Chapter 220: First Place
The next plan was ambush. Naruto prepared somewhat helplessly. Their three had already rushed to the central tower vicinity at maximum speed, yet along this entire journey they hadn't encountered even a shadow of another squad.
Seems that gathering the missing Earth Scroll would ultimately still require waiting like a hunter for prey or... ambushing.
Thus, this person called "Shadow" by the shinobi world, the Ember organization leader who struck fear into major nations, was currently conscientiously planning ambush tactics to pass a Chunin Exam.
"The grass is dense here, the view's also open—seems like a decent ambush point..."
Naruto pushed aside thick grass on a high point, evaluating this location's merits as an ambush site. However—
CLANG!
The crisp sound of metal clashing suddenly rang out! A kunai attacked from ahead at an extremely cunning angle, only to be precisely parried by Naruto's backhand kunai.
With originally high natural talent, plus reaction nerves honed through constantly using Flying Thunder God Technique... Naruto felt he could reach 3000 rank using Team Seven.
Beside him, Satsuki's gaze sharpened, kunai in hand gleaming coldly, about to launch counterattack.
However, that ambusher let out a surprised low exclamation without killing intent.
"It's you?!"
This shout made Team Seven's three pause their movements. After Naruto clearly saw the attacker's features, he also froze slightly—what a coincidence, it was actually that Kirigakure shinobi released earlier.
At this moment, this Kiri-nin's face showed complex, indescribable expression. Originally, not long ago after escaping from Naruto's hands and hurriedly rushing back to his team's agreed meeting point, what he saw were two cold corpses—his teammates had already been killed!
But strangely, the attacker seemingly didn't come for scrolls, because the Earth Scroll representing their squad's qualification still remained intact on his teammates' bodies.
This feeling... simply didn't seem like an exam, but rather pure sadistic slaughter for amusement.
A chill ran up his spine. Since his squad had previously been active near Team Seven, his teammates had very unfortunately become casualties when Orochimaru's subordinates cleared the battlefield.
"..."
Fortunate survival's relief and profound regret for his own weakness intensely intertwined in his heart. With all teammates dead, relying on his strength alone, he fundamentally couldn't pass this cruel Chunin Exam...
In the next moment, under Team Seven's somewhat vigilant and confused gazes, this Kiri-nin made an unexpected move—he suddenly extracted his squad's Earth Scroll, forcefully throwing it toward Naruto!
He clearly remembered that when Team Seven received their scroll, they hadn't deliberately concealed it. They held the Heaven Scroll. What his squad held was precisely the Earth Scroll the opponent lacked—this was also one reason he'd previously chosen to risk ambushing.
Watching Team Seven's three catch the scroll with surprise, faces written with incomprehension, he opened his mouth wanting to say something. Like "I don't want to owe you"? But with the opponent's strength, if they truly wanted to rob the scroll, it would be easy as turning a hand, right?
Ultimately, he said nothing. Then turning around with several leaps, he rapidly rushed toward the central tower's direction—he chose to give up, entering the tower early without scrolls, actively withdrawing from this assessment that had lost meaning for him.
Was it because he recognized his insufficient strength and chose to abandon resistance?
However, from Team Seven's perspective, this entire matter presented a completely different appearance.
---
"If lacking heaven, then wisdom, to prepare contingency. If lacking earth, then pursue fields, to seek advantage..."
Sakura recited the text on the tower's inner wall, then following the scroll's instructions, the three simultaneously slowly unfurled the Heaven Scroll and Earth Scroll in their hands.
As the scrolls opened, unique summoning smoke curled upward. Under Satsuki and Sakura's surprised gazes, an extremely familiar figure gradually coalesced in the smoke, appearing above the scroll.
"Long time no see, Naruto, Satsuki, Sakura." Iruka's face overflowed with an irrepressible gratified smile. "You've truly made me so proud."
With Naruto's "as expected" composed expression, plus the other two's not-yet-fully-recovered shock, Naruto first smiled in greeting. "Oh! Long time no see, Iruka-sensei!"
"Wait, before catching up..." Sakura couldn't help raising a question. "Why would Iruka-sensei appear here?"
Iruka had obviously prepared his explanation early. He gently explained, "Because one of our chunin's original tasks is welcoming examinees who pass the second exam here. I just never expected you'd arrive so quickly!"
His tone filled with undisguised praise. This was only the first day! His students had completed the assessment so swiftly, and with first place results? In Chunin Exam history, this was probably a first, right?
"Everyone, congratulations on successfully passing the second exam."
Hearing this formal congratulation, Sakura's expression seemed somewhat dazed. Finished? I just... passed like this? But... I don't seem to have done anything?
She looked at Naruto beside her, seeing his face still wearing that harmless calm smile. Watching Naruto's appearance, Iruka felt both helpless and emotional internally.
This child, still the same as always, not at all like someone his age, so composed...
Subsequently, Iruka patiently explained the wall text's meaning to the three. Roughly, so-called 'Heaven' and 'Earth' actually expounded insights on becoming chunin. 'Heaven' symbolized wisdom and strategy, while 'Earth' represented physical ability and martial force.
To become a qualified chunin, one must become a shinobi possessing both wisdom and courage, encompassing heaven and earth—both indispensable.
"To celebrate your smooth passage, I'll treat you to ramen!... Though I really want to say that." Finally, Iruka scratched his head somewhat apologetically.
"Though your assessment has ended, this exam for other examinees has only just begun. Sorry, my reception work isn't finished yet—need you to wait here a bit."
Hearing this, Satsuki and Sakura suddenly realized. Just begun? Right, what was this exam's total duration again?
Could it be... we have to stay in this tower for a full five days?!
This thought instantly made them feel helpless. However, when Satsuki's gaze fell on Naruto beside her, that boredom from lengthy waiting quietly transformed into secretively anticipatory, slightly excited emotions.
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