Shinji's team was given a scroll marked with the word "Heaven."
According to the rules of this stage, his team needed to collect at least one scroll marked "Earth" within the Forest of Death and have all members safely reach the central tower to pass this test.
In other words, in the most ideal scenario, defeating just one team and having the entire team reach the central tower would be enough to pass the second exam.
Of course, that was only the ideal situation.
The Forest of Death was a true primal forest, teeming with wild beasts and poisonous insects, making it inherently dangerous. Additionally, since this second exam was a real combat scenario where casualties were permitted, and every participant had signed a life-or-death waiver, each team would do their utmost to weaken their opponents to reduce the pressure in the third exam.
Before long, Shinji's team arrived at Entrance No. 17.
All teams participating in the second exam were randomly assigned to one of the twenty entrances into the Forest of Death.
Assigned to Entrance No. 17 alongside Shinji's team were two teams from Hidden Stone, two from Hidden Mist, and one each from Hidden Star and Hidden Waterfall.
However, none of these teams had any notable experts, so upon realizing they were assigned to the same entrance as Shinji, their expressions changed, and they kept their distance.
At that moment, the examiner opened the iron gate of Entrance No. 17 and addressed the seven teams before him. "The entire Forest of Death is under surveillance, and Anbu are patrolling inside. If you find yourselves unable to continue the exam, you can fire the distress flare provided to you to seek help! However, once the flare is activated, your entire team will be eliminated!"
The teams nodded, indicating they understood.
The examiner continued, "After entering the Forest of Death, no attacks are allowed for the first five minutes. After that, the restriction is lifted, and the exam officially begins!"
Hearing there was a five-minute protection period, the other teams breathed a sigh of relief.
Their greatest fear had been that Shinji would attack them at the entrance and steal their scrolls.
After explaining all the precautions, the examiner checked the time and announced, "You may now enter the Forest of Death. The exam officially begins in five minutes! Remember, the Five Kage are watching you—show them what you're capable of!"
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
As soon as the examiner finished speaking, the other six teams rushed into the Forest of Death like wild horses breaking free, their movements tinged with panic, clearly eager to get as far from Shinji as possible.
"Is that really necessary? They're acting like we're some kind of monsters!" Karin grumbled.
Haku smiled and then turned to Shinji. "Shinji-kun, shall we head out?"
"Let's go!" Shinji replied, stepping into the Forest of Death.
…
Near Entrance No. 3.
Hidden Mist's Ringo Ameyuri, Suigetsu Hozuki, and Chojuro gathered around a map.
Chojuro pointed to a spot on the map. "We're at this location right now!"
Undoubtedly, the map before them was a topographic map of the Forest of Death.
Technically, this wasn't allowed, but ordinary rules rarely bound the five great shinobi villages, especially since creating a map of the Forest of Death wasn't particularly difficult.
Suigetsu said, "The second exam, with its free-for-all combat, is our chance! Hidden Leaf's Uchiha Shinji and Kurama Yakumo are too strong. If we don't take them out in this stage, our chances of beating them in the third exam will be slim!"
Chojuro asked, "What's your plan?"
Suigetsu replied, "First, let's contact Hidden Cloud's Darui, Hidden Stone's Kurotsuchi, and Hidden Sand's Gaara. I bet they're thinking the same thing we are!"
Chojuro said, "What about Hidden Grass? They're pretty strong too, aren't they?"
Suigetsu responded, "If we run into them, we'll bring them in too! The best outcome is if they and Hidden Leaf take each other out!"
With that, both turned to Ringo Ameyuri.
"I have no objections!" Ringo paused, then added, "But I've always doubted whether Uchiha Shinji is really as strong as they say! So if we encounter him, don't you dare steal him from me!"
Suigetsu and Chojuro exchanged a glance, both thinking, Only a fool would fight you for him!
…
In another part of the Forest of Death.
The Sound Four gathered, discussing their strategy.
A four-man team was a standard shinobi squad, so the Chunin Exams didn't prohibit such formations. However, due to the shared liability rule, having an extra member also meant an extra risk of elimination, making four-man teams a double-edged sword in this exam.
Kidomaru said, "Orochimaru-sama's orders are simple: in this exam, we test Uchiha Sasuke's limits and, if possible, force out the 'Cursed Seal' on him!"
Tayuya scoffed, "What if we accidentally kill him? I feel like that guy's strength doesn't justify all the attention Orochimaru-sama's giving him!"
Jirobo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think Uchiha Sasuke's a nobody. The real trouble is that Uchiha Shinji!"
Kidomaru's tone turned cold. "Are you questioning Orochimaru-sama's orders?"
"Of course not!" Tayuya and Jirobo quickly shook their heads.
Kidomaru continued, "Regardless, completing Orochimaru-sama's mission is our top priority. So, first, we find Uchiha Sasuke!"
Sakon and Ukon asked sinisterly, "Can we use the power of the 'Cursed Seal' now?"
Kidomaru grinned. "Of course. Orochimaru-sama has given us permission to go all out and kill!"
Boom!
Amid a rumbling explosion, a figure shot out from a cloud of dust, landing steadily on a tree.
As the dust settled, it revealed Kurotsuchi, who had used the Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique, along with her two teammates.
"You're Koshi Shinji from Hidden Grass, right?" Kurotsuchi coldly stared at the figure on the tree. "Running into me is your bad luck!"
Clearly, the figure that emerged from the dust and landed on the tree was Orochimaru, disguised as Koshi Shinji.
His team had just unexpectedly encountered Kurotsuchi's team. In a single exchange, his two Hidden Grass teammates were taken out, leaving only him to evade Kurotsuchi's attack.
Facing the aggressive Kurotsuchi, Orochimaru smirked.
Kurotsuchi, noticing the lack of panic on his face, grew wary and said, "Your teammates have already lost their fighting ability. Hand over your scroll, and I might consider letting you go!"
"Hmph!" Orochimaru let out a soft snort before lunging at Kurotsuchi.
In an instant, a fierce battle erupted between the two.
Moments later, Orochimaru had Kurotsuchi by the throat, his eyes filled with disdain.