In the northern area of the Forest of Death, the trees were even denser.
Three figures shuttled quickly among the canopy layers, moving as lightly as birds.
Leading the way was Karin, wearing oval glasses.
Her vivid red hair streamed behind her as she moved at high speed, like a burning flame.
Her purple crop top appeared and disappeared in the patches of light filtering through the gaps in the trees. Black hot pants hugged her long legs, with a strip of fair thigh visible between her thigh-high socks and shorts.
At this moment, her face lacked the lively, even somewhat lovesick expression she usually wore. Instead, it was exceptionally serious.
Her right hand formed a simple one-handed seal, index and middle fingers together and held vertically in front of her chest. Her eyes were slightly closed, as if sensing something.
"It's great to have a Sensor-type Ninja."
Kurotsuchi, following slightly behind and to her left, sighed as she leaped, a relaxed smile on her face. Her lively eyes scanned the surrounding environment, ready to respond to any possible attack.
"Karin's Mind's Eye of Kagura has a much wider detection range than the Hyuga's Byakugan. How many teams have we avoided along the way?"
In the Land of Stars' Ninja School, children from the Hyuga branch family were not uncommon, and Kurotsuchi had come into contact with quite a few.
The Hyuga's Byakugan had the ability to see through objects and discern Chakra Pathways, making it truly exceptional at reconnaissance.
Its effective detection range could usually reach about one kilometer, which was already the standard of top-tier Sensor-type Ninja in the Land of Stars' military.
"Three teams," Ranmaru, positioned slightly behind and to the right, answered Kurotsuchi's question.
This little boy, who looked only eight or nine years old, had a somewhat thin build but steady footsteps. In the dim light of the forest, his eyes faintly glowed with a reddish light, a sign that his Kekkei Genkai, Akaigan, was in a half-activated state.
"I know a bit about the Hyuga's Byakugan," Ranmaru's voice was somewhat childish, but his tone was serious. "I've heard that excellent Hyuga Ninja can detect Chakra from a kilometer away with their Byakugan, making them the best among Sensor-type Ninja."
He paused, then looked curiously at Karin ahead: "But the Uzumaki Clan's sensory technique… this is my first time seeing Karin-nee use it at full power. What is the maximum range of the Mind's Eye of Kagura?"
Kurotsuchi tilted her head and thought for a moment.
She had been in the same class as Karin at the Land of Stars' Ninja School, and they had also teamed up for their graduation assessment, so she knew Karin's abilities better than Ranmaru.
"I remember the test data from the graduation assessment—" Kurotsuchi recalled. "It was about ten kilometers? I can't remember the exact number, but it was definitely over eight kilometers."
"Ten kilometers?!" Ranmaru was startled, almost slipping off the branch, but he managed to adjust his center of gravity in time.
"It can see that far?!"
The difference between one kilometer and ten kilometers wasn't ten times, but a hundred times!
Because the detection range is calculated based on a sphere. If the radius increases tenfold, the coverage area increases a thousandfold.
This meant that in the Forest of Death exam venue, which was twenty kilometers in circumference, if Karin stood at the center point, she could sense the movements of almost all the examinees.
This wasn't just reconnaissance anymore.
This was… cheating!
"To be precise, it's not 'seeing'," Kurotsuchi corrected. "The Mind's Eye of Kagura senses Chakra characteristics, not visual images. But in an exam venue full of Ninja, sensing Chakra and 'seeing' aren't much different."
As the two were speaking, Karin ahead suddenly opened her red eyes.
"Someone's coming."
Just those two words put Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru instantly into combat mode.
Kurotsuchi's right hand moved toward the ninja tool pouch at her lower back.
Ranmaru slightly lowered his body, the red in his eyes becoming more pronounced, like two small red lamps.
"Which village?" Kurotsuchi asked quickly. "Can we avoid them?"
According to the original plan, they should try to avoid fighting, reach the central tower as quickly as possible, then 'wait by the stump' near the tower, select suitable opponents to seize scrolls. This would maximize the conservation of their physical strength and Chakra.
With Karin's Mind's Eye of Kagura, avoiding strong teams and finding weak teams was theoretically not difficult.
But Karin's expression was unusually grave.
"They're approaching us," She shook her head and said quietly, her tone carrying a hint of confusion. "Very fast… and they're coming straight for us."
"Straight line?" Kurotsuchi frowned. "Does the other side also have a Sensor-type Ninja?"
"It's a team from Kirigakure," Karin added, simultaneously speeding up her pace.
Ranmaru immediately remembered.
In the first exam classroom, he had indeed noticed the three-person Kirigakure team: the white-haired, sharp-toothed boy carrying a long sword... the bespectacled, shy boy carrying a strange weapon... and the red-haired, dark-eyed girl who bore a slight resemblance to Karin-nee.
"Uzumaki Honoka—" Ranmaru murmured.
"It seems the other side also has reconnaissance or sensory means," Kurotsuchi analyzed. "And they're specifically coming for us… is it because of Karin? Because they're both from the Uzumaki Clan?"
"I don't know," Karin bit her lower lip. "But they've already locked onto us. We can't avoid them."
She suddenly stopped, crouching on a thick horizontal branch. She pressed her right hand against the tree trunk, closed her eyes, and sensed for a few seconds.
Then she opened her eyes, her expression even more grave.
"They've reached the river. They're waiting for us."
"Waiting for us?" Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow. "That confident?"
"Then let's go take a look," Ranmaru said softly, the red in his eyes brightening a few degrees. "I also want to see just how strong this generation of Kirigakure's 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen' really is."
Karin looked at the two and nodded.
"Be careful. The other side… won't be weak."
The three headed straight toward the river.
In the Forest of Death, there was a north-south flowing river, about twenty meters wide. The current wasn't too rapid, but the depth was unknown.
The river water was clear, revealing smooth pebbles and small fish swimming at the bottom.
And on both sides of the river were dense primeval forests.
But at this moment, on a horizontal branch of a giant tree on the opposite bank, three people stood.
Suigetsu rested the Long Sword: Nuibari on his shoulder, tilted his head, and smiled, revealing a mouthful of pointed teeth.
His eyes swept back and forth across the river, as if searching for some kind of prey.
Chojuro stood to his left, holding the axe and hammer of the Blunt Sword: Kabutowari in his hands. His expression was somewhat nervous, his eyes behind his glasses occasionally glancing around, clearly maintaining a high degree of vigilance toward the environment.
And on the far right was Honoka.
She wore a purple sleeveless kimono top, her long red hair falling down, revealing her fair neck.
Her black eyes were now staring at the river, her brow slightly furrowed, as if sensing something.
"They're here."
Honoka suddenly spoke.
Although she had not awakened a secret technique like the Mind's Eye of Kagura, perhaps due to her Uzumaki bloodline, her sensory abilities were stronger than those of ordinary Ninja. And the red-haired Uzumaki Ninja on the other side had also drawn Honoka's attention... she had remembered her Chakra Characteristics.
Almost as her words fell, on this side of the river, three figures emerged from the forest and landed on the exposed rocks by the riverbank.
Karin, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru faced Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Honoka across the river.
The air froze in that instant.
Only the sound of the flowing river, the rustle of wind through the treetops, and the faint chirping of birds in the distance could be heard.
Suigetsu let out a whistle, breaking the silence.
"Yo." He grinned, his gaze sweeping over the Land of Stars forehead protectors on the foreheads of Karin's team. "I was planning to find those Konoha brats, but since you're the closest, I'll use you as a warm-up!"
His tone was very casual, but the implication of his words was astonishingly arrogant.
Upon hearing this, Karin raised an eyebrow and retorted without backing down: "Big talk."
"You might bite off more than you can chew."
Suigetsu grinned, revealing even whiter teeth: "Then let's see who's better!"
He jumped down from the tree trunk, landing on the shallows by the riverbank. His boots stepped on the water, causing ripples to spread.
Chojuro and Honoka also landed, one on his left and one on his right.
"Then let me see," Suigetsu took the Long Sword Nuibari off his shoulder, pointing its tip at Karin on the opposite bank, "Just how good the Ninja of the Land of Stars really are."
The moment his words fell, he moved.
His entire body shot out like an arrow, his feet creating ripples on the water's surface. At the same time, the muscles in both his arms suddenly expanded. Beneath his skin, it seemed as if water were flowing, his muscles swelling!
Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!
"Take this!" Then, he hurled the slender Long Sword: Nuibari like a javelin, fiercely toward Karin on the opposite bank!
The long sword tore through the air, emitting a sharp screech, flying straight at Karin's face!
Nuibari cut through the air, creating a sharp whistling sound.
And attached to the tail of the blade was a nearly invisible steel wire, the other end of which was held in Suigetsu's hand.
This attack appeared to be long-range, but its real purpose was to close the distance.
As long as Karin blocked or dodged, Suigetsu could instantly retract Nuibari via the steel wire, launch an unexpected attack, and simultaneously close in with his body for a thrust.
This was the tactic of the Long Sword: Nuibari.
But Karin's reaction surprised him.
She didn't dodge.
She didn't even retreat.
She just raised her right hand and blocked with the kunai in her hand.
Clang—!
A crisp sound of metal striking metal rang out!
The kunai perfectly blocked the side of Nuibari, skillfully deflecting it.
Nuibari grazed past Karin's hair and embedded itself deeply into the tree trunk behind her.
However, the attack was not over!
Suigetsu had already charged to within reach of Karin, his right hand suddenly pulling back!
The nearly invisible steel wire connected to the tail of Nuibari instantly tightened. The Nuibari embedded in the tree trunk was yanked back by the tremendous force, arcing in a strange trajectory, its handle precisely falling back into Suigetsu's hand!
"Die!" Suigetsu flipped his wrist, and the moment he caught the handle, the tip of Nuibari was already stabbing toward Karin's throat again, like a snake striking!
This change of move was as fast as lightning, connecting seamlessly!
But Karin's reaction was even faster!
Her waist bent backward as if boneless, avoiding the deadly thrust, while her left leg whipped out like a whip, sweeping toward Suigetsu's lower body!
Suigetsu hadn't expected Karin's Taijutsu to be so flexible and powerful. He was forced to retreat half a step, changing his thrust with Nuibari into a sweep, engaging in a fierce exchange with Karin in an instant!
For a moment, sparks flew from the collisions between kunai and long sword. The two fought at a fast pace, their Taijutsu clash exceptionally intense.
The more Suigetsu fought, the more shocked he became. This red-haired woman's strength, speed, and reaction far exceeded his expectations!
'So this is a Genin of the Land of Stars?!'
While Karin was engaging Suigetsu, Chojuro on the other side wasn't idle either.
He temporarily placed the axe and hammer of the Blunt Sword: Kabutowari at his feet and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Hiding in Mist Technique!"
As his Ninjutsu activated, the abundant water vapor over the river was quickly drawn upon, transforming into a thick, impenetrable fog that spread rapidly in all directions. In the blink of an eye, it had completely enveloped an area of nearly a hundred meters!
Visibility dropped sharply. Even the figures of teammates right beside them became blurry.
The river, the riverbanks, the forest… all were swallowed by the thick fog.
This was the signature Ninjutsu of Kirigakure. In the mist, Kirigakure's Ninja could conceal themselves, while their enemies would be blinded.
"Honoka, be careful," Chojuro reminded his companion beside him. "You're not good at fighting in the fog. Don't leave my sensory range."
"Mm, understood," Honoka nodded.
She bit her thumb, quickly drawing a bloody mark on her palm, then formed hand seals and slapped the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
White smoke exploded.
A massive creature emerged from the smoke.
It was a creature difficult to describe.
About five meters tall, its body was covered in dark green scales like a lizard's, with thick limbs and sharp claws.
But its head resembled that of some kind of insect, with compound eyes and mouthparts, and two long antennae on top of its head.
Honoka swung herself onto its back.
Chojuro picked up the Blunt Sword: Kabutowari again, vigilantly looking around, sensing the movements within the fog.
The sounds of Karin and Suigetsu's fight became muffled and indistinct in the fog.
And his target was the other girl and that purple-haired kid.
No sooner had this thought arisen than Chojuro felt a whistling sound from above!
He snapped his head up, simultaneously raising the axe to block in front of him.
Clang!!!
A kunai precisely struck the axe's surface. The tremendous force made Chojuro's arm sink, his feet plowing two shallow furrows in the riverbank.
And the attacker had already landed.
Kurotsuchi supported herself on the water's surface with one hand in front of Chojuro, her long, fair right leg positioned diagonally, her short black hair slightly swaying in the fog, a confident smile on her face.
"Quick reaction," She said.
Chojuro frowned slightly, his expression grave.
'That attack just now—'
'Had come from the sky?'
'Could this girl fly?'
"Honoka, be careful!" Chojuro warned. "She might be—"
Before he could finish, Kurotsuchi moved.
Her speed was astonishing. She pushed off the water's surface with her legs, and before the ripples could even spread, her figure had already charged in front of Chojuro, her right leg whipping out like a whip, kicking directly at Chojuro's side!
Chojuro hurriedly blocked, his left-hand hammer meeting Kurotsuchi's kick head-on!
Thud!
A dull impact sounded.
Chojuro felt a sharp pain in his left arm. His entire body was kicked, sliding three meters to the right, his shoes leaving deep marks on the riverbank.
"So much force!" Chojuro exclaimed in surprise.
'This girl's Taijutsu is definitely at the level of a Special Jonin!'
Meanwhile, Honoka had also sensed the danger.
The summoned creature beneath her suddenly raised its front limbs, its sharp front claws crossing to protect its body.
Clang, clang, clang!
Three kunai shot from the fog, precisely blocked by the front claws.
But the attacks didn't stop there.
More kunai and shuriken came from all directions, as if an entire squad was surrounding them.
"Shadow clones?" Honoka frowned, forming hand seals. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A strong gust of wind blew from her mouth, dispersing the fog in an area ahead.
Then, she saw them.
In the distance, within the thick fog, five figures stood in five directions, surrounding them.
The figures in the fog were blurry, their faces indistinguishable, but their outlines were clearly those of Ninja, and each one had Chakra Fluctuations.
"Five… all physical bodies?" Honoka's pupils contracted.
Chojuro also saw those figures. He remembered that the purple-haired kid he had glimpsed earlier seemed to have bewitching red eyes.
"Not shadow clones—" He gripped his blunt sword tightly and said quietly, "It's a special Kekkei Genkai!"
At the same time, Chojuro was somewhat annoyed.
'Did all the Ninja of the Land of Stars have Kekkei Genkai?!'