Sweet enough to die for-fish could be grilled like this?

Over there, look over there.

Wu Chiwu's Azure eyes brightened, and he quickly raised his bandaged arm and spoke up.

Okay.

Naruto shouted at the top of his lungs.

He sank into the water and swam towards the area he pointed to.

What a bumper harvest! What a bumper harvest!

Naruto leaped out from under the river, carrying dozens of lively fish in his arms.

Okay, that's pretty good.

Wu Chiwu's white, tousled hair swayed in the wind.

He winked, and a dazzling smile spread across his lips.

We must conquer this vast expanse of starry sky and ocean before us.

Conquer the ocean.

Naruto raised his arm and roared.

Taking advantage of the moment, all the fish in his arms jumped back into the water and escaped.

To rule over these fish.

Hahaha.

The two of them burst into laughter without hesitation.

Sasuke was standing nearby, saw this and his lips twitched violently.

This is clearly an inland lake.

Where does the sea come from?

And what's wrong with you, Naruto?

Have you forgotten about the fish in your arms?

Hey, you loser, your fish got away.

Sasuke's tone was as cold as iron.

Besides, that's about enough; we don't need that many fish.

He rubbed his forehead, his face utterly speechless.

After a while, the group returned to shore.

A group of people sat around the fire, and grilled fish was placed on the rack.

Now that we have the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll that we got from the Sound Ninja, we have both scrolls.

Sasuke spoke in a deep, unhurried voice.

Yes, now we can head straight for the central tower.

Sakura echoed her sentiment, looking quite happy.

Judging from this, we might be the first team to reach the central tower.

Naruto scratched the back of his head and chuckled foolishly.

Hahaha.

Iruka-sensei will definitely look at him with new respect later.

It's almost done cooking.

Wu Chiwu rested his chin on his hand, muttering to himself.

He didn't listen to a word Sasuke and the other two said.

Those Azure eyes were fixed intently on the lake fish on the fire, not daring to move an inch.

Hmm, the color does look quite convincing.

It would be even better with some sugar.

He held the bandage in his hand for a moment, then reached into his pocket and quickly pulled out a box of rock candy.

Fortunately, he had planned ahead and prepared this in advance.

Wu Chiwu secretly rejoiced.

Ninja Art: The Rock Sugar Non-Falling Technique.

He silently activated his Ninjutsu, attaching a layer of Chakra to the rock candy, so that the sugar granules stuck perfectly to the fish and wouldn't fall off.

Each fish was evenly coated with a layer of translucent rock sugar.

Everything's ready.

The rock sugar lake fish is now complete.

Meanwhile, Sasuke two companions had also finished their conversation.

My gaze returned to the grilled fish.

Something looks off.

Naruto stared at the grilled fish, which was several shades brighter than usual, completely bewildered.

Something feels off.

Sasuke, filled with suspicion, glanced sideways at Wu Chiwu beside him.

This person must have done something shady.

The fish I grilled before wasn't prepared this way.

Sakura, who was standing to the side, also caught a Wu Chiwu's masterpiece.

This grilled fish looks kind of familiar.

Where have I seen this before?

Sakura hesitated, searching her mind.

In an instant, all three people's eyes involuntarily fell on Wu Chiwu.

Wu Chiwu was opposite them, seemed to have noticed something, and looked up at them with an open and honest expression.

Under the sunlight, his harmless appearance was practically written all over his face.

What's wrong?

Why aren't you touching your chopsticks?

Wu Chiwu asked, his face full of confusion.

After saying that, he reached out and picked up the grilled fish from the fire, then opened his mouth and started eating.

With a creak.

A sweet aroma immediately filled my mouth.

Sure enough, grilled fish with sugar tastes much better.

The amount was still too small; next time, I'll just double the sugar.

Wu Chiwu's actions quickly lowered Sasuke and the other two's guard.

Sasuke reached out and took a grilled lake fish from the fire.

It's time to replenish my physical strength.

Otherwise, if we encounter the enemy halfway and our stamina can't keep up, it will be a real problem.

He lowered his head and took a bite of fish.

With just one bite, a bittersweet taste shot straight down my throat.

The crumbly texture of crushed rock sugar still lingers on the tongue.

Sasuke's face contorted instantly.

What the hell is this dish?

At almost the same moment, Naruto on the other side also let out a howl.

What is this thing?

Ugh, this tastes awful.

That's strange, how could it taste so bad?

His face suddenly turned green and then black.

It's cloyingly sweet and unbearably fishy; in short, one bite and you can't describe it.

Sakura put down the grilled fish she was holding.

She finally understood why he looked so familiar.

Isn't this just a variation of candied hawthorn?

The difference is that other people string fruit together, while this one strings fish together.

Grilled fish with candied hawthorn berries.

What genius came up with this idea?

Why would someone do something so underhanded to themselves?

The three of them nearly vomited from the clattering and crunching of Wu Chiwu's food.

Without even thinking, they instantly identified the culprit.

Is it not tasty?

Wu Chiwu blinked, looking at them with a puzzled expression, and asked.

I added double the amount of sugar.

It's not that the quantity wasn't enough.

Mr. Bandage, could you please refrain from mentioning the word "sugar" for now?

Naruto, looking like his soul was about to float out of his mouth, replied weakly.

He feels like gagging just hearing that word now.

The image of Mr. Bandage as a reliable and dependable person in his mind has been completely shattered this time.

They can't even be picked up anymore.

In some ways, he's almost on par with Kakashi-sensei.

I'll go get some saliva and bring it back.

Sasuke mustered his strength and stood up.

He picked up the bamboo tube and moved away unsteadily.

Sakura and Naruto, who remained, lay motionless on the ground as if they had been poisoned.

It seems the soul has already left the body.

What are you doing?

Wu Chiwu blinked, looking completely bewildered as to what was going on.

Finally, he put down the grilled fish he was holding and lay down as well.

I'll play along too.

The wind gently swayed their hair, and the sunlight streamed down.

After a long while, Wu Chiwu suddenly lifted his eyelids.

Beneath the bandages, those Azure eyes were sharp as knives.

Footsteps are coming this way.

A few seconds later, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly rang in my ears.

What's wrong with you?

Are you alright?

The voice sounded familiar, and Sakura and Sasuke, who were standing nearby, immediately woke up.

When the two opened their eyes, they saw Kabuto Yakushi's face close to theirs, looking at them with a concerned expression.

This is the Konoha office.

Although the situation is quite serious, the exam cannot be stopped.

Mitarashi Anko slowly opened her mouth.

What happened?

The Anbu agents inside the room pressed for answers with serious expressions.

Just then...

With a creak, the office door was pushed open from the outside.

Sorry to bother you.

A ninja stepped in.

What's going on? We're discussing something important here.

Anko glared at her with a look of displeasure.

Sorry, but please take a look at this first.

The ninja took out a videotape and gestured to them.

He put the tape into the machine, and the image popped up on the television screen.

I've got my eye on it, this is the spot.

The ninja pointed to a spot on the screen and said...

Please also note the time here.

Mitarashi Anko sat on the sofa and watched the video intently.

In the scene, the figures of Haku and Hozuki Kagetsu appear.

Ah, this is...

Her face suddenly stiffened.

This video was taken inside the tower one hour and thirty-seven minutes after the start of the second exam.

The ninja who had spoken earlier spoke up to explain.

I can't believe such a thing actually happened.

A look of disbelief flashed across Anko's face.

The other ninjas in the room also gasped in surprise.

They reached the center tower in just 97 minutes. This has never happened before; it's highly unusual.

Those two are way beyond the level of ordinary Genin.

They broke the four-hour fastest record that had stood for so long.

Where did they come from? Are they really that fierce?

That's not all.

Mitarashi Anko shook her head and continued.

You mean...

The ninja who had just entered asked slowly.

Mitarashi Anko stared intently at the television screen, speaking in a completely flat voice.

The straight-line distance from the entrance of the examination hall to this tower is approximately ten kilometers.

They walked through a forest teeming with wild beasts and poisonous insects, fraught with danger at every turn, yet they seemed completely unaffected.

Especially.

She suddenly cut off the conversation.

Especially what?

The remaining people in the room were all intrigued.

Haven't you noticed yet?

Mitarashi Anko pointed to the screen in front of her, giving everyone a heads-up.

So that's how it is. That's amazing, truly astonishing.

Some of the ninjas quickly realized what was happening.

What secrets do they hold?

The new ninja hadn't figured things out yet.

Take a good look at those guys.

Mitarashi Anko zoomed in on the screen.

On his body.

I see.

The new ninja was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood everything.

Unharmed.

Not only were the people unharmed, but there wasn't a single speck of dirt on their clothes.

This is really strange.

Which ninja village were they from?

How could their strength be this great?