As soon as Morino Ibiki finished speaking, Feng Yao went straight for a Konoha Ninja in front of him, reaching out to grab him.
There was no rule saying they had to steal information. They could take it by force, too. Once the exam began, everyone outside their own team was an enemy.
This exam was even more brutal than the previous one. The Konoha Ninja had a better chance of advancing than ninjas from other countries.
There were more people from Konoha, and they wouldn't rob their own. That meant ninjas from other countries would be eliminated in large numbers.
Hmph, this is so like Danzo, Feng Yao thought, but he had no intention of stopping.
The Konoha Ninja dodged in a panic, but Feng Yao wasn't about to let his prey escape.
He slapped one hand against the desk, launched himself into the air, and kicked the Konoha Ninja straight across the room.
The Konoha Ninja felt as if he'd been hit by a several-hundred-pound hammer.
He slammed hard into the floor, stars swimming before his eyes. By the time he'd come to his senses, Feng Yao was standing in front of him again.
One more heavy punch, and the Konoha Ninja was truly out cold. Without hurrying, Feng Yao pulled the information from the man's clothes and tucked it away.
He didn't even bother looking for somewhere to hide. He simply walked back to his seat as if nothing had happened.
His two teammates hadn't even had time to react. With their information gone, they could only be eliminated.
Zaku and Kin already knew how strong Feng Yao was, so they weren't surprised.
Still, when the whole room's attention turned their way, they couldn't help feeling proud.
Everyone around them reacted at once. Some fought over one another's information, while others scattered, leaped out the windows, and looked for chances to steal it.
But for a while, no one dared to go after Feng Yao. His decisive, ruthless moves had stunned them.
Nearby, Gaara used sand to trap three Konoha Ninja who were trying to leave, then took their information with ease.
He followed Feng Yao's example and returned to his seat.
Morino Ibiki frowned when he saw that.
These kids are strong. Even if they managed to get the information, they shouldn't be able to sit here so openly.
As time passed, more and more people seized information from other teams, and the number of examinees dwindled.
About half an hour later, several Rain Country ninjas entered the classroom.
"Hmph, we couldn't find where those guys were hiding. Hey, Sound Ninja over there, hand over the information you've got."
The scar-faced leader glared at Feng Yao as he spoke.
He'd thought it over. He might not be able to beat the kid who used sand, but this Sound Ninja hadn't done anything remarkable so far. He'd just been the first to make a move. Maybe he was all bark and no bite.
Kin stepped forward. "Shut your mouth. I'll be your opponent."
Just as the Rain Ninja team was preparing to charge in and take the information by force, Gaara attacked first.
The sand from his gourd surrounded the three of them and lifted them into the air.
In a cold voice, he warned them, "If you dare take another step toward Mr. Tōsu, I'll kill you!"
Terrifying bloodlust enveloped the three of them.
At last, he'd found a little peace of mind and someone who valued him. It was all thanks to Feng Yao. Now these foolhardy Rain Ninja dared to attack someone he cared about.
Just as the three Rain Ninja were about to be crushed—
"That's enough. Killing is forbidden during the first test. If you do it, I'll disqualify you."
"Hmph."
Gaara snorted, stopped, and pulled back his sand.
Morino Ibiki's intervention had saved the three Rain Ninja. When they hit the ground, they were overwhelmed with relief at having survived.
Temari and Kankuro couldn't believe their eyes. Gaara had actually stepped in to help someone else, and he seemed to respect the bandage-wrapped guy, too.
They even wondered if they were seeing things. Was this really Gaara?
Outside, things were just as brutal.
"Damn Konoha! Several teams ganged up on us!"
"That's shameless! We should join forces, too!"
"Almost all the ninjas from the other countries have been eliminated by Konoha!"
Amid the protests, the hour was up. Everyone gradually returned to the classroom, and there were far fewer people than before.
The main Konoha cast had all advanced. Unlike what Feng Yao remembered, only twenty teams remained this time.
Most of them were from Konoha.
The numbers of ninjas from several smaller countries had taken a heavy hit.
Many wore angry expressions. Nearly all of them had been ambushed by Konoha Ninja, and some had even been attacked by several teams at once, all fighting to take their information. It was an utterly unfair selection process.
Morino Ibiki saw their expressions and sighed inwardly, but this was the Hokage's order. He couldn't disobey it.
A figure burst in through the window. Two Kunai struck the corners of the classroom, and a huge black banner unfurled.
"I'm Mitaraishi Anko, the proctor for the second exam. Don't celebrate too soon. The next test is waiting for you! Follow me."
The room fell silent. Anko's face became a little hard to keep straight, and her cheeks flushed.
Only after several Chunin instructors led them out did they arrive at a forest enclosed by an enormous metal fence.
Anko stopped at the gate. Her expression turned frightening as she said, "This is Konoha's Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death."
Looking at the vast forest before him, Feng Yao fell into thought.
His actions had led to Danzo taking power, and even the exam had changed so drastically. It was obvious that Danzo didn't want ninjas from other countries to advance. Who knew what would happen in the second exam? Someone like Danzo wouldn't make things this simple.
Feng Yao briefly surveyed the area. He had a vague sense that there were more Anbu Ninja around than usual. There was no way so many Anbu would be assigned just to keep the examinees safe. What were they really planning?
"Before we begin, please sign these consent forms. Someone might die, so we need your consent in advance."
After everyone had signed, preparations for the second exam were complete.
Feng Yao also spotted Orochimaru's team, disguised as Grass Ninja. Wearing a straw hat, Orochimaru was reminiscing with his former student, Anko.
He'd even stuck out that unmistakable long tongue. It was remarkable that Anko hadn't recognized him at once.
The rules for the second exam were just as Feng Yao remembered: there were two scrolls, "Heaven" and "Earth." To advance, a team had to collect both and reach the High Tower.
"Follow the officials at each entrance. Examinees, go in through your assigned entrances. The second exam is about to begin."
Anko's voice rang in every examinee's ears.
Everyone rushed into the training ground. Soon after they entered, many Anbu members followed them inside. Anko didn't stop them, but her expression darkened when she saw them.
"I'll take the scroll. I'll find the other one and meet up with you. Head to the central tower without me."
After entering, Feng Yao gave Kin and Zaku another order. He had things to take care of and couldn't let the two of them get in his way.
"Yes, Mr. Tōsu."
Feng Yao had received the Scroll of Heaven. To advance, he had to find the matching Earth Scroll.
The forest was vast. Taking another team's scroll didn't necessarily mean fighting them head-on; he could ambush them, too. After traveling for a little over two hours, Feng Yao encountered the first group lying in wait for him.
A sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
More than a dozen Kunai suddenly shot toward him, accompanied by a trap beneath his feet. Someone had set an ambush here.
Feng Yao stepped back, bit his finger, rapidly formed Hand Seals, and slapped his palm against the ground.
Summoning Technique: Silver Moon Wolf!
A wolf king with white fur, nearly as large as an elephant, appeared beneath Feng Yao.
He'd managed to arrange the contract through the Katsuyu Sage. The wolf was incredibly fast and had powerful tracking abilities.
"Go on. Bring them here."
Feng Yao spoke calmly. Aside from a few exceptions, everyone taking the Chunin Exam was only at ordinary Genin level. They posed no challenge to his summon.
The wolf king threw back its head and howled, then disappeared into the forest at once.
"Ah! What is that thing?"
"Please, don't kill me!"
After several piercing screams, the Silver Moon Wolf returned with the bodies of three people in its jaws, before even half a cup of tea had passed.
They were three Konoha Ninja. Feng Yao searched their clothes and found exactly the Earth Scroll his team needed.
He put away the scroll and was about to leave when the Silver Moon Wolf suddenly sensed something. It growled toward the area behind Feng Yao.
Without turning around, Feng Yao asked coldly, "Who ordered you to kill me?"
Before you continue