When Naruto's blue eyes beneath his sunglasses met Mitaraishi Anko's gaze, an indescribably powerful presence radiated from him. It was so overwhelming that even Mitaraishi Anko couldn't help but pause in surprise, silently marveling at it.
However, Mitaraishi Anko quickly regained her composure. A playful smile tugged at her lips as she thought, I never expected to run into such an interesting little guy today.
With that, she stopped teasing Naruto and gracefully took a stack of exam consent forms from her coat. She handed them out one by one, explaining, "These are consent forms. Anyone who wants to take the exam must sign one here."
Sakura looked puzzled. "Why do we have to sign this?"
Mitaraishi Anko patiently explained, "Because people may die during the exam ahead. We need your consent beforehand."
Then she suddenly laughed, her voice tinged with mockery. "Otherwise, if something happens, it'll be my responsibility. Hahaha."
As Mitaraishi Anko's unsettling voice echoed across the examination grounds, warning that people might die in the second exam, an invisible chill seemed to fall over the entire area. The atmosphere instantly grew tense and heavy.
Everyone froze, and tension began to spread among them.
Some examinees turned deathly pale and clenched their fists, as if they could hold back the fear rising inside them that way.
Others gritted their teeth, trying to stay calm. But their trembling bodies and darting eyes betrayed their nervousness and anxiety.
They knew this exam would be a fight for survival. One careless mistake could send them to their deaths.
Mitaraishi Anko continued explaining the rules for the second exam. "Simply put, you'll be facing the ultimate wilderness survival challenge. And anything could happen in this battle to seize the scrolls."
Shikamaru looked resigned. "Wilderness survival? What a troublesome exam."
Mitaraishi Anko continued, "There are two scrolls: the Book of Heaven and the Book of Earth. You'll fight over them. In other words, you'll be stealing them from one another."
Sasuke furrowed his brow. "Then what do we need to do to pass?"
Mitaraishi Anko explained, "You'll pass if all three of you reach the tower's center with both scrolls."
Sakura quickly worked it out. "So, of the 13 teams that have their scrolls stolen, half will definitely be eliminated."
Mitaraishi Anko added, "But keep in mind that the second exam lasts 120 hours—that's a full five days. You must finish fighting over the scrolls within that time."
The rules were actually simple: steal the scrolls before time ran out.
Sunlight filtered through thin clouds, dappling the Genin's faces and revealing young features that couldn't hide their worry.
They whispered among themselves, quietly discussing the trial ahead. The air was thick with a heavy, oppressive tension.
"Will I even survive the second exam...?" someone asked, his voice trembling slightly. Unease flickered in his eyes.
"I heard the death rate is thirty percent," another ninja replied in a low voice, as if every word weighed a ton. His fingers fidgeted at the Ninja Blade on his waist, the only companion he could rely on.
"Are we really ready?" a girl asked softly. Her eyes held both hope for the future and fear of the unknown.
Once everyone wore the expressions she'd wanted to see, Mitaraishi Anko continued, "That's all the explanation. I'll leave you with one last piece of advice: Don't die!"
Then Mitaraishi Anko slowly walked over to Naruto and whispered in his ear, "And you, blond brat—don't you go dying in there."
After the consent forms were signed, the second Chunin Selection Exam officially began. The 26 teams of Genin were cleverly scattered, each entering the forest from a different location.
At that moment, the ninjas from Otogakure moved like shadows in the night, silently springing into action. A man at their head was surrounded by an eerie, mysterious aura. He led his team through the woods at such speed that it left onlookers dumbfounded.
"Our target is the blond brat's team," he said, his voice low and firm, his words leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes!" his teammates replied, following close behind.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Naruto and his two teammates slipped into the woods.
After Naruto's team had been traveling through the forest for a while, a ninja from Otogakure silently approached Naruto.
Using an expert Transformation Jutsu, he transformed himself perfectly into Shikamaru. He copied everything—the distinctive hairstyle, the look in his eyes, even his nonchalant attitude—so convincingly that he could almost fool anyone.
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