple chakra gathered there, flowing into her fingertips as she gently placed them on Chen Xing's left wrist.
Chen Xing didn't resist. He knew she bore no hostility toward him, and even if she had, resistance would have been useless.
Moments later, he felt a spreading warmth flow from his wrist into his arm, threading through his body. It was as if she was probing the pathways of his chakra network—the meridians.
"Your meridians are quite wide, very suitable for chakra cultivation," Summer Star remarked, slightly surprised and pleased. "Why haven't you joined the Star's training? A child your age with such a network can store far more chakra than normal. If trained systematically, you could become a great asset to Hoshigakure. It's strange you weren't taken in already."
"I'm suitable for cultivation? I didn't know that," Chen Xing replied. "When I was examined before, a ninja told me my meridians were blocked. Even if I refined chakra, it wouldn't circulate properly."
Although Hoshigakure's Star Training Hall only officially accepted children over six years old, they often screened younger children to identify latent talent.
"That's odd… someone must have made a mistake in that test. Your talent is very good. Would you like to join the village's training program? If you'd like, I can introduce you," Summer Star offered.
"Yes! I've always wanted to become one of the Star's shinobi," Chen Xing said, smiling brightly.
"That's good. But what about your parents? We'll need to inform them," she asked.
"My mother died years ago. My father… he injured his leg and couldn't work. Since then, he's been making me chop firewood and cook. He… isn't kind to me."
Hearing this, Summer Star's expression darkened. "What? That kind of father? If he's abusing you, I'll teach him a lesson myself!"
"No, big sister," Chen Xing shook his head. "I don't want to see him again. To me, he's already as good as dead. I have no connection to him anymore."
Summer Star softened. "Poor child… fine, then. I'll arrange for you to live in the Star's care. You'll be looked after."
"Thank you, big sister. Can I know your name?" Chen Xing asked, glancing at the masked kunoichi.
"Because of my mission, I can't tell you my name. Wait here—I'll send for someone to escort you to the Star training compound."
She took out a messenger pigeon from her pouch, wrote a quick note, and infused it with her chakra. The pigeon took off toward the village.
Before long, a purple glimmer appeared in the distant sky. It grew larger and soon revealed a man surrounded by a translucent, purple chakra cloak—using the Peacock Method (Hoshōha), a unique technique of Hoshigakure created from training with the meteorite's chakra.
"So fast. Chen Xing, my companion is here to pick you up," Summer Star said.
The man landed a few meters away. "Summer," he greeted respectfully.
At that moment, Chen Xing realized who the masked woman must be—Summer Star, one of Hoshigakure's prominent kunoichi.
She turned to the man. "Caixing, this boy's talent is exceptional. He's suffered much—please recommend him to the Third Hoshikage for training. And make sure no one forces him to meet his father again."
"No problem. If he has talent, we welcome him," Caixing replied, folding away the Peacock wings of chakra.
Summer Star knelt to Chen Xing's level, patting his head. "Go on. Work hard."
"I will," Chen Xing promised.
Caixing lifted him, reactivated his chakra wings, and they soared toward the center of Hoshigakure.
The wind rushed past, but Chen Xing noticed Caixing was shielding him from most of the force with chakra. Below, the landscape flowed by like a shifting map. Chen Xing, who had never even flown on an airplane, felt exhilarated.
They soon reached a massive crater on the edge of the village—the Star Training Field. Grass didn't grow here, and a few dead trees dotted the barren ground. In the center stood a large wooden building with the kanji for "Star" emblazoned above its entrance.
This crater had been formed centuries ago when a meteorite—now called the "Star"—crashed here. The Star contained an intense chakra, believed by some to be a fragment of the Ten-Tails. Training with it allowed the use of the Peacock Method, though at the cost of severe strain on the body.
Landing, Caixing set Chen Xing down. "The Third Hoshikage has read Summer Star's letter. Let's test your chakra network."
Chen Xing extended his left hand. Caixing sent a gentle pulse of chakra into it. A warm current flowed through Chen Xing's body again, following his meridians.
"Hmm… your meridians are even better than I expected. Twice as wide as the average child's. You'll do well here," Caixing said with a rare smile.
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