Chapter 156 – Chūnin Exams (Phase 2)
Soon, even Orochimaru, who had been busy conducting experiments, arrived at the scene along with the other Konoha Jōnin.
Uchiha Obito, having activated his Susanoo, had already exhausted himself and lost consciousness. Without chakra to sustain it, the skeletal warrior surrounding his body faded and vanished. With his chakra depleted, his already drained body collapsed directly to the ground.
Orochimaru, upon arriving and seeing the scene before him, turned to Namikaze Minato—who had arrived earlier—with a questioning gaze.
In response to Orochimaru's silent inquiry, Minato stepped forward and explained, "Lord Hokage, when I got here, things were already like this."
"However, when I arrived, Clan Head Fugaku was already here."
Orochimaru frowned slightly at that. He didn't believe that Uchiha Fugaku would betray the village. Still, he expected an explanation. So, turning to Fugaku, he said, "Elder Fugaku, I need an explanation."
But Fugaku himself had no idea what had truly happened. All he saw was Uchiha Obito lying unconscious on the ground, condition unknown. Naturally, he was extremely worried. After all, this was the clan's hope—he couldn't just die here without reason.
Hurriedly, Fugaku responded, "Lord Hokage, I just arrived myself, but I am certain that this ANBU wasn't killed by Obito. I swear on the honor of the Uchiha Clan—please, I ask that you order medical-nin to treat Obito immediately."
Though he knew speaking up like this might offend Orochimaru—or even Hatake Kazane—Fugaku couldn't stay silent. It had taken great effort for the clan to produce a Mangekyō Sharingan user, and such a young one at that. As clan head, how could he not stand up for Obito?
Orochimaru trusted Fugaku's judgment. He believed the man was someone who understood the weight of circumstances. After all, Fugaku's own son, Uchiha Itachi, was Orochimaru's student. No matter if Orochimaru himself remained Hokage, or Kazane in the future, or even Itachi—the Uchiha would always have a place in Konoha's leadership.
There was no way Fugaku would fail to grasp that.
Besides, if Fugaku truly wanted to kill that ANBU jōnin, he had far subtler means. There was no need to create such a scene.
So Orochimaru didn't press the matter further and simply ordered the surrounding Jōnin to escort Obito to the medical ward.
Whatever had happened here could be clarified once Obito regained consciousness.
The Interrogation Division had more than enough ways to determine the truth.
After a moment of thought, Orochimaru assigned the investigation to Namikaze Minato.
Minato, Jiraiya's disciple and one of Orochimaru's most trusted people, had always handled matters reliably. Plus, with Kazane away from the village, Minato was also overseeing ANBU—making him the perfect candidate.
Even though Orochimaru personally believed that Fugaku didn't orchestrate any of this, he'd still seen Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan with his own eyes. He knew what that meant within the Uchiha.
If Obito truly was responsible, Fugaku might use any means necessary to protect him.
Ordinary Jōnin might hesitate before challenging the Uchiha. They might even help cover it up.
But Minato was no ordinary Jōnin—he was the Deputy Head of ANBU and a top-tier shinobi known as the "Fastest Man in the Shinobi World." Backed by Jiraiya and Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Minato feared no one—not even Fugaku.
If Obito was innocent, Minato would clear his name.
But if he was guilty, Fugaku would owe an explanation.
---
The Next Day
Kirigakure – Training Grounds
At the break of dawn, the training grounds were already packed with ninja.
The results of yesterday's written test had been posted by the examiners on a large board beside the arena.
All participating Genin were searching for their names among the lists.
Those who found their names were thrilled, while those who didn't could only search again and again in disbelief before eventually walking away in disappointment.
As expected, just as Kazane had predicted, all six of Konoha's Genin had passed the written exam.
And now, those who had passed would move on to the second phase of the Chūnin Exams.
Phase Two: Deserted Island Survival.
The second exam was exactly what it sounded like. All Genin who passed would be transported to an isolated island and tasked with surviving for seven days.
They weren't allowed to bring food or water—everything had to be gathered or hunted on the island itself.
But the resources on the island were limited—not enough to sustain all the examinees.
So if they wanted to eat or drink, they'd have to fight for it.
This was the Mist Village's style—a trial of the fittest, like raising venomous insects in a jar. Toss them all in, and only the strongest would crawl out alive.
This also explained why Kirigakure had so few shinobi.
A blood-soaked slaughter was inevitable.
What's more, this particular trial was devised through secret discussions between the other Kage's—specifically meant to target Konoha's six Genin.
Their goal: eliminate them on the island.
So the results of the first phase were no surprise.
That's right—all Genin from the Five Great Shinobi Nations passed.
While others from minor villages was completely eliminated.
Perhaps this was Kirigakure's way of "sending off" the smaller villages—letting them escape the coming bloodbath.
Even the ever-present mist in Kirigakure's skies parted slightly, allowing the rare sunlight to shine on the land once more.
After breakfast, Kazane arrived at the training grounds just as a Kirigakure Jōnin examiner stepped forward, drawing everyone's attention.
The examiner stood before the Genin and announced the contents of the second exam.
The elite Genin from the four great villages had long been briefed on the exam's content. No one looked surprised or panicked.
But Konoha's Genin were different.
Maruboshi Kōsuke actually seemed happy upon hearing about the deserted island survival task.
The large black pot strapped to his back made it obvious—he was a ninja skilled in the culinary arts.
This would be the perfect chance for him to shine. He had already resolved to lead the kids through the week ahead.
Hearing "deserted island," Jiriku's usually serious face twisted into a mischievous grin.
An island like that? Whatever happened would be… unfortunate.
The sound of his laugh sent a chill down Might Guy's spine.
Glancing at the grinning Jiriku and then at the Genin from other villages, Guy couldn't help but pray for their well-being.
Hope you're all tough enough…
As for the Uchiha Genin? Their pride spoke for itself.
They never took Genin from other villages seriously. In fact, they didn't understand why some old man had been assigned to lead them.
Jiriku and Guy were fine—they might only specialize in taijutsu, but they looked intimidating enough.
But Maruboshi Gōsuke?
An old man carrying a cooking pot? Wasn't he just here to slow them down or die?
They'd soon learn how wrong they were.
Elsewhere, the Kirigakure examiner saw that everyone had arrived.
He led the passed examinees and their accompanying Jōnin toward the village harbor.
Naturally, Kazane went along too.
But since this whole trial was a trap designed by the four villages to target Konoha, the other Kage—like Ōnoki—worried that Kazane might step in to protect the Genin. So they insisted on following as well.
Kirigakure wasn't large, so the group arrived at the harbor quickly.
When Kazane saw the already-waiting Ōnoki and the others, he immediately understood their intentions.
A mere second phase of the Chūnin Exams shouldn't warrant the attention of such powerful figures.
Still, Kazane never planned on getting involved. After all, with Kōsuke, Jiriku, and Guy accompanying the team—if they still couldn't pass this round, they might as well throw themselves off a cliff.
Kōsuke had elite Jōnin-level strength and mastery of Water Release, making him particularly formidable in island terrain.
Jiriku and Guy's raw taijutsu power meant even top-tier opponents would struggle against them—let alone these Genin.
—
Upon reaching the harbor, what caught Kazane's eye were the wooden sailboats bobbing on the water.
Looking at those primitive, manpower-driven vessels, Kazane couldn't help but mock Kirigakure's backwardness in his mind.
This world's tech tree is seriously messed up. No steam engines yet, but a few decades later, they'll invent bullet trains? What the hell...
The examiner pulled out a roster and did a headcount before assigning everyone to their designated boats.
Jōnin leaders boarded a separate wind-powered ship along with their respective Kage.
Once the order was given, the sailors hoisted the sails and set off.
As the sea breeze hit his face, a wild thought popped into Kazane's head:
"I want to become the Pirate King!!!"
But he chuckled softly and shook his head, pulling a lounge chair over and settling in. As he let the wind wash over him, he mused,
"I wonder if a swordsman will suddenly appear and challenge the ship for disturbing his nap… then chase Kirigakure's boat around the world, hahaha."
—
The islands weren't far apart—it didn't even take an hour to arrive.
Upon landing, the examinees disembarked under the examiner's direction and gathered together.
The Jōnin examiner formally explained the rules:
"Your task for the second phase is simple: survive on the island behind me for seven days."
"Let me be clear—fresh water is scarce, and food is limited. If you want to survive, you'll have to seize every resource you can. Trust no one—not even your friends. For survival, even friends may become enemies."
"And remember—there are no rules in this exam. We will return here in exactly seven days. If you're still alive and standing, you pass. If not, we won't wait for you."
"I trust you all understand. Now—I officially announce the start of the exam!"
With the announcement, the Genin from the four great villages cast malicious glances toward Konoha's six Genin.
But none were foolish enough to act just yet—Kazane was still watching from behind.
Besides, Konoha only had six participants. Surrounded by over ninety others, what could they possibly do?
Still, the rules were brutal. The island's resources were limited. Even removing Konoha's six, there wouldn't be enough for the remaining ninety.
And aside from the cooking old man, those five others from Konoha wouldn't be easy to deal with.
Even if they were eliminated, it might come at the cost of several casualties. And no one wanted to be the one who died.
Especially not in a place like this—where injuries alone might be fatal.
So for now, the Genin decided it was better to spread out, gather and secure resources.
Once the Konoha Genin were starving and dehydrated… then it would be time to strike.