The First Day Scroll Battle - Conclusion

Before long, Kenta hurried back to the other two. The trio quickly closed ranks, their trust in one another as solid as rock, leaving their backs completely exposed to their comrades without a shred of hesitation.

"This time, we might have to start from scratch. Are you two ready?" Minghui's voice carried a hint of resolve as he delivered a final rallying cry to his companions.

Truth be told, he had no confidence in his heart. Based on the intelligence gathered from their current skirmish with Hayato, Hayato's strength far exceeded their imagination.

Hayato possessed a ninjutsu capable of breaking free from his Shadow Possession Technique without the need for hand seals.

This single fact effectively neutralized both his and Koichi's primary methods of engagement.

To make matters worse, the opponent was not only fast but also capable of unleashing long-range offensive ninjutsu without hand seals.

This completely shattered their original plan to use long-range attacks to pin him down.

Facing such a formidable opponent, how were they supposed to respond?

On the other side, Hayato and his group remained motionless, simply standing with arms crossed, waiting in silence.

"Giving up? I was hoping you'd pull out some new tricks." Hayato's tone held a trace of mockery; he seemed to be enjoying this battle, intending to use it to hone his own tactical awareness.

"Forget it, let's end this early." Hayato spoke calmly, then quickly formed hand seals and let out a low shout: "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

In an instant, three fire dragons wreathed in raging flames roared forward, heading straight for the trio.

The three moved with agility, scattering in different directions to skillfully evade Hayato's attack, coming to a steady halt after sliding a distance away.

However, Hayato's offensive did not stop there. Using the Shadow Clone Technique, he instantly created two clones.

"Three against three, that's fair!"

Each of the three Hayatos locked onto a target and launched a fierce assault.

"Flying Thunder God: Second Stage!"

"Rasengan!"

A Rasengan whistled through the air, striking Kenta heavily and knocking him to the ground.

Fortunately, Kenta was tough and durable; although injured, he had not lost his ability to fight.

On the other side, a shadow clone went straight for Minghui.

"Baji: Twenty-Four Postures!"

A shadow clone went straight for Minghui. Facing Hayato's sharp, close-quarters taijutsu, Minghui—a fragile long-range fighter—was completely unable to parry and was knocked to the ground instantly.

The other shadow clone managed to knock Koichi down as well.

Although all three were injured, their eyes were filled with defiance and resolve. Relying on their powerful inner willpower, they stubbornly stood back up.

"We can't fight him separately; if we do, we won't have a chance." Minghui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze fixed solemnly on Hayato.

The three regrouped, and Koichi quickly activated the Mind Transmission Technique, tightly linking their consciousnesses together.

Kenta then used the Super Multi-Size Technique, his body instantly expanding as he charged toward Hayato like a truck.

Feeling the overwhelming, tidal-wave force of Kenta's charge, Hayato was forced to slide backward for a distance before he could stabilize his footing.

Kenta pursued relentlessly, his fists raining down like a storm, forcing Hayato to retreat step by step.

At that moment, Minghui quickly formed hand seals and let out a low shout: "Secret Technique: Shadow Summoning!"

He gathered the shadows formed behind the trees Kenta had just knocked over, pulling them toward Hayato to bind him firmly in place.

But that was not enough. Minghui shouted again: "Secret Technique: Shadow Sewing!" The shadows pierced directly into Hayato's body like sharp blades, causing his expression to daze and his spirit to scatter.

"Now! Koichi!" Minghui yelled.

Koichi did not hesitate to activate the Mind Body Switch Technique, successfully connecting with Hayato's consciousness.

Success! Minghui thought with a surge of joy.

It's up to you now, Kenta!

However, at that very moment, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Kenta, who should have been attacking Hayato, suddenly turned around and charged toward Koichi—who was now nothing more than an empty shell—like a beast out of control.

"Kenta, what are you doing?" Minghui roared, his voice filled with shock and confusion.

But Kenta seemed not to hear his cries, charging straight into Koichi.

"Come back, Koichi!" Minghui was frantic; he could not understand why Kenta would suddenly betray them.

But it was already too late. Kenta's massive frame slammed heavily into Koichi, blood splattered instantly, and Koichi collapsed to the ground, limp and lifeless.

"Ah!" Minghui let out a roar, his eyes turning blood-red, filled with fury and resentment.

Kenta, having reverted from his giant form, looked down at the severely wounded Koichi at his feet, his face filled with horror and disbelief.

"What... what have I just done?" he muttered to himself.

The two quickly rushed to Koichi's side. Minghui pulled him tightly into his arms, his voice trembling as he asked, "How are you? Koichi?"

Blood continued to spill from Koichi's mouth.

"It's all my fault, all my fault for coming up with this rotten plan!" Minghui's face was etched with self-reproach and regret.

Kenta's legs gave out, and he slumped to the ground.

At that moment, the corners of Koichi's mouth curled into an eerie smile, and he said in a chilling tone: "That's right, it's all your fault."

With a wet thud, Kenta lifted his head and looked forward, only to see a dying Koichi driving a kunai deep into Minghui's chest.

"Wh... why?" A low, guttural roar escaped Minghui's throat, his face a mask of disbelief and despair.

He stared at the teammate in his arms who had betrayed him, his heart filled with confusion and agony.

What on earth happened!

Immediately after, Minghui's body slowly collapsed.

"Why did it come to this? This is supposed to be just an exam—why must we, from the same village, go through something like this!"

Kenta's consciousness began to blur, and his body slowly slumped to the ground.

At this moment, Hayato deactivated his Sharingan and approached the three of them.

"It's over."

He looked down at the three people lying on the ground in agony, his heart completely unmoved.

He nonchalantly looted the scrolls from the three of them one by one, then strode away.

A quarter of an hour later, the three of them slowly opened their eyes. Minghui looked at his own hands in astonishment, saying in disbelief, "I... I'm not dead?"

"Koichi, Kenta!" he shouted their names, only to see the other two looking at him with equally bewildered expressions.

"Then what did we just experience?" Koichi's face still held a trace of lingering fear and terror.

"It was a genjutsu! That guy, he's too strong!" Minghui finally realized the truth, a look of enlightenment dawning on his face.

Meanwhile, Hayato was unaware of their realization. He was currently dashing back and forth through the Forest of Death with Jiro, searching for people.

Unfortunately, their luck seemed to have run out; they had run for three or four hours without encountering a single soul.

Seeing the sky growing darker, Hayato stopped in his tracks and sighed helplessly, "Forget it, let's call it a day."

Hearing Hayato's words, Jiro also stopped. It wagged its tail, seemingly feeling regretful that the day had ended without results.

"Today was truly exhausting. Let's have a meal and get some good rest." Hayato placed a hand on Jiro, and the figures of the man and the dog vanished from the spot instantly.

When they reappeared, they were already inside Hayato's room.

The room was filled with a sumptuous feast prepared in advance by the Kazama brothers.

"Who said you have to stay cooped up in the Forest of Death during the exam? Rather than sleeping in the open in that dangerous forest, it's far more comfortable and practical to just come back home," Hayato said while eating.

"Besides, the exam rules don't state that you can't leave the Forest of Death to rest," he added, glancing at Jiro, who was lying on the floor.

Afterward, Hayato pulled a Military Ration Pill from his bag and placed it in front of Jiro. "I almost forgot about you. I didn't prepare a portion for you today, so just make do with this for now, and I'll give you something delicious tomorrow."

After eating his fill, Hayato patted his bulging belly and lay down on the bed comfortably to rest. "Nothing beats the comfort of my own bed!"

Forest of Death · Day One Scroll Battle · Conclusion