These two attackers were two of the three Ame ninjas who had a conflict with Jokichi in the classroom earlier.
Both were middle-aged men.
However, one was burly, blind in his right eye, with two scars over it.
The other was short, like a dwarf, even a bit shorter than Konohamaru.
They both wore cloaks and carried three paper umbrellas on their backs.
Before the first exam, they had wanted to teach Jokichi a lesson in front of so many people, but ended up too scared to show their faces because of a single attack from him.
This made them feel incomparably humiliated.
And humiliation requires blood to wash away.
In the environment of the classroom, they couldn't dodge the cold air of the Ice Release, but in this spacious forest, it was different.
"Kid, it's time to properly settle the score from the classroom."
The two drew a paper umbrella and tossed it into the air.
The paper umbrellas opened automatically in the air, spinning and hovering, while densely packed senbon needles fell like rain.
— Ninja Art: Senbon Shower.
Jokichi had a calm face and clapped his hands together.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall."
A row of wooden pillars rose from the ground on both sides, curving upward to form an arched wall that protected the two inside.
The senbon rain fell on the arched wall, making a "thud, thud, thud" sound.
The sound continued for nearly ten seconds before stopping.
Jokichi dispelled the ninjutsu. Seeing the densely packed senbon on the arched wall, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
This exam was a scroll snatching battle; it wasn't strictly necessary to take people's lives.
But these two opened with a killing move, clearly having no intention of letting them off.
Since that's the case, then you can go die too!
Jokichi's hands formed seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet."
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet."
A roaring earth dragon rose from the ground, possessing fierce flames like a divine dragon descending to the world. A raise of its head and a swing of its tail cleared the area ahead for over a hundred meters.
And those two Ame ninjas only had time to let out a miserable scream before they were crushed to death.
Yes, crushed to death.
A composite ninjutsu composed of two B-rank ninjutsu of different attributes, like a divine dragon dancing wildly, filled with power and flames.
A ninjutsu of this level, even a Kage would have to defend against carefully, let alone mere Genin.
They weren't even qualified to be the target of the ninjutsu attack; they were wiped out just by the divine dragon brushing past them.
"These two people..."
Looking at the still burning residue and broken wood ahead, Sakura didn't know what to say.
Everything was too sudden; attackers suddenly appearing, and the battle suddenly ending.
It ended before she even had time to react.
"Examinees are in teams of three, be careful," Jokichi spoke up to remind her.
Sakura suddenly jolted awake.
Right, squads are in groups of three.
Since two of the enemies appeared here, where is the other one hiding?
Hiding in the dark observing?
Sakura assumed a defensive posture, warily looking around.
In the quiet forest, there was only the "crackle" of wood burning.
Suddenly, Sakura remembered something.
With such a huge commotion, why didn't Naruto react?
Life and death are at stake, surely taking a dump isn't more important!
"Oh no, Naru..."
"Ah! So comfortable, so comfortable."
Sakura was just about to say something happened to Naruto, but then Naruto drilled out of the bushes with a refreshed look on his face.
"..."
Sakura fell silent.
Looking at Naruto's optimistic face, she couldn't help but feel like a fool for worrying about his safety.
"Eh!"
Naruto looked at the destroyed mess ahead, startled, and hurriedly looked at Jokichi.
"What happened here?"
Jokichi shot him a glance and shook his head slightly.
"Nothing, let's continue on our way."
"Oh, oh!"
Naruto and Sakura nodded, continuing towards the central tower.
But just at the moment Naruto turned around, Jokichi drew his sword and pierced his heart with a single thrust.
"Ah!!!"
Sakura covered her mouth and screamed, looking at Jokichi with eyes full of terror.
"Why?"
"Don't panic."
Jokichi looked back at her, saying calmly, "This guy is a fake."
Saying that, Jokichi pulled the long sword out of "Naruto's" body.
And the fake Naruto also transformed back to his true form with a "poof" sound.
It was none other than the last of the Ame ninjas.
Jokichi searched his body for the scroll.
Sakura also recovered her senses, apologizing very sincerely, "I'm sorry, I was just startled."
"It's nothing, you were just confused out of concern."
Saying that, Jokichi searched out a scroll from the corpse. It just happened to be the Earth scroll.
Jokichi nodded in satisfaction, put the scroll into his ninja tool pouch, and then looked at Sakura.
"Let's go find Naruto."
"Wh-where do we look?"
"Just nearby," Jokichi said. "Before confirming the enemies are all dead, they generally keep captives alive. If the subsequent battle is unfavorable, they can be used as hostages or as negotiation terms."
"Oh, oh!"
Sakura understood.
She knew these principles too, but with so many things happening at once, she hadn't recovered her wits yet.
Soon, the two found Naruto nearby.
He was tied to a large tree, a gag stuffed in his mouth, with traces of feces and urine on his pants.
This guy was probably ambushed while taking a dump.
Seeing Jokichi and Sakura, Naruto struggled and mumbled, wanting them to hurry up and untie him.
"So smelly."
Sakura pinched her nose and turned her head away with a look of disgust.
Clearly, she didn't want to go untie him.
Jokichi held his breath, walked over, and cut the ropes.
Naruto took the gag out of his mouth and cursed indignantly, "To ambush someone while they're taking a dump, that bastard, I definitely won't forgive him."
"That guy is dead," Jokichi suppressed a smile, taking out the Earth scroll.
"That guy attacked us and was counter-killed. Now the scrolls are gathered, let's go to the tower!"
"Eh!"
Naruto froze, feeling a bit downcast.
Although he should be happy that the scrolls were gathered, he felt like he hadn't done anything and had just been carried along the whole way.
Seemingly seeing through Naruto's thoughts, Jokichi patted his shoulder and comforted him.
"No one gave you any help in the first exam; you passed it on your own. Besides, there's still the third exam!"
Naruto instantly regained his vitality.
"What are you talking about, I didn't have that kind of thought!"
"What kind of thought?" Jokichi blinked his big eyes.
"Just..."
"Just what!"
"Ahhh, stop teasing me."
"Haha... You'd better go wipe the feces and urine off your pants first, it stinks."
"You..."
"Haha..."
...
After some sorting out, the three hit the road again.
They didn't encounter any more trouble along the way.
Jokichi felt a bit puzzled at this time.
Before entering the Forest of Death, Naruto was toyed with by Anko for being too arrogant.
During that time, Orochimaru, disguised as a Kusa ninja, also came out to brush up his presence.
Although others didn't recognize him, Jokichi noticed that cold, snake-like aura at a glance.
But, why didn't he come looking for me?
Sasuke didn't participate in the Chunin Exams. If Orochimaru was here for Sasuke, there would be no reason for him to be here.
Since Orochimaru came, he could only have been drawn here by my bait (the perfect Sage blood). His target is me.
But...
Why hasn't he come?
The thought had just crossed his mind when suddenly, the air became turbulent and rushed, then turned into a howling wind that broke through everything.