Team 8's First Battle

"I'm Anko Mitarashi, the examiner for the second test. As for what the second round entails? First, try to catch up with me." After introducing herself, Anko Mitarashi turned into an afterimage and dashed out of the classroom.

The next instant, everyone in the classroom sprang into action and chased after her.

But how could it be easy to catch up to a jonin?

The genin who rushed out of the classroom all gave chase with everything they had.

Kiba Inuzuka of Team 8 directly fed Akamaru a soldier pill, then climbed onto his back.

Shino Aburame summoned a swarm of insects, which lifted him into the air.

"Hinata?" Kiba Inuzuka had originally wanted to give Hinata a ride, but Hinata Hyuga had already vanished behind him.

"Let's catch up with the examiner first." After saying that, Shino Aburame rushed ahead, leaving Kiba Inuzuka no choice but to follow.

Meanwhile, Team 7's four members were racing through the woods when, not long after, Hinata Hyuga's voice rang out behind them.

"Wait for me."

The four stopped and saw Hinata Hyuga appear behind them.

"Hinata? Aren't you staying with Team 8?" Naruto Uzumaki asked. He remembered Kakashi-sensei saying that teams were supposed to act together during the Chunin Exams.

"I... I... I got separated from them, so I wanted to come with you..." Hinata Hyuga stammered, sneaking a glance at Qingchuan Tianming.

"Then come with us." Tianming naturally understood what Hinata Hyuga meant, but he had not expected this girl to be so blatant. Was she really just taking advantage of the fact that Team 7 had two hopelessly straight guys?

"Hinata, the rules say teams have to act together, so once we catch up with the examiner, you'll have to return to Team 8." Unlike Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, the two utterly oblivious straight guys, Sakura Haruno vaguely sensed something.

Could Hinata have a crush on Sasuke and be looking for a chance to get close to him?

"I know." Hinata Hyuga smiled, but inwardly she muttered, Sakura is so guarded. Could she like Qingchuan Tianming too? That won't do!

Naturally, the three boys had no idea about the mental battle the two girls were waging.

The scene shifted to a forest outside Konoha Village. A special protective fence stood there, with several Konoha ninja waiting nearby.

Whoosh!

Anko Mitarashi was the first to arrive. A few seconds later, rustling sounds came from the woods behind her.

The genin had finally arrived as well.

"You're far too slow!" Once everyone had reached the grounds, Anko Mitarashi's first words were a complaint. "I won't be as gentle as Ibiki Morino-sensei. Prepare yourselves!"

"Yes!"

All the genin responded, though some of them were puzzled. That guy was gentle?

"The second test is a battle to seize scrolls!" Anko Mitarashi said as she took out two scrolls engraved with the characters "Heaven" and "Earth."

"In a moment, these scrolls will be placed at random locations throughout the Forest of Death. Your task is to find them and gather one Heaven Scroll and one Earth Scroll. Then proceed to the Central Tower in the Forest of Death." As she spoke, Anko Mitarashi took out a map and pointed to a location.

"The test will last five days!"

"Only teams that reach the Central Tower with both Heaven-and-Earth Scrolls within five days will pass the second round."

Anko Mitarashi put away the scrolls and continued, "Originally, there was supposed to be a waiver for the second round, but I don't think there's any need to sign one. If you're afraid of dying, why become a ninja?"

"Remove the barriers!" At Anko Mitarashi's command, the Konoha ninja nearby began forming hand seals. The defensive iron fence behind her vanished.

"The test begins!"

Training Ground 44 of Konoha Village—the Forest of Death.

This area was normally guarded by dedicated ninja, and its purpose was to serve as a testing ground for the Chunin Exams.

As such, no ninja had ever cleared out this area. It was filled with danger and teeming with ferocious wild beasts, which was why it was called the Forest of Death.

Once all the genin entered the Forest of Death, they were like grains of sand sinking into the sea.

In a clearing deep in the woods, Hinata Hyuga had returned to Team 8.

"Hinata, why is your face so red? Did someone bully you? Damn it! Whoever bullied a girl from Team 8 won't get away with it, right, Shino?" Kiba Inuzuka said when he saw Hinata Hyuga's flushed face.

"I'm fine. Sorry to make you worry." Hinata Hyuga smiled. How could she possibly tell them about the encouragement Qingchuan Tianming had given her before they parted?

"Found one." Shino Aburame suddenly spoke. Before long, the swarm of insects under his control flew out from the grass nearby.

The swarm flew up to Shino Aburame and left a green backpack in front of him.

Inside the backpack was an Earth Scroll.

"Whoa! Shino, your little bugs are amazing!" Kiba Inuzuka said in shock.

"Awoo!!"

At that moment, Akamaru suddenly howled at a large tree ahead.

Kiba Inuzuka immediately reacted. "Who's there?"

"Been discovered?" A masked ninja appeared atop the massive tree trunk. His gaze was fixed on the Earth Scroll in Shino Aburame's hand, filled with greed.

"You're really lucky! Now you have two choices: hand over the scroll in your hand, or I'll kill you and take it myself!"