I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

"Alright, that's enough of our small talk. Let's get back to the Chunin Exams. I really want to become a Chunin."

With that, Naruto bypassed Sasuke and headed towards where Hinata and the others were.

Sasuke stood there, stunned, his face filled with shock. He thought he had come to the truth, but he learned that the truth he had learned was very likely to have been deliberately fabricated. A sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

In his shock, Sasuke felt that Menma's voice sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

However, how could he possibly know a powerful figure who was chatting and laughing with Orochimaru? He must not have rested well in the past few days, which led to his poor judgment. Just now, that poisonous snake even bit him.

At that moment, Sasuke seemed to remember something and stared at Menma's back, lost in thought.

If Menma really had no connection to him, why did he save him from Orochimaru just because Menma took in other members of his clan?

Mianma must know me; I've met Mianma before.

However, due to various reasons, he was temporarily unable to confirm Menma's identity, and he trusted his own judgment more than the false reality.

This is a common problem among those with the Uchiha bloodline: when there is a gap between their understanding of the world and their own self-perception, they firmly believe that the world is wrong.

Chapter 229 The Discovery of Red Beans

A few minutes later, Naruto and Sasuke emerged from the dense forest and arrived at the site of their previous battle.

Under the combined attack of Hinata, Karin, Haku, and others, Kimimaro gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. He eventually seized an opportunity to escape their encirclement and disappeared into the boundless forest.

Since Naruto wasn't there, the others didn't dare to chase after him and could only stay where they were, waiting for Naruto's return.

After all, Kimimaro's appearance and departure were full of mystery, and there might be traces of other important figures interfering behind the scenes.

Upon seeing Naruto return, Hinata and the others quickly gathered around him, recounting their battle with Kimimaro. Their faces were filled with dejection, regretting that they hadn't been able to capture Kimimaro.

Naruto smiled and said, "Kimimaro's strength is already close to Kage level, so it's normal that you can't catch up. If you weren't worried about being targeted by Konoha Jonin, you wouldn't have won so easily."

"His strength is close to Kage level?" Hinata, Karin, and Haku looked surprised.

To be able to fight to a draw with such a strong person, wouldn't that mean their strength has reached the standard of Jonin? But why would such a monster appear in the Chunin Exams?

Did Naruto just disappear to provide a training opportunity, or did he go to meet someone else?

However, it wasn't a good thing for ninjas to know too much, so they stopped asking questions.

After exchanging information, Naruto sent Haku and Karin to deal with the unconscious Shino and Kiba, while he and Hinata went to handle the spoils of war.

On the surface, the spoils of war are nothing more than the Sound Ninja, their equipment, and the Earth Scroll.

The former is a product of Orochimaru's experiments, which can reveal the extent of Orochimaru's development in the Cursed Seal technique, while the latter is essential for advancing in this Chunin Exam.

However, the most important spoils were the wool he had taken from Orochimaru.

After much persuasion, Orochimaru agreed to share his most advanced technology with him: a specially modified version of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which could summon an impure body with 70% of its original strength.

To Naruto's surprise, Orochimaru proposed joining Uzushio Village.

He did not immediately agree to Orochimaru's request, but judging from this idea, Orochimaru should continue the plan to destroy Konoha. It is just unknown whether he will direct the conflict at Jiraiya or the Third Hokage.

Just as Orochimaru said, there is no more exciting drama than brothers killing each other, and he has always looked forward to the performance between Orochimaru, Jiraiya and the Third Hokage.

As Naruto frowned in thought, Sasuke kept staring at him, his eyes filled with conflict.

He didn't know whether to report the information about Menma to Konoha or to pretend nothing had happened and keep the information to himself.

Reporting intelligence is the responsibility of Konoha ninjas, but both Kakashi and Menma subtly hinted at a message to him: the reason for the Uchiha's departure was inextricably linked to Konoha.

Just then, accompanied by a whooshing sound, the chief examiner, Mitarashi Anko, appeared before them.

Seeing the fallen trees and the ground that looked like it had been plowed, Hongdou said with a stern face, "You guys, what exactly happened here? Why were all the security cameras destroyed?"

As Hinata and the others were about to explain, Naruto stepped forward and said, "Anko, we just encountered a crazy ninja who started killing people without warning. It took a lot of effort to repel him. I suspect he's a spy who infiltrated the Forest of Death to sabotage your Konoha's Chunin Exams."

"Your Konoha?"

Anko frowned, looked Naruto up and down, and her expression softened considerably: "You are a ninja from Uzushio Village. Thank you for your information. I will handle this matter."

Naruto continued, "The attackers are extremely strong, and ordinary ninjas cannot handle them. Proctor Anko should bring more people with her, or simply cancel this Chunin Exam."

"I'm a Jonin, unlike you rookies who took the Chunin Exams..."

After giving the examinees a cold glance, Hongdou followed the scent without looking back, leaving behind only a cold and indifferent back view.

Watching Anko's retreating figure, Hinata asked softly, "Will Anko, the examiner, be in trouble?"

Naruto withdrew his gaze from the distance and said with a light laugh, "I've already warned her. It's her own business if she insists on going. The ninjas who caused trouble during the Chunin Exams are not ninjas she can handle, but I won't kill her."

Hinata looked up at Naruto, puzzled, and asked, "Does Menma-kun know so much about Jonin Anko?"

Naruto shook his head and said, "I don't know her, but I do know the ninja who caused trouble in the Forest of Death. He was cruel and bloodthirsty, but he could never forget the ninja he was in contact with. It's just that his thought process was a little different from that of normal people."

Hinata leaned close to Naruto and whispered in his ear, "Is the troublemaker Naruto-kun's collaborator? Can the Hyuga clan help you? I'm the acting clan head now, things are different from before."

"I need Hinata's help, but not now. Let's enjoy the Chunin Exams for now."

……

As they sped through the Death Forest, Hongdou's face grew increasingly pale.

From the start of the Chunin Exams, Anko kept smelling a familiar scent, and the snake molts that appeared in the Forest of Death further confirmed her suspicions.

The ninja who infiltrated Konoha with the intention of disrupting the Chunin Exams was none other than her teacher, Orochimaru.

Back then, due to Orochimaru's defection, her status as a disciple of the Legendary Sannin plummeted in an instant, and she became the target of surveillance by the Anbu and Root. It wasn't until Jiraiya became Hokage that she barely became a special Jonin in the village.

Now that she has seen Orochimaru again, she must question him thoroughly and bring him to justice.

However, she herself didn't know whether she hated Orochimaru for becoming a rogue ninja or for not taking her away.

Before long, Anko could clearly sense Orochimaru's chakra.

After dealing with the rattlesnakes that were guarding the area, Anko disregarded the depletion of her chakra and instantly teleported to a tree trunk, searching for Orochimaru's whereabouts from above.

Soon, Anko located Orochimaru's position and was about to attack him when she suddenly stopped.

Besides Orochimaru, there were several mysterious men in black nearby. These men wore animal masks and were clearly dressed as members of the Anbu (Anbu organization). Their accents also gave her a sense of familiarity.

Clearly, these ANBU members were not people in disguise, but rather ninjas from the village.

Since they are ninjas from the village, why would they collude with Orochimaru? Could it be that Orochimaru's infiltration of Konoha this time was a conspiracy between insiders and outsiders, aiming to overthrow the village?

Chapter 230 Collusion Between Insiders and Outsiders

Inside the Forest of Death, a squad of ninja dressed as members of the Anbu looked at Orochimaru ahead and said in an unfriendly tone:

"Orochimaru, why are your people in the Forest of Death? Do you know how much risk we took to keep this from being discovered by the Fifth Hokage?"

"If our plan is exposed, no ninja village in the ninja world will be able to accept you!"

"Remember, you are no longer one of the Sannin. You are a rogue ninja who betrayed the village. Rogue ninjas have no right to bargain with us."

Upon hearing this, a shadow crossed Orochimaru's eyes, and he said sarcastically, "Of course I know about our plan, but does anyone know about your collusion with Sunagakure and rogue ninja?"

The ninja team showed a hint of panic, then feigned composure and said, "Without the clan leader's authorization, would we dare to do this? Orochimaru, don't give up this last chance."

With that, the ninja squad left the area, disappearing as streaks of black shadow.

Staring at the ninja squad disappearing into the forest, Orochimaru chuckled and said in a low, eerie tone:

"Ever since Danzo was killed, Konoha has been filled with useless people living in darkness in his place. How are they supposed to deal with the disobedient ninjas in the village? That idiot Jiraiya, does he really think that he can make the whole village obey him just by relying on the Will of Fire?"

After saying that, Orochimaru looked at the tree trunk behind him and a faint smile appeared on his face: "Come out, Anko. It must have been almost ten years since we last met. You've grown up without me even realizing it."

After her hiding place was exposed, Anko leaped out from behind the big tree and thrust her kunai directly at Orochimaru's face.

Orochimaru neither dodged nor evaded, but directly grabbed the kunai, licking Anko's face with his tongue: "Trying to kill me the moment we meet, it seems your time with me has been truly unforgettable."

"Do you know what I've been through all these years? Discrimination, exclusion, and suspicion."

Anko broke free from Orochimaru's control, drew the short sword from her thigh, and pierced Orochimaru's palm. She then formed hand seals and shouted, "Ninja Art: Twin Snakes Kill!"

As the words fell, Anko transformed her hands into two pythons and pounced on Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, who was originally under control, melted into an earth clone and appeared behind Anko, saying calmly, "Even if you are my disciple, you should not use such suicidal ninjutsu casually."

Red Bean was sweating profusely, but she still maintained a tough attitude: "Why don't you kill me? As long as I'm alive, I will definitely report this to Lord Jiraiya, and your plan will definitely fail."

Orochimaru said calmly, "That idiot Jiraiya wouldn't believe you. Otherwise, such a commotion would have attracted the attention of other Anbu members. And the people I'm cooperating with aren't just ordinary Konoha high-ranking officials."

Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to do?

When Orochimaru revealed information to her, Anko began to panic.

Knowing too much is not a good thing. The fact that Orochimaru could tell me all this means that the plan is already in the bag. The only thing that is uncertain is what Orochimaru's purpose is.

Did he collude with hostile forces to destroy the village, or did he overthrow Jiraiya, the Fifth Hokage?

Orochimaru answered that Anko was using a genjutsu. After controlling Anko with the genjutsu, Orochimaru left a viper nearby to guard her, and then looked at Konoha in the distance with a very nostalgic expression.

……

After handing the unconscious Sound Ninja over to the proctors, Naruto and his group headed towards the area around the central tower.

Under the simultaneous attack of seven ninjas, many ninja squads could not withstand the pressure and chose to surrender. The largest number of these were from the Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure squads, who obediently handed over their respective scrolls.

He felt deep contempt for Naruto and his group's actions in hunting down other teams.

However, this behavior did not violate the rules of the exam. War is not child's play, and it will not create a fair environment for a battle. Apart from complaining, one can only try to improve one's own strength.

Furthermore, judging from the distribution of scrolls among the various ninja village teams, Konoha also encourages this behavior.

After all, other ninja village teams can be promoted to Chunin even if they lose and return home, but Konoha ninjas miss out and have to wait another six months, which will inevitably give them a home advantage.

Several hours later, Naruto and the others appeared one kilometer away from the tower area.

What stopped them in their tracks was a battle ahead, fought between the Sand Village team they had met before and members of Konoha's Team 3.

The atmosphere between the Sand Village Squad and Team 3 was tense, and a conflict could break out at any moment.

Seeing Neji being stopped by Gaara and the others, Hinata frowned and wanted to go forward to help, but Naruto stopped her: "It's no fun to always rely on overwhelming numbers. We have to see their strength. In a few days, we might even be rivals."

At this moment, Kiba Inuzuka said, "I also want to see who will win. I remember Neji and the others are a year older than us, so they should be able to deal with the Sand Village's panda eyes."

Sasuke's expression turned somewhat grim as he recalled his challenge to Rock Lee with thick eyebrows a few years ago.

At that time, he was completely defeated by Lee in terms of physical skills, and as for using the Sharingan to fight, he disdained to win battles with his peers in this way.

This is a good opportunity to find out about Lee and Gaara so we can formulate a strategy to deal with them.