Speedrunning the Forest of Death! [Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader "Not Enough"] (Parts Four, Five, and Six)

"Hand it over, voluntarily withdraw from the exam, and you can try again next year."

Shimura Bone, who arrived at the scene, also made some harsh remarks to Qingyu.

"Well, you're unlucky to have run into us this time, considering there are more of us."

His teammate, the blond ninja Shimura Otani, chimed in.

[Collectible Trait Detected: Shimura Clan's Wind Release]

[D-Rank Trait: Shimura Clan's Wind Release]

[Effect: Increases Wind Release talent by 30%.]

[Crafting: Defeating five different Shimura will upgrade the trait to a higher level.]

"Five different Shimura members?"

Qingyu observed this trait.

Although many people were surrounding her, Qingyu wasn't nervous; she even felt like laughing.

Isn't this a sandbag being handed over?

"What are you standing there for, you idiot? Hurry up!"

Shimura Bone had lost his patience.

However, while they were talking to themselves, the Sensor Ninja in the group noticed something was wrong.

"Careful!"

His words had barely left his mouth when he saw Qingyu vanish from his spot in Body Flicker Technique, and the next second he used his Strength of a Hundred to send Shimura Bone flying.

Shimura Bone caved in, causing him to suffer a severe injury on the spot.

The open space was deathly silent.

From the Qingyu made his move to the Shimura Clan ninja was sent flying by a single punch, the entire process took only a breath.

The tall, thin ninja who had just been mocking Qingyu for being arrogant and ignorant widened his eyes.

With a flash, Qingyu swept his right leg across, kicking Shimura Otani.

Before Shimura Otani could even scream, he was kicked so hard that he tumbled through the air like a spinning top several times.

Finally, it plunged into the bushes at the edge of the clearing, leaving only its two legs sticking out. It twitched twice and then fell still.

The remaining Sensor Ninja was so frightened that he dropped his Kunai to the ground. He instinctively tried to Hand Seals, but found that his fingers were trembling so badly that he couldn't make a single Hand Seal.

Qingyu's figure vanished once more, only to reappear before him in the next instant, her hand gripping his neck.

"What, do you want to dance too?"

Sensor Ninja's feet were off the ground, he desperately tried to pry open Qingyu's fingers with both hands, but they felt as if they were made of iron and he couldn't budge them no matter what he did.

Qingyu swung him around in mid-air with one hand, then turned her head to look at the shocked ninjas standing at the edge of the open space.

His pupils turned crimson at that moment, and the three Tomoe slowly rotated.

Wherever his gaze swept, everyone subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to meet Qingyu's eyes.

Qingyu raised her empty left hand, held the Earth Scroll high again, and then placed it in her palm.

"The scroll is right here. Anyone with the courage, come at me!"

Qingyu said calmly.

"Do you need my help?"

Kakashi said.

The entire incident happened in just a few seconds.

Neither Kakashi Hyuga Ginka expected Qingyu to act so decisively.

"Need not."

Qingyu shook her head.

Having more people around was useless against him; he couldn't even use his Shadow Clone.

This group was able to kill even one of his Shadow Clone, which means he messed up.

"Good."

Kakashi nodded upon seeing this.

Qingyu displayed an overwhelming advantage, so there was indeed no need for him to help.

However, Kakashi remained vigilant about his surroundings, wary of any sudden attacks.

The ninjas at the edge of the clearing exchanged glances. Some gripped their weapons tighter, some quietly took a step back, and others glanced at the movements of the others around them.

The Sensor Ninja whose neck was being gripped by Qingyu was already rolling his eyes. Qingyu casually tossed him aside.

The Sensor Ninja, fell to the ground like a fish about to die of thirst, desperately gasping for air, never imagining that free air could be so precious.

Don't underestimate our bond!

Seeing this, the ninjas from another squad unleashed Wind Release Ninjutsu.

Qingyu pulled the Muramasa out of the ground, severing the frivolousness.

Pfft!

The ninja who had just Hand Seals had a bloody gash on his chest.

Qingyu was only holding back because she showed him mercy; otherwise, that attack could have killed him.

"Is this the strength Genin should have?"

When the rest of the team arrived and saw the terrible scene, they all felt that Qingyu had come to fry fish.

"Don't be afraid, everyone. Let's attack together and then divide up the scrolls of the other losers."

Fire Release: Wind and Fire Technique!

A ninja with purple patterns painted on his face used Combined Ninjutsu of Fire Release Wind Release by Hand Seals.

With the help of the wind, the flames instantly grew enormous.

Qingyu raised an eyebrow.

Not all of them are useless.

This ninja's strength far surpasses that of Chunin.

However, this had no effect on Qingyu.

Rumble!

Just as the flames were about to reach Qingyu's figure disappeared.

He tried to find Qingyu, but found himself covered in water.

Looking down, I was surprised to find that there were bloodstains on my neck.

If Qingyu had used just a little more force, he would have been dead!

"What kind of speed is that?!"

The ninja with the patterned face looked horrified.

Shadow Binding Technique!

The other ninjas also wanted to Hand Seals, hoping to take the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on Qingyu.

There's no turning back now; they don't think Qingyu will let them off the hook.

However, before he could even finish Hand Seal, Qingyu punched the ground.

Rumble!

The ground was broken, and dirt flew everywhere.

He was also thrown into the air by the force of the blow.

Suddenly, many figures appeared in the sky.

Qingyu's figure flashed rapidly.

Defeat them before they even hit the ground!

"Ugh!"

All the defeated ninjas felt excruciating pain all over their bodies, as if they had just escaped death.

Is anyone else here?

Qingyu sheathed his sword.

He mostly uses his fists; if you use Muramasa, you have to be extremely careful, or someone could die.

However, only the wails of ninjas could be heard on the ground.

Hyuga Ginka's eyelids twitched, and she looked at Qingyu with her beautiful eyes, also feeling that Qingyu's methods were a bit ruthless.

However, she also understood that this was the only way to keep the others in check.

"If no one else makes a bid, then it's my turn to set the price."

Qingyu turned to look at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, collect all the scrolls from them for me."

Kakashi glanced at him, sheathed his short sword, and walked to the open space to collect the scattered Ninja Tool Pouch and scrolls.

"Ginka, can you check how many other people around here haven't shown up yet?"

The nearest squads are all observing, showing no signs of retreating, but no one dares to approach.

Hyuga Ginka kept her Byakugan active, reporting the Chakra fluctuations within a 500-meter radius to Qingyu.

"The two small teams in the distance have given up watching and are moving in the opposite direction; they must have given up."

Qingyu nodded.

He took the captured scrolls from Kakashi and arranged them in a row.

Before long, Kakashi had collected ten scrolls.

The open ground was littered with signs of battle.

Shattered rocks, broken tree branches, and ninjas who hadn't recovered from being knocked down by Qingyu's attack.

The least serious injuries involved a few broken bones, while the most serious injuries included a sunken sternum and weak breathing. Their teammates frantically carried them aside to provide first aid.

"Ten scrolls."

Qingyu patted one of the Heaven Scroll, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Two hundred thousand taels each, I can write an IOU."

Upon hearing this, everyone else's eyes widened in surprise.

Two hundred thousand taels? Why don't you just rob someone!

"You're trying to raise prices unjustly! That's outrageous!"

Qingyu listened to the rising and falling protests, but her expression remained unchanged.

"If you're not satisfied, come and try our zero-dollar purchase."

Qingyu planted Muramasa in the ground, wanting to see if anyone dared to challenge him.

Unfortunately, the noise in the open space gradually quieted down.

After all, nobody's a fool. The strength Qingyu just displayed was like frying fish in a pond.

That's completely out of character for this skill level!

One by one, the ninjas who had been protesting fell silent, ultimately choosing silence over protest.

Two hundred thousand taels is indeed not cheap, but compared to being eliminated directly, this price doesn't seem unacceptable.

At the edge of the open space, a boy dressed in a blue ninja outfit gritted his teeth and was the first to raise his hand.

"I'll buy it."

Qingyu looked at him and nodded. "Name, home address, and a signature are all you need."

Once there's a first, there's bound to be a second.

Soon, the ninjas who possessed the corresponding scrolls lined up to write IOUs, sign their names and addresses, and then took one of their original scrolls from Qingyu.

Qingyu even took out a blank IOU scroll and two pens that he had prepared in advance from his Ninja Tool Pouch, which made Kakashi's mouth twitch slightly.

"You had this planned all along?"

Kakashi lowered his voice and asked him.

"Just something I prepared on the spur of the moment."

Qingyu accepted a new IOU while answering without turning her head.

Hyuga Ginka pursed her lips, trying to suppress a laugh.

She sensed that Qingyu was up to no good; it couldn't possibly have been something she prepared casually.

After the last scroll was sold, Qingyu put the thick stack of IOUs into his Ninja Tool Pouch, then gestured to Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka.

Qingyu felt the money came easily; not only did she pass the exam, but she also earned two million taels.

"Let's go, let's go into the tower."

The three walked toward the tower's tightly closed doors amidst dozens of complex gazes from behind.

Inside the tower stood the examiners registering the students.

The examiner was a middle-aged ninja wearing glasses. He glanced at the mess behind him, then at the record book in his hand.

"You are the first team to reach the tower."

The examiner adjusted his glasses.

This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a scene in all his years of proctoring exams.

Today's young people are truly pushing the old aside.

Please present the Heaven and Earth Scroll.

Qingyu placed the two scrolls on the stone table.

"Congratulations on passing the second exam. Please go up the tower to rest and await further instructions."

Inside the monitoring room of the tower.

"Their speed through the Forest of Death broke the record set in the Chunin Ninja Exams, and they are also the team that has defeated the most teams in history."

Orochimaru sat in the monitoring room, listened to the report, and smiled slightly.

He looked at Qingyu on the screen in front of him; it was already playing a replay.

Orochimaru witnessed the entire process of Qingyu's attack.

"Heh heh, it can be even faster."

Orochimaru chuckled softly.

"If it weren't for the delay caused by selling the scrolls, he could have arrived in much less time."

He leaned back in his chair.

This child was far more interesting than he had anticipated, both in terms of ability and his almost reckless audacity.

The examiner stood aside, watching Orochimaru staring intently at the Crystal Ball, and wisely refrained from asking any further questions. He simply recorded the scores of Qingyu and the other two in the Chunin Ninja Exams file.

Deep in the Forest of Death.

--

Yūhi Kurenai was perched on a horizontal branch of a large tree when she heard the news brought by a ninja who had retreated from the front. She was stunned for a long time.

Then she turned to look at Sarutobi Asuma was sitting on a tree trunk with a lollipop in his mouth.

Asuma, can you hear me?

"I heard you."

Sarutobi Asuma nodded.

"Qingyu has already cleared the game."

"That's too fast!"

"It's really fast."

Sarutobi Asuma said.

"But we still have a chance. Let's take it slow. We have five days."

As the son of the Hokage Sarutobi Asuma was naturally confident in leading his team through the second exam, but it wouldn't be as fast as Qingyu's.

After all, every battle is like opening a blind box.

Unless the opponent actively reveals the scroll, you won't know if it's the correct scroll until you defeat them.

At the same time, news of Qingyu's team's success spread quickly among the defeated ninjas.

Evening.

Qingyu separated from Kakashi, Hyuga Ginka, and the others.

I walked home alone.

[Collectible trait detected: Serpent's Favor]

[C-Rank Trait: Serpent's Favor]

[Effect: Increases Chakra control ability by 60%.]

[Synthesis: After gaining Orochimaru's approval, you can synthesize the B-Rank Trait: White Phosphorus Serpent]

"White Phosphorus Serpent?"

Qingyu observed this trait.

It's unclear whether it's possible to transform into this form or to gain abilities similar to the White Phosphorus Serpent.

--

Qingyu pondered as she walked back.

When he opened the door, there was a cup of tea that had gone cold and a medical book that was half-open on the coffee table in the living room.

Tsunade up on the sofa.

Because of the somewhat humid weather, Tsunade was a bit casual at home, leaving her collar unbuttoned, revealing a patch of fair skin and her collarbone.

Hearing the door open, she looked up, her brown-gold eyes blinking briefly before widening when she saw Qingyu standing in the doorway.

Why are you back?

Tsunade got up from the sofa.

"Isn't this the second exam? Shouldn't you still be in the Forest of Death— "

She was halfway through her sentence when a possibility suddenly occurred to her, and her brows furrowed, her tone becoming somewhat unfriendly.

"You little rascal, you weren't eliminated right away, were you? Did you rush back just to cook for your sister?"

Qingyu changed into slippers and walked into the living room. She sat down in the chair opposite Tsunade, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured herself a glass of water.

"Sister Tsunade, do you think I'll be eliminated given my strength?"

Tsunade thought it made a lot of sense.

The others are Genin, truly Genin.

Qingyu was Genin, but he graduated too quickly and didn't participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams beforehand.

After all, these are professional titles, and they don't necessarily represent actual ability.

"Then why did you come back so quickly?"

Tsunade picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"Isn't the Forest of Death supposed to take five days? Only a few hours have passed?"

"You've cleared the level."

Qingyu put down the teacup.

59

"How did you do that?"

Tsunade was curious.

Qingyu briefly recounted her experience in the Forest of Death.

After listening, Tsunade remained silent for several seconds.

"You're treating the Chunin Ninja Exams like an auction?"

She rubbed her temples, her expression indescribably complex.

This kid has an absolutely amazing talent for making money!

"You even made someone sign an IOU? When did you learn how to do business, you little brat?"

"Sister Tsunade taught well."

Qingyu replied without changing her expression.

Tsunade squinted at him, wanting to tap his forehead.

But then he remembered that Qingyu had a large sum of money, so he suppressed his impulse.

If she loses a lot of money recently, she's hoping to borrow some from Qingyu.

"Never mind, as long as it passed."

Tsunade said.

Then she changed the subject, smiling, and said, "Since you're so capable, then I'll have to cook an even better meal tonight as a reward for you."

Is this a reward?

Qingyu's rant.

No one rewards others by making them work harder.

"Just kidding, of course I'm cooking today."

Tsunade said.

Back when Nawaki was still alive, she always cooked for everyone.

Similarly, this was also the case when Qingyu and Shizune were young.

But now that the two of them are getting older, and since they are both better cooks than her, she cooks less often.

Tsunade stood up from the sofa as she spoke.

Qingyu watched her retreating figure, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Sister Tsunade, let me do it."

"Um?"

Tsunade turned around, leaning one hand against the kitchen door frame, and looked at him with her head tilted to the side. Her long golden hair slipped down her shoulders, and her brown-gold eyes held a hint of dissatisfaction.

"What, you don't like your sister's cooking?"

Her tone carried a hint of teasing threat, but Qingyu could tell that Tsunade was serious.

She's in a good mood today and genuinely wants to cook this meal.

Qingyu smiled, stood up from the chair, walked to the kitchen door, and stood face to face with Tsunade.

He was already a bit taller than Tsunade, and he looked down slightly at her bright and beautiful face.

"Sister Tsunade's cooking is naturally delicious, but I'm worried about Sister Tsunade."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade was taken aback for a moment, but then the feigned displeasure on her face disappeared.

She glanced at Qingyu with a slight smile, then reached out and gently poked his forehead.

"Glib-tongued."

She withdrew her hand, turned and walked into the kitchen, her voice coming from inside, carrying a hint of smugness and satisfaction.

"You usually do so much, it's my turn to do some. Go wait outside, don't get in the way here."

Qingyu was pushed out of the kitchen by her and could only lean against the kitchen door frame, watching Tsunade tie on her apron.

The apron's straps were tied in a knot at her waist, making her already slender waist even more prominent, while the fabric above the apron was stretched into a spectacular arc.

She bent down and took out the ingredients from the refrigerator with nimble movements, her long golden hair swaying gently behind her.

After watching for a while, Qingyu realized that Tsunade really did give off the vibe of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

Yes, she's a good woman.

Qingyu, however, had no idea how Tsunade's cooking skills were now.

You have to understand, the craftsmanship back then wasn't exactly impressive.

To be honest, Tsunade has cooked very few times.

When Tsunade little, she could cook. At that time, Shizune was still small, and Qingyu was not even tall enough to reach the stove. Tsunade would be busy doing everything herself.

But as Qingyu grew older and started taking over the kitchen, Tsunade cooked less and less.

Later, Qingyu awakened his culinary talents, and his cooking skills far surpassed those of ordinary people, so Tsunade simply became a hands-off manager.

I only go into the kitchen to tinker when I'm in a good mood.

It's been so long since I've made it, does that mean I'll just go to heaven if I don't eat it after I make it?

"With my body's regenerative abilities and my mastery of Medical Ninjutsu, even food poisoning is no problem."

Qingyu calmed herself down and then waited outside.

After confirming that Tsunade wouldn't blow up the kitchen, he turned around and sat down on a chair in the living room.

Before long, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Qingyu sniffed and recognized the aromas of several familiar dishes.

Braised saury, miso eggplant, and a bowl of tofu soup.

These are all dishes that Tsunade used to make often, and they were also some of Nawaki's favorite dishes when he was a child.

A little while later, Tsunade came out of the kitchen carrying a tray.

The tray held three dishes and a soup; the presentation wasn't particularly refined, but it looked quite appealing.

Tsunade placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table, then took off her apron and casually draped it over the back of her chair.

With her rounded buttocks seated on the stool, Tsunade looked at Qingyu across the dining table. It seemed that she hadn't cooked in a long time, and Tsunade was actually looking forward to how Qingyu would evaluate her cooking.

She propped her face up with her hands, elbows resting on the table, her brown-gold eyes fixed on Qingyu with a hint of anticipation in them.

Her posture made her already imposing volume appear even more concentrated, squeezed by her elbows.

Qingyu felt that, in a way, Tsunade could be called "Milk Tsunade".

While being tolerant is a good thing, this is perhaps too much.

Qingyu glanced at it out of the corner of her eye, then quickly looked away.

Because next, he was going to start testing the poison.

Qingyu picked up her chopsticks, hesitated between the three dishes, and finally picked up a piece of saury and put it in her mouth.

The moment the fish entered her mouth, Qingyu raised an eyebrow slightly.

To his surprise, it tasted pretty good.

While it doesn't quite reach the level of his dishes after his special abilities are enhanced, it's definitely at a mid-range level for everyday cooking.

Um----

He picked up another piece of miso eggplant with his chopsticks.

"It's really delicious, Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu, who wasn't a picky eater, naturally ate to her heart's content after discovering that she could eat.

Seeing Qingyu enjoying his meal, Tsunade felt satisfied.

Looks like my cooking skills are pretty good after all; this kid is eating so heartily, he can't be faking it.

"Flattery."

On the surface, Tsunade merely raised an eyebrow, appearing completely unperturbed.

But a beautiful smile curved at the corners of her lips.

She picked up her chopsticks and also put a piece of saury into her mouth.

The taste was alright; although it couldn't compare to Qingyu's, it was definitely not bad.

Qingyu looked up and saw the expression on Tsunade's face—clearly happy but pretending not to care—and found it somewhat amusing.

Tsunade being a bit hypocritical.

Qingyu ate a few more bites of rice, then suddenly remembered something, so he put down his chopsticks and looked at Tsunade.

"Sister Tsunade, do you still plan to take on disciples?"

Tsunade paused in her act of picking up food, looked up at him, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Why do you ask that?

Tsunade was curious.

Qingyu got Gate of Opening the point. "It's Lin. She's very talented in Medical Ninjutsu, and I want to teach her some things."