Chapter 58: Karin and Gourd Boy

2:40 PM.

Izayoi and Hinata first met up with Shino Aburame at their usual spot, then headed together to the outskirts of Konoha's 44th training ground.

Also known as the Forest of Death, this training ground is one of the few areas in Konoha closed off under normal circumstances—one of its forbidden zones.

The proctors had already set up tents and a registration station outside the forest.

Even though there were still twenty minutes before the exam began, Team 8 was far from the first team to arrive.

The open field was already filled with participants, grouped in threes—at least ten squads or more.

Within ten minutes, more and more genin showed up, and the area became increasingly crowded.

"Yo, Izayoi! You guys got here early."

"Long time no see, Izayoi-kun, Hinata."

"Hey, Minako! It's been a while."

Being at the edge of the crowd, Team 8 was quickly spotted by Team 7 and Team 10 as they arrived.

Another team also joined the group—Team 6, led by Kiba Inuzuka.

"Did you hear? Out of all ten squads from our class, apparently only twelve people were approved by their jōnin instructors. The rest were cut," Minako said.

Hinata blinked in surprise. "The rest… went back to retake classes?"

"Two squads did. The others got scouted into different departments. A few took the blow too hard and decided to quit altogether," Minako sighed. "Becoming a real ninja… isn't as great as it sounds. We almost died on a C-rank mission last month—if it weren't for Akamaru, I'd be dead."

"Hang in there. You'll get stronger," Hinata encouraged gently.

After all, Team 8 was a sensory squad, and Hinata's Byakugan could now see over 20 kilometers. Minako might never know what that felt like.

"I heard the Forest of Death is one of Konoha's forbidden zones. This exam's probably survival-based—and there could be fighting between participants," Sasuke said as usual with a challenging tone. "If so, you'd better be careful. Don't get eliminated by me."

Izayoi arched a brow, pinched his nose, and leaned back slightly. "Did you drink?"

"What? No! I'm only twelve." Sasuke frowned and shook his head, only to pause when Izayoi gave him a look of pure disdain. He almost sniffed his clothes just to check.

Then Izayoi said with a smirk, "Oh, I thought you were still drunk—talking nonsense in your sleep."

"Pfft…"

"Ahahaha—!"

Kiba and Naruto burst out laughing.

"Hmph. Just you wait."

Sasuke crossed his arms and slipped into full tsundere mode again.

No one noticed that, compared to his last five years at the academy, Sasuke had changed significantly.

It was almost like he'd returned to how he was in year one.

As the Rookie Nine chatted and laughed, many of the surrounding genin began to glance over warily.

Upon seeing their forehead protector and recognizing their faces, genin from smaller villages became visibly cautious.

After all, of these twelve Konoha genin, eight were big names.

There was the first-place graduate who had outshone the heirs of all major clans.

The successors of the Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans—Konoha's big three sensory-type lineages.

The last Uchiha, and the new generation's Ino–Shika–Chō trio.

They were either rare prodigies or heirs of secret arts and bloodlines.

Once they grew up, they'd probably be running the village.

And judging by their interactions, they were all on good terms.

Some participants silently told themselves: if we run into them during this exam, we need to flee immediately.

Others, however, set their sights on Izayoi and the others—believing that eliminating Konoha's heirs on their home turf would make quite a statement.

One particular predatory gaze locked onto the proud Uchiha Sasuke. Its owner licked his lips hungrily.

A red-haired girl was also observing the Konoha girls.

When Karin saw Hinata in her refined white kimono—and the obviously pampered Sakura and Ino—her eyes filled with envy.

So this is what kunoichi from a major village look like...

Then, sensing something, Karin turned her head.

Next to the girl in the kimono was a boy in a white cloak, watching her with a warm smile.

The first time she'd ever seen someone so handsome, Karin's face turned as red as her hair. She quickly looked away… but couldn't help sneaking glances again.

"Izayoi-kun, were you just checking out that girl from Kusagakure?" Hinata asked with a teasing tone.

"Yeah."

Izayoi didn't deny it—he even smiled. "She has the same ability as me."

Hinata's expression shifted slightly as she stared into his eyes without speaking.

"Not that one," Izayoi clarified, chuckling. "The one you and Hanabi use all the time."

Hinata blinked and then looked back at Karin.

When their eyes met, Karin jumped like a startled rabbit and immediately turned away, not daring to peek again.

Is she… Izayoi-kun's clanswoman?

Kusagakure bordered the Land of Fire—was that where Izayoi's ancestors came from?

"All participants line up to sign the death waiver. The second exam is about to begin."

At 3:00 PM sharp, the exam officially began.

Since the Rookie Nine were near the edge of the crowd, Naruto never got the chance to provoke Anko Mitarashi and trigger a scolding, nor did they get the dramatic reunion moment.

One by one, all the teams signed the death waiver and were led into tents to receive either a Heaven or Earth scroll, then guided to their specific entrance gate.

On the way, the proctors explained the rules.

Just as Sasuke had predicted, the second exam was a survival challenge in the Forest of Death.

The test lasted 120 hours—five full days.

Within those five days, teams had to obtain both a Heaven and Earth scroll and make it to the central tower.

Those who didn't arrive on time or lacked the correct scrolls were disqualified.

Anyone who opened a scroll prematurely would also be disqualified.

Once the instructions were done, the proctor stood by the gate, waiting for the signal.

"Byakugan—activated!"

Hinata formed a seal and opened her Byakugan, the veins bulging at her temples.

A few seconds later, she reported: "Our entrance is number 8. The teams at gates 7 and 9 both have Earth scrolls."

"No worries," Izayoi said, glancing at the Earth scroll in his hand. "There are 24 teams and 12 Heaven scrolls. Even if we don't hunt, someone's bound to bring one right to us."

Hinata frowned. "There's someone near gate 7 with a very powerful chakra signature."

"Oh? Who is it?" Izayoi asked with interest, not activating his Tenseigan just yet.

"Not sure… but he wears a Sand Village hitai-ate and carries a gourd."

"That's the guy Sasuke mentioned yesterday," Shino added calmly. "If Sasuke remembers him, he's probably not someone to underestimate."

"Yeah… he's strong," Izayoi said, smiling slightly.

~~~

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