That possibility wasn't zero.
After all, the current Team Minato, thanks to Mikami Yuu's existence and Obito's awakened Sharingan, was a little over the standard in terms of visible strength. Among the dozens of teams participating in this exam, basically no one could pose a threat to them.
Under normal circumstances, this exam would only be a formality for them.
So…
if the examiners wanted to confirm their actual level, they could only personally enter the field.
Although the list of this "examiner team" had not yet been announced, Yuu could guess two of its members with his eyes closed. Yūhi Shinku went without saying, and Kakashi was probably there too.
One jōnin, one near-jōnin, and then one or two random chūnin. The overall strength of that team would far surpass that of an ordinary squad. Most candidate teams would basically lose quickly if they encountered them.
However…
if Yuu's team ran into them, the result would be harder to say.
"Interesting."
Yuu lowered his eyes, hiding the anticipation within them.
A moment later,
everyone was led by several chūnin examiners to the vicinity of the Forest of Death.
As one of Konoha's largest training grounds, the Forest of Death was surrounded by tall wire fencing. Its interior was deep and mysterious, with towering trees dozens of meters high forming a vast sea of forest. Even from a distance, it gave off a dangerous aura.
Since there were only two entrances, it was impossible for so many people to rush in all at once.
So the examiner team had assigned numbered chest tags to every squad in advance, and everyone entered according to their number.
Yuu's team was assigned number 22, relatively far back in the order.
"Man, we're so far back. How long do we have to wait?"
Obito looked at the teams entering the forest one after another and stomped his foot impatiently.
Yuu said casually, "Instead of thinking about that, you might as well think about how we're going to find the 'hostages' later."
Obito was reminded. "Right, how do we find them?"
In this kind of exam, sensory ninja had the greatest advantage, because they could completely avoid fighting, directly locate the target, and escort them to the destination.
In the original Twelve Konoha Rookie period, Kurenai's team had done exactly that. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino gathered the Heaven and Earth scrolls even faster than Gaara's team. If Kiba hadn't been stupid and insisted on provoking Gaara, they probably would have passed the exam first.
And now,
Obito and Rin did not have sensory talent.
Yuu had a little, since he had been training in it lately, but because his bloodline was ordinary, he could only sense movements at close range. His range was limited.
So…
"The purpose of the exam is selection, not looking for a needle in a haystack. The appearance of those 'strongholds' may be disguised, but their locations must be in relatively noticeable areas inside the forest. They won't be set somewhere too remote. Otherwise, most squads wouldn't even be able to find them, and the exam would lose its meaning."
As Yuu spoke, he pulled out a neatly folded piece of parchment from his ninja pouch and unfolded it in front of Obito and Rin. On it was a hand-drawn map of the Forest of Death.
"Our current location is roughly here, and the final destination is the tower in the center of the forest. So, using the tower as the center, this forest can be divided into four irregular fan-shaped regions. Each region most likely contains one 'stronghold.'"
As he spoke,
Yuu drew one horizontal and one vertical line on the map with his finger.
"As long as we find the central point of each region and use it as the center, then conduct a spiral search outward, prioritizing high ground, water sources, and areas where artificial traces might remain, we should most likely find the target."
At this moment,
Obito's eyes widened. He looked at the map, then at Yuu, his face full of disbelief.
"Wait! Yuu, how did you know the exam location would be the Forest of Death? You even prepared a map in advance? Don't tell me you…"
"I didn't know."
Yuu's tone was calm and flat. "There are only so many large training grounds in Konoha suitable for this kind of large-scale practical exam. Aside from the Forest of Death, there are Training Grounds 18, 59, and a few others… I prepared maps for all of them. If I needed them, I could take them out. Don't underestimate my intelligence network."
"…Wow! Yuu-kun is amazing! You thought this through so carefully!"
Rin looked at the clear and neat markings on the map, her eyes full of admiration.
One had to know…
Ninja tool shops didn't sell this kind of map. Especially since the one Yuu pulled out also marked several rivers, hills, and swamps. It looked like something he had drawn by hand after personally exploring the area. That made it even rarer. If this map were put up for auction, quite a few people would probably want to buy it.
Beside her, Obito opened his mouth as if wanting to argue, but looking at the clear logical lines on the map, he couldn't find anything to say. He could only mutter,
"…Fine. You're impressive."
Finally,
it was Yuu's team's turn to enter.
"Move out!"
At Yuu's words,
Obito and Rin quickly followed. The three figures passed through the gloomy entrance and swiftly disappeared into the Forest of Death.
The moment they entered, the light immediately dimmed.
Towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight. The air was filled with the smell of damp soil, rotting leaves, and all kinds of dangerous creatures. The surroundings were silent, with only the rustle of wind through leaves and their own footsteps. The silence was somewhat frightening.
"The direction is basically confirmed."
"According to the plan, we head toward the center point of the third quadrant."
Yuu said in a low voice.
The so-called "third quadrant" was the southeastern region on his map. It was the closest region to this entrance.
"Got it."
Obito and Rin tacitly accepted Yuu's role as "captain."
Obito activated his Sharingan. His crimson pupils were like two ghostly flames in the dim forest, turning warily as he searched for any chakra traces or traps.
Rin gripped her kunai tightly and followed slightly behind Yuu's side, while also paying attention to movements behind them.
"No need to be that nervous. At this time, most people should still be running around like headless flies. Fighting probably won't break out this quickly… Speed up. Traveling is more important."
Yuu said.
The vegetation in the forest was dense, and vines tangled everywhere, making movement difficult.
At once,
Yuu led from the front, opening the way, while Obito and Rin followed behind, moving toward the planned center point. Along the way, Yuu noticed a patch of trampled ferns and several unnaturally broken branches.
"Huh, this is…"
Obito noticed it too.
"Traces of another squad passing through. Their direction is different from ours. Ignore it. Follow our original plan."
About half an hour later,
the three successfully arrived near the planned center point. It was a relatively open clearing in the forest, surrounded by enormous trees so thick that several people would need to link arms to encircle them.
~~~
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