Time ticked by, and all the Scrolls had already been distributed.
Anko Mitarashi checked her watch before announcing, "Squads that have received Scrolls should follow the assigned supervisors to their respective entry points. Everyone will start together after thirty minutes!"
Hinata stood alone at entrance sixteen, placing the Earth Scroll she had received into her ninja gear pouch. She took a deep breath: "Come on, Hinata! You can definitely do this!"
At entrance twelve, Naruto was already raring to go: "Alright! I won't lose! Anyone who dares approach us will get taken down—one by one!"
Sakura felt excited too; this time, she'd undergone training at the ninja hospital and received personal guidance from Rin Nohara.
Sasuke's eyes burned with determination, silently vowing to give his all this time.
As soon as the thirty minutes were up, Anko Mitarashi announced again, "From now on, the second phase of the Chunin Selection Exams officially begins!"
All the gates opened simultaneously, and the Genin waiting at the doorsteps rushed headlong into the Forest of Death.
Meanwhile, Shindai approached sneakily, wearing a hooded cloak and a fox mask, trying to slip into the Forest of Death unnoticed.
[Shifting Body Technique] Anko Mitarashi dashed forward using the body flicker technique, blocking Shindai's path: "Who are you? What do you think you're doing?"
Shindai shoved a bag full of items into Anko Mitarashi's hands: "Cut me some slack."
Anko Mitarashi glanced at what she held—a bag filled with three-colored dumplings—and twitched an eyebrow: "Shindai?"
Shindai whispered, "Yeah, it's me. I'm going inside to collect some data about Naruto. Orochimaru-sama has approved it!"
Anko Mitarashi pulled out a string of three-colored dumplings and started chewing, but showed no sign of letting him pass: "Sorry, rules are rules. Even if Orochimaru-sama agrees, it still doesn't fly."
"What about this then? How about this?"
Shindai pulled out a card bearing Minato Namikaze's personal autograph.
Anko Mitarashi's eyes lit up immediately, snatching the signed card away: "Well... this still isn't quite enough."
Shindai muttered unhappily: "Don't push your luck. This data we need is really important!"
Anko Mitarashi stuffed two more dumplings into her mouth, chewing loudly as she said, "Fine, fine. I'll reluctantly agree. But afterward, help me let Pakura, Hikaku, and Kurenai know—we're all going out for dessert together next rest day."
Shindai quipped, "Eating so much dessert, don't worry about dying from obesity."
Anko Mitarashi shot him a furious glare: "What did you just say?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. I'm off now—just keep quiet about this."
With that, Shindai successfully entered the Forest of Death.
After entering the Forest of Death, Hinata immediately put on her Chakra Armor and activated her Byakugan to begin scanning for enemies.
Hinata's plan was to find ninja from other villages, seize the Earth Scroll, and enter the Tower to complete the exam.
Her target quickly became clear: three unlucky ninja from Takigakure.
However, as Hinata approached them, the three unlucky guys from Takigakure also noticed her and even moved closer on their own.
"Hmm? You're alone? Where are your teammates? Don't tell me they're hiding somewhere? Whatever, once we take you down, your teammates will surely come out."
The three unlucky guys from Takigakure created many clones. These weren't Shadow Clones, just Clone Jutsu.
With her Byakugan, Hinata clearly saw two of the three guys hidden among the clones, while the third had tunneled underground and was quietly approaching her.
Hinata didn't intend to use her Chakra Armor immediately. Shindai had warned her that it was only meant as an auxiliary tool and shouldn't be overused—if she could handle things herself, she should.
[Fire Release: Blazing Shuriken Dance!]
While using the Blazing Shuriken Dance technique, Hinata attached flames to the flying shuriken, causing them to fly like blazing hibiscus petals scattered across the sky. The attack directly targeted the two remaining guys hiding among the clones.
The two hiding in the clones were shocked when they realized the flaming shuriken were heading straight for them and hastily dodged.
Meanwhile, the guy who had just emerged from underground took a direct kick to the head from Hinata.
Seeing their clone technique wasn't working, the other two decided to engage Hinata in close combat.
Although Hinata's mastery of Gentle Fist was considered merely average within the Hyuga clan, it was still far superior compared to most other ninja.
Though Hinata's Byakugan still couldn't see the pressure points clearly, she had memorized their approximate locations and could make accurate judgments.
In no time, Hinata sent all three unfortunate ninja from Takigakure sprawling to the ground.
"Wait! We surrender!"
Realizing they couldn't defeat Hinata, the three guys immediately dropped to their knees begging for mercy and presented their scroll with both hands. Conveniently, it was exactly the Earth Scroll they needed.
Seeing they had surrendered, Hinata let her guard down slightly and reached out to take the scroll.
However, just as Hinata was about to grab the scroll, the trio suddenly lunged at her, launching a surprise attack.
Three kunai struck Hinata, producing a sharp metallic clang.
"Eh?"
The three attackers froze in shock.
Beneath her helmet, Hinata's face flushed bright red.
[Lightning Release: Thunder Strike!]
Electricity burst from Hinata's body, shocking the three attackers, who screamed wildly before collapsing to the ground twitching.
Hinata felt a wave of relief wash over her—she had never expected these three would actually betray their surrender.
Hinata felt a deep sense of frustration. Shindai had told her over and over again that a true enemy was one who had been completely defeated, but she still hadn't taken the lesson to heart—until now, when she almost ended up paying the ultimate price.
Hinata picked up the scroll lying on the ground. Now that all the scrolls had been gathered, all they needed to do was reach the tower to pass the exam.
On the other side,
Naruto's team also came across three opponents—ninja from Amegakure.
However, with Naruto and Sasuke fighting in perfect sync, the three Amegakure Genin never stood a chance.
Realizing they were no match, the Amegakure Genin immediately decided to retreat. There was no point wasting energy on weaker ninja this early in the exam.
Yet just as the three Genin tried to withdraw, a figure dropped down from the sky, stepping heavily onto one of them. The other two instantly attempted to counterattack but were easily subdued.
Naruto's team immediately braced themselves for battle.
The sudden arrival turned out to be Shindai in disguise.
Shindai searched the Amegakure Genin beneath his foot and retrieved a scroll—one Earth Scroll.
Naruto pointed at the scroll in Shindai's hand, letting out a surprised "Oh!"—"That's the one we're missing!"
Sasuke and Sakura scolded him at the same time, "Idiot! Now you've gone and told them we have the Heaven Scroll!"
In a low, mocking tone, Shindai sneered, "So it's the Heaven Scroll you've got, huh? That's not what I'm after… So, how about handing it over?"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>