The candidates erupted in an uproar. They had come to take the Chunin Ninja Exams because they had some ability, and covering ground was the least of their worries. Crossing the forest within five days would be no problem at all.
Among them, Hinata looked doubtful. She did not believe the exam could be that simple. The Forest of Death was dangerous, but it was not a place they found all that frightening.
Sure enough, Mitaraishi Anko wore a mischievous grin. "Of course I'm not just asking you to cross it!" She raised her hand, revealing two scrolls. One was marked "Heaven," and the other "Earth."
"These are the Heaven and Earth scrolls. To pass, you'll need to reach the finish with both of them!" She smiled. "Twenty-six teams passed the written exam. In a moment, thirteen sets of Heaven and Earth scrolls will be handed out to you at random!"
The excitement on the candidates' faces vanished. More than anything in the Forest of Death, they would have to watch out for the other examinees.
Everyone began looking around, their eyes wary and hostile. Anko handed the scrolls to someone beside her. "Proctors will be stationed nearby, and each of you will receive a signal flare. If you want to give up, fire it, and we'll send someone to bring you out!"
She signaled for the scrolls and signal flares to be distributed. Once everyone had theirs, Anko raised a hand and the gate to the Forest King Forest swung open. "All right, the exam begins!"
After receiving their supplies, Hinata, Sakura, and Ino looked tense. Their earlier ease was gone.
Sakura muttered, "Master Yin really is something, coming up with a test like this!" Ino looked troubled too. "Doesn't that mean we might have to fight people from