"Hmm?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing briefly.
Kabuto's body couldn't help but stiffen.
But he quickly relaxed.
The killing intent Orochimaru had locked onto him had been withdrawn.
"Truly an excellent body. I must obtain it."
Orochimaru took one last deep look at Takumi, then turned and left.
He was afraid if he stayed any longer, he really wouldn't be able to resist taking Takumi away.
If that happened, all the plans made earlier would be wasted.
In the crowd, just as Takumi was chatting amiably and happily with Chojuro, accompanied by a surprised and delighted shout, a slender figure descended from the sky directly into Takumi's arms.
"Ah! Hubby Takumi!"
Takumi was startled and instinctively reached out to catch her.
Then came a familiar yet unfamiliar scent.
He looked down and found it was Kurotsuchi!
Before the smile on Takumi's face could fully bloom, he immediately felt intense hostility from behind.
"Hubby Takumi? Where did this shameless woman come from! How dare she call him that!"
"That's right! Even we don't dare call him that casually, you wild woman who appeared out of nowhere actually dares to casually call him Hubby Takumi?! I'll beat you to death!"
This time, Ino didn't stop Sakura.
She even became an incarnation of anger herself.
Visible towering flames of rage erupted from them.
Everyone gave them a wide berth.
"Ah, Takumi is really popular."
Kakashi retreated speechlessly, his eye filled with amusement.
The flames erupting from Sakura and Ino even forced Guy back.
"It's truly Youth burning fiercely!"
Looking at the flames, Guy even couldn't help but shed hot tears.
It really fit that old saying, a handsome man, his... suffers!
"Hey hey..."
Kakashi looked utterly speechless.
Sometimes he really wondered if his best friend had something wrong with his brain.
'Was that youth?'
'That was a Shuraba!'
At this moment, Takumi, at the very center of the Shuraba, was also somewhat in a dilemma.
'This Kurotsuchi, after not seeing her for so long, comes up and calls me husband right away? How am I supposed to handle that?'
"Stop fooling around!"
Right at that moment, a pair of sturdy, thick hands saved Takumi from this awkward situation.
Kitsuchi looked extremely embarrassed as he pulled his daughter back.
He had lost sight of her for just a moment, and Kurotsuchi ran out, and moreover, created such an awkward scene.
He had even promised the Sandaime Tsuchikage that he would keep an eye on Kurotsuchi before they left.
And then...
She goes and calls someone husband as soon as she sees him?
Who can handle that?
"My apologies, my daughter has made a fool of herself in front of you."
Kitsuchi bowed very honestly to apologize.
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm also a bit flattered, never expected to gain the favor of a beautiful girl like Kurotsuchi."
Takumi quickly waved his hands.
This was his future father-in-law, after all.
How could he let his future father-in-law bow and apologize?
"What a polite young man, no wonder Kurotsuchi likes you."
Kitsuchi had a beaming smile.
Takumi's words were very pleasing to his ears.
For a father, praising his child pleased him more than praising himself.
"You must be the representative from the Land of Earth, Kitsuchi-san, correct?"
Kakashi stepped forward, taking over the hosting duties. "You must be tired from your journey. How about resting for the night to prepare for tomorrow's Chunin Exam?"
As Kakashi spoke, he led Kitsuchi and the other Iwagakure's Shinobi away.
Gaara, Chojuro, and the others also dispersed.
"What a farce."
Takumi shrugged, turned to the others and said: "Let's go, let's find Hokage-sama and report what happened here, to avoid any real disputes later."
Although it was unlikely to happen, but just in case, it was better to be cautious.
This was the sensitive period of the Joint Chunin Exams.
Any situation could evolve into a troublesome mess.
The group followed Takumi to the Hokage's Office.
Just as they pushed the door open, they heard Sandaime Hokage cursing angrily.
Bang!
Hiruzen angrily hammered the table.
"That damned Raikage! How dare he not give me any respect! He didn't even send a single person! I'll make sure he... uh... Cough, you're here."
In the middle of his cursing, Hiruzen finally noticed Takumi and the rookies entering.
The anger on his face immediately vanished, replaced by his usual kindly expression.
'Truly worthy of being the Hokage!'
'This speed of changing expressions...'
'Amazing!'
Takumi felt secret admiration internally, then stepped forward and detailed what had just happened.
At the end, Takumi also mentioned Gaara and the others, "Those three from Sunagakure have very heavy killing intent. They probably don't come with good intentions."
"Is that so? Then everything depends on you, Takumi-kun."
Hiruzen said with a beaming smile.
With Takumi in hand!
The world is theirs!
With Takumi participating, he was this confident!
What Gaara? All are trash!
What Konoha's White Fang, Yellow Flash, all need to step aside!
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Takumi immediately straightened his expression, "No problem, I will spare no effort to showcase Konoha's style and promote Konoha's might!"
"So handsome!"
Sakura and Ino clasped their hands to their chests, stars in their eyes.
For now, they temporarily forgot about that hateful woman Kurotsuchi.
They just wanted to immerse themselves in Takumi's strong, gentle back.
"Grandpa Hokage, and me too!"
Naruto reached out not wanting to be outdone, "I'll work hard too!"
"Mhm mhm, good." Hiruzen nodded with a chuckle.
But his gaze remained fixed on Takumi.
Takumi nodded secretly, then said: "If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave now."
"Mhm, go ahead. Don't slack off, and most importantly, be careful!"
Hiruzen stood up and personally saw Takumi and the rookies out.
Before they left, he held Takumi's hand and kept admonishing: "You must showcase Konoha's might! Let those guys see the ability of Konoha's younger generation!"
…
Time quickly arrived at the next day.
Today was the official start of the Joint Chunin Exams.
The weather was fine, with clear skies and not a cloud in sight.
The temperature was very suitable, truly a good day for an exam.
The streets of Konoha were bustling with people.
Participants from various villages all came to the tiered classroom for the first exam.
Takumi looked around, and found there were hundreds of examinees.
"A written exam, so troublesome..."
Hearing this familiar voice and catchphrase, Takumi immediately recognized who it was.
He turned back with a smile and said: "Shikamaru, if you find everything so troublesome, how will you take over from your father later?"
"Whoever wants to take over can do it, I don't want to." Shikamaru looked utterly lifeless.
"Oh no! It's actually a written exam!"
Naruto grabbed his head, his face collapsing.
His theoretical grades had never been good, and a written exam was something he had never even considered.
"Idiot, of course there's a written exam. Didn't you even think of that?"
Sakura rolled her eyes at him, then very skillfully latched onto Takumi: "Takumi-kun, do you want to sit next to me? I can let you see my answers."
"Thanks for the offer, but I should be able to handle it."
Takumi declined with a smile.
What a joke.
He had watched the entire Naruto series.
The true meaning of this first exam was already ingrained in his mind.
The Chunin Exams' written test, at first glance, tested theoretical knowledge.
But it actually tested the ability to gather intelligence.
And for copying answers...
Takumi considered himself quite skilled at that!