Chapter 157 – The Wilderness Survival Master, Maruboshi Kōsuke
After announcing the start of the exam, the Kirigakure Jōnin proctor didn't bother with the examinees any further. He simply turned and boarded the sailboat behind him, departing the island.
Kazane and the others followed on their own ship, trailing behind the examiner's vessel. For the next week, they would be circling the island for surveillance purposes.
Their job was to make sure no examinee escaped the island to feast and relax elsewhere—only to return at the last moment and claim they survived.
After all, even if the examinees were just Genin, they were still ninja, capable of walking on water.
This island might be enough to trap ordinary people—but it wouldn't necessarily trap shinobi.
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As the boats sailed away, the Genin from the major villages began to gather in their respective groups and dispersed in various directions.
Right now, the most important priority was finding food and fresh water—and, most importantly, securing the water source first.
Naturally, Konoha's six Genin wouldn't remain idle either.
At this point, the oldest and most experienced among them, Maruboshi Kōsuke, stepped forward and addressed the other five: Jiriku, Guy, and the three Uchiha.
"Everyone, don't worry. As long as I'm here, we don't need to stress about food or water for the next seven days. Just follow my lead."
"I've carried out missions in the wild for many years. I have plenty of experience surviving on deserted islands. As long as you cooperate, I'll make sure we find enough resources to make it through the week."
"But we must remain cautious around ninja from the other villages. Judging from the way they looked at us when they left, I can sense killing intent. I'm certain that once they secure resources, they'll make a move on us."
"Come—let's go find a suitable place to set up camp."
With that, Kōsuke looked to the other five to see if anyone had objections.
"Then we'll leave the food to you, Uncle Kōsuke!" Jiriku and Might Guy, having little experience in wilderness survival, immediately voiced their support.
The three Uchiha Genin, after a brief exchange of glances and silent communication, also nodded reluctantly. Despite their pride, none of them had any experience in this field, and now wasn't the time to pretend otherwise.
Seeing the group's coordination, Kōsuke gave a firm nod of approval. "Good," he said, his tone brisk but composed. "Our first task is simple: reach the highest point on the island. From there, we'll be able to survey the terrain and search for signs of fresh water."
He extended a finger toward a towering peak that dominated the landscape. The summit rose like a jagged tooth against the sky, partially veiled by drifting clouds.
"That mountain," he continued, eyes narrowing. "But we're not alone. Shinobi from other villages have already begun moving. If we want the advantage, we must reach the top before they do. I've studied the island's terrain—there's a narrow cliff path that's the fastest route, but it won't be easy."
No one objected. Without another word, Kōsuke turned and shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, his footsteps light but swift. The rest of the team immediately followed, their shadows flitting among the underbrush.
As they ran through the dense island foliage, Kōsuke began to lecture them on survival tactics—his voice steady even as their pace increased.
"On islands like this, primitive and untamed, insects are often the greatest threat. They might look harmless, but many are venomous, some even lethal."
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Six shadows flickered between the trees—silent, focused, swift. Yet a subtle shift in the atmosphere signaled something was wrong. The chirping of birds had ceased, and a heavy tension thickened the air like an incoming storm.
Kōsuke seemed to notice nothing, continuing his explanation calmly. "That's why, before anything else, cover your skin in mud—it masks body heat and scent, making you harder to detect."
But before he could finish, a snapping sound cracked through the underbrush.
Snap!
A branch gave way under one of the Uchiha Genin's feet. Caught off balance, he slipped and tumbled down from his perch—branches whipping past him as he fell.
The moment his body hit the ground, dozens of glinting silver shuriken sliced through the air, reflecting beams of sunlight like a swarm of deadly fireflies.
From the shadows ahead, three Iwa-nin Genin lunged out in unison—each one moving with murderous intent.
Boom!
The barrage of shuriken struck true—but instead of blood, bark exploded outward.
Substitution Jutsu!
Where the Uchiha had fallen, a splintered, withered log now lay embedded with metal. In the same heartbeat, the real Uchiha reappeared—soaring silently through the air above the enemy trio, the sun behind his back casting his form in silhouette.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!
In one fluid motion, he formed the necessary hand seals, then brought his thumb to his lips.
He inhaled deeply and exhaled with a roar, unleashing a colossal sphere of fire that roared down from above like a meteor.
The Iwa-nin barely had time to react as the inferno engulfed them. Flames surged across the clearing, consuming trees and scorching the earth.
"Damn it!!!" one of them shouted through the blaze.
Amidst the swirling fire, the Uchiha's face was briefly visible—twisted in a savage, triumphant grin.
Yet even in the face of such a brutal attack, one of the Iwa-nin smirked, as if everything was going according to plan.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
With a thunderous rumble, twin slabs of earth erupted before them, shielding their bodies from the worst of the flames. Smoke hissed and curled off the stone as the fireball crashed into the barrier.
Then, in the blind spot behind the wall, the center Iwa-nin dissolved into loose dirt—a dirt clone.
Simultaneously, from behind a tree to the right, another Iwa-nin Genin emerged, his hands a blur as he performed hand seals.
Earth Style: Quagmire Swamp!
The ground beneath the airborne Uchiha abruptly liquefied, transforming into thick, sticky mud. As he landed, his feet sank in instantly—up to his knees. He tried to push off, but the quagmire clung to him like a living trap.
In that moment of vulnerability, the other two Iwa-nin sprang into motion. They flanked him from both sides, their hands already weaving the next sequence of seals.
It all unfolded within seconds—but felt like a full-scale battle.
And these three Genin weren't even the main threat.
Elsewhere on the island, the remaining twenty members of Iwagakure's contingent had split up, targeting the rest of Konoha's Genin team in a coordinated strike.
Unlike the other Great Nations, Iwagakure's hatred for Kazane was visceral—deeply personal. The Tsuchikage, Onoki, had given them explicit orders: none of the Konoha Genin are to leave this island alive. Even if it costs you your lives.
While other villages focused on resource gathering or reconnaissance, Iwa had launched an immediate and ruthless ambush.
And now, just as the trapped Uchiha seemed on the verge of being overwhelmed—
A thunderous voice split the air:
"Welcome Approach: Thousand Armed Murder!!!"
The trees overhead exploded outward as a figure descended like a bolt of lightning. Arms blurred with inhuman speed, fists raining down in a savage barrage.
Each blow struck with crushing force, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM!!!
The three Iwa-nin were launched skyward, their bodies twisting midair under the relentless flurry of punches. They had no time to scream—only to feel the raw power slamming into them over and over.
With one final explosive strike, all three were driven straight into the dirt, leaving deep craters where they landed.
They didn't move again.
The clearing fell silent, save for the lingering hiss of scorched earth and the crackle of dying embers.
The ambush had failed.
But the war had only just begun.