Suddenly!
Whoosh!
whoosh!
whoosh!
Three ninjas shot out from their hidden post in a tree.
The projectiles shot at them were either dodged or deflected by shintoki who was on guard ever since he sensed that they are dangerous.
Team 14 now stood severals metters away and faced off to the kiri team.
Shintoki gazed at the three kiri nin before them.
One had thick black hair his name Teno, another had gray hair and a slightly hunched figure his nae Gaji the one who fired the projectiles.
The black hair girl with a large sword on her back stood in the midle of the three, her name hatarume.
She was glowing with a cold aura full of bloodust as if it's a beast barely able to restrain herself.
Her sword has full of some scent of blood reflecting her deadly intent.
Her eye watching them like a predators ready to attack them if any of them try to flee.
Gaji looked calmer but his face pictured another history that of a maniac killers, the claws gauntlet his hand was dripping with blood the proof of the carnage they have done by running wild in the Forest.
The last of them Tenno looked least terriying at first but the blood stained his cloth is clear sign he is just as insane as the rest.
All of them wore headbands from the Village of Kiri, and judging by their sinister smiles, their intentions were anything but good.
"Damn, this is bad," Shintoki muttered under his breath. These Kiri ninjas weren't here just to say hello nor were they here just for the exam. Their intent was too hostile.
His instinct was screaming at him about the girl in the middle among them was particularly very strong and wasnt a mere genin and the two while not as impressive should still be above most genin.
"Look at that! Three rats trapped and about to be crushed and fall into the pool of thei own blood. You should've stayed home. Oops, what am I saying? You're from Konoha, right? Well, you shouldn't have taken part in this exam in the first place."
After saying that, Gaji turned to the girl leading their group.
"Hatarume, what do you think?"
Realizing the growing hostility of the Kiri team, Shintoki became even more cautious.
Although his team was the only one of their generation with anko to attempt the exam just two months after becoming genin — and their level was far higher than most — Shintoki remained wary of the team in front of him.
Being a reincarnate, Shintoki knew very well the nature of Kiri's ninjas — infamous for their bloodthirsty nature and shady deal.
He had no illusions. His team was well prepared for this exam but facing an elite force stronger than an average chunin could prove fatal.
Izumo and Kotetsu were still young, far from the mature versions seen in Naruto. If things got out of control, the situation could quickly turn dire.
Shintoki stepped in front of his team.
"What do you want? Are you here for the scroll?"
Instead of answering, the opposing captain dropped several bloodstained forehead protectors before them — they belonged to other Konoha teams.
At the sign Shintokis eye shrink to a pinpoint while Izumo and Kotetsu were already seething with rage.
"Of the eight Konoha teams participating in this exam, there's only one left… to eliminate."
When she finished these Word.
Her face become even more twisted, she is clearly insane.
An ominous aura radiate from her, growing more and more intense.
Her myrderous intent was far stronger than a typical chunin.
The air that was already cold grew heavier.
Izumo and kotetsu have sweat covering their forehead was bloodshot their expression grim. In front of such murderous inter they couldn't help but take a step back but shintoki on the other hand tried to resist the presure also unleashed his own aura though weaker it manage to ease a bit the pressure on his teammate.
"Oooh,great I knew you will be interesting. You are clearly special unlike those weakling I have fought before show me the strength of the leaf"
She then laughed, a cruel laught her killing intent grew even more intense pushing back against shintokis resistance to his horror and that of his teammate.
Forty minutes earlier
Among the jonin and chunin of Konoha overseeing the exam, the situation had become critical.
The konoha ninja there were gathered, their face solem after the update they got from the chunin exam, thing aren't looking good at all. Their juniors were being hunted and killed like rabbit in their forest, in their own village.
How is this possible?
"Those Kiri bastards… how dare they?!"
They are trying to disgrace the village by wiping out all of Konoha's teams in the exam.
Their intent was evident to anyone in the room. An act of mockery and also revenge but above all a great blow to konoha as a village and the most dominating.
But that wasn't all — since Konoha was the host village, the political consequences would be far worse.
Konoha had never been so humiliated.
According to the reports gathered, only three teams remained…
Before anyone could finish speaking, another chunin burst through the door in a panic, his face drenched in sweat, his expression grim unable to contain his emotion.
"Leader, something terrible has happened. Another Konoha team has been eliminated. According to the investigation, a girl from the Kiri team single handedly wiped them out. She used an extremely powerful technique."
The face of the leaf ninja were full of disbelieve. How far would kifi dare to push konoha?
This was like a Nightmare yet its happening.
"Damn it! Have those Kiri ninjas lost their minds?" Katoma-sensei the one overseeing the exam cried out.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building, a tall, muscular man had noticed the commotion coming from Konoha's side.
His lips twisted into a wide, sinister grin as he licked his own lips his mouth wide.
The chilling and tense aura around him was palpable if anyone was there with him they would notice it and he wasn't trying to hide it either.
After all konoha being a proud village wouldn't simply take action against kiri definitely not openly.
As long he doesn't start trouble outside the rule of the exam they cant find excuse to target him or his team.
"I hope Konoha appreciates the little gift Kiri has prepared for this exam…"
Hokage's Office
"Kiri has gone too far."
At that moment, only one Konoha team remained capable of continuing the exam.
"We cant let this keep going their way, sarutobi we need to do something" stated Hamura who was on the room.
Mainwhile Kohoaru who didn't say anything yet nodded her head, her expression grim just like homura and anyone else in the room.
"Prepare to intervene and save that team if necessary. Konoha must not be completely disgraced."
Hiruzens eye normaly full of wisdom and patience was now showing sign of contempt although he was trying his best to mask it but the ambu within the room could sense it that pressure worth of a kage silently leaking out.
This old man who normaly is always trying to Maintain order clearly is about to explode. But as the hokage he had to show the exemple.
Kiri was clearly testing his patience.
...
Back at the exam site, with Shintoki's team…
"Konoha had deal heavy losses to Kiri during the Second Great Ninja War and is considered the strongest of the great villages and also pocessing a rich land. We in Kiri, on the other hand, is surrounded by water and an unbearable mist. To survive here, our ninjas must become weapons from the youngest age, we are forced to grew stronger fightning each other to the dead. We are far greater Warrior than you scum from konoha, we deserve to be seen as the greatest village. By eliminating every Konoha team in this exam, Kiri will wash away its shame and reclaim its honor — proving to the world that Konoha is not the strongest of the Five Great Ninja Villages."
Finishing her monologue, the Kiri team's leader charged straight at Shintoki's group.
"Stay alert and cover each other's backs! This isn't just about survival — it's about protecting what remains of Konoha's dignity in this exam!"
Understanding the enemy's deadly intent, Shintoki barked orders to his teammates, guiding them into battle.
He quickly pulled out several kunai.
Chakra flaring from both kunais which he took on each hand. This was shintokis fightning style to probe the enemy and fight them in close range. Since kiri are very strong in weapons and the ninja before him have clearly some grasp of kenjutsu shintoki wouldn't hold back.
He hurled them with deadly precision toward the three Kiri ninjas.
The kunai, charged with chakra, sliced through the air at lightning speed.
Hatarume drew her weapon an ominous schockwave erupted from his swing deflecting the lethal projectiles with ease and rising stone and dust simultaneously.
then she vanished reappearing right in front of Shintoki her grin menacing and eye full of contenpt.
Then she engaged him in a deadly duel one fightning to extinct while the other for survival.
**Elsewhere, outside Konoha**
In a sealed chamber hidden from all eyes, an elderly man sat upon a throne.
After receiving a report from his division regarding the ongoing exam, he sipped his tea thoughtfully, contemplating how best to exploit the situation.
"This move from Kiri is bold… and unexpected," he mused.
"Things are taking a delicate, yet interesting turn."
In the shadow his lone eye glimed coldly.
Interesting, because it gave Danzō the perfect opportunity to advance his Root agenda.
Hiruzen would not be able to oppose him this time. In fact, Hiruzen might even be forced to offer support.
Kiri had left them little choice. Perhaps it was time for Danzō to pay Kiri a visit—to settle the score when the time was right.
**Back to the battle — Shintoki vs. Hatarume**
"You're tougher than you look,"
the Kiri captain said, eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Her movements with the blade were both graceful and devastating.
Despite Shintoki's persistence, he was starting to falter—his arms growing heavier under the relentless flurry of her sword strikes.
Though under pressure, he knew he couldn't afford to falter now—one mistake would mean death.
Suddenly!
Hatarume swung her sword in a horizontal slash aimed at his stomach. Shintoki parried it precisely with his kunai.A spark of energy flared where their blades clashed, sending out a shockwave that shook the clearing. The tree nearest the impact split in half, its top section crashing ddown sending dust flying.
Shintoki countered with a strike aimed at her neck, but Hatarume ducked beneath the arc of his chakra blade, using her long sword for leverage.
The ground beneath her cracked from the pressure of her sudden movement.
Realizing his counterattack had failed, Shintoki didn't back down. He attacked again, dual-wielding chakra blades, slashing in a cross pattern—but Hatarume jumped to the air, raised her sword, and slashed downward as she fell toward her move, Shintoki flipped backward just as her sword slammed into the earth, sending rocks flying. As soon as he landed, he launched himself forward again to resume the fight.
"You shouldn't have exposed yourself like that," she taunted. "You'll pay dearly for it."
Using two kunai, Shintoki parried her next flurry of sword strikes and countered with swift retaliations of his own.
For a while, neither gained the upper hand.
Not far away, the other fights raged.
Izumo faced gaji man, while Kotetsu fought the shortest of the Kiri team Tenno.
They exchanged fierce blows, their training with Shintoki now proving valuable in close combat.
Izumo's opponent extended his gauntlet and fired a volley of senbon.
The deadly needles tore through everything in their path, piercing tree after tree.
Izumo ducked behind a trunk, barely avoiding the barrage; some senbon embedded themselves in the wood, others whistled past into the distance.
Catching his breath, Izumo exhaled in relief.
Turning into a pincushion was not on his agenda today.
**Back to Shintoki vs. Hatarume**
"You're good," she said coldly, "but it won't be enough. You've already lost."
"Huh? What—?"
A chilling blade aura echoed through the air. Shintoki froze, eyes wide.
*When did she create a water clone?*
*A clone without hand seals? No… she's been toying with me this whole time. She wasn't even using her full speed.*
He couldn't recall when she had formed her clone.
The real Hatarume appeared behind him, and before he could react—
she struck, decapitating him instantly, blood flowed everywhere.
"SHINTOKI!" Kotetsu and Izumo screamed, still locked in combat with their enemies.
They hurled kunai and explosive tags to force their foes back, then dashed toward Shintoki's fallen body.
But in their panic and retreat, they exposed their backs to the third member of the Kiri team.
By the time they realized their mistake, it was too late.
Hatarume reappeared behind Izumo and slashed—but he barely managed to block with his kunai.
Fueled by chakra and raw frustration, he partially deflected the blow but was still cut across the abdomen but thankfuly not deep, blood spilling from the wound.
Had he reacted a fraction of a second slower, he'd be dead.
"Damn it! How can this be happening? Those savages—they killed Shintoki! He was a good person!"
"These people clearly came to kill us," Kotetsu growled. "No negotiation possible. Even if we die, we won't give them the satisfaction. What do you say, Izumo?"
The shortest Kiri ninja Tenno let out a mocking laugh.
"So this is Konoha's pride? You're not so great after all. You've gotten soft—never imagined you'd be in this position during your own village's exam!"
"Hahahaha!" the burly one Gaji roared.
"Now die, Leaf trash!"
A cold voice rang out.
Water Style — Water Dragon Jutsu!
A massive torrent of water rose high into the air, swirling and merging until it took the form of a colossal dragon.
It roared like thunder before hurtling toward Izumo and Kotetsu, who stood frozen in horror.
The water around the dragon shredded trees like they were nothing, debris flying everywhere.
Gritting his teeth, Izumo hurled several explosive-tagged kunai toward it.
The explosions splashed water everywhere, but the dragon didn't stop.
Frustrated yet determined, Izumo formed hand signs.
The earlier explosion was just to buy time for his next technique.
Kotetsu, understanding his intent, began his own sequence of seals.
"You ready, Kotetsu?"
"Let's do this, Izumo!"
With a war cry, they charged at the dragon together, their summoned their weapons, these were tools given to them by their family once they become ninja but looking at it closely they weren't the weapons they famously wielded in the original timeline. Izumo shot toward the dragon releasing a surge of energy that clashed with the massive water beast, momentarily paralyzing it.
Kotetsu struck as well, and the water dragon shattered into a thousand fragments.
"It seems you won't die easily" the Kiri captain muttered, displeased, these two are looking kind of problematic, seem like this team was mean to one day become very strong and one of the villages backbone but its too late now. Konoha will regret their overcondidence and mistake in sending these brats here.
Kotetsu and Izumo panted heavily, most of their chakra spent blocking that devastating attack.
Even so, rage burned in their eyes.
"You'll pay for what you did to Shintoki!"
"Hmph," she sneered. "I admit your friend was talented, but he never stood a chance against me.
This is where your story ends—prepare to die. Finish them!"
At her command, her two subordinates vanished, their movements lethal and precise.
Water Style — Water Particle Dragon Jutsu!
Suddenly a voice exploded with great force. Everyone froze even the kiri nin in resonant voice left Izumo visibly for Kotetsu, he looked perplexed and hopefull. Hatarume, meanwhile, was on alert while her two companions began to 's happening, thought the youngest of them Tenno.
But the resonant voice gave them no time; as they started to notice the sudden presence, the water dragon that had just dissipated immediately reformed into a terrifying, far longer serpentine beast—much larger this far from the battlefield, Hatarume's consciousness faltered; she looked dazed and distraught at the unfolding eyes remained open, astonished, watching the dragon reform under the control of an enemy appearing out of nowhere. The captain's expression was dark and frustrated.
How is this possible? Impossible!
But the reality of what was happening before her could not be an sky, once clear, now seemed dark. The dragon of dozens of meters long with yellow eyes, shot iolently at the Kiri 's two teammates were caught off guard by the waves and dragged dozens of meters.
Would another team come to reinforce them?
Damn! the captain cried out.
The dragon's wave's razor like blades fangs sliced through Tenno's body, killing him instantly.
Every tree and the ground in its path was shredded to pieces.
The dragon continued on without stopping, heading straight for the leader while still dragging the teammates even Gaji.
Hatarume frowned. Though shocked by the turn of events, she did not lose bastard controlling the dragon intends to annihilate our team with it. But if he thinks I'll let them, they are mistaken.
In an instant Hatarume completed her hand signs.
Seeing the dragon approach dangerously, Hatarume instantly formed a watery defensive barrier. A shockwave spread from the collision between the dragon and herself then they collided pushing against one another.
The violent collision between the barrier and the dragon's shockwave continued for a moment.
And just as the dragon seemed neutralized, it exploded leaving Hatarume stunned. fissure startedto spread on the barrier
Seeing fissures begin to form in the barrier, Hatarume poured in more chakra.
That only slowed the formation of the cracks for an instant.
Suddenly—BOOOOM!
The dragon's explosion, which had taken Hatarume completely by surprise, ultimately caused the water barrier to collapse entirely; the captain of the Kiri team looked horrified and stunned.
With the barrier gone and having not held long enough, an even more powerful shockwave rang out, hurling trees, rocks, and dust into the air.
Even Izumo and Kotetsu, safe from the dragon's fury, were thrown far away.
Hatarume, who had been closest to the blast, was sent flying among the trees and spat blood.
Her fate was unknown.
When the devastation of the attack finally subsided, the area lay utterly ravaged and in ruins.
Kotetsu and Izumo were visibly bewildered and in shock.
What a terrifying attack. Far more powerful than the water dragon Hatarume had used against them.
But an important question arose in their minds: who had carried out that attack?
The voice they had heard just before the assault sounded a lot like Shintoki's.
But wait wasn't Shintoki dead? Could he have survived?
As these questions surfaced one after another, their shock grew and their eyes clung to the hope of seeing their friend again.
Izumo finally voiced aloud what the two had been thinking.
"Could it be… Shintoki?"
Whoosh!
A shadow landed beside them.
"Hello!"
What? Izumo looked toward their savior, eyes wide in astonishment.
"So it really is you, SHINTOKI!" Izumo and Kotetsu cried out.
They were deeply stunned and in awe. After all, they had seen Shintoki be decapitated by Hatarume. Was it an illusion? When they looked again at the place where Shintoki had been decapitated, they saw only chopped pieces of wood in his place.
Then it damned on their mind. Offcourse an illusion, shintokis genjutsu prowess is no secret them but due to the panic when they saw him being cut down they competely forgot about it.
"Ha… ha… ha, that was less than nothing," Shintoki said, breathing with difficulty.
Judging by Shintoki's appearance, he was in bad shape—he had not come out of the previous attack unscathed.
His shirt was torn in places; a cut the work of a slash was visible, blood seeping through.
Shintoki had used his hand to cover the wound and slow the bleeding.
"SHINTOKI, you're hurt," Izumo observed as he helped Kotetsu to his feet.
"I'll be fine, but we need to leave here quickly let's head for the tower," Shintoki replied, clearly exhausted.
"They're unconscious, izumo kick take the scroll from them, I have checked it when they showed up its the one we need. but I can't guarantee they won't wake up suddenly. We have to go act fast and leave now; in our current state we won't be able to do much if the fight continues."
Izumo and Kotetsu, having calmed a little, looked toward the direction where the Kiri ninjas had been thrown.
The shortest one tenno had been killed; Gaji had lost an arm and bore a long gash from the violent water torrent as he was dragged along the ground; Hatarume, the girl of the group, had been thrown further away by the explosion and was not immediately visible.
Izumo then kickly retrieved the scroll it had been thrown away when the water dragon hut them.
As Shintoki had said, staying there could bring misfortune. A ninja of Hatarume's level would not die so easily.
Shintoki suddenly coughed up blood and fell to his knees.
That attack had been his ace, possessing power beyond typical chunin-level techniques, but because the jutsu required a very large amount of chakra from Shintoki, such an attack could not be used lightly.
Unless it was at the last possible moment; therefore its execution had to be decisive.
Desperation had forced Shintoki to use it.
After being pierced by the enemy, Shintoki had performed a substitution combined with a subtle genjutsu, convincing Hatarume that he was dead.
Despite her strength, Hatarume proved remarkably weak against genjutsu, Shintoki noted.
After that, Shintoki only had to wait for an opportunity—which, thanks to Izumo and Kotetsu's persistence, it finally presented itself; otherwise he would have been forced to intervene earlier and abandon his cover.
"Let's go to the tower!"
"I'll support you while we return to the tower. Izumo, you'll cover us," said Kotetsu.
Izumo nodded, and they headed toward the tower.
"Let's go!"
Kotetsu sped off at full velocity.
"Hey, easy, Kotetsu—that hurts…" Shintoki groaned, clearly in pain.
"Ah, sorry Shintoki, hang on. We'll be at the tower soon."
"That's not what I meant," Shintoki replied.
Izumo, seeing the commotion, couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Things could have been worse, but they'd escaped.
Whoosh!
whoosh!