The eighth level's battle ended the fastest and was the gentlest among all the challenges.
Outside a grand estate, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame were wrapped in paper like mummies, hanging upside down at the entrance. Even Akamaru wasn't spared, with its tongue sticking out as it was bundled up.
A camera was pointed at them the entire time, capturing both their expressions.
"To think that I, a genius of the esteemed Inuzuka clan, a ninja with the potential to become Hokage, would be hung here as mere decoration!"
"Woof woof woof!"
"Akamaru, hurry and bite them! You're a dog!"
"Whimper whimper!"
"Heavens! Will I, Kiba Inuzuka, ever have the chance to leave the village and undertake missions again? I've completely lost face."
After a bout of complaints, Kiba Inuzuka asked the silent Shino Aburame beside him, "Shino, say something to keep me company."
"..."
"Shino?"
"Snore..."
Kiba Inuzuka's expression stiffened. "You! Shino, I always wondered why you wore sunglasses all day; turns out it's for this purpose."
"You must have been slacking off during missions too!"
The more Kiba Inuzuka thought about it, the more unbalanced he felt. Why did he have to endure such torment while Shino could sleep soundly?
No, we must share hardship together!
"Shino, wake up!"
Kiba Inuzuka thrashed his body in mid-air, repeatedly bumping into Shino Aburame, but always fell short.
"Damn it! At least I'll get those sunglasses off you!"
Kiba Inuzuka's temper flared. Although his hands and feet were bound, he still had his tongue!
*Slurp slurp...*
Akamaru whimpered twice and turned its head. The scene was too much; it was still very young and not allowed to watch.
Some of the spectators in the arena were stunned, especially those from the Aburame and Inuzuka clans.
Shibi Aburame, watching the scene on the large screen, fell into thought. Did the Inuzuka clan want to arrange a marriage with our Aburame clan?
Not far away, Hana Inuzuka gritted her teeth. What was her brother doing? Didn't he know this was essentially being broadcast to the entire ninja world?
Meanwhile, inside the estate, there were no signs of any fighting. Hinata was resting her head gently on Konan's lap, a hint of shyness and restraint on her small face.
"Don't worry, there are no cameras in here; they wouldn't dare come in." As for the microphone on her outer clothing, it had already been wrapped in white paper and discarded.
Konan pinched Hinata's cheek. It was delicate, soft, and full of elasticity, making her instantly fond of it.
"Sister... Sister Konan?"
Hinata had met Konan before. In her memory, Konan was like Kushina, a maternal figure, a mentor's wife. Of course, if any pretty older sisters who appeared at Lin Yu's house counted...
Hinata silently counted on her fingers, mumbling "six or seven" under her breath.
Although Konan wasn't expecting the title of "sister," Hinata was so cute and well-behaved that who would care?
"Hinata, you are Lin Yu's disciple, which also makes you my disciple. I'll have to test your skills properly later."
Hinata's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Yes! I will definitely give it my all and not disappoint Teacher or Sister Konan!"
Konan chuckled, took out a pillow, and lay down, yawning contentedly. "Then, let's start with a leg massage!"
Having followed Lin Yu for so many years, Konan had picked up some of his ways. Why fight when one could enjoy oneself? Wouldn't it be better to sleep comfortably?
Hinata, however, was bewildered. Her cute, clear eyes blinked. After a while, she finally remembered that Sister Konan had said "skills," not "strength."
Looking at the fair white legs subtly revealed within the loose black robe before her, Hinata unconsciously began to press them. Her small, white hands kneaded with just the right amount of pressure, as if she had been practicing for many years.
"Hiss, no wonder Lin Yu likes you so much. Little Hinata, your technique is truly excellent."
If Lin Yu were present, he would undoubtedly say: a cute little萝莉 who knows Gentle Fist giving a massage is unimaginably wonderful. Of course, the key word here is "cute little萝莉."
...
Meanwhile, in the castle of the capital city, Lin Yu was sorting through a pile of documents, while the former minister of the Moon Country, Sabada, sat slumped on the ground, looking haggard.
His once portly and obese physique seemed to have shrunk, but what Sabada couldn't understand the most was why these people had suddenly appeared in the Moon Country, especially when he was on the verge of controlling it.
What made him despair even more was the power of these people; the rogue ninjas he had hired were instantly defeated with just a single glance.
Sabada wept in his heart. If you are so powerful, why would you covet the Moon Country, this remote nation? We are merely rich in resources and money; we are truly not worth your attention!
"Here, sign this agreement too."
Sabada numbly took the agreement and signed it, stamping his seal. He didn't even glance at the text, even though it was an agreement for the transfer of his assets.
The youth before him had said that if he signed, his assets would belong to him, and if he didn't sign, his assets would still belong to him. It was impossible to reason with a bandit.
Lin Yu took the agreement with satisfaction and patted Sabada's shoulder appreciatively. "You've been cooperative, and I'm very pleased."
Sabada forced a smile. Just as he was about to ask if he could spare his life, he heard a conversation that filled him with despair.
"Lord Lin Yu, have you finished?" Prince Tsukuyomi, who was of a plump build, walked in from outside. His chubby face was streaked with tears, as if he had just had a good cry.
"Everything is handled. I am very sorry about your father; please accept my condolences."
Lin Yu felt a sense of pity for this king who had earnestly wished to create a peaceful nation where everyone yearned for a better life. Unfortunately, his time had come, and there was nothing he could do.
"No, this is all Sabada's fault. I will take him to my father to repent."
Tsukuyomi's eyes were filled with hatred and anger. It was foreseeable that after repenting, Sabada would be sent to hell to apologize to his father.
Lin Yu nodded. Then, several guards stepped forward and dragged away the pleading Sabada.
Tsukuyomi took out a document from his embrace and said respectfully, "From now on, the Moon Country will be your vassal. Anything that can be bought with money, I, Tsukuyomi, will spare no effort!"
"Cough, it will be a vassal of Konoha. Of course, it doesn't make much difference when you put it that way."
After Tsukuyomi left, the room fell silent again. After a moment, Lin Yu glanced towards the dark corner.
"Come out. I'm quite surprised you're the first one."
A ripple of space emerged, and Obito, wearing a mask, stepped out from the Kamui dimension. Although he tried to appear calm, the ice shards on his clothes revealed his current dishevelment.
Obito brushed off the ice fragments and walked to the fireplace in the room to warm himself.
"Mmm, it's much warmer here. I almost turned into a popsicle."
Lin Yu thought for a moment and smiled. "Did Kimimaro and Haku go to your place?"
Obito nodded, then complained, "At first, I thought it was a girl, and she was hesitant with her ninjutsu. But I didn't expect her to become so fierce when she saw her comrade injured."
"Also, why is it stipulated that I can only use the abilities of one eye?"
Lin Yu teased, "Aren't you Madara Uchiha? You should be able to easily crush these brats even without the Sharingan, right?"
Obito's face flushed, and he pouted. He suddenly didn't feel like talking to his teacher, Lin Yu, anymore.
Before long, Kisame Hoshigaki, Sasori, and Kakuzu also arrived at the castle.
Finally, even Hidan arrived, holding his head with both hands to prevent it from falling off.
"Kakuzu, hurry! Sew me up, my head's about to fall off!"
"You were beheaded by a genin? Hidan, you might as well die," Kakuzu said, though his body acted honestly. Black threads shot out, mending Hidan's wound.
"What do you know? I let them cut it off on purpose. You should have seen the stunned look on their faces. It's a shame I couldn't send them to see Lord Jashin."
At this moment, Deidara also entered, grumbling.
"Those few ninja chickens ran away too damn fast. Next time, I'll make them taste the power of Garuda, hm!"
"Yo! Brother Sasori, what brings you out for some fresh air?" Deidara's complaining expression instantly brightened upon seeing Sasori, and he quickly trotted over to tease him.
"Get lost!"
The room quickly became lively. Lin Yu stroked his chin. Nagato and Konan were not a concern; now, all that was left was for Itachi's second exam to end.
Then, the real man's battle of the third round could begin to be arranged.