Forest of Death

That evening, after dinner, Zeyu sat at his desk in his room, organizing his ninja tools and contemplating the current situation.

"We have to enter the Forest of Death tomorrow, so I need to be fully prepared."

"Orochimaru and Gaara are both troublesome individuals. While I don't fear them now, if I encounter them, I'll have to go all out, which will expose my trump cards."

"It will attract attention."

"Danzo is the most immediate threat."

"Danzo has 'Root,' and if they attack together, it will still be a bit difficult. Plus, there's that one use of Kotoamatsukami, which I can't afford to ignore."

"It's not the thief you fear, but the thief who remembers you."

"I've practiced almost all the ninjutsu I can, but I can't use them. It's truly frustrating."

Zeyu sighed, picked up a kunai, twirled it a couple of times, and casually threw it behind him. The kunai hit the bullseye on the target on the wall.

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he appeared in front of the target, retrieved the kunai, and put it in his pocket.

The next day, all the examinees gathered at the entrance of the Forest of Death.

Before it began, Zeyu, along with Megumi and Shota, found Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.

The group formed a circle, looking at Zeyu.

Kiba: "Zeyu, what did you want to say? You're being so mysterious."

Hinata: "Zeyu-kun must have something important to tell us, right? What is it?"

Megumi: "What are you up to now?"

Shota: "Megumi, let Zeyu speak first."

Shino: "..."

Zeyu clasped his hands on his chest and said sternly.

"Well, it's nothing much, just telling everyone to be careful and cautious about everything."

His body didn't move, but his gaze shifted to Gaara not far away, and he continued.

"Especially the one with the gourd. If you happen to run into him, run away immediately. Do not engage him."

As he spoke, everyone's attention turned to Gaara in the distance, though they didn't look directly at him.

Kiba: "Ah, that guy looks like trouble just by looking at him."

Hinata: "Mhm, I understand, Zeyu-kun. Thank you."

Shino: "Interesting."

Megumi: "Is it that exaggerated?"

Shota: "That guy feels pretty strong. I really want to fight him."

Zeyu broke out in a sweat and said.

"Anyway, Shota, with your current strength, you can't beat him. I can only say that you might die a good-looking death."

Shota looked unconvinced.

Suddenly, Gaara in the distance noticed them and looked over, his eyes meeting Shota's.

Gaara's cold gaze startled Shota, who broke out in a cold sweat. He immediately averted his gaze and mechanically turned his head to look at Zeyu, a wronged expression on his face.

Zeyu said helplessly.

"What's wrong? Scared by just a look? Weren't you just wanting to fight someone?"

Shota gave an awkward laugh and scratched his head.

Zeyu looked at Shota, then turned his gaze to Gaara, who was also looking at Zeyu.

Their eyes met, sharp and intense, both staring intently at each other.

The people around them were discussing other matters.

But from their perspective, everything around them went quiet, and the air seemed to freeze.

Hinata noticed the tense atmosphere and stepped forward, taking Zeyu's hand, looking at him with concern.

Zeyu broke eye contact, reached out, and patted Hinata's head.

He looked at Hinata with a smile.

"Are you okay, Zeyu-kun?" Hinata asked.

"Mhm, don't worry. Hinata, be careful later and stay safe," Zeyu said.

Just then, Anko loudly summoned the ninjas present, and everyone turned to look at her.

Zeyu glanced at the three Grass Ninjas a little ahead and looked at one of them, who was taller and had a purple rope tied around his waist.

"Is that Orochimaru? He'll go find Sasuke right at the beginning. Should I go help him?"

Zeyu withdrew his gaze and pondered. At this moment, Gaara in the distance also glanced at Zeyu, lost in thought.

As Anko explained the rules, had them sign the death pacts, and distributed the Heaven and Earth scrolls, the various teams proceeded to their designated entrances according to their numbers.

At Anko's command, the entrances swung open, and the teams eagerly rushed inside.

Zeyu wasn't in any hurry, strolling leisurely into the Forest of Death.

Shota, watching Zeyu's unhurried pace from behind, grew anxious.

"Hey, Zeyu, why are you taking a walk now? Hurry up, I can't wait!"

Zeyu ignored Shota, hands in his pockets, walking on his own.

Megumi, standing beside them, sighed helplessly.

"Brother, forget it, what's the rush?"

"Right, what's the rush?" Zeyu said, stopping and closing his eyes.

He activated the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, his divine sense spreading far into the distance, veins bulging on his forehead.

The two beside him stared at Zeyu, utterly bewildered.

"Zeyu, what are you doing? Sleeping?" Shota asked.

"No way, Zeyu, the exam is happening right now," Megumi said, sweating.

It wasn't their fault; Zeyu had never used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura in front of others, and he hadn't intended to let anyone know. But since the exam required the three of them to stay together for five days, there was no way he could keep it hidden.

"Ah, found them," Zeyu said, while the two beside him looked on in confusion.

"Let's go, Megumi, Shota." As soon as he spoke, Zeyu leaped away.

Megumi and Shota exchanged glances, not understanding, and followed him.

I won't go towards Sasuke's side. According to the original plot, Orochimaru will rush over as soon as the exam begins and plant the curse mark on Sasuke.

If I go there, I'll inevitably have to fight. I could clash with Orochimaru now, but there's no need for it, and I'd just draw his attention.

Zeyu thought as he hurried along.

I'll go find Hinata first. Hinata will encounter Gaara not long after the exam starts and will almost be killed. Even though I warned her beforehand, I'm still worried.

Zeyu patted the Heaven scroll in his pocket and thought.

Scrolls and such, I'll worry about them later. Hinata is more important.

Just then, Shota caught up, asking with a face full of confusion, "Zeyu, why did you suddenly run off? Where are we going?"

Zeyu was about to answer when

Megumi also caught up and said, "Do I even need to ask? He's definitely going to find Hinata."

"Megumi understands me quite well," Zeyu said with a light laugh.

Megumi scoffed dismissively.

Then she turned to Shota and said, "Shota, don't you want to fight? Shall I take you to fight?"

Shota's eyes lit up at the mention of a fight.

"Yes, yes, I can't wait!"

So, the group quickened their pace, darting rapidly through the forest.

Halfway there, Zeyu suddenly stopped, and Megumi and Shota also halted.

He gestured for them to be quiet, and they understood, falling silent and paying attention to their surroundings.

At that moment, three people burst out from the grass on the ground and headed in one direction. After they left, Zeyu was about to signal the other two to continue on their way when

he turned and saw Shota looking at him with excitement.

Zeyu immediately knew what Shota was thinking – he just wanted to pick a fight. Megumi, beside him, had a dead-fish expression.

Zeyu nodded helplessly.

Shota grinned, rubbing his hands together, and immediately leaped out, chasing after them.

The three people rushing ahead sensed the movement behind them and stopped immediately, drawing their kunai.

The leader, a ninja, looked warily towards the rear and signaled his teammates, who then spread out.

"Earth Style - Mud Bullet!"

Shota burst from the grass, spitting out several stones. The stones enlarged in mid-air and hurtled towards the leading ninja.

The ninja leaped backward, dodging the attack, and simultaneously threw several shuriken at Shota.

Shota dodged to the side, evading the projectiles. However, several more shuriken shot out from the shadows, flying into Shota's blind spot.

Shota hadn't noticed them at all and made no move to defend himself.

Just as the shuriken were about to hit him, several other shuriken flew in from the side, blocking each one.

Shuriken clashed in mid-air, sparking a few times.

"Wind Style - Practicing Wind Bullet!"

Several gusts of wind shot towards the bushes on both sides. Two figures immediately leaped out from within, standing on the trees beside the leading ninja.

Shota only noticed then, secretly relieved.

Megumi jumped out and said, "Idiot brother, don't be defeated by such a simple trick."

Shota chuckled and said, "Thank you, Megumi. That didn't count. I'm about to show my true skills now." As Shota spoke, his eyes sharpened.

"I'll help you, so you don't drag me down," Megumi said, twirling the kunai in her hand.

Zeyu sat cross-legged further back, leaning against a large tree, showing no desire to get involved. He waved his hand.

"Well, I'll leave it to you two. Finish it quickly, don't play around too long."

The brother and sister smiled and sized up the three opponents.