"Akaba didn't say when he'd be back. How are we supposed to contact him?"
Shishio and Sakumo crouched beneath a large rock.
Before them, three scrolls lay spread out in a line.
Each scroll was different, offering no clear starting point.
"Let's wait. He'll find us."
Sakumo said simply.
He understood Akaba better than Shishio did. Whatever Akaba had gone off to do, if he truly promised something, he'd follow through.
Shishio remained silent for a moment before nodding wordlessly.
Actually, both knew well that Akaba leaving the group couldn't have been for the stated reason alone. Someone like him wouldn't just randomly decide to go off on his own.
The only explanation was that what he needed to do couldn't be spoken aloud.
Knowing this, the two of them didn't pry further, maintaining their appropriate level of understanding.
Just then, a voice called down from above, "Huh, looks like Sakumo understands me best. Unlike someone else who worries about everything and clearly doesn't trust me at all!"
The next second, five scrolls came tumbling down.
"Five scrolls! Not bad at all!"
Shishio rushed over and looked at them alongside the others.
With all eight scrolls laid out, three showed the same coordinates while the other five gave completely scattered locations.
The destination went without saying.
Sakumo picked up the correct scroll, cross-checked the direction, then waved a hand. "Move out."
"I checked already. This one is close to the center. We need to head in this direction."
Akaba crouched above them, showing no intention of coming down. "By the way, I saw Sankai and his group on my way here."
"Did he attack?"
Shishio asked cautiously.
"Akaba replied, Sankai didn't notice me, but I saw him using Magnet Release. It must be some new kind of release technique."
Of course,
the Magnet Release part wasn't entirely accurate. Sankai hadn't used any large-scale Magnet Release techniques, but those shuriken he controlled and threw clearly showed his mastery of Magnet Release.
Sakumo pondered silently for a moment before speaking gravely, "I heard that One-Tail's ability is sand manipulation."
"He's the Jinchūriki of One-Tail? That can't be true!"
Shishio found it hard to believe.
Not just anyone had access to the Uzumaki clan's legendary sealing techniques, which were crucial for controlling a Bijū. Besides, each village treated their Jinchūriki as a final trump card. How could they possibly allow one to become Kazekage's disciple and participate in the Chunin Exams?
"Perhaps Sunagakure has developed a new release technique by studying One-Tail. In any case, we must be careful not to fall victim to it."
Akaba merely reminded them.
Akaba thought it through carefully. Except for himself — whose expertise in genjutsu made him largely immune to Magnet Release — the others would probably be affected to varying degrees.
Take Sakumo for example.
His swordsmanship would lose much of its strength if his blade was affected by magnetism.
They understood this principle even better than Akaba did.
The entire way, Sakumo and Shishio remained silent, their faces growing grimmer with every step.
A figure wielding such abilities would essentially be unbeatable during the Chunin Exams.
When nearing their destination, Sakumo took a deep breath, determination burning in his eyes, "I really hope we get to fight him. It wouldn't be a wasted trip at all after battling someone like that."
Undoubtedly, Sankai, who had mastered a new nature transformation, was the top among Sunagakure's new generation.
For a battle maniac like him, the stronger his opponent, the more thrilled he felt.
"Save the talk. We'll discuss things once we're there."
Shishio urged them forward.
Akaba raised his gaze and could already make out the distant mountains.
The coordinates pointed to this very mountain.
The mountains in the Land of Wind remained desolate, but these particular ones were even more chaotic and dangerous.
Fortunately, Sakumo had Fang.
Though still young, Fang had already become an exceptional ninja hound, capable of keenly detecting traps hidden on the mountain.
Combined with human scouting, they hadn't encountered any danger along the way.
Before long, their destination came into view.
Similar to Root team's base, this one was also built right into the middle of a mountain.
"Didn't expect our second team to be you guys."
Sankai sounded slightly surprised.
According to intelligence reports, Orochimaru's team possessed superior overall abilities, while Akaba's group was equally strong, though presumably less effective at searching.
That would be the normal case, but now...
An exam? What's fun about doing research and tracking anyway!
Akaba smiled faintly without saying anything, then sat down somewhere to rest.
Man, this blazing heat really drained him.
Receiving no real response from Akaba, Sankai didn't feel discouraged. Instead, he smiled and turned to Shishio, asking, "Where are the other Konoha shinobi?"
"How should I know? We entered separately. How could we possibly gather together?"
Shishio shrugged, then followed Sakumo to sit beside Akaba.
There were five Sand ninja here, likely two teams merged, although one teammate from one of the Sand teams had died.
Not long after, a sound came from outside.
Then a figure leaped over the hill and arrived at the scene too.
"Who is it?"
Shishio turned around to peek.
"Don't bother looking. It's Shinku and others."
Sakumo said with his eyes closed, tapping the ground with his tanto.
In the next moment, a person slowly emerged from the earth.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke!
Following him, Shinku Yuhi and Gekko Nightdance appeared in succession.
"Hmph, Sankai, didn't expect us to meet up again here."
Seeing Sankai, Shinnosuke showed a cold smirk on his face, clearly unfriendly.
Akaba frowned slightly.
Looks like they'd met before—and fought.
"Sorry, we were just worried about our teammates."
Sankai bowed slightly, yet without showing the slightest hint of genuine apology.
"Hmph!"
Shinnosuke didn't say anything harsh.
He'd fought Sankai before and had a rough idea of each other's strength. But right now, he indeed wasn't Sankai's match.
Akaba looked thoughtful.
Then sitting there, he quietly formed the hand seals with his hands.
When Shinku Yuhi and Gekko Nightdance arrived, he completed the genjutsu, pulling both teams into it.
This illusion was simple—a completely blank space.
Shishio hesitated for a moment, quickly understanding the situation. He started questioning Shinnosuke about what happened.
After exchanging information, both sides understood Sankai's strength better.
As the genjutsu dissolved, Orochimaru's trio arrived as well, closely followed by two Sand ninja and three Takigakure ninja.
At that moment, an external signal came in.
Time's up!
This meant that, aside from them, none of the others could advance to the third round.
"There are still seven teams left. That's quite a lot," Shishio murmured.
"No problem. Plenty of time for a quick nap," Akaba said carelessly.
At the same time, he glanced at the three injured Taki. Their injuries were severe, and the way they looked at Orochimaru was strange — they probably wouldn't have made it this far without his help.
Sakumo didn't notice these details.
After understanding Sankai's strength, his eagerness to fight this prey had grown even stronger.
Before everyone could rest, a deep voice echoed from afar: "Wake up, brats! Get ready for the match!"
A figure leaped down from the mountain and landed right in the center of the valley.
Then, one by one, figures emerged from the ridge path above the canyon.
Kazekage Shamon, Chiyo, Ebizō, Kakashi Windseer, and other Jonin from various villages arrived as well.
The third exam was about to begin — right here!
"I am Sunagakure Jonin Joji Tanaka, the chief examiner of this round. Is there anyone who wishes to withdraw now?" Joji Tanaka asked.
After a long pause with no response, he nodded and began explaining the rules.
"This exam will consist of one-on-one duels. There are no restrictions on Ninja Tools, Kekkei Genkai, or Ninjutsu. Once one side concedes defeat, the opponent must stop immediately."
"If there are no problems, then let's begin the third exam."
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