"Look at you—you've already decided," Natsuhi said with a smile.
Chen Xing nodded. "Sumire's strength is sufficient. Since he insists on proving himself as the next Celestial Shadow, let him participate. Our goal isn't to win—reaching the finals of the Chūnin Exams will be enough."
He knew exactly what this exam would bring. The one hosted in Konohagakure—the exam where Gaara of the Sand would transform into Shukaku, and Orochimaru would assassinate the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Celestial Shadow looked at Natsuhi. "Has Sumire truly mastered the Rasengan?"
Natsuhi smiled proudly. "Chen Xing began teaching him last year. He's completed the third stage—maintaining the sphere without hand seals."
The Rasengan, originally created by Minato Namikaze, required extreme chakra control. For Sumire to master it without seals proved his talent.
Chen Xing gave a small nod. It had taken Sumire longer than expected, but mastering both the Rasengan and basic wind-nature transformation met his standard.
After finalizing arrangements in Hoshigakure, Chen Xing departed alone for the Land of Fire. Sumire's team would travel separately under escort.
With chakra wings formed from the Peacock Method, Chen Xing crossed the Land of Rain and entered the forests of the Land of Fire within days.
--- Encounter in the Forest
At the base of a wooded hill in the Land of Fire, Kurenai Yūhi led her genin—Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame—on a C-rank mission to eliminate bandits.
Hinata walked nervously. "Kurenai-sensei… do we really have to kill them?"
Kurenai's voice was calm. "This is part of being a shinobi. You must be prepared."
Kiba forced a grin. "I'm ready."
Shino adjusted his glasses silently.
Before Kurenai could respond, a figure descended from above and landed lightly before them.
"Who's there?" Kurenai instantly drew a kunai, eyes sharp.
Hinata froze—then her pale Byakugan eyes widened slightly. "Chen Xing…?"
Chen Xing smiled gently. "It's been a while, Hinata."
Kurenai's expression tightened. She remembered him—the mysterious shinobi she had once encountered years ago. But what unsettled her now was his presence. She hadn't sensed him at all.
"State your identity," she demanded.
Hinata stepped forward quickly. "Kurenai-sensei, he's not an enemy. He once helped me during the Chūnin Exams three years ago."
Shino spoke quietly. "Chen Xing… the 'Peacock King'?"
Kiba stiffened. Even Akamaru began trembling in his jacket.
The title had spread in recent years—a powerful Kage from Hoshigakure who wielded chakra wings like a peacock's tail, rumored to have clashed with the Fourth Kazekage.
Chen Xing did not deny it.
"I'm simply passing through," he said lightly.
Even so, the pressure of his chakra made the insects inside Shino's body restless, and Akamaru whined softly.
Kurenai lowered her kunai slightly but did not relax. "Why are you in the Land of Fire?"
Chen Xing's eyes shifted toward the distant direction of Konohagakure.
"The Chūnin Exams are about to begin," he replied calmly. "And this time… the winds of change will blow through Konoha."
Hinata looked at him with quiet admiration, unaware of the storm that was coming.