Although slightly reflective, Shiki still stepped forward. Under the astonished gazes of a group of ninja, he scratched his head and said,
"Umm... sorry about this, but I'm going to take all your scrolls."
"You?" Both sides in the battle were completely stunned. None had expected that barely after entering The Forest of Death—
Even though they had successfully launched a sudden attack and started a fight, they never imagined someone would already be coming to reap the benefits so soon.
"How annoying!" Shin Nosuke felt resentful inside, but unfortunately, he had no strength left at all.
Not only did he have no strength now, he probably wouldn't be able to fight for the next couple of days either.
"Shin Nosuke, don't dwell on it," Yuan Ye calmly reassured him. "Their ability to appear here without anyone noticing already proves their skill. Besides, we weren't planning on continuing anyway, right?" Compared with Shin Nosuke, Yuan Ye was more composed. After all, even being able to cooperate so well with Shin Nosuke and executing such a combined jutsu together had already been a rare and valuable experience.
Thus, under the painful glares of everyone present, Shiki collected each scroll one by one.
For these embarrassed losers, perhaps the most infuriating thing wasn't even losing their scrolls—it was how this guy approached each person apologetically before patting them down thoroughly, as if afraid they might secretly hide another scroll.
You've gotta be kidding me! This isn't even the real fight yet!
We're not *that* terrifying—we couldn't possibly have already taken one scroll and then gone into another fight so soon!
Unfortunately, not a single person among them possessed the capability to confront this gentle-looking teenager who seemed harmless.
But at least when Saori was searched, it was done by another girl who looked sweet and cute on the outside.
If it had still been that boy doing the searching, Shin Nosuke felt he could've forced himself to keep fighting purely on willpower alone.
After all, Saori's honor absolutely must not be tainted.
Actually, Shiki really wasn't that petty. To him, the purpose of the search was simply to deduce what level ordinary Genin participating in the Chunin Exams generally were like, based on the items those ninja carried.
To put it accurately, these people were significantly different from the privileged clan geniuses.
"They've got nothing but kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags," Shiki muttered, sounding slightly disappointed. Evidently, there was quite a gap between these ninja and those from powerful clans.
More precisely, they differed from the prodigies of influential families. Right now, outside those rare talents, even members of elite clans wouldn't surpass these ninja by much.
"Hey Seiji, what scroll did you get?" Yuuma Akimoto expressed surprise, seemingly dissatisfied with the white scroll she held.
"Heaven Scroll." Seiji Ito answered flatly, as always speaking in a cold and emotionless tone.
It was exactly this indifferent demeanor from years ago—when he wordlessly escorted Yuuma back to the orphanage—that was why she had originally feared him.
Yuuma once told Shiki that before Seiji Ito's arrival, she had always been afraid of ghosts or monsters appearing on the path from the Academy to the orphanage.
But since Seiji Ito had silently started following behind her, she hadn't felt scared anymore.
Because all her fears had already been redirected toward this seemingly emotionless person.
"What terrible luck. Both of them are Heaven Scrolls. Also, we have a Heaven Scroll too. That makes three Heaven Scrolls total," muttered Yuuma Akimoto with a pout.
Yet despite saying that, she knelt halfway onto the ground without hesitation, not caring about the dirt staining her dress. A faint green glow surrounded her delicate hands—hands as smooth as jade—before covering Saori, whom Shin Nosuke held dear.
"Th-thank you," Shin Nosuke said with a slight stutter, but quickly recovered his composure.
"It's no big deal. Kinda sucks we ended up with two of the same scroll after hiding so long."
Though Yuuma spoke like that, in truth, it wasn't such a big deal. They could always exchange the extra Heaven Scrolls later with other teams.
However, right after that, another voice rang out—one that seemed even gentler than Shiki's.
"Coincidentally, although we didn't arrive as early as you, Shiki, we've been hiding for quite some time already. How about handing over those scrolls?"
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, a kind smile glinting behind his lenses—yet strangely, that very kindness felt somewhat unsettling.
Chapter 127: Scrolls Converge
Shiki thought he had been cautious enough, but Kabuto still appeared behind them like a ghost—silent and unnoticed.
But what did he mean by that?
Shiki found it strange. Based on Kabuto's methods, there was no way he would steal the bells from Konoha Village. In fact, he'd often assist these students instead.
He was a capable spy, nurturing connections carefully to conceal his true nature.
While Uzumaki Shiki was still thinking, Yuuma Akimoto had already skipped over cheerfully.
Her gray boots made a crisp sound against the fallen leaves. She then slightly bowed forward, revealing her graceful figure, cutely tilting her head upward to look at Kabuto.
"Again, Kabuto Onii-san? If you keep pulling stunts like this, I really will get mad," said Yuuma.
Kabuto Yakushi then reached out and gently patted Yuuma's head, just like an older brother comforting his younger sister.
"Heh, didn't think you'd figure me out, Yuuma."
Only then did Shiki realize something—Kabuto regularly visited the orphanage while Yuuma had grown up there. Of course they already knew each other.
"Hey, Uzumaki Shiki, is this how you treat your friends?" Kabuto's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
Shiki wouldn't have believed it if he didn't know better. But Kabuto had always known how to play the part.
He let out a soft click of his tongue.
"I wouldn't say that. We're still opponents in this exam. Just trying to stay sharp."
"Is that right? But from what I know of you, Shiki, you're not someone who would betray your friends just to follow exam rules."
Shiki gave a slight smirk. "Huh, didn't expect you to understand me so well, Kabuto-senpai. Still, it was a dangerous situation. During the Chunin Exams, showing favoritism toward your allies might actually hurt them. There are plenty of chances to pass this exam, but if they become chunin without the strength and only rely on their friends' help, they'll end up facing much deadlier dangers later on."
As he spoke, he slipped two Heaven Scrolls into his jacket.
He looked just like someone doing something for others' benefit.
Whether Shiki's words were sincere or not, watching him stuff the scrolls into his coat with such an upright expression made Kabuto Yakushi stiffen slightly.
However, Kabuto quickly regained his composure. "Indeed, you're still the Shiki I respect. Actually, this time I just came to exchange scrolls with you."
So saying, he pulled out an Earth Scroll from his ninja tool pouch.
Throughout all this, the two masked ninja standing behind him remained silent.
"Exchange scrolls?"
"Yeah, exactly. After all, both scrolls were taken by force—didn't I already prove I'm strong enough to pass this exam? So from your perspective, swapping scrolls should sound perfectly fair, right?"
"Of course."
With that, Shiki casually handed the scroll back to Kabuto Yakushi. He had zero doubts that Kabuto would keep his word.
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