Entering the Forest of Death

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the opening ceremony of the Third Genin Selection Tournament. The Kage of more than a dozen villages took the stage one after another to deliver speeches, wishing the tournament complete success.

The opening ceremony's performances were spectacular, with artistic ninja from every village putting on dazzling acts: Fire Release fireworks, Water Release lion dances, Earth Release clay figure dances, Lightning Release firecrackers blasting in unison... Every performance was breathtaking and endlessly inventive.

Xiao Yun watched with his jaw hanging open. If this were on Blue Star, Zhang Ermou would probably have to go home and look for work.

The performances continued until two in the afternoon, when the closing song finally arrived, sung by all the ninja together.

"Because we are one family, a loving family."

"We should share blessings together and shoulder hardships together."

"Let mutual understanding and devotion bring us everlasting love!"

"I hereby declare the Third Ninja World Genin Selection Tournament officially open!" the Third Hokage roared into the microphone at the top of his lungs.

Clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause erupted, and everyone's faces were filled with excitement.

"Next, in the name of the Hokage, I announce the first match. The Sand Team, led by Gaara of Sunagakure, and the Demolition Squad, led by Xiao Yun of Konoha, will enter the Forest of Death. The entire process will be broadcast live from multiple angles."

The moment the Third Hokage said this, a wave of shocked cries erupted from below.

"Damn, Xiao Yun really has guts. He actually dares to go head-to-head with Gaara in the Forest of Death. Respect!"

"I'm seriously impressed by you. Why are you admiring an idiot? I heard Xiao Yun has trained for only a short time. He's no match for Gaara at all, yet he's stupid enough to play around in the Forest of Death with him?"

"Fuck, we're done for! According to past practice, if fewer than ten ninja voluntarily enter the Forest of Death, Genin will be randomly selected to fill the remaining slots. Lord Hashirama, bless me—please don't let them pick me!"

"Look at you, scared shitless. Stop praying. Konoha already has enough people entering the Forest of Death."

"They already have enough? No way. Who would be dumb enough to go die?"

"I heard the Hyuga Clan sent a few Genin, and Lord Danzo sent one too."

"Damn it! Having someone to sponge off really is great. One day, I'll make all those badass ninja in the village carry my babies too."

As soon as the opening ceremony ended,

Xiao Yun followed Might Guy to the entrance of the Forest of Death. More than twenty Konoha ninja were already standing there.

Other than a few people, most of them were unfamiliar faces.

"Xiao Yun, this is Yamato from the Anbu. He is also a Wood Release ninja. In the Forest of Death, he will represent me. Yamato will obey you absolutely."

After Danzo finished speaking, a masked ninja leaped in front of Xiao Yun.

"Shimura Yamato. Please guide me."

Yamato spoke respectfully.

Xiao Yun looked at the ninja before him in surprise. This was the child injected with Hashirama's cells. In the original story, he knew many Wood Release techniques. He would have to find a chance to learn from him properly.

Huh?

Something wasn't right. Yamato in the original story should have been much older than Naruto, so why did he only look two or three years older than Naruto now?

Xiao Yun could not be bothered to think about it. Ever since he had transmigrated into the Naruto world, he had discovered that this world differed greatly from the original story. Take Tsunade, for example. In the original story, she was already an old woman, yet in this world, she was only twenty-seven.

Then there was that bizarre Jier Mountain, Chakra breaking down rice—none of that had existed in the original story.

"Hello!"

Xiao Yun looked at Yamato eagerly. He had not expected Danzo to actually send someone to support him. It seemed that guy was not as bad as he was in the original story.

"Xiao Yun, this is Neji from our Hyuga Clan. You already know Bai Ze and Yumi. They are all experts and will protect you in the Forest of Death."

"I only hope you will keep your promise."

Hyuga Hiashi said with a smiling face.

Old bastard!

Xiao Yun rolled his eyes at him.

"Hello!"

Xiao Yun greeted the members of the Hyuga Clan. Aside from Hyuga Yumi, however, the rest all wore stiff expressions, as though someone owed them money.

"Uncle, we're here!"

A series of voices came from behind Xiao Yun. Turning around, he saw Might Guy leading Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Rock Lee, and a boy with a foxtail grass stem in his mouth toward him.

"Xiao Yun, this is Shikamaru. He specializes in the Shadow Imitation Technique and is extremely intelligent. He will assist you."

Might Guy pointed at the boy chewing on the grass stem.

"I've heard a lot about you."

Xiao Yun said with a smile. This guy really was exactly the same as in the original story, looking completely listless, as if he had spent the entire previous night enjoying the Great Sword Technique.

But Xiao Yun did not dare underestimate him. This guy might not be strong, but he had a sharp mind. Hidan was powerful, wasn't he? Shikamaru had still calculated him to death.

"Hello!"

Shikamaru lazily stretched.

"Oh, Sasuke, I really didn't expect you to be willing to enter the Forest of Death with me. Looks like saving you that day wasn't for nothing after all!"

Xiao Yun said with a grin.

"Hmph! Don't misunderstand. I'm here to deal with Gaara. Besides, who asked you to save me that day?"

Sasuke's little face reddened as he quietly defended himself.

Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, three members of the Hyuga Clan, Yamato, and himself—exactly ten people.

"Yosh! Burning youth! Let's go, Woof Woof Squad!"

Might Guy launched into another set of standard youth dance moves. He danced with wild excitement, while everyone else broke out in goosebumps.

Of course, except Rock Lee.

"Huh, Might Guy, why haven't the people from Sunagakure arrived yet?"

Xiao Yun looked at Might Guy in confusion.

"They will enter the Forest of Death from another entrance."

"Oh!"

Disappointment appeared on Xiao Yun's face. What a pity. He had originally wanted to humiliate Gaara properly. After all, the usual routine was for the protagonist to humiliate the supporting character first, then the supporting character would fly into a rage, get brutally slapped down by the protagonist, and finally cry and beg for mercy.

Forest of Death, Entrance B

The Fourth Kazekage stood before the ten members of the Sand Team.

"Gaara, aside from Sasuke and Xiao Yun, you may kill any Konoha ninja in the Forest of Death. I want those two alive."

"Heh heh, I can't guarantee that."

Gaara gave a cold laugh.

"How about this? As long as you help me capture those two, I guarantee you'll get a good night's sleep."

The Fourth Kazekage's voice was full of temptation.

"A good night's sleep? Hahahaha, it's a deal!"

With that, Gaara led the Sand Team into the Forest of Death.

Watching Gaara depart, the Fourth Kazekage removed his Kage hat, revealing a pale face that looked neither human nor demon. His tongue flicked in and out, making him resemble a Snake Demon that had cultivated into human form. He looked terrifying and sinister.

"Kabuto, prepare the blood of a thousand adults. Once Gaara captures those two, cast Hellish Slumber on him."

"Yes."

Xiao Yun had just led the Woof Woof Squad into the Forest of Death when an incomparably violent surge of Chakra shot into the sky. The once-clear Forest of Death turned dark and gloomy, as though covered by a veil.

Everyone's expressions instantly became grave. The Crimson Sun Purple Array, a barrier technique, had been activated. Once activated, it could only automatically unseal itself five days later.

The Forest of Death hunting showdown had begun!

"Junior Brother, what should we do next?"

Rock Lee looked at Xiao Yun and asked.

"Shikamaru, what do you think?"

Xiao Yun turned to Shikamaru. After all, he was like a military strategist, with a highly developed brain.

After a moment of silence, Shikamaru said, "Gaara is powerful. If we want to win this match, we have to take the initiative and attack. Kill whoever we can."

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Xiao Yun said.

"You two idiots, how are we supposed to attack? With this bunch of weaklings? I think we should rely on the Byakugan's clairvoyance. When the enemy advances, we retreat. When they tire, we harass them. When they retreat, we strike. That is the best strategy."

Sasuke looked at the two of them speechlessly. He knew Gaara's strength better than anyone. Although Xiao Yun might be able to fight him, he definitely would not be Gaara's match.

Actually, Sasuke's words were not without reason. The Forest of Death was so vast that as long as they made good use of the Byakugan, the Konoha Dream Team could retreat safely. They could still force a draw and earn plenty of match points.

Why take the risk of stealing kills?

If they failed to get kills and ended up feeding themselves to the enemy instead, that would be bad.

"I don't agree. If the enemy has sensory-type ninja, then even if we want to hide, we won't be able to."

Xiao Yun waved his hand, disagreeing with Sasuke.

"Xiao Yun, it's not that the enemy might have sensory-type ninja. They definitely do! They wouldn't enter such a major competition without being fully prepared."

Shikamaru said with absolute certainty.

"If that's the case, then we choose to attack."

A gleam flashed through Xiao Yun's eyes...