Puchi!
Blood splattered as Akahoshi shoved the meteor into his own chest, pausing everyone's movements for half a second.
Then, purple energy erupted from within the meteor like a volcano, forming a ferocious dragon's head around Akahoshi's body with an incredibly violent aura.
Bang!
Hoshigaki's Peacock Marvel was repelled before it could even approach Akahoshi. A trickle of blood escaped her lips, and her body was forced backward by the immense chakra Akahoshi unleashed. Her expression turned grim.
"Things seem to be getting worse, Hiruzen." Danzo's face shifted slightly at Akahoshi's explosive chakra.
"He's just courting his own destruction. We'll go outside and set up the defenses; leave this place to Lin Yu."
As a ninjutsu doctor, Sarutobi Hiruzen could see Akahoshi's current state for what it was: a forced surge of power using the chakra within the meteor, which would come at a terrible price afterward. This state wouldn't last long; he was merely waiting to die.
"Lin Yu, let's retreat. Akahoshi has merged with the star now; we're no match for him."
Hoshigaki retreated to Lin Yu's side, preparing to use Peacock Marvel to take him away. She hesitated slightly before placing her hand on his waist. There was no time for prudishness now; she wasn't a shy woman.
Lin Yu looked at the rather proactive Hoshigaki, pinched her chin, and said softly, "Woman, remember not to make decisions for men. Just watch from the side and cheer, '666'!"
Hoshigaki watched Lin Yu walk towards Akahoshi, her beautiful face filled with confusion. "What does '666' mean?"
"Are you here to die?"
Feeling the boundless chakra within his body, Akahoshi felt powerful for the first time, capable of crushing a Jonin with a single punch.
Seeing Lin Yu approach him, Akahoshi sneered, "Don't be afraid, I'll send them down to join you, hahaha!"
"Great Spiraling Ring... weakened version."
"What is that?"
Outside, Sarutobi Hiruzen shivered and cursed, "This brat is actually using that ninjutsu in Konoha! Does he really have to?!"
"Danzo, quickly set up the barrier!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Enma, King of the Apes."
Bang!
An old ape appeared on the spot. "Hiruzen, at your age, people are still targeting you?"
Danzo, standing nearby, silently grumbled: Of course, they are!
"Stop the nonsense, Enma, transform quickly!"
The old ape briefly grumbled before transforming into the Adamantine Staff and flying into Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand.
"Adamantine Sealing Technique: Iron Wall."
"It's not enough. Danzo, cooperate with me to cast a barrier."
Sarutobi Hiruzen created a shadow clone, and the three of them formed a triangle, simultaneously performing hand seals: "Three-Way Seal."
A green barrier extended from the three points, enclosing the secluded hut. Just then, a violent shockwave erupted from within. The first to bear the brunt was Enma, who had transformed into the Adamantine Staff.
"Damn it! Hiruzen, you old scoundrel, you're truly wicked, summoning me to be a scapegoat! Go play by yourself!"
With a bang, the Adamantine Cage turned into a puff of smoke and vanished. Enma hadn't fled; it was Sarutobi Hiruzen who had released the summoning because it couldn't withstand the impact.
Crack, crack, crack!
Cracks spread across the green barrier. Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned grim; the barrier was about to break.
Just as the barrier was on the verge of shattering, countless thick branches surged from the ground, enveloping the dilapidated hut.
Whoosh!
A blinding white light flashed, followed by a deafening roar. Konoha Village itself seemed to tremble. Many ninjas remaining in Konoha noticed the commotion but dared not leave their posts without the Hokage's orders.
In a training ground somewhere, Might Guy and Kakashi, who were in the midst of intense warm-ups, also noticed the distant commotion and looked towards the mushroom cloud in the sky.
"An enemy?"
"No, it seems to be the teacher's aura."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. Come on, Kakashi, let's continue!"
Kakashi replied numbly, "Guy, go easy on me. I still have to oversee the third round of the Chunin Exams."
"Don't worry, you know my strength, I've got it under control!"
Returning to the scene, the smoke had dissipated, leaving the ground covered in charred branches. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo's faces were blackened. They were not seriously injured, but the humiliation was immense.
The original hut had vanished, leaving only a crater. A wretched figure lay at the center of the pit, appearing beyond saving.
Creak, creak, creak.
A wooden shield with a fanged ghastly face opened, and Lin Yu emerged, carrying Hoshigaki on his back. He extended his hand, and the meteor embedded in Akahoshi's chest flew towards him.
"Is this the meteor containing peculiar chakra? It really is ugly."
Lin Yu attempted to absorb a little of the meteor's chakra into his body. He found no changes, nor did his body experience any side effects.
"This thing would be somewhat useful for the Uzumaki and Senju clans to cultivate, but even combined, they couldn't field ten people. How boring."
As Lin Yu weighed the meteor in his hand, Hoshigaki behind him slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the charred landscape around her and murmured, "Am I dead?"
"Not yet. Dying is not that easy."
Hoshigaki breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought she might have died at the hands of her own people.
She jumped down from Lin Yu's back, looking at the meteor in his hand with a complex expression. This was their Star Ninja Village's star. Everything stemmed from this star. While it granted them immense power, it also brought disaster to their village, nurturing ambitious schemers like Akahoshi.
She couldn't tell if it was a blessing or a curse.
"Here, take it back. This thing isn't good for ordinary people. Use it less."
Lin Yu tossed the star back to Hoshigaki. It had no use for him. He considered giving it to Orochimaru for research but found it unnecessary.
Researching this star was less interesting than having Orochimaru research the Ten-Tails sleeping in the Akatsuki's hideout, but it wasn't the right time yet.
"Cough! Lin Yu, was it necessary to use ninjutsu of this power within the village?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked over, his face ashen. His usually white beard seemed slightly scorched.
Lin Yu spread his hands, offering no explanation. He had already weakened the ninjutsu's power; otherwise, half of Konoha might have been affected.
"Never mind. Hurry up and oversee your second exam. I will explain the rest to Minato."
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Hoshigaki-sama, please accompany us to the Hokage's office. We need to consult with the Star Ninja Village regarding the subsequent handling of this matter."
Hoshigaki glanced at Lin Yu, then nodded to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "I will cooperate fully. Thank you for Konoha's assistance."
Before leaving, Hoshigaki approached Lin Yu and whispered into his ear, "Thank you."
"Strange woman."
Lin Yu pouted. "Just saying thank you. No practical expression?"
...
The Chunin Exams continued. The Star Ninja incident caused little stir, and the second round of the Chunin Exams was rather boring, leaving many spectators uninterested, until the third day...
"This is the Land of the Moon?"
Toneri, far ahead of everyone else, arrived at the capital of the Land of the Moon. Before him stood nine great gates, each inscribed with a single character.
"Zhu, Nan, Yu, Bei... Zero!"
Toneri curled his lips and flew without hesitation towards the gate inscribed with the character "Zero."