Chen Xing walked over to Hinata, who was still pale after the battle, and gently patted her back.
"Chen Xing brother…" Hinata lowered her head, ashamed of her reaction.
"It's normal," he said calmly. "The first time taking a life is never easy. Even seasoned shinobi hesitate the first time."
"Really?" she asked softly.
He smiled faintly. "You did well. Your Gentle Fist has improved. Even compared to Neji, you're no longer far behind."
At the mention of Neji Hyūga, Hinata's expression grew complicated.
She remembered losing to Hanabi under Hiashi Hyūga's watchful eyes. After that match, the elders had quietly begun favoring Hanabi as heir to the main house. Neji, bound by the Caged Bird Seal of the branch family, had grown colder with each passing year.
Hinata had never stopped training.
Not for the clan's approval—but to become stronger in her own way.
---
After securing the area, Kurenai ordered the bandits' hideout burned to prevent disease and erase traces of the fight. The mission was complete.
"This concludes the C-rank mission," Kurenai said.
Kiba stretched. "Guess we finally did something more exciting than chasing cats."
Shino nodded silently.
Chen Xing glanced at the sky. "If you're returning to Konoha, I can take you."
Kurenai frowned. "With what? A summon?"
Chen Xing shook his head.
He formed hand seals.
"Peacock Method."
Brilliant purple chakra surged from his back, expanding outward and shaping into enormous wings. The chakra condensed further, forming the outline of a massive peacock construct beneath them.
Kiba's eyes widened. "He can fly?!"
Shino's insects stirred uneasily at the dense chakra.
Hinata looked up in awe. The chakra volume far surpassed that of most jōnin she had encountered.
"Stand close," Chen Xing said calmly.
A protective layer of chakra formed around them as the peacock construct lifted into the air. Wind roared past as they ascended.
Even Kurenai could not hide her shock. Few shinobi possessed flight. This was no summoning beast—it was pure chakra manipulation.
As they traveled toward Konohagakure, Kurenai spoke quietly.
"Some time ago, I witnessed a man using a space-time technique near Tanzaku Town. He wore a dark cloak. Do you know anything about that?"
"Space-time ninjutsu?" Chen Xing's gaze sharpened slightly.
Images of Kamui surfaced in his mind—the ability used by Obito Uchiha to warp space itself.
"I've encountered someone similar," he replied carefully. "If you ever see him again, avoid confrontation."
Kurenai studied his expression. "Is he that dangerous?"
"Yes."
Hinata listened quietly. The world beyond Konoha was far more complex than she once believed.
After several hours, the outer forests of Konohagakure came into view.
Below, a patrol unit looked up in alarm at the enormous purple chakra construct approaching from the sky.
"What is that?!" one shinobi shouted.
Chen Xing guided the peacock downward slowly, landing outside the village gates.
The Chūnin Exams were approaching.
And soon, Konoha would face far more than just a test of genin.