One Against Three

After the mutual "greasing" ended, Shinmoku signed the agreement and exchanged for the Heaven Scroll.

Then, led by the proctor, they arrived at Entrance 18.

As the exam was about to begin, the proctor unlocked the door, and as soon as time was up, everyone rushed in simultaneously.

Shinmoku brought his two fingers together, expanding his sensory range to its maximum.

After running for a while, there was still no movement within his sensory range. He raised his palm, and the three of them stopped on a tree trunk in a triangular formation.

"What's wrong?" Shinna asked.

"The Forest of Death has a radius of 10 kilometers. If everyone walks in a straight line, numbers 17 and 19 should already be within my sensory range... Are there any people in those two numbers?"

"Number 19 is empty. Number 17 has three Konoha ninjas, I don't recognize them."

"What about number 16?"

"Hinata and them."

After all, she was the one who had provided answers, so Shinna remembered quite clearly.

"Then those two teams will most likely encounter each other..."

"Ah—"

Before he could finish speaking, a scream came from the direction of number 17, startling a flock of birds.

"Alright, they've already been taken out."

Hinata's team, along with Inuzuka Kiba, Shino Aburame, and the sensory unit, were so far away that unless they activated their Lightning Release Chakra Mode, they wouldn't be able to catch up.

Team 17 seemed to have deliberately avoided them. If nothing unexpected happened, weaker teams would also avoid them from now on.

It seemed they could only head towards the Central Tower.

There was no rush, though. If they went now, they would likely encounter speedrunners. Gaara and the like were quite troublesome.

Let's walk slowly. Conserving chakra is very important in field combat. Besides, he wanted to see if there were any more confident individuals who would actively seek them out.

"Sniff sniff—Woof!"

"Are there enemies in this direction? Akamaru."

"Woof!"

"Alright! We're going there now!"

"I don't think this is a wise choice," Shino Aburame said calmly. "We've already gathered our scroll, there's no need to take unnecessary risks."

"The rules don't say we can't snatch extra scrolls. Dealing with one less enemy now will reduce the pressure in later rounds," Inuzuka Kiba shouted confidently. "Hurry up and follow!"

"Kiba..." Hinata's voice was soft and sweet, completely unheard.

"That's why I hate brats," Shino muttered, but he still released his Kikaichu and followed.

"Hinata, can you see in that direction?" Kiba asked, pointing ahead.

Hinata formed hand seals: "Byakugan!"

Her vision pierced through the heavy obstacles, locating the three people in the distance.

"It's Uchiha Shinmoku and them."

"My bugs are sensing a dangerous aura."

"What should we do?" Hinata asked.

Perhaps it was just a blink of an eye, but the next moment after she asked, only two people remained in her field of vision, and cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

"Where?" She poured all her ocular power into it, finally catching sight of Shinmoku.

He was hurtling towards them, moving so fast it was like he was flying close to the ground.

Lightning Release Chakra Mode!

Super Vibration Lightning Blade!

"Kiba!" Hinata shouted, "Be careful!"

A blade of azure light shot upwards from below, directly towards his face.

"Secret Technique: Insect Wall!"

A swarm of black Kikaichu flew out from Shino Aburame's sleeve. The next moment, it was split in half, but it saved Kiba.

Before they could say anything, a shadow appeared above them. It was Shinmoku's other teammate.

His cloak billowed in the wind, flapping noisily, and he had already formed hand seals.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.

A fireball ten meters in diameter illuminated the shadows in the forest, and a scorching wave of heat washed over them.

"Secret Technique: Insect Wall!"

The Insect Wall changed its form, resembling Insect Kaiten.

"Hurry and go, I can't hold on for much longer!" Shino Aburame shouted.

"Come on!"

The Insect Wall opened a gap, Kiba Inuzuka yelled as he pulled out a kunai, leaped from the branch, and charged at Shinmoku.

He deflected the kunai with a slash, then struck Kiba's arm with the flat of his blade, throwing him off balance, before kicking him away.

"Gentle Fist!"

"Beast Mimicry Ninja Art!"

Hinata got into a stance and charged. Kiba dropped to the ground, Akamaru on his back, chakra flaring, his form beginning to change.

"..."

Shinmoku sheathed his sword, then grabbed Hinata's forearm and bent it downwards at an angle, simultaneously kicking Akamaru up.

Hinata's arm was pinned behind her, Shinmoku's right arm passed over her shoulder blade, his right hand gripping Akamaru's throat.

Then, with his left hand, he flicked a scroll from a leg pouch.

Summoning Technique!

Ropes flew out, and with a dazzling display of skill, Shino Aburame, suppressed by a clone, Kiba Inuzuka lying on the ground, and Hinata and Akamaru in his hands were tied together and hoisted into the tree.

The entire process took about ten seconds.

The three of them and the dog hung their heads, filled with regret.

"You've fought once before, was the scroll wrong or..."

"We've collected them."

At this moment, Hinata became their spokesperson.

"Oh~"

Shinmoku leaned against the large tree and sat down. It was his turn to be troubled. After all, they were from the same village, and an ANBU was watching from a distance.

"Do you have an extra Earth Scroll?"

"We only have one," Hinata said softly.

"...How about this, let's make a deal?"

"What?"

"Many people avoid us, and we're not good at long-range sensing, so... you help me find someone. After I get the Earth Scroll, we can head to the Central Tower together."

"You're not taking our scroll?" Kiba Inuzuka asked.

"I can't help it. I copied Hinata's answers during the first round of the exam, so I owe her a favor."

"Huh? Did you?"

"Yes," it was Shinna who answered this time.

"What do you think of my proposal?" Shinmoku interrupted them. "Do you accept? Someone in charge, please say so."

"We accept!" Kiba Inuzuka yelled.

"...I mainly wanted to ask Shino Aburame."

"Me?"

"One is a big idiot, the other is indecisive, so I can only ask you."

"You have good judgment," Shino Aburame said. "We accept."

"OK!"

Shinmoku threw a shuriken, severing the ropes.

"Thank you," Hinata said.

"You're welcome. We have a deal. If I can't get the Earth Scroll by the deadline, I'll have to use yours. I hope you understand."

"We know!" Kiba was still a bit indignant about Shinmoku's earlier words, but the situation was beyond his control. "Akamaru, search for enemies."

"Woof!"

Shino released his Kikaichu, and Hinata activated her Byakugan.

"Woof woof!"

"This way."

Kiba Inuzuka took the lead.

"Woof!"

"What is it?"

"Woof woof woof!"

"Danger," Kiba said to everyone.

"It's those people from Sunagakure carrying gourds," Hinata added promptly.

"..."

Find me someone easy to fight!

Shinmoku cried out in his heart.

"We can't fight them, let's retreat!"