We quickly reached the small gate leading into the Forest of Death, and then, having swung over the high fence, ran up the trunk of the nearest giant tree and continued up the paths. The only thing was that they had to concentrate and monitor the surroundings, so as not to run into the numerous inhabitants that could cause trouble to the jonin if he was careless.
No, if you're alone or in a small group, there's almost nothing to be afraid of, unless you're looking for adventure and understand exactly what you might encounter, but moving in a crowd...
That's why the Anbu had cleaned up our route last day, driving away or destroying the most dangerous animals and insects, but "no place is empty" and all the inhabitants of the Forest of Death have the ability to use chakra.
In fact, I launched spies here a little earlier, so I knew what was going on in almost every corner of this forest area. And thank Kami, it was safe to use shadow clones here, because even the Hyuga couldn't use their dojutsu to its full potential in a place like this - too many of them were using chakra, including the giant green giants that were misleadingly called trees, twice the size of the ones that grew in other places around Konoha.
Of course, even a good sensor like me would have a harder time finding the girls here, but I'd made sure to put tracking fuin on most of the genin's equipment, and if they went a little deeper into the forest, the nearest clones would be close by.
I don't need Anbu's watchers to remove the team from the test based on the mentor's help, because unlike me, kage bunshins don't have cloaking equipment and can't hide their chakra levels because it's their body. Even in a place as chakra-saturated as the Forest of Death, my reserve will be like a star in the night to any sensor.
***
Hyuga led the genin outside the village, to a tall metal fence, with several tents already set up near the gate. Hoshi was well aware that such a fence was around the entire Forest of Death, though it was needed not to keep the inhabitants inside - the wall around the village wouldn't do that, especially since the beasts outside were uncomfortable and didn't scatter - but to keep unsuspecting travelers out of places where not every shinobi would be able to remain unharmed.
- Behind my back is the Forest of Death, where the second stage of the chunin exam will be held, - the dojutsu wielder began his speech in a dull, soft voice, making the excited genin quiet, - each team will be given three bracelets and your task will be to get to the tower in the center of the forest with two bracelets per person.
- And if you only show up with one? - shouted someone behind Hoshi.
- Then you won't be able to enter the tower and finish the second stage, and after the three days allotted for this task, you will be disqualified, - the jonin shrugged indifferently, - the bracelets will be issued in the tents and there you will sign a waiver of claims in case of injury or death, each team will start at its own entrance, my assistants will escort those who will be ready, - he waved his hand in the direction of a couple dozen jonins, adding, - you have half an hour.
- Does everyone on the team have to have the bracelets or can one person go through?" he raised his hand and suddenly asked the blond man who had been arguing with Uzumaki earlier.
- Every genin who has collected two bracelets can pass, regardless of whether his comrades have collected their pair or not," the examiner replied.
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