Choosing a Ninjutsu

Torune Aburame watched everyone turn and leave, including his newly made friend, Fū Yamanaka. He was completely swallowed by boundless darkness, unable even to hear his own voice. He feared the loneliness of being alone.

Shin and Sai saw each other's deaths, and the impact on their hearts was enormous. Both feared losing the other.

What did Lin Chuan fear most?

In truth, Lin Chuan feared nothing. After all, he could revive even if he died. He was also the first child to break the genjutsu. With no fear in his heart, he merely disrupted the flow of chakra within his body and broke the Hell Viewing Technique.

"Very good. As expected of the genius Lord Danzo values." Seeing Lin Chuan open his eyes first, Ryūma Aburame silently praised him and gave him a slight nod of approval.

Next, the children who could overcome their fears, possessed chakra, and quickly disrupt the chakra within their bodies soon broke the genjutsu as well and rose from the ground.

The rest were either still screaming wildly or had wet themselves and collapsed to the ground in terror. Some had even fainted from fright. In the end, only a little over twenty children managed to break the genjutsu on their own.

"Most of you performed quite well. Those who broke the genjutsu on their own, come receive a ninjutsu. We'll proceed in the order you broke free. Number thirty-three, come first..."

Ryūma Aburame looked at Lin Chuan. Since Lin Chuan had been the first to break the genjutsu, he reminded him, "Those who broke the genjutsu on their own may choose a B-rank ninjutsu. Those who failed to break it may only choose a C-rank ninjutsu..."

When his number was called, Lin Chuan was the first to step forward and choose a ninjutsu. He went to the cart of Water Release ninjutsu and looked over the second tier, where the B-rank techniques were piled. He knew his own limits. He was only a fake genius, not a real one.

He would not use this opportunity to choose forbidden techniques such as Flying Thunder God, Impure World Reincarnation, or the Spirit Transformation Technique. Besides, none of those techniques were here anyway...

Choosing such advanced techniques, let alone forbidden ones, might leave him not even knowing how he died. The only ninjutsu he could choose now, the only kind he could quickly learn, was Water Release ninjutsu. Thankfully, his chakra nature had fairly good affinity with the water element.

His Water Release choice could not exceed B-rank difficulty, and B-rank was the highest he could choose anyway. He had already made up his mind on the way over. Looking at the B-rank section on the second tier of the cart, he opened the scrolls and read the names of the techniques.

B-rank Ninjutsu, Water Release: Water Fang Bullet—A ninjutsu that used chakra to control water flow and form high-pressure water blades for attack. By utilizing the fluidity of water, it could generate rapidly spinning water columns from any direction to ambush a target. When used alongside other ninjutsu in a water environment, it possessed the dual tactical value of disrupting enemy movements and creating opportunities to attack.

B-rank Ninjutsu, Water Release: Heavenly Weeping—An offensive ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. It was an advanced application of compressed Water Release. The technique transformed chakra into high-density water needles, then fired sharp water needles at high speed from the mouth to strike the enemy's vital points.

Its greatest feature was that it required no hand seals, allowing it to launch surprise attacks before an opponent noticed. Compared to other Water Release ninjutsu, Heavenly Weeping placed greater emphasis on concealment and precise strikes. Madara had once called it "a sinister hidden weapon."

This technique was mainly used for surprise attacks at close to mid-range. The user would usually activate it suddenly during conversation or while feinting an attack.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Impure World Reincarnation Tobirama Senju created an opening through verbal misdirection and used the opportunity to launch Heavenly Weeping against Uchiha Madara. Although it was anticipated and avoided by the Rinnegan, it still displayed extraordinary penetrating power.

This battle proved the technique's tactical value in duels between elite shinobi. Even against Kage Level opponents, it still posed a lethal threat.

Unlike conventional Water Release techniques focused on wide-area attacks, Heavenly Weeping emphasized striking a single target's vital points. It was especially suited to countering dōjutsu and had been developed specifically against the Uchiha. That old bastard Tobirama understood the Uchiha better than the Uchiha understood themselves.

This was the ninjutsu he had been looking for. The scroll included an introduction to this Water Release technique. Even Uchiha Madara had needed Susanoo to defend against it. Without defense on Susanoo's level, it was perfect for ambushing someone. It also required no hand seals and still posed a lethal threat to Kage Level opponents. It was simply perfect for an assassin like him who lacked mana.

After choosing his ninjutsu scroll, he picked it up and left, returning to his place in the back row. No one knew which ninjutsu he had chosen. The scroll was sealed, and its contents could only be seen after opening it. There was no technique name on the outside.

The children whose names were called next stepped forward one after another to choose their own ninjutsu scrolls. Once everyone had made their selections, Ryūma Aburame collected the remaining scrolls and continued explaining things to the group.

"Next comes half a month of infiltration, disguise, and wilderness survival. You will survive in the Forest of Death for half a month. During that time, you must learn the ninjutsu you chose and survive within the Forest of Death..."

"If you return alive without learning the ninjutsu you chose, you all know what awaits you. I won't waste any more words..."

"Make one final check of your equipment. One vest, two arm guards, one short blade, ten kunai, and ten shuriken. There will be no food and no medicine. Your task is to use any means necessary to survive in the Forest of Death, where wild beasts, fierce beasts, and monstrous beasts roam freely..."

"Does that mean killing each other is allowed? It probably won't be that simple. None of us have survival supplies, so killing each other would be meaningless." Hearing Ryūma Aburame say this, Lin Chuan could not help but fall into thought. He felt that this test definitely had some other purpose.

The first physical fitness test could measure chakra reserves, relating to the chakra, body, and speed among the eight shinobi attributes.

The second genjutsu test could measure chakra control, such as hand seals and resistance to genjutsu, as well as the ninja attribute. That was also why they could choose B-rank ninjutsu. Those with poor chakra control could only choose C-rank ninjutsu. The higher the rank of a ninjutsu, the harder it was to learn.

Could the third wilderness survival test be assessing their knowledge of survival in the wild?

Otherwise, there was no explanation. The eight shinobi attributes had basically all been tested, except wisdom and strength.

He could only think of tests involving wilderness survival knowledge and teamwork. In a place like the Forest of Death, filled with fierce beasts, throwing a group of children inside without having them band together was tantamount to waiting for death.

"When you're ready, depart for the Forest of Death. Leopard will take you there." Ryūma Aburame looked at Leopard beside him and gave him a slight nod. Leopard would take full charge of the third test.

Kabuto Yakushi did not need to go with them. This test had a death quota. For children unable to adapt to wilderness survival, there was only one path: death.

"Follow me. I'll take you into the Forest of Death." Leopard put on his ANBU mask and led them through Root's underground passage toward the Forest of Death. The Forest of Death was also one of Root's training grounds, sealed off by Root and inaccessible to outsiders.

Seeing Leopard put on his mask, everyone followed suit and put on their own masks before hurrying after him. They traveled through the underground tunnels and eventually emerged onto the surface of the Forest of Death.

Since entering Root, this was the first time they had seen sunlight above ground. Unfortunately, they would never again be able to bask in it.

[On the right, wearing a mask: Leopard]