[58] Habanero

The students in the exam hall stared at the brash woman, puzzled. Who would act so boldly in the solemn setting of the Chunin Exams?

Then, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded. The stern proctor, who had intimidated them moments ago, seemed like a mouse before a tiger in her presence.

"Kushina-sama, there are forty teams left." The proctor said hurriedly.

"That many? Normal Chunin Exams don't have so many teams left after the written test." Kushina frowning.

"This time is different. Besides Konoha, the other four great ninja villages are participating." The proctor explained.

"They're not exactly sending their full strength." Kushina scans the seated ninja. "And we all know why the other villages are here."

"Because of the Kazekage's disappearance?" The proctor ventured cautiously.

"That's just part of it." Kushina waved her hand dismissively. She turned to the students. "Alright, congratulations on advancing to the next stage. Follow me to your next challenge."

"Let's go, Anko, Jurin." Tengen rose from his seat as the next phase loomed.

The ninja who had passed the written exam followed Kushina out of the exam hall, heading toward a specific part of Konoha.

Moments later.

They arrived at a dense forest, its perimeter lined with countless iron gates, each secured with chains and marked with [No Entry] signs.

"Alright, everyone, take a look at the forest before you." Kushina announced. "This is Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death. It's fraught with dangers, and it's where your next challenge will take place."

"Let me explain the rules. Your forty teams will be given twenty Heaven Scrolls and twenty Earth Scrolls. Each team will receive one scroll at random. To pass, you must collect both a Heaven and an Earth Scroll."

"The exam will last five days. Reach the tower in the center of the Forest of Death with both scrolls to pass."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Collecting both scrolls meant a maximum of twenty teams could pass, but most doubted it would be that neat. Some teams might end up with multiple scrolls, while others might find none, making twenty teams unlikely.

"I see." Tengen nodded. The rules aligned with his expectations.

Many ninja flashed confident smiles, being elites from the great villages. In contrast, those from smaller villages who had passed the written exam looked uneasy.

"Now, everyone, sign these consent forms." Kushina's holding a stack of papers with a menacing grin. "If you're scared, you can back out now. Once you sign, your life is in your own hands."

"In other words, you might die." She added coldly.

Tengen yawned, unimpressed by Kushina's attempt to play the villain. Her tough act felt forced, almost comical.

"Kid, I'm talking here!" Kushina flashed behind Tengen, a kunai pressed to his cheek.

"Kushina-sama, I'm just bored." Tengen scans the surrounding ninja. "Don't worry, I'll thin out the competition."

Angry glares met his words. Was this Konoha-nin looking down on them?

"Also, Kushina-sama, you seem new to proctoring. First time, right?" Tengen said casually.

"Even if you're from Konoha, I can still discipline you." Kushina snapped.

"I'd love to see that." Tengen's voice came from another spot. The Tengen beside Kushina vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Shadow Clone? When?" Kushina's pupils narrowed.

The participating ninja signed the consent forms and received their scrolls from the other proctors. Each team entered the forest through a different gate to avoid immediate clashes.

"Shizune, Kurenai, stay safe." Tengen said to the pair and their teammate as they entered the Forest of Death.

"We will." Shizune and Kurenai vanish into the forest.

Moments later.

"Anko, Jurin, let's go." Tengen called to his teammates, leaping into the Forest of Death.

Watching Tengen's disappearing figure, Kushina murmured, "So he's the genius Minato mentioned. But why do I feel a strange closeness to him?"

Uzumaki survivor?

"No way." She shook her head. Her village had been destroyed long ago.

...

Inside the Forest of Death.

Tengen and his team darted across the ancient, towering branches, steadily advancing toward the center.

"Tengen, what's our scroll?" Anko asked.

"Earth Scroll." Tengen replied.

"So we need a Heaven Scroll." Anko nodded.

"Exactly. A Heaven Scroll will complete our set." Tengen said with a smile. "Notice anything?"

His gaze sharpened suddenly.

"I see it." Jurin and Anko are halting.

At that moment, a barrage of shuriken rained down from all directions, so dense that there was no room to dodge.

Thud! Thud!

The shuriken pierced Tengen, Anko, and Jurin, but eerily, all three wore smiles.

Three ninjas from the Iwagakure appeared, sneering. "Pathetic. I thought they'd be tougher, "

Before one could finish, Tengen and his team turned into logs.

Body Replacement Jutsu.

"Not good!" The Iwa-nin's faces fell.

Three streaks of light flashed through the Iwa-nin.

Tengen appeared, his long blade in hand, which he sheathed with a flick.

The three Iwa-nin's bodies split in two, collapsing to the ground.

"Tengen, slow down! We didn't even get to fight!" Anko appears nearby. She was unfazed by the scene, having killed plenty during missions.

"They were too weak." Tengen said.

"No, you're just too strong." Anko huffed.

"It's an Earth Scroll." Jurin rummaged through the dead ninja's tools. He found a scroll, but it was another Earth Scroll.

"Take it. Let's keep moving. Plenty of teams entered before us." Tengen said with a grin.

The trio vanished, leaving only the three dead Iwa-nin lying silently behind.

***

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