Soon, the time for the first test arrived. Numerous examinees entered their assigned examination halls and took their seats according to their numbers.
Before long, the exam papers were distributed one by one. As expected, the chief proctor for this Chūnin Exam was Ibiki Morino, and the focus at the beginning was still on intelligence-gathering ability.
However, top students like Sakura and Nagi simply chose to solve the questions directly.
Satsuki and Hinata activated their dōjutsu, while Naruko and Karin used sensory abilities.
In short, the ninja from every village each displayed their own unique methods.
When the exam reached its final stage, Ibiki presented the famous tenth question, a psychological trap.
The shinobi from the major villages were not easily intimidated, but many candidates from smaller countries and villages couldn't withstand the psychological pressure and chose to withdraw.
After the first round of screening, nearly four hundred candidates passed the exam.
The Second Test
For the second stage, Anko Mitarashi, serving as the proctor, led the candidates to the entrance of the Forest of Death and explained the rules.
"From now on, each team will send one representative to me to receive either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll.
"You will conduct a scroll-capture battle within this forest.
"Only teams that collect both the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll and have all three members reach the central tower will pass this test.
"The testing area is restricted to this forest. Anyone who leaves it will be eliminated.
"The time limit is three days. Anyone who fails to meet the requirements within three days will also be eliminated.
"Alright. Send your representatives to receive your scrolls and starting locations. Each team will depart from the location they draw."
Nagi and the other team representatives stepped forward to collect their scrolls and starting positions.
Nagi drew the Heaven Scroll, then headed toward the starting point with Shizuka and Ameno.
The moment they entered the Forest of Death, Nagi activated his sensory ability.
Somewhere in the Forest of Death
The three of them rested beneath a tree.
Shizuka asked,
"Nagi, should we take the initiative and hunt other teams for their scrolls? Or should we wait near the tower and ambush teams that have already collected both?"
Nagi looked at the two girls and smiled.
"I prefer the first option. If we eliminate more teams now, we'll have fewer opponents in the third round."
"Mm." ×2
And so—
"Fūma Style: Fierce Whirlwind!"
The powerful gust released by Shizuka slammed two Amegakure ninja into nearby trees, knocking them unconscious. The third Rain ninja immediately surrendered and handed over his scroll.
"Water Release: Water Whip!"
Ameno formed a whip from water, binding three Hoshigakure ninja and immobilizing them. Seeing the situation, they also surrendered and handed over their scroll.
Ameno and Shizuka continuously defeated team after team.
Meanwhile, Nagi quietly watched over them from the side—ensuring their safety while also gathering ingredients for lunch.
Half a day passed.
Under a large tree, the trio prepared lunch while counting their spoils.
Shizuka took out her scrolls.
"I've got three Heaven Scrolls and two Earth Scrolls."
Ameno also pulled out her scrolls.
"I have four Heaven Scrolls, but no Earth Scrolls."
Nagi smiled and nodded, then brought over a pot of soup and several roasted birds.
"Good work. Let's eat. I made wild vegetable soup and roasted bird."
"Thanks for the meal, Nagi." ×2
Both girls understood that Nagi had intentionally let them take the lead.
After several months of training together with him, their strength had long surpassed what it had been when they first arrived in Konoha. Now that they finally had the chance to fight peers of their generation, they had been eager to test themselves.
Nagi understood their feelings, which was why he chose to actively hunt other teams for scrolls.
Otherwise, if he simply activated his sensory ability and used the Body Flicker Technique, none of the other examinees would stand a chance.
Team Seven
Naruko and her teammates had also collected quite a few scrolls.
At the moment, they were resting and eating.
While eating, Naruko said,
"I wonder how Nagi's team is doing."
Satsuki replied calmly,
"There's no need for us to worry about Nagi. Let's focus on ourselves first."
Sakura added,
"Right. Our main task now is to protect our scrolls. Many teams probably headed straight for the central tower after entering the forest so they could set up ambushes there. We can just wait until others exhaust them."
"That makes sense."
Just then, a large net suddenly fell from above and trapped the three of them.
Someone yanked a rope, and the net hoisted them into the air.
At that moment, a team stepped out from behind the trees—the Sound Village team.
Dosu Kinuta looked at the three hanging in the tree and sneered.
"We're all shinobi from the same exam, but I thought the three of you from Konoha would be impressive. Turns out you're nothing but empty reputation."
Kin Tsuchi spoke next.
"Alright, if you want to come down, hand over your scrolls."
"If you want them, come and take them."
A voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"!?"
Kin Tsuchi hurriedly turned around—
—but Sakura had already appeared behind her and struck the back of her neck with a precise chop, knocking her unconscious.
Dosu Kinuta and Zaku Abumi were stunned.
Before they could react, Naruko and Satsuki appeared behind them and knocked them out as well.
Meanwhile, the three figures hanging in the tree suddenly burst into smoke.
They were Shadow Clones.
Looking at the unconscious trio, Naruko shrugged.
"I sensed your chakra the whole time. How could we fall for such a simple trick?"
Then she called out toward the bushes.
"Alright, Shikamaru, Ino, Chōji, stop hiding and come eat with us."
"Hehe… so we were discovered after all?"
"I told you Naruko would notice."
Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji stepped out of the grass.
Soon, the three of them joined Team Seven for lunch.
Near the Central Tower
On their way there, Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō encountered a Rain ninja team lying in ambush.
Gaara easily defeated the three of them and took their scroll.
Just as they were about to leave, a voice suddenly called out—
"Hey. Looks like you've already collected both scrolls. Why don't you hand them over to us for safekeeping?"
The siblings looked toward the source of the voice.
Standing there were Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.
Kankurō sighed helplessly.
"Another team that doesn't know its own limits. Gaara, let me handle this one. You and sister take a break."
"Mm. Be careful, Kankurō."
Gaara obediently walked aside with Temari.
Then he used sand to form a chair behind her.
"Sister, please sit."
Temari patted his head and smiled.
"Thank you, Gaara."
Gaara blushed slightly.
"You're welcome."
In the Viewing Space
Kankurō: "Huh!? Is that Gaara from another world? Why is his personality so well-behaved!?"
Temari: "Sigh… I'm so jealous. Ah—no, I mean… Gaara is great in every world."
Gaara: "Sister, I can carry a chair for you too."
Temari: "Mm."
Being an older sister really does feel nice.
Kiba: "Wait… are we actually trying to rob Gaara?"
Shino: "It appears so."
Kurenai Yūhi: "Even if we don't know Hinata's exact strength, that Gaara is still the One-Tail Jinchūriki."
Hiashi Hyūga: "I hope Hinata can seal Gaara's chakra points with the Gentle Fist. Otherwise, this could become very dangerous."
After all, if Gaara were to suddenly lose control and summon Shukaku, the only option for them would be to flee.
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