"Crack!" "Crack!" ...
Several branches snapped in the forest.
The next moment!
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" ...
Several pitch-black flashes shot straight from all directions among the tree trunks, converging on a single spot.
At once, miserable screams rang out from a huge pitfall trap on the ground in the distance!
On the other side of the trees, a black-haired boy with his hair tied back and a blonde girl lit up with delight upon hearing those screams. Excitement showed on their faces as they cried out.
"We did it!"
They hurried toward that direction, shouting as they ran.
"Choji, are you okay!?"
Hearing their calls, a slightly chubby boy on the other side of the dense tree trunks cautiously pulled a Kunai from his body.
The fat on his body trembled slightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he said softly.
"I'm fine. I just got hit by a Kunai by accident..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shikamaru and Ino had already arrived at his side. Ino did not stop to inspect his injury, instead hurrying to the nearby trap to check the casualties inside.
Shikamaru, meanwhile, knelt on the ground and carefully bandaged Choji's wound. His expression was slightly grave, though he teased him lightly.
"This time, we really have your extra fat to thank. Otherwise, the wound probably would've gone all the way to the bone... Looks like not losing weight is an advantage for you too, Choji..."
Hearing Shikamaru's words, Choji merely smiled. He forced a faint smile onto his pale face, slowly held up three fingers, then changed them to four, and said quietly.
"Since I got hurt this time, when we get back after the exam, Asuma-sensei has to treat us to grilled meat three times... no... it has to be four times!"