For the rest of the journey, Uchiha Kazuhiko didn't encounter any more blocking enemies. After eliminating a few fierce beasts that attacked him, he finally arrived near the Cloud Rock Platform before nightfall.
Due to terrain and barrier restrictions, there were only two paths leading to the Cloud Rock Platform, east and west. After surveying both, Uchiha Kazuhiko chose to stay near the more favorable Eastern Path, waiting for kind-hearted examinees to deliver the pass tokens to him.
He went to a clear stream, washed the ingredients he had gathered along the way, then collected some dry branches from the forest. Using a Fire Release technique, he lit a campfire and prepared a lavish meal of wild game.
After eating his fill, he jumped onto the trunk of a large tree and began his mental energy cultivation.
Compared to physical training, improving mental energy was far more difficult.
Even after practicing the Sun-Chaser Meditation Technique for so long, Uchiha Kazuhiko's mental energy had only increased by about two levels.
Although it had reached the critical point for unlocking the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, completely crossing that threshold would still require considerable time and a specific opportunity.
For now, the only plan was to ensure his mental energy remained at its peak. That way, when the opportunity arose, he could seize it and evolve into the truly functional Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
The night passed without incident. Uchiha Kazuhiko, still without a breakthrough, ended his meditation.
He ate a simple meal, created two shadow clones, and dispersed them near the Eastern Path to wait for other teams to appear.
After all, less than a day had passed. Finding the pass tokens in the vast Rota Mountains was extremely difficult. Uchiha Kazuhiko wasn't anxious; teams would inevitably pass by his location before the exam ended.
Time flew by. The entire day passed, and Uchiha Kazuhiko didn't encounter a single person, only gathering a large pile of wild ingredients for cooking.
Just as he was about to prepare dinner, one of the shadow clones on the outskirts of the Eastern Path spotted a team of Rock ninjas approaching. It dispelled itself, returning to the main body and transmitting the information.
Upon receiving the memory from the shadow clone, Uchiha Kazuhiko immediately abandoned the ingredients on the ground and stealthily headed towards the Rock ninjas' direction, waiting for their arrival.
Before long, three figures shuttled between the trees appeared in Uchiha Kazuhiko's field of vision.
While leaping, a white-haired female Rock ninja asked the leading black-clothed Rock ninja,
"Captain Haizawa, are we really not going to search for the pass tokens anymore?"
"Unnecessary. None of us three are skilled in tracking. We found no clues in a day and a half. Rather than waste time, it's better to wait here and ambush other teams to seize their tokens."
Clearly, this black-clothed Rock ninja named Haizawa had the same idea as Uchiha Kazuhiko.
Another Rock ninja with the characters 'Akayama written on his clothes teased a monkey-like summon on his shoulder and said lazily,
"Momoe, stop asking so many questions. Just trust the captain. Anyway, with our strength and Little Gold's, few teams are our match."
The short-haired Rock ninja, Hanasaki Momoe, shot a look of disgust at him, turned her head away, and stopped speaking, silently following behind Captain Haizawa.
Hidden in the shadows, Uchiha Kazuhiko heard their entire conversation. He felt somewhat disappointed. He had thought someone was coming to deliver a token, but it turned out they were here to compete for the spot. He couldn't help but sigh.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Uchiha Kazuhiko's sigh was detected by Haizawa while moving. He immediately alerted his companions, landing on the ground and adopting a defensive formation.
Since he was discovered, Uchiha Kazuhiko walked out directly. Looking at the wary Rock ninjas, he said in a tone brooking no argument,
"Leave this place. Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy."
"Aren't you being a bit too overbearing?"
Haizawa frowned, showing slight displeasure. "This area doesn't belong to Konoha."
Uchiha Kazuhiko sneered, replying as if it were obvious,
"From the moment I arrived here, this became Konoha's territory."
The short-haired Rock ninja, Hanasaki Momoe, looked at Uchiha Kazuhiko's handsome face, the disgust in her eyes becoming even more apparent.
She inciting said, "Captain, stop wasting words with him. Let's just kill him."
"Silence!" Haizawa snapped softly, admonishing her dissatisfied.
"Momoe, this is the last warning. Don't let your hatred for men affect your judgment."
After lecturing his teammate, Haizawa turned to Uchiha Kazuhiko and said,
"Since you insist, we have no choice but to test you with a few moves to see if you are qualified to occupy this strategic location."
"If you're not afraid of death, then come." Uchiha Kazuhiko was bored, and the Rock ninjas' appearance was a good way to relieve monotony.
"Earth Release: Hiding in Rock Technique!"
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Projectile!"
Hanasaki Momoe performed hand signs, likely attempting to restrict Uchiha Kazuhiko's movement with an Earth technique.
Captain Haizawa conjured a massive earthen dragon head that fired mud projectiles to test Uchiha Kazuhiko's strength.
"Go, Little Gold!" The Rock ninja Akayama commanded the monkey summon on his shoulder. He then formed hand signs, channeling his chakra and strength into it, activating a unique enhancement secret technique.
"Secret Technique: King Kong Transformation!" (?)
The originally half-meter-tall small monkey rapidly expanded under the technique's effect, transforming into a nearly four-meter-tall golden giant ape.
"Roar!"
The golden giant ape pounded its chest with fists like boulders. Its blood-red eyes filled with tyranny fury. It let out a long roar and, like a bulldozer, swung its heavy fist down at Uchiha Kazuhiko.
The ape's two muscular arms were as thick as old trees, clearly possessing immense power.
Uchiha Kazuhiko's gaze sharpened. Intending to test his current strength, he directly opened the Fourth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates - Gate of Pain. His right hand clenched into a fist, and he unleashed one hundred percent of his power without hesitation, punching towards the giant ape's fist.
Boom!
The two fists, one large and one small, collided. A tremendous impact force exploded outwards, scattering fallen leaves and gravel in all directions, raising a cloud of dust.
Uchiha Kazuhiko felt a bored sensation in his chest and couldn't help but take half a step back. He had slightly underestimated the ape's strength, but it was still within his range of tolerance, and his body didn't sustain much damage.
"Roar!"
The golden giant ape, however, was in a wretched state. Its right arm shattered into pieces under Uchiha Kazuhiko's counterforce. Pale white arm bones pierced through the thick, tough skin and muscle, exposed bloodily to the air. It let out a loud cry of agony.
After testing his strength, Uchiha Kazuhiko pushed off the ground with his feet, leaping out of the area affected by the Earth technique. A large amount of chakra gathered in his right hand. With a straightforward, unadorned punch, he struck the golden giant ape's head.
Crash!
The giant ape's cries ceased abruptly. Its head shattered like a watermelon. As blood flowed, its massive body crashed to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Having dealt with the golden giant ape, Uchiha Kazuhiko flipped in mid-air and landed back on the ground. He drew the Bloodwing Black Blade from his system space and pointed it at the horrified Rock ninjas.
"Now, do you think I have the qualification?"