Forest of Death

A wager?

Gaara's voice was loud, and coupled with his distinctive appearance and panda eyes, he instantly drew quite a few looks.

"Eh? Isn't that Gaara of the Sandstorm? Who's he betting against?"

"You're really out of the loop. He's betting against Xiao Yun. I heard he's Konoha's number one genius and was even named Konoha's Holy Son. They say he one-shot Sasuke Uchiha. He's insanely strong."

"That's nothing. Did you know Tsunade, the number one beauty in the Ninja World, got knocked up by him?"

"Holy shit, really? Tsunade is my goddess!"

"Absolutely true! It even made Konoha's headlines. With Tsunade's personality, if it were fake, wouldn't she have smashed those newspaper offices?"

"My childhood teacher is pregnant, and I'm not the father. My youth is over! No, I'm going to beat him to death!"

"Count me in."

"Me too."

"Shut up! Look at him—he's handsome and strong. Now look at you lot, a bunch of ugly mugs. Besides, even if Tsunade wasn't carrying his child, you'd still be relying on Five-Fingered Miss anyway."

"And I heard that to pay off Tsunade's gambling debts, he even dared to challenge Samueru, the Hidden Cloud Village's number one genius. Would you dare?"

Hiss—

Hiss—

Hiss—

Gasps rang out endlessly. Samueru, the Hidden Cloud Village's number one genius, was a god of slaughter. This kid had some nerve.

"Gaara, how do you want to bet?"

Xiao Yun narrowed his eyes as he looked at Gaara.

"Heh. Sunagakure chose the Forest of Death for the first round. Do you dare come in and have some fun with us?"

The corners of Gaara's mouth curled up slightly as he looked at Xiao Yun with disdain.

The Forest of Death?

Everyone immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

The rankings in the Genin selection tournament were based on the combined scores of each ninja village. The highest-scoring events were cross-rank challenges, arena 5v5, and the Forest of Death.

Cross-rank challenges were easy to understand. If a Genin was confident in their strength, they could challenge a Chunin. Winning would earn them ten times the points of an ordinary match.

Arena 5v5 was when two villages each selected five ninjas to fight. It tested not only individual strength, but also teamwork and coordinated combat ability.

Of them all, the Forest of Death offered the most points, because it completely recreated the slaughter between ninjas of the major nations. The organizers would designate a forest, and each participating ninja village would send ten ninjas inside. Whichever side had the most ninjas walk out alive would win!

Once they entered the Forest of Death, all ninjas outside the forest were forbidden from interfering with anything inside. Whether they lived or died would depend solely on their own strength.

"As expected of Gaara of the Sandstorm. He picked such an exciting event right from the start."

"My guess is that Xiao Yun won't agree. After all, he has such a beautiful wife. Dying in the Forest of Death wouldn't be worth it."

"Look at that cowardly face of his. He's been silent for so long, he probably doesn't dare agree. I really don't know what Tsunade sees in him."

"Maybe he's got a special talent and keeps Tsunade very satisfied."

"I bet that title of Konoha's Holy Son came from living off Tsunade after slipping in through her back door."

Seeing that Xiao Yun had yet to accept the challenge, the ninjas all revealed contemptuous expressions, convinced that he was nothing more than a freeloader with no real ability.

"What? Don't dare accept?"

Gaara looked at Xiao Yun with extreme disdain.

"Heh, Gaara, I said I'd kick your balls to pieces, and I'll definitely do it. Since you're so eager to become a eunuch, I'll grant your wish. Tell me, how are we betting?"

Xiao Yun chuckled and spoke calmly.

Everyone was stunned. They had not expected Xiao Yun to actually agree. This was a fight to the death! Especially the Konoha ninjas in the crowd—though they knew Xiao Yun's talent was monstrous, he had trained for too short a time and was no match for Gaara.

"How do you think we should bet?"

Gaara was clearly taken aback. He had never expected Xiao Yun to accept.

"The casino sets its own odds, but we can play a Flower Bet on the side. Dare to?"

"A Flower Bet?"

Gaara looked at Xiao Yun in confusion.

At that moment, Temari stepped closer to Gaara and whispered a few words into his ear.

"I see. Fine, since you want to play a Flower Bet, I'll play big with you. As long as you can walk out of the Forest of Death alive, I'll pay you five million. If you die, I won't make any other demands. How about it?"

Gaara said.

"Fine. It's a deal. Take a good look at your balls while you still can. They won't be staying on you for many more days."

Xiao Yun readily agreed.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Crazy—Xiao Yun had to be crazy to play the Forest of Death with Gaara!

The Konoha Genin in the crowd especially wore furious expressions. At that moment, they all had only one thought: withdraw from the Genin tournament.

Was this some kind of joke? If they were selected, wouldn't they have to enter the Forest of Death with Xiao Yun and risk their lives?

Withdraw!

They had to withdraw!

"That damn Xiao Yun! To pay off his gambling debts, he wants to drag us Konoha Genin into danger with him!"

"Exactly! Once the debt is paid, he'll be cuddling Tsunade while we fucking stare helplessly from the sidelines!"

"Only an idiot would risk his life with him. Gaara is a monster who kills without blinking, and I haven't even held a girl's hand yet!"

"Ugh, what a sucker! How did Konoha produce such a huge sucker? What a sin!"

"Stop talking and hurry up to withdraw. There's still time!"

"Right, right, right! Zuo Gao Wanteng is right. Hurry and withdraw! A wonderful future is still waiting for us—we can't die like this!"

The Konoha Genin all discussed it indignantly.

"Idiot!"

A faint blush flashed across Tsunade's face in the distance. She truly had not expected Xiao Yun to risk even his life for her.

"Tsunade, that kid Xiao Yun is really devoted to you."

There was even a trace of jealousy in Kurenai's gaze as she looked at Tsunade. A man who dared to love and hate, and dared to take responsibility—now that was a real man.

If she met a man like that, forget bearing him one child—even ten or eight, she would be willing.

"Kurenai, isn't Asuma devoted to you too?"

Tsunade looked at Kurenai teasingly.

"Asuma... Sigh, forget about him. You should be worrying about Xiao Yun. Entering the Forest of Death is no joke, especially when his opponent is that brat from Sunagakure."

As soon as Kurenai said that, Tsunade's stunning face was instantly filled with worry.

"Xiao Yun, you're being far too reckless. How could you agree in public to enter the Forest of Death with Gaara?"

The Third Hokage's usually calm old face was filled with gravity.

"Lord Hokage, an elder once told me: only by coming infinitely close to death can one comprehend the true meaning of life. If you want to improve your strength, you must dare to face those stronger than yourself. Otherwise, you'll forever remain a flower in a greenhouse."

Xiao Yun spoke with righteous conviction.

"Well said! As expected of my, Might Guy's, disciple. If your heart is invincible, then you are invincible beneath the heavens. Well done!"

Might Guy gave Xiao Yun a thumbs-up.

"Guy, shut your mouth! Get out and close the door behind you!"

The Third Hokage roared, making Guy shudder. He now deeply regretted handing Xiao Yun over to that idiot Might Guy.

Then the Third Hokage turned back to Xiao Yun and roared, "Who is this elder of yours? Call him over here so I can have a word with him! 'Only by coming infinitely close to death can one comprehend the true meaning of life'—what bullshit! If you really die, what fucking meaning will you comprehend? Even if you won't think for yourself, think about the child in Tsunade's belly, you idiot!"

"That elder is also named Guy. Besides, wasn't I taking this risk to pay off Tsunade's gambling debts? Otherwise, give me a hundred million, and I'll even withdraw from my duel with Samueru."

Xiao Yun said sheepishly.

"Anyone named Guy is an idiot! An idiot! I have no money!"

The Third Hokage continued roaring.

"Lord Hokage, it's pointless to blame Xiao Yun now. The most important thing is to find a few powerful Genin to accompany him into the Forest of Death."

Kakashi stepped forward and said.

"That's the only option. Kakashi, handle this matter. Oh, and summon Hyuga Hiashi. I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes."