Alone and Infinite

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

Today's average daily value: 1634

I almost missed it. My father-in-law's tenth death anniversary is in two days, so I drove over 400 kilometers overnight back to my hometown.

Chapter 266: Chunin Exam!

Li Xia had anticipated that the erosion from the abyss would be difficult to deal with, but he hadn't anticipated that he could recover without using any recovery drugs, relying solely on his physical body and internal energy circulation.

It took him three whole days to clean up the last bit of residue.

Originally, he wanted to take advantage of the mission to 'find something to do,' but now he could only take Awoo and return immediately.

Fortunately, the fight against the abyss's erosion yielded good results. In addition to gaining some resistance, the upper limit of True Qi also increased.

As for that small bundle, Li Xia didn't open it, intending to leave it for Heitan.

As the team's luckiest member, Kurotan has a luck value of 2 points!

Sometimes you can stumble upon something good by sheer luck.

"Boss, what's the use of this executioner's blade if we can't take it with us?"

Aowu grabbed the heavy decapitation sword, weighed it in his hand, and found it strangely heavy.

【The Executioner's Blade (One of the Seven Ninja Swords)】

[Grade: Purple]

【Origin: Naruto】

[Durability: 80/80]

Damage Intensity: 6 (Tier 3)

[Greatsword: Damage +1, Agility -2]

[Broken Blade: Can absorb metal elements from the blood to repair itself]

[Brief Introduction: One of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, renowned throughout the ninja world.]

(Note: This item cannot be taken out of this world.)

The Decapitation Blade's stats are quite simple; it only has two properties: self-repair and the blade itself.

But these are all quite practical features.

If it were Samehada, the panel would obviously not be so simple.

Li Xia held the decapitation sword in his hand, and the heavy sword felt surprisingly light in his hands.

"This is a famous sword in the ninja world—a famous sword means..."

"High transaction value?"

Aowu's eyes lit up. That's right. Even if he can't take it with him, it doesn't mean it has no trading value in this world.

This knife could easily fetch over ten million, right?

"I originally planned to use this sword as payment to hire 'Akatsuki' to cause some trouble for the Land of Earth during the Chunin Exams."

Li Xia could only lament that plans can't keep up with changes.

He was afraid that he might accidentally go too far and destroy Konoha, so he planned to play it safe.

The goal is to contain Iwagakure, which has the capability to send out a large number of ninjas to completely crush Konoha once it senses its weakness.

For Li Xia, the existence of Konoha is definitely more beneficial to him than its disappearance.

However, given the current situation, ten days is already quite tight, and there is no time to do any other unnecessary operations.

Since the decapitation sword couldn't be stored in his spatial storage, and carrying it around would be quite cumbersome, Li Xia thought for a moment and decided to simply hide the sword here for now.

This hiding place was quite well hidden, not far from Konoha. After covering all traces, no clues could be found.

"Let's go back to Konoha!"

"Meow!"

Black Charcoal stared in amazement at its tiny paws, which were now moving rhythmically and nimbly in a plum blossom shape.

"This is the limit of what your bone structure can do."

Orochimaru looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction, his hoarse voice echoing in the underground research room.

"Although it is still far less dexterous than human fingers, its dexterity has greatly improved compared to before."

However, lacking a thumb, many movements are still difficult to perform smoothly.

With the thumb accounting for at least 40% of the hand's function, he modified Kurotan's claws to test whether animals could perform ninjutsu through hand seals.

Unfortunately, although cats, like humans, have five finger bones, they cannot achieve the same structure as human hands due to congenital factors.

"Then let's get started."

Black Charcoal nodded heavily, its cat eyes wide open, and it began to form hand seals with a slap of its paw.

Due to the absence of the thumb, only a few of the twelve ninja hand seals do not require the thumb.

Wei-Si-Yin!

Clone technique!

"bang"

As the wisps of smoke dissipated, a somewhat dim figure appeared beside the charcoal-covered man.

The figure was incredibly lifelike, even its movements and the black charcoal were exactly the same.

"Great! It's a success!"

Orochimaru smiled, increasingly pleased with the kitten's almost superhuman learning ability.

Given time, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a completely new and powerful summoning beast race could be created in the ninja world.

Learning ninjutsu is quite difficult; it's not as simple as just knowing how to form hand seals to unleash ninjutsu.

There are twelve hand seals, each corresponding to a different flow of chakra.

Only by simultaneously forming hand seals and channeling chakra through the appropriate pathways can ninjutsu be activated.

Therefore, those ninjas who can form hand seals extremely quickly are not simply fast at hand speed.

Rather, he was extremely familiar with the chakra pathways corresponding to each hand seal, reaching a level of consummate skill.

Otherwise, simply forming hand seals quickly is meaningless.

Orochimaru had long been tired of Ryuchi Cave's greed, and now he thought using a cat might be a good option.

With this mindset in mind, he unusually asked one more question:

"You really want to transplant the Sharingan? These are eyes that could kill you at any moment."

Black Charcoal nodded firmly.

If it can't help its owner and is just a simple accessory, that's not good for a Palico that hunts with its owner forever.

That would be a great disgrace; it wanted to be its master's best helper in battle!

Furthermore, within the Hall of Light, Kurotan also learned of the tragic fates of many of his kin who had been bound by the Apostles' contracts.

The boss is the best boss in the world!

"Meow!"

“Alright—” Orochimaru stood up: “Then get your body in good shape and prepare to face the destiny you desire!”

[Executioner, your follower Kurozumi has been affected by Orochimaru's experiments, resulting in increased hand dexterity.]

[Executioner, your follower Kurozumi has been influenced by the story character Orochimaru and has acquired the ninjutsu Shadow Clone Technique.]

[Executioner, your follower Kurozumi has been influenced by the story character Orochimaru and has acquired the ninjutsu Shadow Clone Technique.]

"???"

Awoo looked at this series of prompts:

"Has Orochimaru gone mad? He keeps popping up notifications these past few days. Could this little cat have become a drug addict?"

Li Xia frowned and stared at the prompt for a while. He had never imagined that Kuroko could learn ninjutsu.

Because with those little plum blossom claws, unless they can become a thousand-handed black charcoal, they can't summon anything they want with a single slap of their claws.

So Orochimaru first modified Kurozumi, increasing the dexterity of his claws, before teaching him ninjutsu?

As usual, it was posted in the team channel.

"?"

"Meow!"

"It should be fine," Li Xia suppressed his doubts. "As long as he can respond normally, there's no problem. Hei Tan will be back soon."

Because there are at most ten days left, Orochimaru will have to work hard for his 'Konoha Crush Plan' (Konoha's plan to prune dead branches and leaves).

I definitely won't be available then.

Konoha Village still exudes a peaceful atmosphere, just as it did when I left a few days ago.

The bustling crowds on the streets and the enticing aromas wafting from the restaurants create a vibrant and lively scene.

Li Xia looked down for a while, then easily made his way to the Dark Division building.

"Excellent, the mission was completed very well."

Inside the captain's office, the captain nodded in satisfaction.

Li Xia pursed her lips. She had only just entered the room and hadn't even said a word, yet the other party had already started praising her.

It can only be said that the Hall of Light's distorted and terrifying understanding is truly terrifying.

"According to regulations, you are entitled to a two-week vacation after returning from an S-rank mission. Go back and get some rest."

After waving his hand casually, the captain bent down again, grabbed the document, and began to read it intently.

Li Xia remained silent; this was merely a tool of the court, nothing to talk about.

As for the two-week vacation, that must be a hidden perk offered by the hall of fame.

Those who become ninja apostles will inevitably be assigned various tasks; otherwise, the Hall of Fame would not have included the prompt "Hold this identity until the mission deadline."

The higher one's position, the more difficult the tasks one faces.

For example, Special Jonin are assigned tasks starting from A-rank by the Hall of Fame.

The Temple of Light must be quite satisfied with killing Zabuza Abyss, so they generously granted themselves a two-week break.

In other words, if you don't need to go on field missions for half a month and just stay in Konoha obediently, there is almost no chance of any accidents.

He changed out of his ANBU uniform and put on a white robe that the Hyuga family had specially sewn for him.

Li Xia strolled leisurely towards the Hyuga clan's residence.

Just as I reached the front gate, I heard a joyful shout:

"Teacher!"

Hinata Hyuga stood inside the door, her forehead covered in sweat and her clothes stained with mud, looking like she had just returned from the training ground.

It seems she hasn't slacked off during the few days I was away.

In terms of resilience, Neji and Hinata are indeed very strong, and perhaps only Rock Lee, in his "Youthful All-Out Ninja Chronicles," is even more persistent than them.

He stuffed the three-colored dumplings he had just bought into Hinata's hands:

Is your father home?

"Yes, Father is at the main house—it seems something's up."

Something?

Li Xia's thoughts shifted, but he didn't show it. After encouraging Hinata for a few moments, he headed straight for the main house.

After strolling through the garden-like Hyuga mansion for a while, Li Xia wore a faint smile and nodded to the Hyuga clansmen he encountered.