The first afternoon of the exam, the second stage began.
The exam location was the Death Forest.
The examiner was Anko Mitarashi.
The rules were simple: each team would carry either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. To pass, they had to reach the Central Tower ten kilometers from the entrance with both scrolls within five days. Going over time, having an incomplete team, or opening the scrolls in advance all counted as failure.
From afar, Hayato spotted Orochimaru, who had used the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique to disguise himself as a Kusagakure ninja. As expected of Orochimaru—no matter what he became, he could not conceal that cold, sinister aura.
After submitting their consent forms, Hayato's team received a Heaven Scroll.
They entered the Death Forest.
Nishijima Rin asked, "Captain, what do we do?"
Hayato said, "The weather's nice. I know there's a river nearby. We can..."
Shiga Go said excitedly, "Ambush the examinees looking for water by the river? Yeah, good idea."
Though he was interrupted, Hayato showed no displeasure and continued, "We'll rest by the river, grill some fish, and fill our stomachs."
Shiga Go looked at Nishijima Rin.
Rin, are you sure this captain is reliable?
Nishijima Rin shot Shiga Go a glance, then turned away. "The captain makes sense. There's no need to rush. We should conserve our strength first."
"Then let's go. Follow me, and don't get lost."
The three walked for a while.
Shiga Go: ?ω?
At this leisurely strolling pace, even if I were blind and lame, I wouldn't get lost.
The entrance Hayato had chosen was very close to the river, yet half an hour later, they still had not arrived.
Shiga Go finally could not hold it in anymore. "Captain, do you even know the way? It feels like we've