The exam day arrived swiftly.
Chinya warned Uzumaki Sōnagi and the others, "Your strength is indeed greater than most of those here, but don't underestimate your opponents. No matter what kind of battle, take my fight with Kimimaro for example—do you think I would definitely win?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi and the others naturally replied, "Of course!"
Shaking his head, Chinya said, "There's no such thing as a guaranteed victory. Certainty doesn't exist in this world, because no one can predict when an unexpected event might strike.
What if I underestimated Kimimaro and made a mistake, and he capitalized on it? Or during the battle, suppose Kimimaro discovers one of my weaknesses and successfully exploits it?
Don't assume these things won't happen. Everything is filled with surprises, variables, and challenges. Though we can't achieve absolute certainty, we can try to approach it by avoiding unexpected events.
This is also something you must remember whenever you travel throughout the Shinobi World. Understood?"
The seven of them, including Uzumaki Sōnagi, answered solemnly, "We will remember."
Smiling, Chinya said, "Good. Then go now."
Except for Jirobo, who continued following Chinya and Orochimaru, Uzumaki Sōnagi led the group toward the Forest of Death to participate in the exam.
Chinya asked Orochimaru, "Sensei, how are things progressing on your end?"
Orochimaru answered, "Everything is proceeding according to plan. Sunagakure Village is gathering its forces. After the first round of exams, there will be a one-month preparation period, during which Sand Ninja units will secretly enter the Land of Fire. At that time, I will disguise myself as Rasa to observe the competition.
Baki, the handler of the Jinchuriki in Sunagakure, reports the village's situation to me daily. If anything unexpected happens, I will immediately know and make necessary adjustments."
Chinya nodded. "Hmm, then let's continue waiting."
...
Uzumaki Sōnagi and the others had already arrived at the entrance of the Forest of Death.
Ibiki Morino and Anko Mitarashi were already there.
Uzumaki Sōnagi's team arrived just in time.
Ibiki glanced at the time, looked at the examinees before him, and gave a nod to Anko Mitarashi.
Anko Mitarashi spoke up, "Looks like everyone's gathered. Each squad should choose one representative to bring the required three consent forms to the small hut nearby to exchange for scrolls. The scrolls are completely randomized. A reminder: don't let others know what scroll you have, then decide which entrance you'll use. When time begins, everyone will set off together.
One last piece of advice: It'd be a shame to see you die!"
After handing over the required three consent forms, Uzumaki Sōnagi received an Earth Scroll.
Sakon's team received a Heaven Scroll instead.
Without hesitation, Uzumaki Sōnagi tossed the Earth Scroll to Sakon. "You guys can keep it."
Sakon didn't refuse and took possession of the Earth Scroll—for his team didn't have the same appetite for conflict as Uzumaki Sōnagi's did. Saving effort where possible was better.
The exam hadn't even started when Sakon, Kidomaru, and Tayuya already obtained the Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
Anko Mitarashi appeared behind Uzumaki Sōnagi and his group, her voice low and ominous as she asked, "Hey brats, don't you think what you're doing isn't quite appropriate before the exam officially begins?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi turned around with a smile toward Anko Mitarashi. "Examiner, is there any rule explicitly forbidding this?"
Anko Mitarashi raised an eyebrow.
Truthfully, there wasn't.
Every team here was in direct competition—basically, they were all enemies. No one would voluntarily hand over their scroll to someone else.
In other words, Sōnagi's squad was actually the first to do so.
Noticing Anko's silence, Sōnagi grinned and continued, "We aren't like Konoha ninjas who lack unity. Our Otogakure may be a small ninja village, but we're extremely united. Plus, I'm confident we can obtain the Heaven and Earth Scrolls again easily. Since it's within the rules, examiner, you probably don't need to question us further."
Anko's eyes narrowed slightly, glinting with dangerous light. "You're saying Konoha lacks unity?"
Sōnagi shrugged. "That's right. Don't believe me? Then just wait and see."
He turned toward Neji Hyuga's direction and called out. "Hey baldy over there, and the twin-bunned girl, weren't you two beaten up by your own village's ninja when you went to register for the exams the other day? Why don't you tell this examiner about it?"
Neji Hyuga, Lee, and Tenten all looked toward Sōnagi.
Lee and Tenten felt puzzled, unsure why Sōnagi was bringing this up now.
Neji suspected something sinister from Sōnagi—he knew how much of a troublemaker he'd always been.
Meanwhile, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, the ones originally responsible, both stood nearby, embarrassed and lowering their heads in shame.
They really wanted to punch that little brat Sōnagi into next week.
Anko clicked her tongue. "You're really good at bending the rules. Looks like I'll have to add another rule for the next Chūnin Selection Exams."
"Leave that to the next Chūnin Exams then—I won't bother with it. Well then, we'll go choose our entry point now. See ya, Examiner Lady. Kimimaro, Jugo, let's go. You too, Sakon—be careful."
Uzumaki Sōnagi, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo Tenbin selected a satisfactory entrance and waited there for the exam to begin.
Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha was seriously explaining to Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno, "This exam will require gathering intel and fighting for real, putting our lives on the line. Everyone here is our enemy—determined individuals who won't hesitate to kill each other."
Hearing that killing was inevitable, Sakura couldn't help but feel afraid.
Naruto gave Sakura a bright, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sakura. Me and Sasuke will protect you—you just need to follow behind us, right, Sasuke?"
Sasuke nodded. "That's right. Leave all the fighting to me and Naruto."
Hearing Naruto and Sasuke's words, Sakura's anxiety eased significantly. "Okay, thank you both!"
All the examinees had already taken their positions at their chosen entrances.
At exactly 12:00 noon.
Ibiki Morino and Anko Mitarashi announced in unison, "From this moment on, the Chūnin Selection Exams will now commence with the first test!"
All entrances opened simultaneously, and the examinees waiting at each entrance rushed into the Forest of Death to begin the exam.
Uzumaki Sōnagi, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo Tenbin stepped into the Forest of Death.
Jugo Tenbin asked, "Rokumei, shall we go collect the scrolls first?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi was brimming with excitement. "The scrolls aren't important right now. Let me think—I should decide whether to look for Naruto first or Neji first. Once I've made my choice, I'll use my Mind's Eye of the Kagura to locate them and give them a big surprise!"
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