The next morning, sunlight dappled Kage Rock.
The Chunin Exams selection results announcement hall.
Hayato rested one hand casually on the armrest of his chair. His relaxed posture exuded confidence and independence. His gaze was deep as he quietly waited for the results that would decide his fate to be revealed one by one.
Not far away, Feng Yuan was engaged in an animated discussion with several colleagues who were also responsible for the Chunin Exams. Their conversation echoed through the hall's corridors.
"The first exam went reasonably well. Nearly half of the rookies made it through," one of the Chunin said.
"This is only the first step. They'll need to endure many more trials and challenges before they can truly cross the threshold and become Chunin," Feng Yuan said gravely.
Just as everyone was immersed in reviewing and reflecting on the first exam, a low, penetrating voice suddenly rang out like an icy blade in the winter wind, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Exactly. My goal for the second exam is to eliminate three-quarters of the participants and bring the true elite to the fore."
His words sent a sudden tension through the hall. Everyone turned toward the voice, only to see a pale, stern-faced man walking slowly toward them.
It was none other than Orochimaru, one of the renowned Konoha Sannin.
His arrival brought an invisible pressure that inspired awe in everyone present.
Before long, Feng Yuan and his party entered the center of the hall, carrying scrolls and followed by several assistants.
Feng Yuan unfurled a scroll. The names of the ninjas who had passed the first test were densely recorded on its timeworn paper. His voice echoed through the hall.
"If your name isn't on this scroll, I'm sorry, but your Chunin Exams end here."
Hayato's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. He quickly found his name on the scroll. He had passed the first test.
Just then, Orochimaru stepped forward, dressed in the green flak jacket that marked him as a Jonin. His voice was slightly hoarse, yet carried unquestionable authority.
"Congratulations on passing the first test. The second exam awaiting you will be even more rigorous, and I will be your examiner."
Only now did Hayato realize that the man who had stood silently behind Feng Yuan was the one who wielded forbidden knowledge and power in the world of Naruto.
The man in Naruto who held the one and only truth: Lord Snake.
The unexpected revelation stirred something in Hayato, and filled him with anticipation for the challenge to come.
Orochimaru's announcement was like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples spreading across its surface.
When he declared that "the second exam will take place in the Forest of Death," the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
Every ninja taking the exam had heard something about this place. It was filled with the unknown and the dangerous.
Orochimaru spoke simply and firmly, without a word wasted, as if every syllable carried unquestionable authority. "Now, all of you who passed the first test, follow me."
His voice echoed across the open grounds like an invisible command, prompting the successful candidates to rise and follow him.
Before long, they reached the edge of the Forest of Death. The forest looked cold and mysterious, as if concealing endless secrets and dangers.
Orochimaru stood atop a platform temporarily raised with Earth Style, looking down at the crowd with an almost regal air.
"For the second exam, we'll distribute four kinds of scrolls: Wind, Fire, Mountain, and Forest." His voice was calm and deep, as if he were stating an established fact. "Only those who collect all four scrolls will learn the final meeting point. Anyone who fails to arrive with all four scrolls in three days will be eliminated."
A chilling smile appeared on Orochimaru's face.
It held both an understanding of the cruel laws of the ninja world and an expectation of whether the ninjas present could surpass their limits.
"Remember, this is an individual competition. From this moment on, even your teammates will be your rivals." His words were like a cold blade, cutting through the warmth and trust in everyone's hearts.
He slowly surveyed the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Hayato, the child taking the exam alone.
"Alone, are you? How interesting." A note of amusement entered Orochimaru's voice, as though Hayato's choice surprised him and piqued his curiosity.
"I'll give you one last chance to withdraw. If anyone wants to leave this exam, now's the time." Orochimaru's voice echoed through the still air, giving them one final chance to choose.
But after a long while, no one answered. Everyone was determined to continue.
Seeing this, Orochimaru gave a slight nod, signaling his assistants to begin distributing the scrolls.
The distribution was quick and mysterious. Everyone received an unknown scroll, but no one knew what the others had received. This made gathering information more difficult and added another variable to the exam.
Seventy-seven Konoha Genin had entered the Chunin Exams. After the first round, thirty-eight remained.
Since that wasn't a multiple of four, an even distribution would leave one type of scroll with two fewer copies.
In other words, at most eight people could pass this exam.
If the scrolls weren't evenly distributed, even fewer would pass.
Hayato received a Fire Scroll. As he silently calculated the possibilities, a bold plan began to take shape in his mind.
Everyone present was secretly observing one another, and the contest of wits had already begun. They tried to guess what scrolls the others had received by watching their expressions and movements, hoping to plan ahead.
Once all the scrolls had been distributed, the assistants returned to stand behind Orochimaru. He gave a small wave, and the Forest of Death's gates slowly opened. A battle for scrolls, life, and glory was about to begin.
"Then I hereby declare the second exam—the Scroll Battle—begun!"
At Orochimaru's command, the gates of the Forest of Death slowly opened. More than thirty ninjas shot inside like arrows loosed from bows, vanishing into the unknown.
Most chose to find a safe place to rest first and wait for an opportunity.
Hayato, however, remained unusually calm. He walked forward slowly, watching the other ninjas' movements as he worked out the best strategy in his mind. He knew that what happened now was only the prelude; the real contest lay ahead.
Orochimaru watched everything from the platform. Hayato's performance in particular made the corners of his mouth lift. "What an interesting kid," he murmured.
Once Hayato had entered the forest, the gates closed again.
"Go find the medical team," Orochimaru ordered quietly. "The Forest of Death won't stay peaceful for the next three days." Though his voice was hoarse, it carried unquestionable authority.
The assistant nodded and turned to leave, going to make the arrangements.
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