Uchiha Kazuhiko was assigned number 39, so he was in the last wave of ninjas to enter the Rota Mountains.
Once he learned the specific content of the second stage, Uchiha Kazuhiko had already made a decision.
Unlike most teams who rushed to find the pass tokens, he simply identified the direction and took the shortest route directly towards the Cloud Rock Platform in the northern part of the Rota Mountains.
Uchiha Kazuhiko's plan was to reach the area near the platform before anyone else and lie in wait, intercepting teams that had found tokens and came to deliver them, seizing the tokens from their hands.
Of course, to achieve this plan, one hard requirement had to be met: possessing strength surpassing that of the other examinees. And Uchiha Kazuhiko could naturally do this.
"Roar!"
Just as Uchiha Kazuhiko was passing through a valley, a tremendous roar erupted from a nearby forest, followed by ground-shaking tremors. A four-to-five-meter-tall giant gray bear charged out, roaring.
After all, this was an exam venue. The beasts inside were fierce creatures raised by the hosts using drugs. Compared to ordinary beasts, they were significantly larger in size.
Without a doubt, their strength far surpassed that of ordinary beasts growing in the wild.
"Heh, looks like dinner is settled for tonight."
Looking at the charging giant bear, a gleam of anticipation shone in Uchiha Kazuhiko's eyes.
He retrieved the Bloodwing Black Blade from his system space and, with some excitement, used the most basic single-target sword technique from the Wind Spirit Sword Art.
"Gale Slash!"
Fierce wind-attribute chakra coated the blade. A straightforward, unadorned slash directly tore through the giant gray bear's thick fur, cleaving it in two. The remaining force not reduced, left a deep scar on the ground.
Uchiha Kazuhiko was somewhat surprised by the power of this Gale Slash. Looking at the bear's wound and the scar on the ground, he estimated that, enhanced by the Bloodwing Black Blade, this move now had destructive power equivalent to an A-rank ninjutsu.
He plunged the Bloodwing Black Blade into the giant gray bear's corpse and activated its accompanying skill Dark Siphon.
A black mist enveloped the bear's corpse.
The blood within began converging towards the blade, absorbed by the Bloodwing Black Blade and instantly converted into chakra, replenishing the energy and stamina Uchiha Kazuhiko had just consumed.
Only when Uchiha Kazuhiko returned to perfect condition did the Bloodwing Black Blade stop absorbing the bear's blood. The black mist dissipated, leaving behind a nearly blood-drained bear corpse.
"The Bloodwing Black Blade is truly a treasure."
Uchiha Kazuhiko clenched his fist, feeling the abundant energy and stamina within his body, a smile playing on his lips.
From now on, as long as he didn't encounter enemies far stronger than him, even if they vastly outnumbered him, he wouldn't have to worry about being worn down by siege. He could engage in battles of attrition without restraint.
He cut off the bear's paws and stored them in his system space. Uchiha Kazuhiko set off again towards the Cloud Rock Platform.
In the blink of an eye, ten minutes passed. Thanks to the convenience of traveling alone, Uchiha Kazuhiko had already caught up to the team that had set out in the wave before his.
It was a Konoha team. They were startled by Uchiha Kazuhiko's sudden appearance but relaxed upon realizing he was from the same village.
"Uchiha clansman, there are many enemies here. How about we move together?"
The team's leader, a Konoha ninja, approached and invited Uchiha Kazuhiko.
"Sorry, I have matters to attend to. I must be on my way."
Uchiha Kazuhiko had no intention of teaming up with these rookies who would only hold him back.
With a few leaps through the trees, he put distance between himself and the Konoha team.
A few minutes later, Uchiha Kazuhiko reached the edge of this forest. Just as he jumped down from a tree trunk and prepared to continue along the hillside, several sharp whistling sounds came from the top of a nearby slope. Over a dozen kunai and shuriken shot towards various parts of his body.
Poof!
The Replacement Technique activated. Uchiha Kazuhiko used the simplest method to dodge the attack, then observed the team of Grass ninjas that had revealed themselves.
Grass ninjas hailed from the minor Grass Village, nestled between major nations.
There wasn't much introduction about Grass ninjas in the original story. It was only known that they had few native ninjutsu, primarily relying on studying other countries' techniques to create their own.
Living in such an environment, Grass ninjas developed an extreme craving for ninjutsu.
"Not bad, able to dodge our attack."
Three Grass ninjas, wearing gaudy uniforms, swaggered out from behind the slope. Looking down condescendingly at the lone Uchiha Kazuhiko, they threatened arrogantly,
"Kid, there are three of us. If you don't want to die, hand over all the ninjutsu you know."
Hearing the Grass ninjas arrogant and conceited threat, Uchiha Kazuhiko almost laughed out loud.
With their strength, not even chunin level, they dared to threaten him? Did they really think ninja battles were decided by numbers?
"A bunch of trash."
Not bothering to waste words on them, Uchiha Kazuhiko stood motionless, magnanimously granting them the chance to launch their final attack in this life.
"Bastard! Damn Konoha ninja, how dare you look down on us!"
Since arriving in the Cloud Village, wherever they encountered ninjas from major villages, they were met with disdain. This had filled the proud Grass team leader with pent-up fury.
Uchiha Kazuhiko's words acted like a fuse, instantly igniting the Grass team leader. He glared furiously at Uchiha Kazuhiko, only to be startled by the latter's cold, indifferent eyes.
"Ahhh, die!"
The reacted Grass team leader, even more enraged and humiliated, roared and charged at Uchiha Kazuhiko.
"Fire Style: Heavenly Prison Fire Sword!"
The Grass ninja's right hand became covered in fire-nature chakra, transforming into the shape of a sword that thrust towards Uchiha Kazuhiko's chest.
Uchiha Kazuhiko sneered. He only opened the First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates. His right leg lifted high like a phantom and kicked towards the Grass ninja's chest.
"Ahh!"
A shrill scream erupted. The Grass ninja's ribs were utterly shattered into powder. Blood mist sprayed from his mouth as if it cost nothing. His body flew back even faster, crashing against the stone wall of the slope.
Boom!
The stone wall was indented with a human-shaped crater. The Grass ninja fell to the ground like a dead dog, blood streaming from all seven orifices, unable to move even a finger.
Seeing their leader, now devoid of breath, the remaining two Grass ninjas' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Their legs went weak, and they collapsed on the ground.
"If you're not attacking, then let me send you on your way."
Looking at the terrified Grass ninjas, Uchiha Kazuhiko lost interest in toying with them. With a shift of his feet, he instantly appeared beside the two. One punch, one kick, and he sent them to hell to keep their leader company.
Having dealt with the ridiculous Grass ninja roadblock, Uchiha Kazuhiko continued towards his destination.
After traversing several perilous high mountains, Uchiha Kazuhiko arrived at the outskirts of a valley. Just as he was about to step into it, his expression suddenly turned grave.