Eating Is a Big Problem!

Forest of Death.

The selection grounds for the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Konoha had never changed the location of the second exam, nor could it find a place better suited to serve as a wilderness testing ground for a Genin team's overall abilities.

Just as its name suggested, the Forest of Death held dangers that could prove fatal, including its hazardous environment and the wild beasts lurking everywhere...

As well as...

Rivals who could appear at any moment.

Everyone present turned their attention toward two people.

One was Akihara Kagura, and the other was Uchiha Itachi. These two ten-year-old youngsters were both taking the exam alone, and they were also the only candidates exempted from the first stage.

The other Genin had struggled bitterly to pass the first written test, only to find that these two brats had been waiting at the second exam site without even taking it. It inevitably seemed rather unfair.

"That brat..."

"What's so special about him?"

"Never seen him before. Never even heard of him."

"Why does it feel like Uchiha Itachi and that brat are at odds with each other... Could he be a genius like Uchiha Itachi too?"

"Hard to say..."

"After all, someone who can take the Chunin Ninja Exams alone and still get approval from the village higher-ups definitely isn't some ordinary brat..."

"That brat is the one who tricked us into changing test sites!"

No one knew who suddenly shouted that among the Genin candidates, but it instantly stirred up public outrage. Everyone glared in Akihara Kagura's direction with displeased expressions.

"Hey, you brat..."

"I did it."

Akihara Kagura smiled as he admitted what he had done, extending a hand in invitation. "Welcome... to come find trouble with me."

"Don't get too cocky, brat..."

Several people who clearly did not look easy to deal with stepped forward.

Fortunately.

The chief examiner for the second stage stopped the conflict.

The chief examiner for the second stage was named Aoba Yamashiro. He wore Konoha's green special Jonin uniform and a pair of sunglasses.

Aoba Yamashiro looked over the Genin who wanted to cause trouble and spoke softly. "If you want to fight, you'll have plenty of time after entering the testing grounds."

"Even..."

Aoba Yamashiro raised the thick stack of papers in his hand and continued, "Once you sign this 'consent form,' even if you accidentally kill your opponent in the testing grounds, no one will hold you accountable afterward."

"Of course."

"Anyone who signs this 'consent form' may encounter accidents during this exam, and they will bear full responsibility for their own safety."

"Chief Examiner."

Akihara Kagura raised his hand with a smile and asked, "Are you saying people can be killed in the second exam?"

"..."

Aoba Yamashiro frowned in thought.

Every year's Chunin Ninja Exams had some arrogant people who believed they could stand out in a single exam, only to die because of their own arrogance in the end.

Even geniuses...

Could perish in the Forest of Death.

However, Aoba Yamashiro was not a particularly wild ninja. He was even somewhat timid and cowardly by nature. After thinking for a moment, he still nodded.

"According to the rules, yes."

Aoba Yamashiro glanced at the youngster and softly advised him, "The most important part of this exam is competing against one another. Beyond that, it also tests your wilderness survival abilities."

"Even if you can obtain the items needed to pass from your competitors, you may not necessarily be able to avoid the dangers of the forest and reach the end of the exam..."

"The rules for the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams are quite simple..."

"The battle for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. Every Genin team taking the exam will receive one of two different scrolls: a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll;"

"Over five days, every team must find a way to survive in the Forest of Death and seize scrolls from other teams to gather both a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll. Within the Forest of Death testing grounds, there are no restrictions on what methods you may use against competitors."

"There is only one condition for victory."

"Within the allotted five days, a team holding both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls must cross the vast Forest of Death and reach the tower at the endpoint where the chief examiner awaits."

"However, there are many conditions for elimination."

"First, any team that fails to reach the endpoint carrying both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls within the allotted five days will have all members eliminated."

"Second, if a team is missing a member or has a member unable to move. In other words, a victorious team must arrive with every member present."

"Third, any team that opens the Heaven and Earth Scrolls before reaching the tower at the endpoint will be eliminated. Once you become Chunin, you may come into contact with top-secret documents, so this tests your ability to keep secrets."

"A friendly reminder."

"If you open the scrolls in violation of the rules during the exam, strange things will happen."

"Likewise."

"To give you time to adapt."

"All candidates present will enter the testing grounds through several different entrances."

"This exam is certain to eliminate more than half the teams. I hope you all take care of yourselves. I will await the victors at the tower at the endpoint."

"..."

The candidates present quickly began to make a commotion.

Uchiha Itachi's gaze remained unchanged. He merely organized his ninja tool pouch with particular care, because he had promised his father that he would pass the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Akihara Kagura's expression did not change either. He simply lowered his head to sign the "consent form," seeming equally unconcerned about encountering danger in the Forest of Death.

Quite a few people set their sights on Uchiha Itachi and Akihara Kagura, since they counted as two teams, each person holding one type of scroll.

Compared with competing against other teams, three people ganging up on one person seemed to offer better odds. The only problem was that too many people had their eyes on those two brats...

Too many wolves, too little meat...

Of course.

Some people's concerns were rather strange.

"Where do we collect supplies?"

A fat man loudly asked Aoba Yamashiro.

Aoba Yamashiro answered the candidate's question quite seriously. "For wilderness survival, the Forest of Death has abundant resources. They should be enough for you to provide for yourselves."

"..."

The Genin present felt that was only a minor issue.

After all, they had all gone out on missions before and learned wilderness survival skills. Such a small matter was no problem at all.

Perhaps...

Only one person thought this might be a problem.

Akihara Kagura frowned and began contemplating life. He somewhat wanted to ask whether there was a Genin team willing to serve as cooks; he could let that team coast to victory.

Akihara Kagura could fish, but he was not good at cooking fish.

All this time, Akihara Kagura had never needed to consider cooking. Back when he was at the Experiment Base, Orochimaru had always kept him healthy and well-fed.

Later, he joined the Root Organization. Root's base also had its own cafeteria. Though the food might not have been very tasty, it was enough to keep him from starving.

Akihara Kagura raised his eyes and surveyed the Genin present.

If he could not cook himself, could he not find some way to get food? The Forest of Death had enough resources for people to provide for themselves. Surely he could find something edible.

First update.

More tonight.