Uchiha Hikaru's voice softly echoed through the forest, carrying a faint hint of mockery and teasing.
The corners of his mouth curled slightly upward, his eyes flickering with an inscrutable light.
Dodai stood stunned in place, his hands clenched tightly into fists, his shoulders trembling slightly.
His eyes widened, his mind a whirlwind of confusion.
He doubted whether the words spoken by the person before him were truthful.
Suppressing the pain, Dodai took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
He clearly understood that the situation was beyond his control. Even if Uchiha Hikaru was toying with him, he could not afford to lose his temper easily.
He had to keep a clear mind if he wanted to survive in this dangerous environment.
Around them, the Hidden Cloud ninja lay groaning in pain on the ground, their eyes filled with hope and pleading.
A sharp pang gripped Dodai's heart—he knew they needed his help.
As if reading Dodai's thoughts, Uchiha Hikaru's gaze held a trace of amusement.
He raised a finger and began slowly counting:
"1, 2, 3..."
His voice resonated in the air, carrying a sinister atmosphere.
"Counting you, ten people remain alive. Ten million ryo per person. Pay one hundred million ryo, and I'll let you go."
Uchiha Hikaru said casually.
Dodai bit his lower lip tightly, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
Just as he was about to bargain, Uchiha Hikaru spoke again:
"You're all Jōnin, right? Especially you. Even for the Hidden Cloud Village, losing so many Jōnin at once is a serious blow."
"Think carefully. I'm only merciful once."
Hearing this, Dodai understood that he had no choice left.
He took a deep breath, struggling to calm his anger and helplessness.
Then, he slowly spoke:
"Fine, I agree."
There was a hint of pleading and hope in his tone.
He continued:
"But we don't have that much money on us right now. We'll have to pay you after this exam."
His voice trembled slightly, betraying his inner anxiety and unease.
Hikaru sneered at this, a look of disdain crossing his face.
He slowly shook his head and said:
"Foolish. When did I say I would let you keep your money? The hundred million ryo is supposed to be paid after the exam anyway."
Then, Uchiha Hikaru continued:
"Now, go collect everything from their bodies and give it to me. Only then will I let you go."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly again, his eyes flickering with that inscrutable light.
Hearing this, Dodai, despite knowing he shouldn't anger the man before him, couldn't help but shout angrily:
"You!"
His fists clenched tighter, veins bulging on his forehead, showing his rage and discontent.
Before he could say more, he saw Uchiha Hikaru's eyes slowly transform into Mangekyō Sharingan.
That instant made his words catch in his throat, unable to utter another sound.
Dodai's face instantly turned pale, his eyes wide open as if he had seen something terrifying.
The Hidden Cloud ninja around him saw this and all displayed expressions of fear.
They all knew well the terror of the Uchiha Mangekyō Sharingan and understood that the man before them was not joking.
Uchiha Hikaru quietly stood there, as if everything was under his control.
Although Dodai was not yet a top pillar of the Hidden Cloud Village, he was considered a high-ranking member.
He clearly knew how Uchiha Madara's title of "Battlefield Shura" came about—it was forged from the flesh and blood of his enemies.
He also understood the fear and despair the Mangekyō Sharingan brought in that era.
And Uchiha Hikaru before him possessed that same power.
This was no longer an opponent he could defeat by bravado.
At the same time, a sudden clarity dawned in Dodai's heart.
He now realized that Uchiha Hikaru wasn't after money at all—he was merely humiliating them.
If Uchiha Hikaru heard his thoughts, he would certainly confirm it.
To Uchiha Hikaru, money was just a number, a trivial thing.
Having them gather their belongings was truly a form of humiliation.
As for the hundred million ryo to be paid afterward, it would be one thing if the Hidden Cloud Village paid it.
If not, Hikaru would prepare to take it himself.
As for why he didn't kill them, don't forget: Uchiha Hikaru's purpose in personally participating in the Chūnin Exam this time was to demonstrate his reputation and strength on this stage.
If he killed everyone outright, then who would spread the news?
Taking a step back, it was more troublesome to kill these ants than to keep them alive.
Uchiha Hikaru looked around. The awake Hidden Cloud ninja were, as expected, staring at him in terror.
Their eyes were full of fear and unease, as if he were an unstoppable beast.
Even Dodai, a mid-level figure in the Hidden Cloud Village, couldn't hide the fear in his eyes.
Uchiha Hikaru smiled. He said no more, only gesturing to Dodai to search the belongings of the Hidden Cloud ninja.
Dodai wore a reluctant expression but still complied.
Under Uchiha Hikaru's watchful gaze, he collected everything from the ninja one by one.
He placed the gathered items aside, his face complex as he said:
"Can we go now?"
Uchiha Hikaru chuckled softly. He stood silently without moving.
Then, as he chuckled, the collected items suddenly caught fire, flames fierce and scorching.
Before long, all the items were reduced to ashes.
After finishing this, Uchiha Hikaru took slow steps and left.
The surrounding environment gradually quieted with his departure, leaving Dodai and the other Hidden Cloud ninja with expressions of terror and helplessness.
As Uchiha Hikaru passed by Dodai, a cold voice entered Dodai's ear.
It was Uchiha Hikaru's voice, cold and clear:
"Get that hundred million ryo ready, or I'll personally go to the Hidden Cloud Village to take it back."
Upon hearing this, Dodai's face turned pale, veins bulging on his face.
But he could only silently endure this humiliation and pressure.
After leaving, Uchiha Hikaru didn't look for other ninja squads.
In his view, that would be too slow.
Rather than going after them one by one himself, it was better to let them come to him.
This first test required scrolls to pass.
In the next moment, his terrifying perception spread across the entire forest.
His figure blurred for a moment, and afterward, several items appeared in his hand.
Looking closely, twelve scrolls—every one present—were now in his possession.
"That should do it."
Uchiha Hikaru muttered, a strange smile appearing on his face.