In Konoha, I collected corpses on the battlefield for ten years

Orochimaru's lips curled up in a smile, and he laughed, "Luck?"

The meaningful gaze made Qifeng feel very uncomfortable, as if his secrets couldn't be hidden from him.

But he still forced a calm expression, controlling the subtle changes in his face, not revealing too much.

There was no other way. If he wanted to continue quietly nesting in the morgue, hiding his strength and abilities was essential.

Otherwise, not only Orochimaru but also Danzo would be watching him.

This was what Qifeng was most worried about now.

Although, the current Orochimaru was already somewhat curious about him because of his explanations and experiences.

It seems necessary to really fabricate such a non-existent ninja... Qifeng thought helplessly.

Regarding this, he already had a plan. He only needed to let this fabricated ninja "debut" at the right time.

Orochimaru didn't see much from Qifeng's face, or rather, Orochimaru didn't care what he wanted to express at all.

He simply crossed his arms and spoke again, "There's one more thing that I can't quite understand. Qifeng-kun, why, from the first moment you saw me, were you so repulsed by me? It's the kind of repulsion that far exceeds the awe of others."

Hearing this, Qifeng's heart tightened.

Orochimaru's observation ability was truly meticulous. Trying to hide anything from him was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Thoughts raced through his mind.

Fortunately, he had prepared some explanations in advance to deal with this situation.

Awkwardly scratching his head, he explained with a sheepish smile, "Actually... I'm in awe on one hand, but more than that... I'm afraid of snakes."

Yeah, afraid of snakes.

This wasn't a lie, especially snakes named Orochimaru.

As for whether he believed it or not, that was up to the beholder.

Orochimaru didn't laugh, but instead said seriously, "Afraid of snakes? As expected of Qifeng-kun."

When communicating with Orochimaru, it was always difficult to tell whether he really believed it or was just pretending to believe it.

So Qifeng decided not to continue this topic and instead took the initiative to shift the direction of the conversation, trying to seize the initiative.

After pondering for a moment, he asked softly, "I wonder if Lord Orochimaru has come to this morgue late at night because there's something you need me to do?"

Orochimaru stared at Qifeng, licked his lips, "Yes."

He walked to a neatly groomed corpse, gently placing his fingers on it, as if stroking a work of art.

He said something out of the blue, "Our attitudes toward corpses are truly strikingly similar, Qifeng-kun."

"......"

After speaking, he returned to the main topic, "The village will be holding the Chunin Exams in a while."

"Huh? Chunin Exams? At this time?" Qifeng was a little surprised.

Even he, a corpse-collecting genin, knew how tense the situation was in the ninja world. Holding the Chunin Exams now, weren't they afraid that people from other villages would come and cause trouble?

Immediately afterward, he asked, "Lord Orochimaru wouldn't want me to participate in the Chunin Exams, would you?"

Orochimaru raised the corner of his mouth, not answering, just looking at him with a smile.

It was unsettling to watch.

Qifeng quietly swallowed, "...... No need, right? Being a genin is pretty good. Besides, I'm just one person, and I don't have a genin team, so don't let me affect others."

"Don't worry, with your strength, Qifeng-kun, you don't need to participate in the so-called Chunin Exams."

Hearing this, Qifeng breathed a sigh of relief.

But Orochimaru's next words made him a little confused.

"It's to have you be an examiner."

"An examiner? Me? A genin?" Qifeng pointed at himself, somewhat in disbelief.

What a joke, he was just a genin, what qualifications did he have to become an examiner for the Chunin Exams?

"Of course, not as a genin."

Orochimaru walked past the corpse, walked in front of Qifeng, and slowly leaned down, his pale face reflected in his eyes.

"The mission to the Land of Hot Water, the mission to the Land of Waterfall, these were ultimately rated as A-rank missions. Whether you achieved them through luck or something else, since you completed the missions, it means you should be able to shoulder more responsibility."

"So, I specifically applied to Teacher Hiruzen to promote your ninja rank to chunin."

After speaking, he narrowed his eyes and silently waited for Qifeng's reaction.

Qifeng lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Orochimaru's eyes, and remained silent for a long time before raising his head and saying, "Chunin... does it come with a raise?"

"...... It does."

Orochimaru was a little unsure about his thought process.

Qifeng chuckled and asked curiously, "But, don't you have to pass the Chunin Exams to be promoted to chunin? Unless..."

"Unless it's Anbu, or the wartime system is activated," Orochimaru added.

He reached out and gently patted him on the shoulder, "Do you think it's too early to start the wartime system now?"

Too early?

If it had been before, it might have been a little early, but after personally participating in the Torimori Outpost mission, Qifeng felt that it wasn't early at all.

Since he knew that the war was about to break out, it was better to prepare in advance than to have no preparation at all.

He pursed his lips and shook his head.

But he was still a little unwilling and said, "Can I not go?"

What's so good about being an examiner for the Chunin Exams? It's far more comfortable and safe for me to stay in the morgue and rummage through corpses.

The significance of this Chunin Exams was obviously extraordinary, and different ninjas from the major hidden villages would come.

Being exposed to the sight of these people and attracting unnecessary attention was not what he wanted.

Unexpectedly, Orochimaru nodded, "You can!"

But he added, "Becoming my subordinate means you don't have to participate."

"......"