Naruto: I start with one door, and I can open it infinitely.

On the fourth day of the Chunin Exams, by a river somewhere in the Forest of Death—

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were spat out by Orochimaru and were then attacked by three members of the Sound Village. Because Sasuke's cursed seal was activated, he was unable to unleash his full power, and Naruto's chakra was too difficult to control due to being sealed.

Finally, it was the Sound Village team that saw the cursed seal and realized they had been tricked. They then retreated, and Naruto and his two companions went to the riverbank to rest for a while.

Naruto and Sasuke are now half-crippled; their former Jonin strength is now barely enough to maintain their Chunin status. However, someone will help them pass the exam, and that person is none other than Kabuto Yakushi, who stopped Naruto from opening the Tenchi Scroll.

Just as Naruto was about to open the scroll, intending to fake the Heaven and Earth Scroll to cheat his way through the game, Kabuto Yakushi appeared in a flash, raised his hand, and pressed down on Naruto's hands. "I advise you to put the scroll down and not open it..."

"You guys are hopeless! That was really dangerous just now. Don't you know that people who ignore the rules will be eliminated? Last time, someone was caught in a hypnotic jutsu inside a scroll because they were peeking at it, and they slept until the Chunin Exams were over..."

"If I remember correctly, your name is Kabuto, right? What's the purpose of wandering around here all by yourself?" Sasuke stared directly at Kabuto, not understanding why this guy was here.

"I won't steal your scrolls, don't worry, I've already collected all the Heaven and Earth scrolls," Kabuto Yakushi said, showing the three of them the Heaven and Earth scrolls. With his strength, he had already collected them all long ago. He only came to check on Sasuke's situation because of Orochimaru's orders to help Sasuke pass through the Forest of Death.

"However, I must remind you that the smoke from the fire has already carried the aroma of the grilled fish far and wide. If you continue to stay here, you may attract the attention of wild beasts or enemies..."

"Senior, playing the good guy again?" Lin Chuan had actually been keeping an eye on Sasuke and the others. After all, he needed to use Sasuke to threaten Orochimaru, so it was normal for him to keep an eye on Sasuke. He just couldn't stand Kabuto Yakushi's act of being a good guy; it was utterly hypocritical.

"It's Kawawa, long time no see." Upon hearing the voice, Kabuto Yakushi's gaze instantly locked onto Kawawa in the tree. His purpose for this trip was to help Naruto and Sasuke pass the exam, and he had already found his target. He didn't expect this guy to come out and cause trouble again.

"Yes, it's been a long time." Lin Chuan suddenly exerted force in his hand holding the sword, and with a quick movement technique, he appeared in front of Yakushi Kabuto. He then launched a sword-drawing technique, but Yakushi Kabuto easily blocked it with a raised kunai.

"Chuan, we're good friends, yet you went straight for the kill," Kabuto Yakushi's lips curled up almost imperceptibly. He hadn't expected that Orochimaru would ask him to keep an eye on Lin Chuan, and Lin Chuan would inexplicably develop murderous intent towards him.

"That's right, Lin Chuan. Kabuto just helped us. How could you attack Kabuto?" Naruto saw the two fighting. Kabuto was a kind person who had helped them since the Chunin Exams, and Lin Chuan was his childhood friend. How could these two fight? This put him in a difficult position!

"Naruto, don't speak," Sasuke had already sensed something was wrong. He couldn't guess Lin Chuan's purpose, but he trusted Lin Chuan more. Could it be that Lin Chuan wanted to steal Kabuto Yakushi's Heaven and Earth Scroll? For now, it was best to wait and observe.

"Senior, you've been hiding your strength well. I used all my might, and you even caught my sword-drawing technique," Lin Chuan chuckled, continuing to raise his hands to form hand seals, and whispered, "Dance of the Crescent Moon..."

Swish, swish, ding-ding-ding—

Then, several clones of Lin Chuan emerged from the riverbank and charged toward Yakushi Kabuto with extremely fast Body Flicker Technique. They were all blocked and destroyed by Yakushi Kabuto. If Yakushi Kabuto had not retaliated, he would have been killed by Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan's goal was to kill Yakushi Kabuto. He was fighting with the determination to kill Yakushi Kabuto, otherwise, carelessness could lead to his death when facing an enemy like Yakushi Kabuto.

As the two continued to clash, flashes of swords and shadows appeared along the riverbank, dazzling Naruto and his companions. Only Sasuke, who had activated his Sharingan, could keep up with their speed.

"These two are so fast. Who exactly is this Kabuto? He can keep up with Lin Chuan's speed, and even be on par with him," Sasuke thought in shock. He could tell that Lin Chuan was using at least 80% of his strength, but he still couldn't defeat Kabuto. This person is very suspicious!

Just thinking about it, the fact that the other party collected the Heaven and Earth Scroll before us already proves that the other party is quite powerful. And since the other party has already collected the scroll, why is he helping us? What is his purpose?

"Senior, I admit defeat. I can't beat you." Lin Chuan slowly walked out from behind the rock. He used the Body Flicker Technique and swordsmanship to fight Yakushi Kabuto for more than ten rounds, but he still couldn't force Yakushi Kabuto to reveal any weakness. He had no choice but to stop attacking.

If he continues fighting, his chakra will be exhausted, and he won't even have a chance to escape. He doesn't want to die now.

"Chuan, you think you can just quit like that? Do you think I'm easy to bully?" Kabuto Yakushi suddenly appeared behind Lin Chuan, his kunai already inserted into Lin Chuan's body, though a stream of fluid came out.

"Oh my, senior, it's not right to stab someone in the back after they've already admitted defeat," Lin Chuan popped out from behind the tree again, came to Sasuke's side, and gave Kabuto a harmless smile, but in reality he was mocking Kabuto for being a hypocrite.

"Heh, Kabuto, you're still as cautious as ever. I hope you all pass the exam." Kabuto knew that he had attacked Lin Chuan and could no longer gain Naruto and Sasuke's trust, so he could only chuckle and turn away helplessly.

After all, Lin Chuan was Naruto's classmate, and compared to his senior, it was obvious that a classmate was more trustworthy.

"Kawa, what exactly happened? Why were you fighting him?" Sasuke could tell that the two of them were fighting with their lives on the line; they didn't seem like friends at all!

"He's not stealing your reels, so what do you think his purpose is in deliberately approaching you? What value do you have that would make him approach you on purpose?" Lin Chuan smiled as he walked to the fire. By this time, the grilled fish was ready, and he picked it up and ate it without any hesitation, continuing his explanation.

"A senior who survived seven Chunin Exams, a senior who obtained the Tenchi Scroll before you, do you really think he's weaker than you?"

"You mean Kabuto isn't trustworthy? But I think he's a good person," Naruto, the simpleton, never saw through the true nature of the conflict between Lin Chuan and Kabuto, and still thought Kabuto was a good person.

"You idiot, Naruto," Sakura tapped Naruto on the head, exasperated by his stupidity. Her reaction, however, was sharp; she immediately thought of the most unique enemy they had ever faced, the one that had caused their crushing defeat—Orochimaru. She tentatively asked, "Was it because of Orochimaru?"

However, she still had one question. Seeing Lin Chuan talking to Orochimaru, she couldn't help but ask Lin Chuan, "How do you know Orochimaru? And who is Orochimaru?"

"You know Orochimaru?" Sasuke was bitten by Orochimaru and left with some kind of cursed seal, which is why his shoulder still hurts.

"I know him. Orochimaru is a Konoha rogue ninja. You can check the Konoha wanted posters to find out. Don't you guys care about this kind of thing?" Lin Chuan was speechless and helplessly spread his hands as he looked at the three of them. If Orochimaru hadn't been ruthless, these three would have been dead long ago.

"Huh? Hehe," Sakura laughed awkwardly. They really didn't pay attention to this kind of thing, but it was a bit strange that a Konoha rogue ninja would come to participate in the Chunin Exams. Could it be that he came for Sasuke?

"They're after me, aren't they?" Sasuke thought of the Sharingan Orochimaru mentioned, and the power Orochimaru had bestowed upon him. He could indeed feel the power now; the power within the cursed seal was immense, but he couldn't control it yet.

He had figured it out: he was an avenger, and to gain power, he killed that man. He wouldn't hesitate to sell his body to Orochimaru.

Only after fighting that man did he realize what true power was—power so great that he was powerless to fight back.

If he can't even beat Orochimaru, then Kakashi probably can't either. It seems Kakashi is no longer suitable to teach him; he needs a new teacher.

"It's rare for him to be smart," Lin Chuan said, throwing away the wooden stick after finishing his grilled fish. It seemed that Sasuke had finally figured it out. Despite all the changes he had made this time, he still couldn't change the fact that Sasuke was destined to defect.

He stood up, pulled out a Heavenly Scroll, and threw it at the feet of Naruto and the other two, laughing, "I grabbed an extra one during the raid, so this Heavenly Scroll is yours..."

Actually, he didn't steal these scrolls. Instead, the outlying ninjas who encountered him were afraid of dying, and they dropped the scrolls and ran away before he could even make a move.

So having a fearsome reputation is a good thing; apart from fighting Kabuto for a while, he didn't fight again during the second Chunin Exams.

"Thanks, Lin Chuan," Naruto said cheerfully as he picked up the scroll. With their Earth Scroll, they would be able to pass the test.

"Let's go, to the tower," Lin Chuan waved his hand gently, jumped into the woods first, and headed towards the tower.

Seeing Lin Chuan leave, Sasuke and the other two quickly got up and followed him.

At the same time, Kabuto Yakushi also found Orochimaru and reported what had happened.

"Kabuto, how's it going?" Orochimaru asked with a sinister smile behind his mask, inquiring whether Kabuto had found Sasuke and helped him pass the test.

"Lord Orochimaru, the mission failed. Kawa's appearance disrupted my plans," Kabuto Yakushi knelt on one knee, reporting what had happened and drawing hatred towards Lin Chuan.

"Chuan? Hehehe," Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils narrowed when he heard "Chuan" again. It seemed that Lin Chuan was warning him not to make any tricks, or he would only get a corpse.

Since that's the case, then let's play along. Isn't the other guy participating in the Chunin Exams? He looked at Kabuto Yakushi and ordered, "Kabuto, kill him during the Chunin Exams..."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto Yakushi said with a smirk, a cold glint in his eyes. He sighed inwardly, "Kawa, you shouldn't have stood in Lord Orochimaru's way. Otherwise, you would have only met your end. Now, no one can protect you, Kawa."

"Hehehe," Orochimaru was unaware of Kabuto's thoughts, but his purpose was simply to have Kabuto test Lin Chuan. He didn't tell Kabuto that Lin Chuan, like himself, was a reincarnated old monster who had possessed another body. He hoped Kabuto wouldn't disappoint him.

Ha ha ha ha...

……

at the same time--

Lin Chuan and his group of four arrived at the tower without incident. The Rain Ninja team, who had tried to intercept them along the way, gave up the attempt when they saw him in the group.

After all, Lin Chuan had a reputation, and they didn't want to die at his hands. They knew that the freak was very strong and a bloodthirsty madman, and they weren't stupid enough to go and die.

Upon arriving at the tower, they entered together. To greet Naruto and his companions were the Third Hokage, Sarutobi, and a red-haired woman. The red-haired woman excitedly rushed forward upon seeing Naruto, hugging him tightly and murmuring something.

"Naruto, you've grown so much! Have you been eating properly? Are you a picky eater...?"

"Have you been studying hard? Have you been learning ninjutsu diligently? You're a ninja now! Have you saved any money?"

"Why is it so dirty? Didn't I tell you to be clean and shower every day?"

"Also, how many good friends have you made? Is there a girl you like...?"

Kushina Uzumaki kept repeating her last words, and as she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

"Hey, who are you?" Naruto was still a little confused. Who was this strange woman?

While he was still wondering, tears began to fall on his cheeks, and he suddenly realized what was wrong. Why was this woman crying?

"Naruto, this is your mother. Didn't you want to see your mother? This is your mother," Lin Chuan revealed the red-haired woman's identity, while also looking at Sarutobi Hiroto as a witness, "Hokage-sama, right?"

"Yes, how did you know, Ogawa?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. The new generation had never seen Kushina Uzumaki before. Lin Chuan was very suspicious, and Kushina Uzumaki's resurrection was also very suspicious.

"The Konoha Library has family photos of all the Hokage, and I've seen her in one of them," Lin Chuan said casually. It wasn't exactly a lie, though; he had indeed seen Kushina's picture on the library wall.

"Then how do you know Kushina is Naruto's mother?"

"It's what Mr. Kosuke told me. The older generation all know this. Only you guys are keeping Naruto in the dark, keeping him completely in the dark," Lin Chuan said helplessly, spreading his hands. He had only asked Mr. Kosuke about this matter, otherwise he really couldn't explain how Mr. Kosuke knew.

"What? Naruto is the Hokage's son?" Sakura was shocked when she heard this news. She never expected that Naruto, an orphan, had such a special identity.

"Naruto is the son of the Hokage? Then what about me, an Uchiha?" Sasuke didn't dare to think about it anymore. If he did, he would become a joke. Compared to Naruto's status as the son of the Hokage, what was he, an Uchiha? Besides, the Uchiha clan was gone.

"Third Hokage, didn't you promise me and Minato that you would take good care of Naruto?" Kushina Uzumaki looked at Sarutobi Hiroto with tears in her eyes, making Hiroto Hiroto feel ashamed.

Sarutobi couldn't explain why Naruto was living such a miserable life. Was it all for Naruto's safety?

"They took good care of him, but he ate expired instant noodles every day. Nobody sold him food, and he survived on his own until he was seven. Sometimes he would go into the forest to pick wild mushrooms, and he would get poisoned and collapse in the forest without anyone noticing." Lin Chuan was almost speechless at that time.

He used to train by the river when he was a child, and he often saw Naruto getting poisoned from eating wild mushrooms or getting fish bones stuck in his throat. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known Naruto when he was a child.