19 Chapter 21: New Danger

Kakashi and Guy expected this outcome since they knew how capable was Max. Still, they didn't expect for him to have some expertise in genjutsu also.

"I think that I underestimated how far Max have come. I didn't expect for him to finish the fight before I got here."

The Hokage suddenly appeared beside the other jounin. The fight only lasted 3 minutes which was even less time that the Hokage told Max that it would take him to get to the testing grounds. He wanted to arrive earlier to see how he fought in secret, but Max's blitz ended things.

The jounin watching the fight greeted the Hokage when he appeared. After some hesitating for a while, Asuma decided to speak to the Hokage.

"Any news?"

"We sent word to Kusagakure about the genin dying and are still waiting on the response." The Hokage looked at Asuma and saw that he was still looking at him with worry on his face. He knew that Asuma was asking for news about something else, so he decided to give him an answer. "We haven't found any trace of Orochimaru or his reason of been here."

"Let's hope that this isn't the start of anything big." Kakashi said as he sighed. He enjoyed the peace that the village had at the moment. Orochimaru appearing at this time would shake the stability of the Village.

"For now, let's join up with Max and congratulate him. With him passing this test, he can join the other genin tomorrow." The Hokage said and started to walk towards Baki and Hayate.

Seen the Hokage move his way, Baki nodded at him and gave him space. Hayate on the other hand bowed and waited for instructions.

Max looked at the Hokage and bowed as he waited for instructions too.

"Having pass this test means that you are officially participating in the chunin exams so congratulations. Tomorrow, you'll follow us to receive the other testers in the Forest of Death." The Hokage told Max. "For now, you are dismissed."

"Sir!" Max got up and left. He wanted to get some rest and resupply, so he made his way to his home.

Max also felt that something big was going on in the village at the moment, so it is best for him to be prepared for anything.

***

Max slept for hours in his home and only left for Muri's forge as the sun was going down. On his way there, he found Kakashi waiting for him by one of the shops in the village.

"If you needed to talk to me you should have gone to my house. There is no point of waiting for me here." Max said to Kakashi as he passed by him.

Kakashi gave Max a weird eye. "It's actually a coincidence that I bumped with you here. Still, I wanted to speak with you before we meted tomorrow."

"Oh? Need another blade from me? I was thinking of making one after getting some inspiration from the fight. I don't mind making an extra one, if its something not complicated." Max said. He didn't mind making equipment for Kakashi as he already got a couple of jutsus out of him.

"I don't think that you can make some of the weapons with the abilities that I have in mind at the moment, so no." Kakashi said as he walked in front Max and stopped. "I need for you to watch out for anyone suspicious approaching you these days. A dangerous individual appeared in the village and we still don't have any idea why.

He also is very fond of rare jutsus and rare bloodlines. Because of your uniqueness, you can become a target for him."

"Does this person have a name? Also, I don't even know if I'll develop my Kekkei Genkai anytime soon. Apart from my forging, there isn't that much uniqueness in me enough to make my standout in this village. We have so many clans here that overshadow me that I can pass my days without worry." Max faced Kakashi and said.

"You and I both know what is unique about you. Still, I don't believe that 'he' has information on you or enough of it to catch his eyes. Unless…" Kakashi stop talking for a second as he thought of one possibility.

'I don't think that Danzo is crazy enough to share information to Orochimaru, but the chances aren't low enough to dismiss.'

Max saw the complicated look that Kakashi had and frowned. He didn't expect that things were at such level of even thinking of someone betraying the village.

"Anyway, just be careful." Kakashi said and walked pass Max. "That person name is Orochimaru. There could be a link with him and the sound, so watch out for them. This is not confirmed but is better to be prepared."

"Ok." Max nodded at Kakashi and continued on his way.

Kakashi looked at Max as he walked away. He really didn't expect to find Max when he went to a walk to clear his head.

Still, when he saw Max, he decided to warn him. After seen how far Max's strength has grown, he thought that he should know of the undercurrents that were happening in the village, or at least some of them.

As Max got to the Muri's forge, he felt that all the inspiration that he had went away. He knew that it wasn't Kakashi's fault that it happened since he was warning him because he was concerned for him.

'It's best if I just do some maintenance tonight. I can feel that my chakra manipulation has gone up some levels these couple of months. If I can increase it more, I should be able to get to the next phase in Bladesmithing.

Let's wait until then before making anything knew.'

***

The next day.

Max made his way towards the meeting place early in the morning. There, Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai and Asuma were waiting for him.

"You got here early Kakashi. If I had betted in you been late like always, I would had been poor now." Max said as he greeted the everyone and nodding at Asuma.

Asuma heard Max's comment and looked away. Max noticed the awkwardness in the air and looked at everyone. Seen Asuma looking away he only said 'no way' and shock his head.

The five of them moved quick in the direction of the tower in the Forest of Death. Guy told Max that the other already went there, so they needed to pick up the speed.

Guy took the opportunity to challenge Kakashi in a race as set off. Sadly for him, Kakashi didn't have any motivation to something as bothersome as that, so he watched as Guy left their field of view after a couple of seconds.

Asuma and Kurenai shock their heads seen this while Max laughed a little and dashed off to follow Guy.

Max was very hyped to see who had passed the second phase of the chunin exams, so he wanted to reach the tower faster.

At the end, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma had to speed up a little.

20 minutes later.

"Been this slow will take away your youth! You guys need to give your 110% at any opportunity." Guys said when he saw the others arrived. "Anyway, is my team here Max?"

"You know that you can just enter and ask around to know. You don't need for me to sweep the place for you to know." Max said with a sigh. He still decided to scan the place to see who were there. "Apart for team 7, the other made it to the tower."

Guy, Kurenai and Asuma got relieved when they hear that their students made it to the tower. Kakashi on the other hand frowned and looked up.

"They still have a couple of hours to make it here. Let's not write them off for now." Kakashi said.

"Right. Anyway, you guys should go and meet with the Hokage. As I sweep the place, I noticed that the chakra of the people around the Hokage was very tense." Max said as he looked at everyone.

The jounin frowned as they heard that and quickly disappeared. Max knew that they had gone to meet the Hokage, so he just walked over there.

'I don't have clearance enough to be in that meeting so I'll walk there. Still, things are getting worst by the day.'

As he was making his way towards the meeting room, Max felt two new groups make it to the tower. One of them had chakra that he could recognize.

'I knew that you could do it, Naruto.'

A smile appeared on Max face as he continued on his way.