After the gathering ended, Yagyu and Ino walked together toward home.
Holding hands, walking along the night street, Yagyu did not speak, he simply enjoyed the beauty of this moment.
Meanwhile, Ino seemed somewhat quiet.
After noticing the unusual state of his girlfriend, Yagyu gently squeezed the soft hand he was holding.
He leaned close and softly comforted her near her ear,
"Are you worried about tomorrow's exam, do not worry, I will find you as quickly as possible."
Ino lightly shook her head.
A rare trace of confusion appeared on her face.
"No, I am not worried about the exam, I was just thinking, you will keep getting stronger, one day you will stand at the peak of the ninja world, and I am just like this, is that really okay."
Seeing his girlfriend's slightly confused appearance, Yagyu was momentarily stunned.
To be honest, Ino was a girl with very clear goals.
Logically speaking, she should not show such an expression.
After thinking for a moment, Yagyu's expression turned slightly serious, he realized that his rapid growth had unknowingly brought a lot of pressure to this originally confident girl.
He stopped walking.
Standing in front of Ino, Yagyu showed a gentle and doting smile.
"What is wrong, our always confident and proud Lady Ino is now also thinking about such boring problems, since you feel confused, then just move forward step by step with your feet on the ground."
He raised his hand and pinched Ino's cheek.
Yagyu then looked toward the Hokage Rock, his gaze becoming deep.
"The future is still very long, if you already feel confused now, what will we do later."
He held Ino's hand, his tone became firm and unquestionable.
"So do not think too much, you, Yamanaka Ino, have already completely captured the heart of Yagyu Sōsuke, no matter how strong I become in the future, this place will never change."
He pulled Ino's hand and placed it on his chest.
Yagyu spoke seriously and made a promise.
"You only need to be yourself, you do not need to think about anything else."
After hearing Yagyu's words, Ino was stunned for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"What is this, if you are not good at saying encouraging words, then do not say them randomly, idiot, I know what I should do, I just wanted to hear you comfort me a little."
Yagyu smiled slightly.
He looked directly at Ino.
"But everything I said is true."
As his words fell, Yagyu suddenly pulled Ino into his arms in a domineering manner.
Under the moonlight, he gently kissed her lips.
Ino's eyes widened instantly from the sudden action.
But after feeling Yagyu's presence, her initial shyness gradually disappeared.
Under the soft moonlight, Ino sank into Yagyu's embrace, Yagyu immersed himself in her presence.
The next morning, Konoha's Forest of Death, also known as the location of the second stage of the Chunin Exam.
After preparing all his equipment, since Ino needed to discuss things with Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji, Yagyu arrived alone without any hurry, looking completely relaxed.
It was as if he had come for a walk, not for an exam.
When Yagyu arrived at the gathering area, many candidates had already gathered, they stood in their respective ninja teams.
Aside from a few teams from the same village gathering together, most were separated, the atmosphere between them was not very friendly.
After arriving, Yagyu casually greeted the Konoha teams, then found a tree and sat beneath it alone, waiting for the exam to begin.
Soon, as noon approached, Anko, the chief examiner of the second stage, walked out of the tent and glanced at the candidates.
"All candidates gather, I will now explain the second exam."
Hearing her voice, all the candidates gathered toward her, Yagyu did the same.
After everyone gathered, Anko spoke.
"Behind me is the location of the second exam, Konoha Training Ground Forty Four, it has another name."
She paused, a cold smile filled with killing intent appeared on her face.
"The Forest of Death."
As her words fell, combined with the killing intent around her, the atmosphere immediately became heavy.
From the forest, occasional roars of unknown beasts echoed out, making the place even more terrifying.
Standing in the crowd, Yagyu's expression remained calm, his gaze scanned the candidates.
Very quickly, he found a special target.
Among a team from the Grass Village, a tall female ninja wearing a straw hat, her appearance was completely ordinary.
"That chakra, that feeling."
Yagyu's expression became slightly serious.
"There is no mistake, that woman is definitely Orochimaru."
While thinking this, Yagyu quietly moved closer to Orochimaru.
At this moment, Naruto, who had passed the first exam, began provoking Anko as expected.
Anko, who needed to establish authority, naturally did not hold back.
A kunai shot forward instantly, it cut Naruto's cheek, leaving a wound.
Then, just as Yagyu expected, the kunai flew toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru extended his long tongue and caught it.
"Damn, that is disgusting."
Seeing this, Yagyu felt uncomfortable.
"This guy is strong, but his techniques are really disgusting."
When Orochimaru moved toward Anko, Yagyu's mind shifted slightly.
At the moment Anko was still threatening Naruto, Orochimaru silently appeared behind her.
Anko sensed it instantly, her expression changed drastically as she turned around.
Clang, a sharp chakra blade appeared and rested on Orochimaru's neck.
Seeing the familiar blade, Anko relaxed slightly and looked at Yagyu beside her.
Holding the blade in reverse grip, Yagyu looked calmly at Orochimaru.
"Do not move, no matter how flexible your neck is, cutting it off is not difficult for me."
As he spoke, the wind chakra on the blade condensed sharply.
Between the three of them, the atmosphere instantly became tense.
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