[Just as the candidates' resentment was about to materialize.]
[A somewhat playful voice rang out.]
[Then, a beautiful figure appeared in everyone's sight.]
[Behind her followed several masked Anbu Ninjas.]
["Don't waste time."]
["You've merely passed this trivial first exam."]
["I am the proctor for the second exam, Anko Mitarashi."]
["Now, everyone follow me."]
[After saying that, Anko Mitarashi glanced at Naruto.]
[Then she turned and left.]
Seeing this scene.
Anko Mitarashi breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately.
She didn't suffer a social death.
If she had made an entrance like before... she might have been laughed at by Kurenai and Yūgao.
[Most people didn't move, silently looking at Ibiki.]
[However, not everyone was like this.]
[Sasuke had long since grown impatient.]
[He stood up, hands in his pockets, and walked out of the exam room without hesitation.]
[Naruto shook his head with a smile, nodded to Ibiki, and then stood up as well.]
[As soon as he moved, The Rookie 9 also immediately stood up and followed.]
[Seeing this, Ibiki spoke faster: "Passing the first exam is nothing; the real test is the second exam. It's not too late to regret it now... To make a long story short, you'll find out once you reach the training ground!"]
[A moment later.]
["This is the site for the second exam."]
["Known as Konoha's most dangerous training ground with the highest mortality rate—Training Ground 44, the Forest of Death!"]
[As she spoke, Anko extended her long, pink tongue and licked her red lips.]
[At this, the candidates who had just relaxed were stressed once again.]
[Looking at the Forest of Death again, they instantly got goosebumps.]
[Seeing that The Rookie 9 seemed unfazed, Anko felt a sense of boredom.]
[After briefly explaining the rules, she gave a broad wave of her hand.]
["Alright, come up and take turns signing the death waiver forms."]
["It's not too late to regret it now."]
["Otherwise, once the exam begins... you are responsible for your own life and death!"]
[This time, not many were scared away.]
[After scanning all the Genin present, Anko shook her head.]
[It would be lucky if half of them made it out.]
[The second exam is a survival exercise—no, not an exercise, it's a direct survival challenge.]
[Not only do they have to face the threats posed by other Genin.]
[The Forest of Death itself poses a massive threat.]
[With all sorts of hidden dangers... just being a paradise for poisonous creatures is enough to terrify the Genin.]
[Soon, the Genin one after another signed the death waiver forms.]
[Then they went to collect one of the Heaven or Earth Scrolls.]
[The five-day survival challenge officially began.]
[There were many entrances, so they wouldn't necessarily start a chaotic melee right upon entering.]
[A Ninja exam should, naturally, be handled like a Ninja.]
[Before long.]
[The last team entered the Forest of Death.]
[Anko withdrew her gaze.]
["Let's go, our mission is pretty much complete."]
["I thought you were going to cause a scene." Just as Anko finished speaking, a cold voice came from beside her.]
[Anko turned back to look at the animal-masked Anbu Ninja behind her and chuckled, "I can't just mess around... otherwise, how long could you endure the electric shock training?"]
[Yūgao Uzuki: "..."]
["I'll go check over there."]
["Ah—!!!"]
[Just then.]
[A blood-curdling scream echoed from within the Forest of Death.]
["Has it started so soon?"]
["That direction... it's Team Eight."]
[Sakura murmured, then looked at Naruto, "Should we group up?"]
["No need, we'll just head toward the Central Tower as normal."]
[Naruto shook his head.]
[Then he withdrew the portion of his consciousness that was coaxing the Great Fox inside the Sealing Space.]
[When entering the exam site, Naruto had noticed that many people were watching them.]
[He estimated that soon after entering, they would come looking for his team.]
[He slightly expanded his perception.]
["Ninjas from Kusagakure?"]
[Naruto was taken aback.]
[He had clearly sensed the situation on Hinata's side.]
[As Konoha's top reconnaissance team.]
[Their counter-reconnaissance abilities were naturally exceptional.]
[Those Kusagakure Ninjas were quite unlucky; they set so many traps, only to run into Team Eight.]
[Only six people from Kusagakure had passed.]
[Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly.]
["She... probably isn't there, right?"]
[While signing the death waiver forms, Naruto spotted the person he had been concerned about since the start of the first exam.]
[That person who gave him a familiar and warm feeling...]
[A Genin from Kusagakure.]
[The girl's striking long red hair flashed in Naruto's mind.]
['Perhaps... it's unlikely, but it can't be ruled out.']
[After a moment's thought, Naruto changed direction.]
[Sakura and Sasuke naturally noticed something was wrong.]
[However, neither spoke, silently following behind Naruto while staying alert to their surroundings.]
[Having confronted the Sunagakure Ninjas before the exam, they still maintained a sense of caution toward Genin from other villages.]
["Ah—!!!"]
[Just then.]
[Another scream came from the distance.]
[Sasuke paused in his tracks.]
["That direction... is where the Sunagakure team entered."]
["It's on the path Team Eight must take to the Central Tower... Should we head over?" Sakura asked.]
[During that day's confrontation.]
[The three Sunagakure Genin were not lacking in strength.]
[Especially the last one, Gaara of the Desert, who carried a sand gourd and could manipulate sand.]
[Even without fighting, they made Sasuke and Sakura feel a hint of pressure.]
["No need, Hinata can handle everything."]
[As he spoke, Naruto looked in two other directions.]
["Team Guy has Lee... and with Neji there, they won't be in much danger."]
["Team Ten..."]
["The Ino–Shika–Chō combination technique is enough to deal with emergencies, and with Shikamaru coordinating... there's no need to go there either."]
[Even if real danger appears.]
[With this New Shinobi Sect around.]
[None of this is an issue.]
[Because... the New Shinobi Sect has been updated again.]
[It now includes Naruto's exclusive Flying Thunder God Formula.]
Fourth Raikage: "???"
Senju Tobirama: "Hiss... As expected of you, Black-Framed Naruto!"
Orochimaru: "Hahaha~ I knew it~ I knew it! The moment Minato appeared, I guessed that Black-framed Naruto-kun would definitely do this!"
Senju Tobirama: "Even though it's a Ninjutsu I developed... oh well, isn't this exactly what I wanted?"
Senju Hashirama: Hahaha~
Senju Hashirama: Tobirama's technique in Black-Framed Naruto's hands... it's as if it has found a new master!
Senju Hashirama: Maybe we'll be able to meet again soon, Madara~!
Uchiha Madara: Hmph!
Still as tsundere as ever.
Uchiha Izuna: Uh... I think it's better if we meet in the gold-frame world. If we meet in the black frame world... things will get complicated.
["Well then, it's time to handle our own business." Naruto chuckled softly; he had been watching that androgynous Kusa Ninja Ninja for a long time.]
[Releasing his Kagura Minds Eye, Naruto glanced in a certain direction.]
[Unfortunately, it seemed that as soon as they entered, that red-haired girl was abandoned by her androgynous Kusa Ninja companion.]
['That's fine; there's no danger there for now. I'll go check on her in a bit.']
[At the same time, Sasuke and Sakura had also noticed.]
["Heh~"]
[Sasuke sneered, "There are quite a few rats... let's take them all out in one go."]
[Then his hands quickly formed seals.]
["Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"]