An Unexpected Turn of Events, Just as Expected...

Just as Qi Luna had anticipated.

The content of the second exam was to compete for the Four Symbols Scrolls in teams.

A total of 17 teams participated. At the start, each team would receive one of the four scrolls: "Azure," "White," "Vermilion," or "Mysterious." In addition to these seventeen, fifteen more Four Symbols Scrolls were scattered throughout the forest.

Participating teams were required to reach the central building within 72 hours without losing a single member, carrying four different Four Symbols Scrolls, and submit the complete set to the proctors.

In other words, theoretically, at most eight teams could pass this exam, but that was only in theory...

Once the rules were read, each team collected their respective scrolls and headed to their designated entrances, waiting for the moment the exam would officially begin.

"It's the 'Vermilion Scroll,' symbolizing the Vermilion Bird. So, our targets are the Azure, White, and Mysterious scrolls, right?"

After Hayama clearly saw the mission scroll Qi Luna had retrieved, he instinctively reacted to their next objectives.

As the starting bell rang, the 17 teams instantly plunged into the Forest of Death from their various entrances.

"Maintain formation. Once we enter the Forest of Death, follow my orders! Nonou, prioritize a basic environmental safety assessment. Hayama, stay alert and be ready to fight at any moment!"

Qi Luna's commands were concise and clear, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

"Understood!" Hayama and Nonou responded in unison, their expressions focused.

Qi Luna's team moved like spirits sent into the forest, swift and stealthy. Relying on Qi Luna's Kagura Mind's Eye, they were always able to detect dangers hidden in the darkness in advance.

"Trap ahead! Three hundred meters to the front left, two Sunagakure puppets. Judging by their design, they should be 'Crow' and 'Black Ant'! There are three chakra signatures behind the puppets; it must be two rogue ninja protecting the puppeteer!"

Qi Luna's voice rang out in the dim forest, as calm and direct as a weather report.

His Kagura Mind's Eye had long since pierced through the cover of the trees, precisely capturing the malicious chakra of the three Sunagakure ninja!

As Qi Luna's voice fell, Hayama understood immediately and quickly stepped forward, weaving hand signs:

"Received! Wind Style: Thousand-Faced Wind!"

Thousands of tiny Wind Cutters were unleashed from Hayama's blade, instantly leveling the trees in front and exposing the three Sunagakure genin hidden behind them to the open, uncovered ground.

"Go!"

"Attack!"

Two voices exploded in the clearing simultaneously. Qi Luna and his team, having already seized the initiative, launched their attacks first.

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sword!"

"Ninja Art: Explosive Kunai!"

Seeing that their ambush had failed and the enemy had seized the initiative, the three Sunagakure ninja reacted quickly.

"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!"

"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"

"Secret Technique: Salamander!"

The mass of wind created by the Wind Style: Pressure Damage knocked down the Explosive Kunai thrown at the Crow and Black Ant puppets; the Wind Style: Wind Cutter barely managed to deflect the several wind blades from the Vacuum Sword, and although they sustained some injuries, they were not life-threatening.

However, the high-pressure water jet shooting straight toward the Sunagakure puppeteer was not something an ordinary person could withstand. Even though the puppeteer summoned the "Salamander" puppet, known for its defensive capabilities, he could not escape the fate of having his heart pierced by Qi Luna!

"Impossible..."

The Sunagakure puppeteer spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes wide with disbelief as his body collapsed heavily to the ground.

"That level of ninjutsu is not something a genin should be able to master!"

The two remaining Sunagakure genin, seeing their strongest member killed in a single exchange, were instantly thrown into a panic.

"Damn Konoha! This was a long-planned conspiracy! Their goal is to stifle the rising geniuses of every village!"

"Run! We must get this news out! Everyone must know how hypocritical Konoha is!"

The two Sunagakure genin exchanged a glance, made up their minds, and immediately scattered to flee!

Watching the two Sunagakure genin turn and run, Hayama frowned slightly.

"What now? Should we chase them, Qi Luna?"

"No need. Their team's scroll is on that puppeteer. Go ahead and search his body, then we'll continue to find our next target."

Qi Luna shook his head, having no intention of pursuing the remaining two Sunagakure ninja. After all, in his Kagura Mind's Eye vision, the mission scroll imbued with special chakra was lying quietly in the puppeteer's ninja tool pouch.

"Hah... that's really a chore for me..."

Hearing Qi Luna's reply, Hayama immediately began to complain. But thinking about it, Qi Luna had to maintain his Kagura Mind's Eye and had killed the opponent in one hit, and Nonou was a delicate young girl, so it seemed he was the only one suited to "loot" the spoils... or so he thought!

Qi Luna was a chakra monster; that little bit of consumption was negligible. And as a medical ninja, Nonou often dealt with severely injured patients; she wasn't delicate at all!

In the end, Hayama reluctantly went over to loot the spoils:

"Oh! It's the 'White Scroll,' symbolizing the White Tiger! Not bad luck at all! Hahahaha!"

Seeing that the loot was one of the scrolls their team needed, the resentment in Hayama's heart vanished instantly. It was worth the effort!

Over the next two days...

Scenes similar to the first battle of Qi Luna's team were unfolding in every corner of the Forest of Death.

The Ino-Shika-Cho Team, relying on Nara Shikaku's superior intellect and the seamless coordination between team members, successfully located or seized the scrolls, eventually gathering the complete set of Four Symbols Scrolls.

Minato's team, under his leadership and fighting alongside Kushina and Yoshimaru, also successfully collected the Four Symbols Scrolls after taking down teams from two other hidden villages.

Over these two days, Qi Luna's team also successfully found the Azure Scroll and snatched the Black Scroll from a Kumogakure team. Combined with the Vermilion and White scrolls they already possessed, they not only passed the second exam but also reduced the number of available spots for passing this assessment by at least one.

Another day passed, and the second stage of the Joint Chunin Exams officially concluded. Whether a team had suffered casualties, failed to collect the required scrolls, or did not arrive at the mission delivery point in time, they were all eliminated.

In the end, only five teams remained to pass this exam—three fewer than the maximum capacity of eight teams allowed by the mission items!

Of these five teams, Kumogakure and Iwagakure each held one spot, while the remaining three were Konoha teams: the Ino-Shika-Cho Team, Minato's team, and Qi Luna's team.

Supplementary note:

If Sakura's Super Strength can shatter the Hiruko puppet, which has even higher defensive capabilities, then it's perfectly reasonable for Water Severing Wave to pierce through the Salamander puppet and kill a Sunagakure genin, right?