The gate to the Forest of Death slowly opened.
A group of Genin quickly rushed in from their respective entrances.
There were many competitors in this exam; entering earlier allowed one to seize the initiative, whether it be to familiarize themselves with the environment or set up traps within the forest.
Even Uchiha Itachi was no exception.
Only Akihara Kagura walked slowly into the exam site, weighing the Earth Scroll in his hand, calmly gazing into the depths of the dark Forest of Death.
"Hey, kid!"
A female ninja, responsible for opening the gate for this part of the exam, seemed a bit impatient with Akihara Kagura's slow pace, and snapped, "Hurry up and get in! If you move any slower, you might be dead by tonight!"
"..."
Akihara Kagura turned back to glance at her.
This female ninja wore a dirt-colored trench coat over a mesh shirt, her exposed legs clad in fishnet stockings, and her light purple hair was tied up messily into a bun, making her look relatively young.
"Hurry up!"
The female ninja's expression was somewhat impatient as she watched Akihara Kagura finally enter the exam site, slamming the gate shut with force and clapping her hands clean.
"Big sister, what's your name?"
Akihara Kagura stood inside, smiling as he looked at the female ninja.
"Huh?"
The female ninja was slightly taken aback by the audacity of this kid, then suddenly laughed, "Kid, it's pretty bold of you to ask during such a dangerous exam... My name is Mitarashi Anko. If you make it out alive, buy me some dango!"
"I'll remember you."
Akihara Kagura didn't mention anything about treating her to food.
He hadn't mistaken her; this female ninja named Mitarashi Anko was once a disciple of Orochimaru and carried a hint of Orochimaru's Chakra.
In a way, this Mitarashi Anko was also his former colleague, and currently his fellow colleague; perhaps there's a chance to introduce her to the old leaders.
"Such a spirited child..."
Mitarashi Anko tilted her head, smiling as she narrowed her eyes, "Then do your best, and try not to die too early in the Forest of Death!"
"Yes, I'll remember you."
Akihara Kagura nodded, repeating his words.
Just as Mitarashi Anko was about to say more, she saw Akihara Kagura suddenly raising his fingers, forming the Snake Seal!
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Thick vine-like roots erupted from the ground!
Tall, towering trees emerged as the vine roots spread!
Akihara Kagura controlled his Chakra, raising his fingers again to manipulate the branches of the huge trees to converge!
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
A massive wood dragon snaked out from the trunk!
The wood dragon, resembling a giant beast, slowly bent down, sliding to Akihara Kagura's front, lifting the boy with its head as it gradually reared up again.
"How is this possible... Wood Release Ninjutsu..."
Mitarashi Anko looked on in shock at the scene unfolding within the Forest of Death.
"I'll remember you."
Akihara Kagura turned back again and repeated to Mitarashi Anko, maneuvering the wood dragon to spiral towards the depths of the Forest of Death.
"Let's go greet everyone first..."
"This kid..."
Mitarashi Anko pondered for a moment before dashing towards the direction where the main examiner was located!
In fact, there was no need for Mitarashi Anko to report it, as everyone present had seen the huge wood dragon emerge, hovering over the Forest of Death, making many think they were under mysterious enemy attack.
Hokage Tower.
A group of Konoha higher-ups were staring in surprise at the screen.
Even though Shimura Danzo had long known that Akihara Kagura had mastered the Wood Dragon Jutsu, he never imagined that the child could reproduce it so comprehensively under his abstract teaching methods.
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen held a pipe in his hand, hesitating to put it in his mouth as his mind raced, calmly considering what this child with Wood Release meant for Konoha.
Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the two other Hokage Advisors didn't have to think as much; their proposals were always based on Konoha's best interest.
Their eyes immediately fell on Shimura Danzo.
One of the elders, wearing glasses, was named Mitokado Homura; the other elderly woman, squinting, was named Utatane Koharu.
These two Hokage Advisors were once teammates with Shimura Danzo, so they spoke without reservation, directly asking the key questions.
"Danzo, when did this child awaken Wood Release?"
"Danzo, whose child is this? How did the Wood Release Bloodline in him awaken? Does he have Senju bloodline in him?"
"..."
Shimura Danzo was silent for a while before responding, "This is a child from the Konoha Orphanage. Years ago, Orochimaru illegally conducted Wood Release human experiments on him, and he survived it. Seeing this child's strong life force, I took him to Root, and only recently did he suddenly awaken Wood Release..."
"I see."
Mitokado Homura's brow furrowed with layers of wrinkles, sighing, "It seems to be a very coincidental event..."
Utatane Koharu's tone was not as excited anymore, "I thought the village could regain the Wood Release Bloodline of the First Hokage. Conducting such human experiments is ultimately too dangerous for the participants."
"Jia is just an exception."
Shimura Danzo slowly nodded.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, having finished his thought, resumed holding the pipe and slowly said the first words: "It seems this child's Wood Release is quite formidable, able to almost fully recreate the First Hokage's Wood Release Ninjutsu. One day, he may even become the next First Hokage!"
"Oh?"
The two Hokage Advisors were immediately intrigued.
Mitokado Homura had never paid attention to the Wood Release recorded in the Sealing Book, since Konoha had never been able to replicate the First Hokage's Wood Release. He subconsciously asked.
"Can this child become as strong a ninja as the First Hokage?"
"Hmm?"
Shimura Danzo immediately understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's meaning and quickly replied, "This child's Wood Release Ninjutsu cannot be compared to the First Hokage's, Deep Forest Emergence..."
"Danzo, you're too narrow-minded."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shimura Danzo earnestly, explaining, "The technique of Deep Forest Emergence isn't perfect... but the Wood Dragon Jutsu is different!"
"If his Wood Dragon Jutsu is as effective as recorded in the Sealing Book, capable even of suppressing Tailed Beasts, this child's potential in Wood Release is much greater than you think. Having him do those shadowy tasks in Root is a waste..."
"But..."
Shimura Danzo's eyes involuntarily widened.
"Indeed, Danzo!"
Utatane Koharu frowned and suggested, "Danzo, keeping this child in Root is a great waste; he should be handed over to Sarutobi..."
"..."
Shimura Danzo tightly gripped his cane.
Why did this sound so familiar? It used to be him saying such things to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but today it was his turn to hear them?