This is in...

The sky held only the orange-red sunset.

Kurenai had left, and the ANBU member had left with her.

The three youngsters slumped against the tree trunks, still recovering from the earlier shock.

Seeing Shinmoku approach, Hinata leaned closer to Shinna. She had seen him detonate the explosive tags without hesitation. Wasn't that person his teammate?

In comparison, Shinna, though a bit cold...

No, she was quite terrifying too. Without a word, she had been the first to attack.

"What's wrong?" Shinmoku saw Hinata burying her head like a hatchling and comforted her, "It's okay, Orochimaru is gone."

"Mhm..."

His comforting words didn't seem to help. Knowing her personality, Shinmoku didn't say much more.

Darkness swallowed the forest.

"The mission is over. Are you leaving, or coming with us?"

"Together!"

Kiba Inuzuka was still shaken, and at the same time, he retracted his earlier criticisms of Shinmoku in his heart. He was aware of the Sannin's reputation.

"Alright, rest up. We'll depart tomorrow morning."

Although he had plenty of chakra left, he disliked traveling at night unless absolutely necessary.

Using Hinata's Byakugan, they found a spot with intertwined roots and a tree hollow.

After the three youngsters set up their traps.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu."

"Genjutsu: Non-Existent Place."

According to Orochimaru, he had already planted the Heaven Curse Seal on Sasuke. After all, they were clan members, so he should go and see.

But he needed to rest, so he could only send a clone.

"Tch~"

Their thoughts aligned. Despite his displeasure, the clone had no choice but to go.

"Sleep, sleep!"

Shinmoku summoned sleeping bags, but the others made no move, just staring at him blankly.

"...Don't you bring essential survival items when you go out?"

"We can't use summoning jutsu," Kiba replied.

"And you?" he asked Shinna.

"You didn't remind me," she retorted.

"Oh, my apologies."

"Grumble~"

"Whose stomach is growling?"

"Mine... mine is," Hinata said softly.

He had forgotten about the big eater.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Water, instant noodles, compressed biscuits...

"Fire Style."

Well, he had become a babysitter.

After eating and drinking their fill.

For comfort, Shinmoku had purchased the super deluxe extra-large sleeping bags. They could fit two adults if squeezed, so there was no need to worry about who would get it.

Shinna and Hinata crawled in, like an older sister hugging her younger one.

While the main group rested, the clone had already found Sasuke.

He was unconscious, as was Naruto beside him. Sakura, drowsy, was guarding them.

There were also some crude traps.

Stepping around them, Shinmoku squatted beside Sasuke, wanting to see what the Heaven Curse Seal looked like.

He now possessed the strength of an average Jonin. The difference between an elite Jonin and an average Jonin was that the former often had their own unique trump cards or mastered special ninjutsu like sealing jutsu or space-time ninjutsu.

He didn't have those, so he could only look.

"Clang--"

A kunai suddenly slashed towards him. Shinmoku tilted his head back. Sakura's eyes were stern, then softened.

"It's you. I'm sorry."

"...Sleep. I'll watch over you until dawn."

"Thank you."

It was clear she was truly exhausted; as soon as she finished speaking, she collapsed and fell asleep.

Good grief, the Clone thought, sitting cross-legged. She goes off to rest and leaves me to do the dirty work.

Time ticked away, and as the sky began to brighten, Sakura sat up with a start.

"Thank goodness, it wasn't a dream."

She patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.

"Well then, goodbye."

The Clone performed a hand seal and vanished into a wisp of white smoke.

"Goodbye," Sakura said to the empty air, then picked up her kunai. "From here on out, I have to rely on myself!"

As the memories returned, Shinmoku was in the middle of dispelling a genjutsu.

The Clone's actions had been correct; acting as a babysitter in daily life was fine, but acting as a babysitter in combat was no different than harming someone.

Facing the morning sun, the group set off toward the central tower.

They encountered a few ninjas along the way, but upon realizing there were five of them—and that two Uchiha were among their number—they all retreated one after another.

It was only the second day of the exam; even if they hadn't secured their scrolls, it wasn't worth going completely insane over.

They arrived at the central tower without incident, and after opening the scrolls, they used the Summoning Jutsu to call forth two figures.

Greeting Hinata and her team was their teacher, Kurenai Yuhi.

Greeting Shinmoku and Shinna was Anko Mitarashi, whom they had seen just yesterday.

"Congratulations on passing the second exam," Kurenai said gently to her team, then looked toward Shinmoku and Shinna. "And thank you for protecting my team members."

"However," Anko interjected, "I hope you keep what happened in the Forest of Death a secret. That is the Hokage's wish."

"Understood." Shinmoku naturally had no objections.

"Also," Anko continued, "the Hokage told me to inform you that there will be no more Anbu following you from now on."

"Understood."

He had rejected Orochimaru in front of both parties; if he were still being monitored, he would really have to consider defecting.

"So, did you come here purely to relay the Hokage's orders?" Shinmoku asked with a beaming smile. "Or was there a bit of a desire to see me mixed in? Your injuries must still be quite troublesome, right?"

"???"

Kurenai, standing to the side, was stunned.

Was he... flirting?

"Take a guess?"

"I'd rather not," Shinmoku replied instantly.

"Hmph!" Anko sneered. "There are four days left until the exam ends. You'd better get some good rest before then; the third exam is going to be very brutal."

She didn't look at Shinmoku when she said this. This guy was a bit too strong; it wouldn't be fun if she ended up getting mocked back.

Shinmoku smiled faintly.

Gaara was troublesome, but as long as he didn't undergo Tailed Beast transformation, he was manageable. The person truly worth noting was actually Shinna, who was right beside him.

Her genjutsu could hard-lock Orochimaru for two seconds, and her Fire and Water Style techniques were equally formidable. He just hoped he wouldn't have to draw her as an opponent.

Four days passed in the blink of an eye.

At the Konoha Arena, those who had passed the second exam gathered.

There were twenty-three in total: the Konoha Twelve, the Sand Siblings, the Sound Genin Trio, Kabuto Yakushi's team, and the two of them.

After the Third Hokage finished his long-winded speech, Hayate Gekko stepped forward.

"Cough, cough—before the third exam, we must first hold a preliminary round."

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out.

"A preliminary?"

"Why can't we just start the third exam directly?"

"Because... cough, cough, there are a few too many people, so we must eliminate half of them. Cough, cough... is there anyone who feels unwell and wishes to withdraw voluntarily?"

After a brief commotion, Kabuto Yakushi raised his hand.

With Orochimaru himself present, he had no reason to continue.

"Cough, cough... anyone else? If not, we shall begin."