The rules for the second stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams followed past precedents. However, because there were so many contestants this year, even after the major elimination of the first exam, sixty-four teams still qualified.
Thus, the original twenty-six pairs of Heaven and Earth Scrolls had become sixty-four pairs.
Thirty-two Heaven Scrolls and thirty-two Earth Scrolls were randomly distributed among the sixty-four qualifying teams.
Exam location: Konoha's Training Ground 44, also known as the "Death Forest."
Exam rule: Teams had to gather both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reach the central tower of the Death Forest within five days, without any casualties.
Exam prohibition: Before reaching the central tower, examinees were forbidden from opening their scrolls without permission. Doing so would result in disqualification.
"Whoosh!"
At the seventh entrance of Training Ground 44, the barred gate opened, and three petite figures rushed inside!
Running at the rear, Sakura felt as though none of this was real!
Even after I turned in the wrong answer sheet, our team barely squeaked through in sixty-fourth place. Could it be that the god of love wants to bless my fate with Kaede?
Kurotsuchi looked around as she ran. "So this is Training Ground 44, the so-called Death Forest? It doesn't look any different from an ordinary forest!"
Sakura said gravely, "Don't let your guard down! Countless wild beasts live in this forest! It's said that even experienced Chunin need to prepare thoroughly and enter in teams!"
Kurotsuchi brightened. "Is that so? It sounds like fun!!"
Sakura hurried ahead to take the lead, then turned to Takigakure Kaede beside her. "Kaede, can you let me hold the Heaven Scroll?"
Takigakure Kaede thought, *I can feel the tremendous confidence in Sakura's words. Makes sense—Sakura comes from Konoha, a major ninja village. She must be