Hand It Over

(Chapter 5: Hand It Over)

After a while, everyone arrived at a location outside a massive forest. The perimeter was enclosed by iron bars and plastered with sealing tags. The trees within were incredibly tall, reaching dozens of meters into the air, and so lush that even the sounds of battle would not carry very far.

The lead instructor spoke up: "This is the site for this graduation exam: Training Ground 44, a forest with a ten-kilometer radius. Ninjas must be tested on their ability to adapt to the field and handle on-site contingencies. This forest contains all sorts of dangers. You must pass through the jungle and reach the tower in the center before dusk to complete the first stage."

"Of course, the mission isn't that simple. There are Heaven Scrolls and Earth Scrolls here. Each person will be assigned one at random. You must seize the opposing scroll from others to form a pair; only then will you be recognized as having passed the first stage. There are 44 entrances in total. We will draw lots shortly to determine your entry point. Now, line up one by one to draw your entry number and collect your scroll."

Mirai was slightly stunned by this requirement. This familiar format was exactly what appeared in the second round of the Chunin Exams. However, back then it was a three-person team, while now it was individual. Could it be that the Chunin Exam format originated from here?

Mikazuki Sora said to Mirai, "I didn't expect this kind of examination method. At least half the people are going to be eliminated."

"Perhaps more. Those remaining might not even be a third," Uchiha Itachi remarked.

Mirai looked at Mikazuki Sora with a solemn expression and said, "Sora, if you encounter an opponent who is truly strong, don't push yourself. There is no shame in losing; your safety is what matters most."

Mikazuki Sora nodded and said, "Mm, I understand."

Mirai flashed a smile and said, "Alright, let's all do our best. Hopefully, we can all pass together."

"Mm!" Uchiha Itachi and Mikazuki Sora nodded in unison.

Then, the group began to line up to draw their entry numbers and scrolls. Mirai's scroll was a Heaven Scroll, and he was to enter Training Ground 44 through Gate 44. What an unlucky number.

Uchiha Itachi was assigned to Gate 10, and Mikazuki Sora to Gate 5. All three were assigned to different entrances, leaving them no chance to assist one another.

When Mirai arrived at Gate 44, he saw a familiar face: the blue-haired delinquent who had clashed with him earlier. Damn it! He didn't know if this was good luck or bad, but it seemed like the heavens were insisting he teach this guy a lesson.

Just as Mirai spotted the blue-haired delinquent, the delinquent spotted him too. The blue-haired boy looked at Mirai with a sinister grin and said, "Kid, your luck really is terrible to be assigned with me. You dared to call me a dog earlier; let's see who can protect you now."

Mirai smiled and shook his head. "No, no, I don't think my luck is bad. I originally thought drawing number 44 sounded quite unlucky, but after seeing you, I realize my luck is actually pretty good."

"What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking that it would be awkward to rob people I don't know, since that would be stealing their chance to graduate and become a ninja. But I won't feel any guilt at all about robbing you."

"You arrogant bastard! You want to take the scroll from my hands? I'll make sure you taste pain and regret!" the blue-haired boy said with a twisted expression.

"Alright, time is up. If you want to settle personal grudges, go inside and do it. Private fighting is not allowed here," a ninja responsible for guarding the gate told Mirai and the blue-haired boy.

"Yes!"

Mirai ignored the blue-haired delinquent, walked through the gate, and headed toward the center. The blue-haired delinquent followed closely behind him. Noticing this, Mirai's lips curled slightly as he continued to press forward.

After a while, Mirai found a relatively open area and stopped. The blue-haired delinquent landed not far behind him. "Kid, aren't you going to keep running? Have you given up?"

"No, I just think this place is perfect. You want to teach me a lesson, and I want to take your scroll; we need a suitable venue. This place is great—very spacious."

"Ha! I thought you had some trap or scheme, but you're actually foolish enough to want a head-on duel with me? Fine, let me teach you a good lesson before I take your scroll! I'll show you just how big the gap is between a third-year and a first-year! Remember my name: I am Sanmu!" The blue-haired delinquent shouted as he charged at Mirai, kunai in hand.

"Puchi—!" A spray of blood erupted from Mirai's chest. A smile appeared on the blue-haired boy's face, thinking: As expected of a first-year, he couldn't keep up with my speed at all.

Suddenly, with a "Poof—!", a cloud of smoke appeared, and the blue-haired boy's kunai was embedded in a wooden log.

"Substitution Technique! When?" The blue-haired boy was stunned; he hadn't seen Mirai perform any hand seals.

Mirai's voice suddenly sounded from behind Sanmu. "Sorry, telling me your name is useless. I have no impression of ugly things; I can't remember what you look like at all."

"Behind me!" Without turning his head, the blue-haired delinquent identified Mirai's position by sound and flung several shuriken backward. "Swish, swish!" The shuriken sliced through the air.

"Thud, thud, thud!" They all embedded themselves into the tree trunk.

"Sorry, you guessed wrong. I'm above you," Mirai's voice rang out from above the blue-haired boy's head. The boy was startled; the area above his head was extremely dangerous. If he were ambushed from there, he would be defeated. He didn't even know when Mirai had appeared there.

He looked up to see Mirai standing upside down on a branch with his arms crossed, looking down at him with a mocking gaze, which made him furious.

"Bastard!" The blue-haired boy threw the kunai in his hand at Mirai. Mirai extended two fingers and caught the kunai aimed at him firmly.

Mirai smiled and said, "So this is the gap between a third-year student and a first-year? I've seen it now. However, I'm bored. Please, hand over your scroll."