Forest of Death

In the classroom, silence reigned as if not even a needle could be heard, a heavy atmosphere permeating the entire space.

The eerie ambiance was like an invisible plague, quietly infecting the spirit of everyone present!

Should they try again next year, or risk their qualification as Chunin forever?

In the current examination hall, having already obtained the answers, Naruto did not make a desperate declaration for a blank paper as in the original story.

Without that passionate declaration of defiance, the solid dam in everyone's hearts began to slowly erode, and the expressions on their faces gradually began to waver.

However, just like a chain reaction, after another group of Ninja who couldn't withstand the psychological pressure left.

The expressions on the faces of the remaining Ninja suddenly became resolute.

It was as if a switch had been flipped, and an invisible wave of tenacity spread once more.

There was no verbal or physical communication among them, but at a certain moment, an aura of determination to persevere to the end erupted from every Genin!

"Good, seeing your expressions, it seems you've all made your decisions.

I'll ask one last time, is anyone else withdrawing? Don't regret the decision you make today!"

Morino Ibiki asked again. Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, his previously gloomy face suddenly broke into a smile:

"Very well, I congratulate you all. You have all passed this first exam!"

"Huh?"

Naruto, ever the excitable one, was the first to exclaim in surprise:

"We, we passed?"

"That's right!"

Morino Ibiki gave a definitive reply:

"This first exam tested your intelligence gathering abilities and willpower.

Those with crude cheating methods were eliminated directly, and your willpower allowed you to persevere until the end.

Therefore, everyone remaining here is a Ninja I approve of!"

Receiving this answer, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before they could catch their breath, the classroom window was suddenly shattered, and a large cloth sphere suddenly shot onto the podium.

Before anyone could react to who had launched a surprise attack, the cloth sphere suddenly opened.

It revealed a banner that read, "Second Exam Head Proctor—Mitarashi Anko!"

And a female Ninja, dressed in a black mesh bodysuit, a beige trench coat, and a high black ponytail, emerged from within.

She boisterously announced, "I am your Head Proctor for the second exam—Mitarashi Anko!"

Although the proctor was a bit eccentric, everyone still followed her instructions and headed to the Forest of Death.

Although the front of the forest was blocked by a wire fence, the occasional glimpses of venomous snakes and insects, as well as the partially visible bodies of giant animals in the background, all gave a sense of lurking danger.

Anko appeared carefree, but she was clearly a ruthless and cunning individual.

Seeing Naruto's boisterous behavior, she instantly appeared behind him and drew a bloody line on his neck with a Kunai.

Licking the blood from the Kunai with her tongue, her excited expression almost made Naruto wet himself in fear!

After this simple act of "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys," she distributed a scroll and an alarm device to each team of examinees, and began explaining the scrolls' purpose.

The scrolls were either "Heaven" or "Earth." Only teams that collected both scrolls and reached the finish line could pass the exam.

As for the alarm device, it was a signal flare that could be used for rescue but also signified forfeiture of the exam!

"Of course, the most important point is that you are absolutely forbidden from checking the contents of the scrolls before reaching the finish line."

After delivering the final piece of information, Anko waved her hand, unlocking the door and allowing the Genin to enter one by one.

"Kazeka, Hinata, let's discuss our battle plan..."

As soon as they entered the Forest of Death, Kazeka's team quickly chose a spot and moved.

After all, no one wanted to get caught in a free-for-all at the entrance.

Standing on the branch of a large tree, Kiba Inuzuka stopped and looked at the two beside him:

"Kazeka, you have the best brain. Do you have any suggestions?"

"There are two conditions to meet: first, reach the destination.

Second, we have the Heaven scroll, and we still need to obtain the Earth scroll..."

Kazeka stopped and began sharing his thoughts with his team:

"The most dangerous, yet also the quickest method here, is to disregard everything else and charge straight to the destination to ambush.

This will not only allow us to obtain a large number of scrolls but also eliminate some Ninja in advance.

However, this requires powerful strength and intense combat. I need to observe the other Ninja candidates and won't waste time on that!"

Kazeka paused, then spoke again:

"But the Forest of Death is still too large, and all sorts of unexpected situations can arise.

Therefore, using our detection abilities to plan a route in advance becomes particularly important.

When we retreated at the entrance just now, I observed that the teams advancing towards the northwest and northeast were the most numerous.

Kiba, Hinata and I will use the Byakugan to observe first, and you will be responsible for recording the directions we mention!"

After a simple scan, Kazeka and the other two quickly planned their route.

Led by Kazeka, the three of them sped towards their intended destination!

Kazeka's team had been traveling for about half an hour when, ahead, three Amegakure ninja suddenly appeared.

These guys were the easiest to identify, dressed in grey combat uniforms.

They also wore special masks, looking as if they could release poison at any moment.

"Swish swish swish!!"

Kazeka's team had indeed found their targets, but the opponents' counter-reconnaissance abilities seemed to be quite strong as well.

Before Kazeka and the other two could make a move, the Amegakure ninja launched a fierce attack.

Immediately, a dense barrage of Senbon shot towards the three of them.

As if that weren't enough, the Senbon had specially made spherical medicine pouches tied to their tails.

Although they dodged the Senbon, the pouches exploded violently around Kazeka and the other two, unleashing a large cloud of purple poisonous mist!

"Bear with it!"

Seeing this sudden situation, Kazeka flipped his palm, and three syringes appeared in his hand. He injected them into Hinata and Kiba Inuzuka's arms:

"This injection will make us immune to most poisons for fifteen minutes.

And that should be enough time for you to deal with your opponents!"

"Don't worry..."

Kiba Inuzuka called out to Akamaru, and the man and his dog turned into two sharp tornadoes, charging at one of the Amegakure ninja:

"I don't take guys who only use poison seriously!"

"I'll take the one on the right. I'll finish the fight quickly..."

Perhaps it was the medicine, but a mischievous Hinata was back online, saying nonchalantly:

"I hope you two aren't so useless that I have to wait too long!"