Faced with Mitarashi Anko's warning, the ninja candidates present didn't take it seriously.
The weak-willed had already given up long ago.
Not to mention that most of them already had mission experience. Their hands were stained, more or less, with the blood of enemy ninja, and they had begun to understand the cruelty of the ninja world.
After scanning the gathered genin, Anko began explaining the rules of the second exam.
The objective was simple: compete for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
Each team possessed either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. Only by obtaining both could they advance to the next stage.
This test mainly examined teamwork and combat ability.
After hearing the rules, Sasuke returned to Team 7, but his eyes remained fixed on Naruto and Hinata.
Unlike the others, Sasuke had entered the Chūnin Exams for a reason.
Kakashi had promised him that as long as he became a chūnin, he would tell him the truth about Uchiha Itachi and the massacre of the clan.
Originally, Sasuke had believed victory was guaranteed.
But first, there was that panda-eyed freak who could fight him to a draw.
Then came the two female ninja from Uzushio Village—one with self-healing abilities and another with Ice Release.
It made Sasuke start wondering whether Bloodline Limits had suddenly become cheap wholesale items.
What made him the most wary, however, was the Uzushio ninja chatting and laughing with Hinata.
He couldn't see through the other party's strength at all.
Soon, as Anko announced the start of the exam, Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai entered the Forest of Death.
After jumping through the forest for about ten minutes, the three crouched on a tree branch and began discussing tactics.
The Forest of Death was a forbidden zone in Konoha, filled with poisonous insects and savage beasts comparable to ninja.
But their greatest enemies were the other teams.
Only by seizing the missing scroll could they reach the central tower and advance.
After some discussion, Team 7 came up with two strategies.
The first was to actively hunt other teams and seize the scrolls they needed.
The second was to rush to the central tower early and ambush teams arriving later.
Both options carried risks.
Sasuke personally preferred the second plan, but after listening to Sakura and Sai, he agreed to the first.
Because he wanted to encounter the Uzushio Village team.
Traveling through the humid jungle, Sasuke kept his Sharingan active while heading in Naruto's direction.
Not long after, however, Team 7 was intercepted by a squad from Otogakure.
The Sound ninja grinned after spotting Sasuke.
Sasuke was the target Orochimaru had specifically ordered them to capture alive.
After waiting so long, their prey had finally delivered himself.
Facing the aggressive Sound ninja, Sasuke immediately drew his dagger and shouted:
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Chakra gathered in his throat before a massive fireball erupted from his mouth.
The scorching flames distorted the surrounding air as they swept toward the Sound ninja.
At that moment, one of the Sound ninja raised his palm.
A violent burst of compressed air exploded outward, directly blocking Sasuke's fireball.
The other two Sound ninja attacked simultaneously, using sound waves to launch slashing attacks and genjutsu that spread toward Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai.
Using genjutsu against the Sharingan?
Sasuke sneered coldly.
The next second, he countered with Sharingan genjutsu of his own.
Then he vanished instantly, his lightning-coated dagger slashing toward the Sound ninja trapped in illusion.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Sai had already circled behind the remaining two enemies and subdued them.
After dealing with the Sound team, Sakura hurriedly gathered the spoils.
Kunai.
Soldier pills.
Explosive tags.
Then she spotted the Earth Scroll.
"Sasuke, we got the Earth Scroll! As long as we reach the central tower, we can move on to the next round!"
But Sasuke ignored her and looked at Sai instead.
"Do you feel that killing intent nearby?"
Sai froze for a moment before glancing toward the dense forest nearby.
"You're right. Someone else is hiding around us… and they're coming for us."
Before he even finished speaking, a white-haired ninja wearing Otogakure clothing and a thick shimenawa rope around his waist appeared before them.
The man's face was pale, almost corpse-like, but his eyes overflowed with killing intent.
As he approached Sasuke, he revealed the bone blade protruding from his body.
Once close enough, he charged straight at Sasuke.
...
Meanwhile, not far away in another section of the forest, Naruto and Hinata's two teams were leisurely heading toward the central tower.
While the other candidates were desperately fighting over Heaven and Earth Scrolls, Naruto and Hinata looked more like they were on a forest picnic than participating in the Chūnin Exams.
Drinking the milk tea Haku had frozen using Ice Release, Naruto was discussing picnic locations with Hinata.
After deciding what to eat for lunch, Hinata nodded shyly.
Seeing this scene, the other team members could only feel sour inside.
After all, both teams held Heaven Scrolls, meaning there was no reason to fight before encountering an Earth Scroll team.
And honestly…
Neither Kiba nor Shino wanted to provoke Naruto, who looked terrifyingly hard to deal with.
Sitting on a large rock, Hinata asked timidly,
"What… should I call you now?"
Naruto handed her the milk tea while sensing movement in the distance.
"Just call me Menma. I don't want to use my original name yet. The people in this village don't welcome Uzumaki Naruto."
Hinata nodded lightly before revealing a bone blade from her arm.
"Menma… was this your gift to me?"
"This is the Kaguya Clan's Bloodline Limit. The Hyūga clan already carries traces of the Bone Pulse in their bloodline. I only helped awaken it."
"With this power, at least you won't have to worry about being bullied anymore."
Hinata swung her legs lightly while staring at Naruto with her pale eyes.
"Was it because I was too weak… that you didn't take me with you a few years ago?"
She had always believed Naruto left her behind because she wasn't strong enough.
Feeling the loneliness in Hinata's gaze, Naruto shook his head.
"You're different from me. I didn't have many attachments in Konoha."
"But your family is still here."
"If Miss Hinata suddenly disappeared, a lot of people would worry about you."
From Naruto's tone, Hinata could sense a deep loneliness.
She lowered her head and whispered softly,
"I've been worried about you these past few years…"
"Neither Father nor Kakashi-senpai knew where you went…"
Then, after hesitating for a while, she asked quietly,
"By the way, Naruto… how long are you staying in the village this time…?"
Her voice became softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
Naruto remained silent for a long time.
Then he slowly stood up and looked into the distance.
"Parting is for the sake of a better reunion."
"I can sense Sasuke is in danger. Let's go help him first."
"As for everything else… we'll talk later."
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