This test in the Forest of Death had exposed the shortcomings of many examinees. Some were bad at working with others, some were bad at staying hidden, and some simply weren't strong enough. The exam rules Dan Katō announced at the end had undoubtedly given many of them hope...
Whether or not they had obtained both the Yin and Yang Scrolls, as long as they managed to reach the Tower of Death in the end, they still had a chance to become Genin. The only difference was how good that chance was. Perhaps that was the purpose of this exam: besides uncovering their weaknesses, it also let them experience the spirit of never giving up until the very last moment!
The Tower of Death test was declared over on the afternoon of the seventh day. After it ended, two Anbu Ninjas wearing animal masks and beige trench coats found Sato Hideaka and took him to a room in the Tower of Death, where they recorded some information.
The record concerned Sato Hideaka's accidental killing of two people and wounding of six in the Forest of Death. Although the Genin Exam had no explicit rule forbidding murder, a statement still had to be filed.
His record of killing might have been an important factor in Sato Hideaka earning an "Excellent" rating. Being a ninja meant being prepared to kill. Even kindhearted people like Yakushi Nonō still killed.
No ninja could escape bloodshed and killing. To kill or be killed was the fate of a ninja!
When Sato Hideaka walked out of the room, he happened to run into Uchiha Kaoru, Uchiha Kenichi, Hyuga Ningbo, and the others, who were also coming out of other rooms. Clearly, they had killing records too.
The Genin Exam had finally ended. Standing beneath the Tower of Death, Sato Hideaka stretched and took a deep breath of the forest air. He lifted his foot, ready to leave with Yuhi Kurenai and Hyuga Ningxiang, but at that moment, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him.
Sato Hideaka didn't react in time. He suddenly caught a faint fragrance, then a cool, detached female voice sounded beside his ear. "Ghost, I've always treated you as a worthy opponent. Don't disappoint me when we compete in a month."
It was Uchiha Kaoru. She was so fast!
Sato Hideaka's pupils contracted, and he nearly broke out in a cold sweat. She had appeared beside him in an instant, yet his body hadn't reacted at all. If she had come at him with a Kunai, wouldn't he have been killed on the spot?
Looking at her delicate, exquisitely beautiful face, Sato Hideaka felt a chill rise in his heart. The speed Uchiha Kaoru had just shown was far beyond what she'd displayed when they fought in the Forest of Death.
In other words, Uchiha Kaoru had held back when they fought. Her true purpose in that battle had probably been to learn about his Lava Release and Crystal Release. What a terrifying girl!
Hyuga Ningbo, standing beside Hyuga Ningxiang, furrowed his brow, his expression turning grim. Uchiha Kaoru's sudden burst of speed had clearly changed how he viewed his opponent. That speed seemed to surpass that of an ordinary Chunin.
"You think of me as your opponent? Uchiha big sister, I think you've got the wrong person. How could I possibly be your match? If you're looking for an opponent, then surely it should be Hyuga Ningbo, a prodigy from the Hyuga Clan, another of Konoha's great clans!" Sato Hideaka gave a dry laugh and pointed at Hyuga Ningbo beside him.
"Lava Release, Crystal Release, and exceptional talent for ninjutsu. You're the only one who can truly threaten me, Ghost. Don't disappoint me..."
At Sato Hideaka's words, Uchiha Kaoru glanced at Hyuga Ningbo and gave a faint, contemptuous smile. After whispering those words in Sato Hideaka's ear, she turned and led the Uchiha Clan examinees away.
Watching the Uchiha Clan's group disappear into the distance, Sato Hideaka sighed softly. To be honest, he didn't want to be Uchiha Kaoru's opponent, because so far, he hadn't seen her trump card.
But she had already learned all about his fighting style, tactics, and abilities during their previous battle. Since he was already weaker than her, and she knew more about him than he knew about her, his odds in a real match would be slim!
Under the staff's guidance, the examinees from the Forest of Death took a shortcut and made their way out of the forest. Sato Hideaka and his group reached Konoha's gates and entered the prosperous, peaceful village under the watchful eyes of the guards.
Hyuga Ningxiang had been eager to visit Sato Hideaka's home, but the stern-faced Hyuga Ningbo grabbed her by the back of the collar and dragged her back to the Hyuga Clan's compound. Perhaps he was also troubled by Hyuga Ningxiang's lack of family pride and decorum.
The examinees returned to their homes or to the inns where they were staying. Sato Hideaka and Yuhi Kurenai walked along Konoha's busiest street, and before long, they were the only examinees their age left together...
In the glow of the setting sun, the two, who barely reached an adult's waist, threaded through the crowd like a pair of childhood sweethearts. Passersby kept glancing at them, and some girls their age even pointed them out and giggled softly with their friends!
Yuhi Kurenai glanced sideways at Sato Hideaka. He was walking straight ahead with both hands behind his head, his gaze fixed forward as if he were thinking about something. His blue hair fluttered in the breeze. Though his face was delicate and fragile, almost like a girl's, to Yuhi Kurenai he seemed incredibly dependable.
During their few days in the Forest of Death, Sato Hideaka's thoughts, strategies, tactics, vigilance, and carefully planned maneuvers had all shown a maturity beyond his age. Yuhi Kurenai even felt that Sato Hideaka, two years younger than her, was more mature and reliable.
That left the competitive, spirited, and stubborn Yuhi Kurenai feeling a little discouraged!
Feeling Yuhi Kurenai's gaze fixed on him, Sato Hideaka turned and saw her staring blankly at him. He waved his right hand in front of her jewel-like eyes. "Kurenai, what's wrong? Why are you spacing out while walking down the street?"
"...Spacing out? I-I wasn't! I was just thinking about something. R-right, I was trying to guess what the Genin written exam will be about in thirteen days." Yuhi Kurenai recoiled like a startled rabbit. Her face suddenly flushed, and she stammered.
"Oh, really? You think I'll believe that?"
Sato Hideaka slowly moved closer, his eyes glinting strangely as he looked at Yuhi Kurenai, who couldn't meet his gaze. He asked her slowly, one word at a time. Teasing the little Yuhi Kurenai, who would grow into a mature, beautiful woman someday, was pretty fun in a situation this boring.
As Sato Hideaka drew closer, Yuhi Kurenai's heart raced even faster. Her cheeks were rosy, and she backed away step by step, eyes timid.
"Hideaka, Hideaka..."
Just then, a familiar voice called from nearby. Sato Hideaka looked toward it and saw a woman of about twenty standing amid the flow of people. She wore a nun's habit and black, round-framed glasses, and she held a cake in her arms. Her eyes were filled with delight as she looked at him.
It was Nonō—Yakushi Nonō!
Joy, excitement, and happiness welled up inside Sato Hideaka. Seeing Yakushi Nonō safe and sound finally let him put his worries to rest. Just as the Third Hokage had promised, although she had betrayed Root, Yakushi Nonō hadn't come to any harm...