Karin, a Crucial Part of the Plan

The next day, at 2:30 p.m.

Ryusuke left home and arrived at Team 8's usual meeting spot, then headed to the Death Forest with Aburame Shino and Hinata.

On the way, Aburame Shino shared his analysis. "The 44th Training Grounds, also known as the Death Forest, is one of Konoha's prohibited training areas. Rumor has it that it contains a primeval forest filled with wild beasts and poisonous insects."

"After I went back yesterday, I looked into the training grounds a little. The forest is surrounded by iron fencing and has a total of forty-four entrances. At its center stands a building called the Central Tower. Each entrance is exactly 10,000 meters away from that tower—ten kilometers."

"Unless something unexpected happens, that Central Tower should be the finish line for the second exam."

"As for the exam itself, if it is not a race, then we will likely need to gather certain items in the forest and bring them to the Central Tower to pass."

"If all examinees are truly thrown into the forest to collect mission items, then we will definitely encounter other examinees during the second exam. There may even be battles."

Ryusuke looked at Aburame Shino in surprise.

That was a very close guess. As expected of the most mysterious and reliable character in the early series!

So, Ryusuke gave them a slight "spoiler." "When yesterday's exam ended, the chief examiner said she wanted to eliminate at least half of us. If we really have to collect mission items, then there should only be enough items for half the examinees in the forest. This exam will very likely be about fighting over items and killing each other."

"Mm."

Aburame Shino nodded. "If that is the case, then this exam is highly advantageous for us."

"Leave the sensing to you two, Shino and Hinata."

"Yes!"

As they chatted, Team 8 reached the outside of the Death Forest and soon found the gathering point.

Most of the examinees had already arrived.

Anko Mitarashi was eating dango while directing the team of proctors to set up a shed. It was unclear what it was for.

Once there were twenty minutes left before the exam began and all the examinees had arrived, Anko Mitarashi began explaining the contents and rules of the exam.

The second exam was a battle for scrolls.

There were two kinds of scrolls: the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll.

Each team would receive one scroll at random, then seize scrolls from other teams in the forest. Only by gathering both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reaching the Central Tower could they pass the second exam.

The exam would last 120 hours—five days.

While Anko Mitarashi explained the rules, her casual attitude of talking while eating greatly irritated Naruto, who shared her temperament. He could not resist copying her in provocation, only to be taught a lesson by Anko Mitarashi with a skewer, leaving him with quite a bit of trauma.

This little incident also gave Orochimaru and Anko Mitarashi, master and disciple, a long-awaited reunion—one that only the master knew about.

"There are ten minutes left. Come over and sign the death consent forms."

Anko Mitarashi smiled mockingly. "Of course, if you are afraid of dying, you can turn around and go home now."

Having already learned just how nasty this chief examiner's personality was, the examinees did not get angry.

Thus, each team lined up before the shed and signed their names on the death consent forms.

Then, the captain of each team entered a tent to collect their scroll.

After receiving their scroll, Team 8 followed a proctor to one of the forty-four entrances and waited for the exam to begin.

When only ten seconds remained, the proctors standing at the forty-four entrances opened the locks on the gates one after another.

Anko Mitarashi's voice rang out over the loudspeakers once more.

"The second exam of the Chunin Exams—begin!"

As Anko Mitarashi's voice fell, the examinees at all forty-four entrances immediately rushed into the forest, either using ninja running or flickering forward as blurs into the trees.

Of course, some teams entered at an unhurried walking pace.

Ryusuke's group was among the latter.

"Hinata, I'll leave the Earth Scroll with you."

Ryusuke handed the scroll to Hinata. "Use your Byakugan to find targets, but do not rush to attack. Let them fight each other for a while first, or wait for them to come to us on their own."

"Yes."

Hinata nodded obediently.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Ryusuke formed hand seals with both hands and created three Shadow Clones.

The instant the three Shadow Clones appeared, they shot off in different directions.

Seeing this, Aburame Shino could not help asking, "Ryusuke, are you going to find Team 7 and Team 10?"

"Mm."

Ryusuke nodded. "Forgive my selfishness, Shino. I am a little worried about them."

That was a lie!

Ryusuke's Shadow Clones were indeed looking for Ino and Sakura, but that was merely incidental.

He knew very well that neither girl would come to any harm!

The person Ryusuke was mainly searching for was Karin—one of the three ultimate simps, ranked alongside Obito Uchiha and Sakura.

She was a crucial part of Ryusuke's plan, and he had to get to her before Sasuke Uchiha did!

Naturally, Aburame Shino did not know what Ryusuke was thinking.

Hearing Ryusuke's slightly apologetic words, he shook his head. "It is fine. There is no reward for finishing this exam quickly anyway. With Hinata's Byakugan here, do whatever you want."

"Thanks, Shino."

Ryusuke could not help patting Aburame Shino on the shoulder.

Then, the three of them continued walking at a leisurely pace.

Hinata kept her Byakugan active at all times, observing their surroundings and reporting everything within a one-kilometer radius to Ryusuke.

During that time, quite a few examinees from nearby entrances found Ryusuke's group with Sensing Techniques.

However, the moment they saw it was Ryusuke, they immediately fled with the Body Flicker Technique, even faster than when they had come.

Ryusuke's group did not pursue them.

Of course, not everyone feared Ryusuke.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Three blurred figures appeared atop the branches of a large tree. Looking down at Team 8, who were strolling along as though they had come for a wilderness camping trip, they formed hand seals to launch a sneak attack.

At that moment, Ryusuke suddenly looked up at them.

In an instant, all three widened their eyes. Their bodies trembled faintly, as though they were struggling desperately to break free from something, but to no avail.

This was the—Body Freeze Technique!

"Gentle Fist Art: Air Palm!"

Hinata rushed out and fired three successive bursts of distorted air toward the trio.

Unable to move, the three could only serve as stationary targets. Struck by the blasts of air, they all spat blood and crashed to the ground.

Their bodies slammed heavily into the earth. Already suffering from chakra attacks on their internal organs, their internal injuries became even worse.

However, it was not over yet.

Several insects crawled onto their necks and burrowed into their bodies, swiftly devouring their chakra.

In just a few seconds, they went from full health to the brink of death.

Had the examinees who ran away seen this scene, they would surely have felt incredibly fortunate that they had fled so quickly and made the right choice.

Ryusuke said speechlessly, "Idiots like these did not even choose to withdraw during the first exam. It seems being hotheaded has its advantages too."

Knowing full well that they had a Byakugan user on their side, they still dared to launch a sneak attack from the shadows.

The three of them reminded Ryusuke of the Demon Brothers. A brain really was a good thing.