Chapter 95: Hearing the Voices of All Things

After watching Manda disappear into the forest, Orochimaru clapped his hands and said, "All those who still want to take the exam—sign the death pledge now. Those who are scared can still back out at this point." 

Although many had previously cried out in despair, when it really came down to it, only a small portion chose to withdraw from the exam. 

This wasn't hard to understand, because Manda's threat applied equally to "everyone." 

All they needed to do was hide and run. 

To those considered weak, this was actually what they were best at. 

As for the strong ones, they each had their own confidence and strength. 

Of course, the final result would most likely be—Manda could eat well today. 

In this silent atmosphere, Yugito confidently flipped her ponytail and said, "Seiki Shimaseki, you aren't frightened by that giant worm, right?" 

Seiki smiled gently, "Not really. It's manageable." 

"Then you'd better hurry up. I don't want to wait for anyone!" 

"Hehe, I'll try my best." 

"No way! That kind of confidence must be fake, right?" Shidotatsu stared wide-eyed, trying to detect any weakness in Seiki and Yugito. 

He had no chance against that terrifying monster at all—how could they possibly remain so calm? 

But even when he practically popped his eyes out, he couldn't find the slightest anomaly. Instead, he noticed their teammates also appeared very relaxed. 

As for Sunagakure's Baki and Kirigakure's Zabuza, although not as calm as those two, they also showed little sign of nervousness. 

This discovery filled him with despair. "Could it be they're really all this strong? Am I the only useless one among the strongest Genin of each village?" 

Soon, everyone successively entered Death Forest. 

By a clear, shallow riverbank. 

"There are 44 entrances to Death Forest. This is troublesome—do we really need to check each one individually?" Asuma said, sitting on the ground looking troubled. 

"If Seiki already planned this from the beginning, then surely he's prepared a method for finding people too!" Kurenai replied confidently. 

Seiki sat cross-legged on the ground, lightly smiling, "I'm going to test a new technique now. I'll trouble you two to protect me for a while." 

Asuma patted his chest proudly, "Leave it to me!" 

Kurenai nodded firmly, "I absolutely won't let any enemy disturb you!" 

In reality, they were overly anxious. 

As an extremely famous team among newcomers, even ordinary squads didn't dare approach them. 

Moreover, the theme of this exam was survival, not slaughter. 

Five minutes later, the distinctive eye-pattern Sage facial markings gradually emerged on Seiki's face. 

Fresh, natural, ethereal, and elegant, they seemed to radiate a unique charm. 

"This—this Sage Mode version of Seiki actually looks even better!" Looking at Seiki under Sage Mode, Kurenai's face slightly flushed red. 

"Didn't Jiraiya-sama say Sage Mode significantly lowers his good looks?" Asuma looked stunned. He originally wanted to use this opportunity to achieve his first-ever breakthrough victory over Seiki! 

Seiki opened his eyes and stood up, "Maybe... Jiraiya-sama misunderstood his own appearance?" 

Asuma suddenly got it—of course! I mean, if you don't have looks to begin with, what's there to lose?

Kurenai blushed and pleaded, "Seiki, exactly how do you plan to find people using Sage Mode?"

"Everything in this world has spirit. [Hearing the Voices of All Things], they can guide me to my destination." Seiki bent down and dipped his right hand into the river.

Asuma's eyes shot wide open. "Hearing the Voices of All Things? That sounds incredible!"

Nodding continuously, Kurenai added, "If we used this during war, wouldn't we clearly see the enemy's movements?"

"The range would be too great—it goes beyond my current abilities. However..." Seiki Shimaseki stood up smiling, looking ahead, "...someone like Zabuza won't be a problem."

...

Sunlight filtered through thick foliage, illuminating the pale faces of several Takumi Genin.

"Help! Can someone save us?"

"This exam is supposed to be about escaping, right? Why must we kill each other?"

Before them stood Zabuza silently wiping his blade.

He wasn't trying to savor his enemies' fear before death—he was hoping to lure out more Hidden Waterfall shinobi.

"Zabuza, killing isn't really necessary, is it?" Mei Terumi frowned. She didn't mind taking lives, but senseless slaughter disgusted her. "Besides, we're currently being hunted by that giant snake too. We should focus on passing the exam and reaching the central tower as soon as possible."

Zabuza's gaze burned with excitement. "Hunted and hunter at once... isn't that thrilling?"

Realizing their protests were pointless, the three Takumi Genin gave up and screamed in rage. "You madman! Pervert! Demon!"

Zabuza simply stared at them. He was cruel and hot-headed, sure—but he wouldn't waste anger on dying men.

"It seems like none of your comrades from Takumi will come to rescue you. Then become the blade I'll sharpen my edge on..."

Ding!

The tanto Zabuza swung struck a shuriken midair, making the blade vibrate violently. The backlash forced him to stagger back two steps.

"That Sage Mode power..." Zabuza's eyes lit up eagerly toward the direction the shuriken had come from.

From between the shadows of the trees emerged a boy wearing eye makeup.

"It's you!" Zabuza didn't know why Seiki had changed his appearance, but he didn't care—his body trembled with excitement. "I originally wanted to draw in just some Waterfall ninja, yet I caught quite a big fish instead!"

"A big fish? So you're treating me as prey?" Seiki Shimaseki chuckled.

"The Seiki Shimaseki of Konoha!" The terrified Waterfall Genin sitting on the ground felt ecstatic—they were facing true elite strength!

Mei Terumi and Shiyaya stepped forward cautiously. Though they disapproved of Zabuza's behavior, they still needed to stand united against strong adversaries.

"And just one shuriken was enough to make Zabuza retreat—that kind of strength is truly terrifying!" They understood Zabuza's capabilities well, which made them appreciate even more how fearsome this new opponent must be.

Even alone, his oppressive aura pressed heavily upon them until they could barely breathe.

"Don't interfere, everyone—he's mine!" After warning them, Zabuza fixed his gaze firmly back on Seiki Shimaseki.

"My [Silent Killing Technique] was honed through slaughter. Killing opponents like you gives me far more gain than killing ten thousand of those weaklings!"

Zabuza raised his left hand high; thick mist instantly surged around him, leaving only his voice echoing within the fog. "Therefore, I won't waste time testing your abilities. From now on, let my [Silent Killing Technique] send you straight to hell!"

A spectral surge swept through the thick mist — the ultimate killing technique fueled by his murderous intent and powered by full chakra output.

Suppressing his excitement, Zabuza advanced with silent steps.

Within the mist, Seiki let out a quiet sigh.

Under Sage Mode, his sensor abilities had amplified over ten times. Zabuza's silent movements shone before him like a powerful lightbulb swinging wildly in front of his eyes.

It was too glaring to miss!

Then, as Zabuza looked on in shock, Seiki swiftly dashed forward with a single palm strike that sent him spiraling through the air.

Crack!

The mist cleared, revealing Zabuza elegantly sliding down from a large tree.

Mei Terumi and Shiyaya: "Σ(°Д°; This is what you meant by 'don't make a move?'"

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