Eating Is a Big Problem!

Chapter 27: Eating is a Big Problem!

Forest of Death.

The venue for the second stage of the Chunin Exam.

Konoha had never changed the location for the second stage, and there was no better outdoor venue to test the comprehensive abilities of genin teams.

Just as the venue's name suggested, the Forest of Death harbored dangers that could kill, including a perilous environment and ubiquitous wild beasts...

And...

Rivals who could appear at any moment.

All eyes in the vicinity were fixed on two individuals.

One was Akihara Kagura, and the other was Uchiha Itachi. Both ten-year-old boys were participating in the exam alone and were the only candidates who had passed the first stage without needing to take the test.

It felt somewhat unfair to the other genin who had gone through great lengths to pass the written exam, only to find these two brats waiting for them at the second stage venue, having skipped the first round entirely.

"That kid..."

"Is there something special about him?"

"I've never seen him before, nor heard of him."

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

"It's hard to say..."

"After all, someone who can participate in the Chunin Exam alone and get approval from the village's higher-ups must not be an ordinary kid..."

"That kid is the one who tricked us into changing the exam venue!"

Someone in the crowd of genin examinees suddenly blurted this out, instantly igniting a wave of indignation. Everyone glared unhappily in Akihara Kagura's direction.

"Hey, that kid..."

"I did it."

Akihara Kagura admitted with a smile, extending his hand in invitation, "You're all welcome... to come find trouble with me."

"Don't get too arrogant, kid..."

Several individuals who clearly weren't to be trifled with approached.

Fortunately.

The chief examiner for the second stage intervened to stop the confrontation.

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

Aoba Yamashiro surveyed the group of genin looking to start a fight and said softly, "If you want to fight, you'll have plenty of time once you enter the exam grounds."

"Moreover..."

Aoba Yamashiro raised a thick stack of papers in his hand and continued, "If you sign this 'Consent Form,' even if you accidentally kill your opponent within the exam grounds, you won't be held responsible afterward."

"Of course."

"Anyone who signs this 'Consent Form' accepts that they may encounter accidents during this exam, and their personal safety will be entirely their own responsibility."

"Chief Examiner."

Akihara Kagura raised his hand with a smile and asked, "Are you saying that killing is permitted in the second stage of the exam?"

"..."

Aoba Yamashiro frowned and began to ponder.

Every year, the Chunin Exam had its share of arrogant individuals who believed they could stand out in a single exam, only to end up falling victim to their own hubris.

Even geniuses...

Could perish in the Forest of Death.

However, Aoba Yamashiro was not a man with a particularly wild disposition; in fact, he was rather timid and easily frightened. After thinking for a moment, he nodded.

"From a rule perspective, yes, it is."

Aoba Yamashiro glanced at the boy and softly advised, "The most important aspects of this exam are confrontation and competition. Beyond that, it also tests your wilderness survival skills."

"Even if you manage to obtain the passing items from your rivals, you might not be able to avoid the dangers within the forest to reach the exam's destination..."

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

"It's a scramble for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. All genin teams participating in the exam will receive two different types of scrolls: Heaven scrolls and Earth scrolls."

"Within five days, each team must find a way to survive in the Forest of Death and snatch scrolls from other teams to collect both Heaven and Earth scrolls. Within the Forest of Death exam grounds, you are not restricted from using any methods against your competitors."

"There is only one condition for victory."

"Teams must simultaneously possess both Heaven and Earth scrolls and traverse the vast Forest of Death to reach the high tower where the chief examiner is located, all within the stipulated five days."

"There are many conditions for elimination."

"First, teams that do not reach the destination with both Heaven and Earth scrolls within the allotted five days will have all their members eliminated."

"Second, if a team has missing members or members who are unable to move, it means that to become a winning team, all members must arrive."

"Third, teams that illegally open the Heaven and Earth Scroll before reaching the final tower will be disqualified. This is to test your ability to keep secrets, as Chunin may be exposed to highly classified documents."

"A friendly reminder."

"If you break the rules and open a scroll mid-exam, strange things will happen."

"Likewise."

"To give you time to adjust."

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

"This exam will definitely eliminate more than half of the teams. I hope you all watch yourselves. I will be waiting for the victors at the final tower."

"..."

The examinees present quickly became noisy.

Uchiha Itachi's gaze remained unchanged, but he meticulously organized his ninja tool pouch, having promised his father he would pass the Chunin Exam.

Akihara Kagura's expression also didn't change. He simply lowered his head to sign the "Consent Form," seemingly unconcerned about encountering danger in the Forest of Death.

Some people's gazes were fixed on the two youths, Uchiha Itachi and Akihara Kagura, as they represented two teams, each holding one type of scroll.

Compared to competing against other teams, the odds of three people ganging up on one seemed higher. However, there were simply too many people eyeing those two kids...

It was a case of too many wolves and not enough meat...

Of course.

Some people's focus was rather peculiar.

"Where do we pick up supplies?"

A fat man loudly asked Aoba Yamashiro.

Aoba Yamashiro answered the examinee's question quite seriously: "It's wilderness survival. The Forest of Death is rich in resources, which should be enough for you to be self-sufficient."

"..."

The genin present felt these were minor issues.

After all, they had all gone on missions outside and learned wilderness survival skills. This small matter was not a problem at all.

Perhaps...

Only one person thought this might be a problem.

Akihara Kagura frowned and began to ponder his life. He kind of wanted to ask if there were any genin teams willing to be cooks, as he could lead such a team to an easy victory.

Akihara Kagura could fish, but he wasn't good at cooking fish.

All along, Akihara Kagura never had to worry about cooking. When he was at the research base, Orochimaru had always kept him healthy and well.

Later, it was with Root. The Root base also had its own cafeteria. Although the food quality might not have been great, it was enough to survive.

Akihara Kagura glanced at the genin present.

If he couldn't cook it himself, couldn't he find a way to get some food? The resources in the Forest of Death were enough for self-sufficiency, so he could definitely find edible things.

First update.

More tonight.