Konoha Kidnapping Plan!

Inside Class 1-A of the Konoha Ninja Academy.

Everyone's face held a hint of anticipation.

Even the usually composed Nara Shikamaru was discussing the arrangements for today's trial with Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Choji.

Only Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto remained seated steadily in their places.

Sasuke was one thing.

After all, he always maintained this posture whenever he was at the academy.

But Naruto?!

That guy had been the loudest one shouting earlier, so why had he become so quiet now that it was time to set off?

Soon, Hinata walked over.

"Neji has already made the arrangements on his side."

"Do we still need to prepare anything on our end?!"

Hinata's voice was naturally soft, and since she was speaking about secret matters, it was even quieter.

Fortunately, both Sasuke and Naruto had keen senses, so they could hear her clearly.

"Naruto, you and Hinata go invite Kiba and Shino."

"I'll go invite Shikamaru and the others."

After Sasuke finished speaking, he turned to look at Shikamaru in the back row.

As for Sakura... forget it, he really didn't want to ask her along.

"We heard what you two were just talking about."

"Uchiha Sasuke, we aren't exactly friends, you..."

"So, are you joining or not?"

Before Shikamaru could finish, Sasuke cut him off.

This left Shikamaru, who had a belly full of words, nearly choking on them.

"Not participating."

Shikamaru waved his hand decisively.

He had absolutely no interest in activities that, while still unknown, were clearly going to be troublesome.

He just wanted to finish the trial properly and didn't want to get involved in anything else...

"Is that so?"

"Choji, join our plan."

"I can't tell you what it is yet, but I can treat you to all-you-can-eat barbecue after this trial ends!"

Sasuke looked at Choji, who was currently eating potato chips, with a playful expression.

"What!?"

Choji stood up immediately, his face filled with disbelief.

"Of course, I can also give you a hundred bags of limited-edition potato chips; I've already bought them."

"As long as you nod, I'll give them to you then."

Sasuke added more fuel to the fire.

Choji, who had been hesitating, instantly reached out and grabbed Sasuke's hand.

"I'm in."

Choji nodded with a serious expression.

As for Shikamaru... sorry about that.

"Good."

"Ino, do you want to join our plan?"

Sasuke looked at Ino, who was standing to the side.

According to the setup, Ino still had a crush on him at this time.

She likely wouldn't refuse his invitation.

"Sasuke, I've finished my side."

"I also invited Sakura, and she agreed to join our plan."

Just then, Naruto's voice rang in Sasuke's ear.

This guy...

As expected...

"I'm joining too."

Just as Sasuke's head was throbbing, Ino's reply arrived.

"Fine."

"Then it's decided."

"As for Shikamaru, he should agree once he hears our plan."

"Alright, that's it. Once we leave the village, follow what's written here."

After saying this, Sasuke handed a small scroll to the others.

He then returned to his seat.

Choji carefully opened his scroll, and Shikamaru, overcome with curiosity, couldn't help but peek over.

[Konoha Kidnapping Plan!]

Seeing those six large characters, Shikamaru instantly perked up.

A task like this required not only a high IQ but also unified action.

He wanted to see just how far this makeshift team could go.

Soon, Mizuki arrived in the classroom with two other teachers.

"Everyone, quiet down. I'm going to explain the points you need to pay attention to for this trial."

"The place we are going to is an undeveloped primeval forest."

"There are many poisonous insects and wild beasts inside; that is the first thing you must be aware of."

"At the same time, we have provided you with identification information. Do not lose it; losing it means failing this trial."

"Finally, your trial results will also be based on this."

"Because upperclassmen are participating this time, we will have two forms of identification."

Mizuki began his explanation, but the class's reaction was no longer as enthusiastic.

The nine of them, led by Sasuke, didn't care about the trial's details at all.

Watching Sasuke's indifferent expression, jealousy flared up in Mizuki's heart once again.

In his eyes, Sasuke was just someone born with a better background.

How dare he be so arrogant.

After today, it would be the day Mizuki finally soared.

By then, he would become a great ninja who would shake the entire Ninja World!

Once the briefing was over, everyone gathered at the school gate.

Led by the ninja teachers, they began to head out of the village.

Inside the Hokage Office.

"Lord Hokage, I wish to leave the village to protect Sasuke."

Itachi found Hiruzen Sarutobi with a mission application in hand.

His previous mission had been to mentor Sasuke.

However, today, when he prepared to leave the village under that mission, he was blocked.

Simply put, he needed Hiruzen Sarutobi to grant an additional exit permit.

Otherwise, Itachi's mission would be restricted to within the village.

"Itachi, rest assured. With Asuma and the others overseeing this trial, nothing will go wrong."

"I have other matters that require your attention."

"Recently, Danzo..."

Itachi eventually walked out of the Hokage Office, feeling somewhat helpless.

He hadn't obtained the permit, and he had been saddled with an extra mission instead.

After leaving the village, everyone felt that everything outside was incredibly fresh.

Even just walking outside, they felt the air they breathed was different from that in the village.

The vitality of youth was on full display at this moment.

At noon, the group arrived at their destination.

"Chuanjian, your physical fitness is too poor; you have lost the ability to continue participating in the trial. Eliminated!"

"Naibai, because you rushed too fast just now, you fell into a trap and suffered a fractured lower leg. You have lost the ability to continue participating in the trial. Eliminated!"

"Roy..."

Hardly had they reached their destination when a portion of the students lost their eligibility for the trial due to various reasons.

Fully half of the first-year students were disqualified.

"Teacher Mizuki, we'll take the students and head into the forest first."

"Once you've made your arrangements, catch up."

Asuma finished speaking and immediately led the senior students into the forest.

Their goal this time was to crush the freshmen!

"Everyone can see that the senior students have already entered the forest."

"Next, we will specifically..."

Mizuki slowly read out the rules.

Simply put, the objective was to cross the forest and reach the encampment.

During the crossing, there would be traps, wild beasts... these were points to be aware of.

The criteria for judging superiority would be based on speed.

The Freshman Trial had begun!