Three days of relentless travel through the harsh terrain left the candidates who arrived at the Wind Demon Desert Listening Station utterly exhausted.
However, their hard work bore fruit.
Thirty candidates who arrived late were stopped outside the station by Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yūhi.
"Sorry, but this is where your journey ends," Kurenai said calmly.
Asuma added, "Latecomers are disqualified. Konoha candidates will return to the village, while those from other villages are to disperse here and now."
Hearing this, a few candidates showed dissatisfaction.
"Why? So the last three days of effort were for nothing?"
"Exactly! You're telling us we're disqualified only after we arrive?"
"Sending us back now is too much!"
Kurenai responded firmly, "If you're complaining about this, maybe you should feel lucky to be disqualified!"
"She's right," Asuma agreed, glancing toward the direction of the listening station. "Because ahead lies a hell you may not return from."
The candidates who reached the listening station were unaware of this conversation outside.
Once inside, they were guided by Sunagakure ninjas to their respective team quarters for rest.
As night fell, a broadcast announced, "Dinner is ready. Candidates, please proceed to the cafeteria."
Upon hearing the announcement, candidates from various ninja villages made their way to the cafeteria.
The dinner was set up buffet-style, with a long table laden with delicious dishes.
When Sasuke's team entered, all eyes turned toward them.
"So that's Uchiha Sasuke?"
"I heard he's already joined Konoha's police force. Why is he here?"
"If he's here, that means he's still a genin, just like us…"
Amid the murmurs, Sasuke scoffed quietly.
Meanwhile, Shōmaru quickly grabbed three plates, piled them high with food, and carried them on a tray. "It's too crowded here. Lord Sasuke, Princess Chione, let's eat in our room instead."
"Good idea," Chione agreed, not fond of crowded places.
Sasuke scanned the crowd, then shoved his hands into his pockets and turned to leave, signaling his agreement.
Not long after their departure, chaos erupted in the cafeteria. Candidates began fighting, turning the area into a mess with food scattered everywhere.
When the dust settled, many had to return to their rooms hungry.
Learning of the incident, Chione expressed relief, "Thank goodness for Big Brother Shōmaru! Otherwise, we'd be starving too."
"Heh, just lucky," Shōmaru replied sheepishly, scratching his head.
Sasuke, however, frowned. "Lucky…?"
From the first exam to now, the seemingly clumsy Shōmaru had repeatedly resolved their problems with remarkable timing, ensuring their smooth progress.
Coincidence? Once or twice, maybe. But this many times?
Sasuke's intuition told him there was more to it.
Still, confident in his own abilities, he didn't dwell on it. After finishing his meal, he went to sleep, worn out from the long journey from Konoha to Sunagakure.
---
Late at night, Sasuke's eyes suddenly opened.
He glanced at Shōmaru, who was sleeping soundly without a hint of suspicious behavior.
"Was it just my imagination?"
Frowning, he closed his eyes again.
---
The next morning, Sasuke's team joined the other candidates outside the listening station to await the examiner.
Temari soon appeared, standing atop a platform as she addressed the crowd.
"I'll now explain the second stage of the Chūnin Exams. This phase involves a scroll-collection challenge in the Demon Desert, a survival battle to the finish!"
The rules were similar to Konoha's previous Chūnin Exam. Each team received either a Heaven or Earth scroll. To pass, they had to defeat other teams and collect both scroll types, then deliver them to a central base in the Demon Desert.
This meant over half the teams would be eliminated.
The exam would last three days, and candidates had to fend for themselves for food and water—a much tougher challenge compared to the Forest of Death.
Due to the inherent risks, candidates had to sign waivers acknowledging personal responsibility.
After signing, each team received their scroll and proceeded to their starting points in the desert.
Sasuke's team was fortunate to get a starting point relatively close to the center. As soon as the proctor signaled the start, they dashed into the Demon Desert.
The desert was vast, with frequent and severe sandstorms. Its harshness rivaled, if not exceeded, that of the Forest of Death.
Sasuke enjoyed the open terrain, which allowed him to spot enemies easily.
Soon, he noticed a team: Neji Hyūga, Tenten, and Rock Lee from Konoha.
Before Sasuke could act, Shōmaru spoke up, "No need to fight allies. Let's let them be."
Chione nodded in agreement. "Right. We're all from Konoha. We should focus on outsiders since we only need one scroll."
Seeing their unanimous decision, Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Fine. It doesn't matter to me. All opponents are the same. Let's head straight to the central base."
Chione's eyes lit up. "You mean… we ambush teams that arrive with both scrolls?"
"Exactly," Sasuke confirmed. "It's the simplest and most direct method. Let's go."
He led the way, with Chione and Shōmaru quickly following.
As they left, Tenten and her team breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew… glad they didn't fight us. That would've been a problem, right, Neji? Uh, Neji?"
"…"
Neji, veins bulging around his activated Byakugan, stared at the retreating trio with a furrowed brow.
"Why is that man here? What's he planning?"
*(End of Chapter)*