"Never mind," Shiki said, a cold sweat rolling down his head.
Anko Mitarashi frowned. "Didn't I tell you not to start any trouble?"
"You two, Ibiki and Kakashi, watched all this time without stopping them?"
Ibiki and Kakashi then stepped out from behind the door, speaking with Anko. However, Anko wasn't satisfied with how many participants were still left.
"Just let him go—give your opponent and fellow friend a little face," Shiki whispered.
Gaara replied in his usual indifferent tone, "Only if you survive can you truly be considered Gaara's friend."
Chapter 123 – The Forest of Death
Although Gaara spoke in that same indifferent manner, he did loosen his grip.
The Grass Ninja Village ninja who had been attacked slammed heavily onto the ground, while the sand once again reformed into a gourd shape on Gaara's back.
Temari let out a relieved breath. After all, she was the older sister of Gaara and Kankuro. They were currently in Konoha, with three Konoha Jonin nearby. If Gaara hadn't released his victim just now, things could have gotten far worse.
Kakashi glanced over for a moment, appearing somewhat satisfied with the outcome, and gave Shiki a slight nod.
However, the Grass Ninja Village ninja now looked visibly dispirited, completely losing the sharpness he'd shown before.
Still, he stood up, shook off the sand clinging to his body, and slightly bowed toward Shiki. "Thank you. If there's ever an opportunity where I can help you, I'll do so without hesitation."
As soon as he said it, he realized how hollow his words sounded. After all, the person standing before him was essentially a core figure among Konoha's Genin.
Although Shiki hadn't directly acted, merely resisting Gaara's murderous intent meant he must be no weakling himself.
Despite having confidence in his own abilities, as a Grass Village Genin, he couldn't really think of any way he could actually assist someone like this.
Thinking about it, he blushed faintly but still insisted because of his pride.
"No problem. It was just a small favor," Shiki waved it off magnanimously.
Actually, Shiki truly meant what he said. With Kakashi and Ibiki around, even if he didn't intervene, Gaara wouldn't have done anything too terrible to that ninja anyway.
But the Grass ninja shook his head. "No, receiving someone's kindness should always be acknowledged honestly. There's nothing to defend or explain."
Shiki gave a slight nod, acknowledging the unfamiliar ninja.
The Grass Village situation resembled that of Amegakure (Rain Village)—they were both situated on the battlefields of the Third Great Ninja War.
Thus, hatred flourished, and their nations experienced great turmoil. But the Grass Village proved itself wise by actively learning and imitating other villages' jutsu, establishing good diplomatic relationships with the major nations.
Currently, Grass Village also maintained excellent relations with Konoha (Leaf Village).
"In that case, for the second exam, I'll reduce the number of participants to less than half!" Anko Mitarashi loudly announced.
Obviously, she already learned about the first exam's results from Ibiki earlier.
Among the examinees, those confident in themselves wore eager expressions upon hearing these words. What kind of exam could possibly reduce their numbers to less than half? This kind of test seemed meaningful.
As for the weaker ones, their faces now wore expressions of worry. Some had already begun regretting their decision to participate in the Chunin Exams.
"Now follow me. The next exam isn't held here," said Anko Mitarashi before striding forward. The examinees looked at each other, then followed her out.
When they stepped through the gates, it was already around five o'clock in the afternoon. Summer daylight lasted especially long, so it didn't seem particularly dark.
Everyone followed behind Anko, walking a great distance before finally arriving at the Forest of Death, surrounded entirely by iron fences.
Even though Shiki had lived in this world for over ten years and seen many things unimaginable in his previous life, under these enormous trees, he still felt an overwhelming sense of smallness.
Time flows on, sweeping away all people and things—only these unyielding giants might endure forever.
Thinking thus, Shiki couldn't help but shift his gaze toward Karin. At least for now, she was just an ordinary girl; even in the original story, she and her teammates failed to pass this Forest of Death examination.
He wanted to walk up and say something meaningful to her, yet found himself at a loss for words. After all, they were strangers, even if they belonged to the same clan.
Shiki had imagined countless scenarios of conversations with Karin, but none of them came to him at this moment.
She wasn't especially pretty—just plain-looking. Young, yet already wearing glasses, she came across as a shy and timid girl.
Perhaps what lay ahead would eventually make her stronger, but surely she wasn't cut out for a life full of chaos.
If it hadn't been for Sasuke's help, she probably would've just lived an ordinary life.
In the past, influenced by his mother, Shiki had always dreamed of gathering the remnants of the Uzumaki clan and restoring its former glory.
But as time passed, Shiki realized that this world seemed to have only a handful of surviving Uzumaki bloodlines left.
If possible, he wished for Karin to live a peaceful and simple life.
A faint, satisfied smirk curled on Anko's lips. "This is your exam venue for the second test—the Forest of Death."
Looking at the towering trees that resembled guards, solemnly standing watch over this deep and mysterious forest, combined with the forest's name, many examinees began to feel anxious.
Yet at this moment, Naruto stubbornly shouted out, "Stop trying to scare us! Who's afraid anyway?"
Anko smiled, then hurled a kunai from her hand. Its speed was absolutely beyond what any Genin could block.
With a 'swish,' the kunai grazed past Naruto's face, leaving a cut. Blood flowed down while Anko had already moved behind him. She extended her tongue to lick the blood off.
Shiki wasn't really paying attention to the conversation between Anko and Naruto. Instead, he noticed a figure that had somehow appeared behind Anko out of nowhere.
Unlike Anko's loud presence, this person made no sound at all when he arrived. It was like—blink once, and he was already there.
But somehow, his sudden arrival felt completely natural—not even slightly strange.
Orochimaru.
Although he was now disguised as a Grass Ninja Village shinobi, for Shiki—who had once watched the Naruto series—no matter how blurry his memories had become, everything would instantly snap into focus the moment Orochimaru extended his long tongue.
So… should he reveal his identity right now?
Sure, he couldn't control what came next in the story anymore, but he just couldn't bear to put his friends in danger.
Looking around, though, he realized no one here could possibly stand in Orochimaru's way.
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