"Why are you so fussy? Isn't it just holding hands? Are you shy?" Fū stopped in her tracks, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she looked at him.
If Shigeo could see with his eyes right now, he would've gladly given her a proper Byakugan glare.
"It's not that. I really can see!"
"Alright, less nonsense. Wait here, I'll go check if there's any sign of the treasure box!" she said, pinching his cheek before launching herself into the air. Her waist tensed, a pair of yellow-green wings sprouting from her back as she soared upward.
"Hahaha! What's this? Shigeo, were you just teased by a girl? I saw her pinch your face!" Suddenly, from behind a tall boulder, a boy stepped out.
It was the very teammate from Konoha who had made the wager against him the night before.
Hearing this, Shigeo's hand clenched into a fist. He answered flatly:
"At least my teammates haven't abandoned me. Where are yours?"
The other boy's face darkened with resentment, but he didn't reply and quickly chased forward.
"Fū, how is it? Any signs of the box?" Shigeo's cheeks still felt warm as he asked. Deep down, a voice nagged at him—no matter what, he had to pay her back for teasing him, or else he wouldn't be much of a man!
"Nope, nothing around here. Let's move on. This time, I'll carry you!" she said as she landed, stretching out her arms as if to pick him up.
"No need. I'll carry you instead!"
He flipped forward in one swift motion and scooped her up in a princess carry.
Fū's mouth opened wide in shock before curving into a delighted grin. This boy was so handsome—so, so handsome.
And he could even fly. Wasn't this like… flying together as a couple? Her smile widened so much that she couldn't even hide her teeth.
From this height, the view was clear. Soon, they spotted several groups clashing in the distance.
Indeed, this exam wasn't going to be easy. Each hidden village had sent powerful young shinobi; some of the nine-year-olds had already reached chūnin-level skill, and every one of them fought differently.
In the eastern valley, fights had already broken out over the copper and silver treasure boxes. But Fū and Shigeo's goal was clear—they didn't care for those. If they were to steal, it would be the gold treasure box.
Finally, in the chaos of a larger skirmish, they spotted it—the golden box, its corner peeking from the earth, before being quickly buried again by an enemy's Doton (Earth Release). Multiple squads piled into the fray at once.
Inside Martial City's colossal coliseum, the audience roared. All eyes were locked on the massive live-projection screens. The host shouted, his voice high with excitement:
"The gold treasure box has appeared! Competitors are fighting fiercely! Look there—someone just used Doton (Earth Release) to bury it, a tactic to stall others. This match is all about ninjutsu mastery and team coordination! Which squad do you think has the advantage? Cheer them on!"
The stands erupted with cheers. Spectators had placed bets, others were evaluating rival villages' strength, and still others watched to judge which village would be more reliable for missions in the future.
This wasn't just an exam—it was a grand stage where reputation, politics, and strategy all clashed.
In the upper rows, two Iwa-nin whispered briefly before slipping out of the coliseum.
Back in the northern valley, chaos reigned around the golden box. Fū saw this and, wriggling free of Shigeo's arms, raised a hand to blow her signal whistle. But Shigeo quickly caught her hand.
"Wait. Something feels off about this box."
Through his Mirror System, he had already confirmed it—the "golden box" buried there wasn't whole. It was just the lid.
"Fū, I think I understand why the organizers forced us into three-man squads. The treasure boxes aren't whole—they're split into pieces! This lid is only one part. The rest must be hidden elsewhere."
Hearing this, Fū lunged forward. "Got it. Remember, whistle if you find anything. I'll grab the lid, you look for the other parts!"
And with that, she dove straight into the soil. Being the host of the Seven-Tails, Chōmei, she naturally inherited its earth-burrowing talents—slipping through dirt was as easy as flying through the sky.
Shigeo wasted no time. He trusted Fū to get the lid.
But then—
"Aah!"
A sharp cry echoed. Shigeo recognized it instantly—it was Fū.
He dashed toward the sound, finding her wounded, shoulder bleeding from an enemy strike. Two Iwa-nin had used Doton to flush her out.
Fū stood above ground now, clutching her wound, her eyes blazing with rage—and from her body leaked an ominous orange chakra: the chakra of a Tailed Beast.
Shigeo rushed to her side. "Calm down. It's fine. You go search for the other parts—I'll handle this!"
"No! I'll kill them!" Fū snapped back, charging at the Iwa-nin with a fiery temper.
Knowing she might lose control, Shigeo split into shadow clones. One clone stayed behind to cover her, ensuring she didn't reveal her full bijū power, while his true body slipped underground. Using Mokuton (Wood Release), he quietly secured the golden box lid into his pack.
No one noticed—the battle was too chaotic. Only a few sensory-types realized he'd moved underground, but they were too busy fighting to warn anyone.
Back on the surface, Shigeo heard a familiar whistle. It was Yugito, signaling success from the western valley.
"Fū, we're leaving!" he called.
She was still locked in combat, unwilling to retreat. With no choice, Shigeo sprinted off toward the western valley alone.
There, another brawl raged. Fire, earth, and wind clashed together. High above, Deidara's explosive clay rained down mercilessly.
(End of Chapter)
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