Two-forty in the afternoon.
Izayoi and Hinata first met Shino Aburame at their usual spot, then headed to the entrance of Konoha's Training Ground 44.
Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death, was one of Konoha's restricted areas, rarely opened except under special circumstances and considered a forbidden zone.
The proctors had already set up tents and canopies outside, along with a sign marking the assembly point.
Though twenty minutes remained until the exam started, Team 8 wasn't the earliest to arrive.
The clearing was already filled with numerous candidates.
In groups of three, there were at least a dozen teams.
Over the next ten minutes, more candidates trickled in, crowding the area.
"Yo, Izayoi, you guys are early!"
"Long time no see, Izayoi-kun, Hinata."
"Long time no see, Minako."
Since Team 8 stood at the edge, the newly arrived Teams 7 and 10 spotted them immediately.
Another team joined them—Team 6, led by Kiba Inuzuka.
"Have you heard? Out of the ten teams in our class, it seems only the twelve of us got our jonin instructors' approval. The rest were eliminated," Minako said.
Hinata looked surprised. "So the others went back to the academy for remedial classes?"
"Two teams did. The rest were scouted by other departments. A few classmates, though, took it hard and dropped out," Minako sighed. "Becoming a full-fledged ninja isn't all it's cracked up to be. Last month, we took a C-rank mission and nearly got taken out by poison smoke. Akamaru saved me."
"Keep at it. You'll get stronger," Hinata offered, encouraging her.
As a member of a sensory team, with her Byakugan now able to see over twenty kilometers, Hinata might never relate to that struggle.
"I heard the Forest of Death is a Konoha forbidden zone. This exam's probably wilderness survival, maybe even pitting teams against each other," Sasuke Uchiha said, his usual provocative edge in place. "If so, you'd better watch out—don't let me eliminate you."
Izayoi raised an eyebrow, touching his nose and leaning back slightly. "You been drinking?"
"Nah, I'm only twelve," Sasuke said, shaking his head. Seeing Izayoi's disgusted look, he almost sniffed his clothes to check for alcohol.
But Izayoi's next words sent him fuming. "Oh, I thought you were still hungover, talking in your sleep."
"Pfft…"
"Hahaha!"
Kiba and Naruto burst into laughter.
"Hmph, just you wait," Sasuke huffed, crossing his arms in his signature haughty pose.
Unbeknownst to Sasuke and the others, he'd changed noticeably compared to his last five years at the academy.
It was as if… he'd reverted to his first-year self.
As the rookies laughed and chatted, many candidates turned their attention toward them.
Recognizing their Konoha headbands and appearances, some from smaller villages eyed them warily.
After all, eight of these twelve were not to be trifled with.
Among them was the top graduate who'd outshone the heirs of major clans.
There were also the heirs of the three great sensory clans—Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka.
Not to mention the last Uchiha, and the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.
They were either civilian prodigies or wielders of kekkei genkai and secret techniques.
Once they matured, Konoha might well be theirs to command.
Judging by their camaraderie, they seemed tight-knit.
If they crossed paths in the second exam, fleeing would be the safest bet.
Some candidates thought as much.
Others, however, targeted Izayoi's group, seeing a chance to take down clan heirs on Konoha's home turf.
One greedy gaze lingered on the haughty Sasuke, its owner barely restraining a long, flicking tongue.
A red-haired girl also studied Hinata and the others.
Gazing at Hinata's elegant attire and refined aura, and Sakura and Ino's pampered looks, Karin's eyes brimmed with envy.
So this was what female genin from a major village were like?
Then, as if sensing something, Karin followed her instincts and looked over.
The white-robed boy beside the kimono-clad girl was smiling at her.
His strikingly handsome face and warm grin made Karin, who'd never seen such a good-looking boy, blush as red as her hair. She averted her gaze but couldn't resist sneaking another peek.
"Izayoi-kun, are you looking at that Grass ninja girl?" Hinata asked, catching him in the act.
"Mm."
Izayoi nodded, admitting it readily, and said softly, "She has the same ability as me."
Hinata's expression shifted, staring into his eyes without a word.
"Not that one," Izayoi said with a laugh. "The one you and Hanabi use all the time."
Hinata's eyes widened in realization, and she studied Karin, who was stealing glances at Izayoi.
When Karin met Hinata's gaze, she flinched like a startled rabbit, no longer daring to look. Hinata wondered silently.
Could she be Izayoi-kun's kin?
The Grass Village was right next to the Land of Fire. Maybe Izayoi-kun's ancestors came from there?
"All candidates, line up to sign the death waiver. The second exam is about to begin."
Three o'clock arrived swiftly.
Since the rookies stood at the edge, there was no repeat of the original scene where Naruto taunted Anko Mitarashi, got schooled, or had a teacher-student "reunion."
The candidates formed rows, signed the death waivers, and were led into a tent beside the canopy to receive either a Heaven or Earth Scroll. Proctors then guided them to their designated entrances.
On the way, the proctors explained the second exam's rules.
As Sasuke had predicted, it was a wilderness survival test lasting 120 hours—five days.
Within that time, teams had to collect both Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reach the tower at the Forest of Death's center.
Running out of time or failing to gather both scrolls meant no entry to the tower and elimination.
Opening a scroll out of curiosity would also lead to instant disqualification.
After the briefing, the proctor stood by Team 8's assigned entrance gate, awaiting the broadcast signal.
"Byakugan—activate!"
Hinata formed a tiger seal, veins bulging around her temples.
Seconds later, she reported, "Our entrance is number 8. The teams at entrances 7 and 9 both have Earth Scrolls."
"No problem. There are 24 teams and 12 Heaven Scrolls. Even if we don't hunt, prey will come to us," Izayoi said, glancing at their scroll, marked with "Earth."
Hinata's expression grew serious. "The team at entrance 7 has someone with incredibly strong chakra."
"Oh? Who is it?" Izayoi asked, intrigued, without activating his Tenseigan.
"I don't know, but… he's wearing a Sand ninja headband and carrying a gourd," Hinata described.
"Sasuke mentioned someone like that yesterday," Shino said flatly. "Anyone Sasuke remembers isn't ordinary."
"Mm, he's a tough one," Izayoi said, nodding with a smile.
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