The First Exam: Conclusion

When the rolling yellow sand disappeared into the pile of rocks.

The six people, including Senju Sayuri, breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Except for Senju Sayuri, who still had the strength to stand still, the rest of them lay on the ground like mud, panting heavily like old oxen after plowing the field.

"Rindou, you all look so pathetic."

Shuyuan did not go after Gaara.

I didn't really care about this exam to begin with. Rather than chasing after Gaara to fight him, it was more important to treat Rindou and the others' injuries first.

"Tsk! That's a really bad injury..."

"Ugh! Our luck has really hit rock bottom this time. I never expected the Sand Village to produce such a ruthless person. We're no match for them at all..."

Rindou grinned and said.

"Alright, you're injured, so just shut up! Hurry up and get up the mountain to find medical-nin to help you heal."

Nearby, Kaguya Shuuya finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Shuya! Hey, wake up, you little brat, don't scare me!"

Hiruzen Haruka hurriedly helped the unconscious Kaguya Shuuya up, but no matter what he said, Kaguya Shuuya did not respond.

"Shut up, Yao! Carry Shuya on your back, we're going up the mountain. He's just unconscious, he's not dead yet!"

Senju Sayuri cursed and helped Kaguya Shuuya onto Hiruzen Haruka's back.

Shuyuan's Shadow Clone also set up the Rindou and continued climbing the mountain.

Although the others were all exhausted, they knew that now was not the time to rest. They forced their weary bodies to sway and stagger towards the stone tower at the top of the mountain.

Despite the short distance, Shuyuan sensed five or six waves of Chakra fluctuations lingering around them.

However, in the end, they didn't make a move.

The group of nine, though many were wounded, had enough of Senju Sayuri, whose fighting strength was not greatly diminished, to make many people give up their plans.

Among the hundreds of candidates, Senju Sayuri's combat strength is definitely among the strongest.

If Gaara, this first exam wouldn't have been such a mess.

In addition, Shuyuan and Naruto summoned a large group of Shadow Clone and spread them on both sides of the group. Those losers who were waiting here to try to pick up the scraps didn't dare to come up and get beaten.

On the mountaintop.

As you ascend the narrow mountain path, barely wide enough for one person, the scenery changes dramatically, revealing a massive stone tower.

From a distance, this six-story stone tower is not particularly eye-catching.

But when you get up close, you realize this thing is really big.

The stone pagoda occupies an area of about 2,000 square meters, with each section being more than ten meters high, especially the first section which is more than thirty meters high. The entire stone pagoda is nearly 100 meters high.

Have you collected all the number plates?

At the entrance of the stone pagoda, two tables were set up. The Cloud Ninja sitting behind the tables looked at the approaching group and asked a question.

"Give!"

Shuyuan readily took out seven number plates.

I had already checked on the way there; both the Senju Sayuri and the Rindou team had collected the number plates.

"Seven dollars? Well done."

Cloud Ninja noted down the numbers, then tossed the number plate into the bamboo basket behind him, making a crisp clinking sound.

Shuyuan glanced to the side; the bamboo basket was almost full.

Next, Senju Sayuri and the others also submitted their number plates.

"Alright, you can go in now. Someone inside will guide you to the Konoha Ninja's headquarters."

Cloud Ninja for them to pass, and the group entered the stone tower.

"Which way? Didn't you say someone would lead the way?"

This is a crossroads, with a winding path on each side, and a few dozen steps ahead lies a vast, open plain.

Nine people stood at the crossroads, unsure which way to go.

Naruto started shouting.

"Hey, where are they? Where did the person who led the way go?"

The echoes lingered in everyone's ears, making their heads ache. Sasuke frowned, preparing to retort to Naruto.

But before he could say anything, he turned his head to look to his left.

"They're here, they're here. Don't rush them? Why are all young people so impatient..." An older Cloud Ninja emerged from the left-hand passage, glanced at the nine people, and said, "Are you Konoha ninja? This way, Konoha's headquarters are this way."

With someone leading the way, they quickly reached the second floor and found Konoha's headquarters.

It was called a "residence," but it was really just a place where seven or eight rooms were provided for the candidates who arrived earlier.

"Let me see, the wound isn't infected or infected... You're in good shape."

Slender, fair fingers gently landed on the injured calf. Even though Rindou knew the doctor in front of her was male, she still blushed when she looked at his face, which was even more beautiful than a woman's.

Fortunately, because the injury was in his calf, he was lying face down on the bed.

This avoids awkward eye contact and potentially even more awkward situations.

"The injury isn't too serious. Just eat more meat these next couple of days to replenish your energy, and you'll recover quickly."

Bai placed his hands lightly on the wound, using his Mystical Palm Technique to help it heal. As for the missing flesh, it could only grow back slowly on its own with the help of the Rindou.

Fortunately, the Uzumaki Clan has always been known for its resilience, and with Haku's help, the injury was almost completely healed in just two days.

"Brother Bai, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in Kumogakure?"

Shuyuan sat on a chair to the side, swaying back and forth like she was riding a horse.

"Have you forgotten the message you sent back?" A smile appeared on his pale face, making Shuyuan's heart skip a beat.

Fortunately, the two had a lot of contact when they were young, so Shuyuan developed some resistance to it.

"Knowing that those two dangerous individuals were active, how could we possibly leave you here unattended? Not only me, but half of the Jonin in this delegation have come here... Shuyuan, you should have sensed it by now, right?"

"Yes! Professor Shisui is upstairs."

Shuyuan nodded. Before entering the stone tower, he had already sensed the entire tower.

"Minato has notified the Cloud Ninja, but Cloud Ninja don't seem to care much. In any case, when you go on your next mission, you must be accompanied by at least three Jonin. Those eliminated candidates have also been gathered together and Minato will send them back to their villages."

Bai continued.

"Seriously? Three Jonin accompanying us? Even the prison's exercise period isn't this strict!"

Rindou couldn't help but turn around and complain.

"Also, what's the situation with that dangerous individual? What exactly happened?"

"This······"

Shuyuan looked at Bai, unsure whether he should reveal the truth.

"It's alright, go ahead and tell me. I was going to tell you this anyway, since you'll be staying in Kumogakure to take the upcoming exams, and someone else will tell you about it later."

With Bai's words of comfort, Shuyuan immediately felt relieved and briefly recounted the story of Senju Zen and Uchiha Genso.

"Holy crap, two S-rank missing-nin... It's just a Chunin Ninja Exams, how did it turn into something so dangerous?"

Rindou sighed deeply, its face filled with melancholy.

"Haha, Rindou, you can also choose to abstain! At five o'clock, the list of candidates participating in the second exam will be finalized, and at that time, abstention will be allowed..."

Shuyuan smiled.

Outside the window, the sun slowly sank in the west. (To be continued)