[The Forest of Death]
After nightfall, the danger level here rose sharply.
Unless necessary, most people would not choose to travel at this time.
There were too many snakes, insects, rats, and ants in other parts of the Forest of Death.
Because they had experience, Team Hanabi had moved close to the river from the start and followed it forward.
After all, the river flowed toward the central tower, so as long as they followed it, they would not get lost.
Also, while there were various large beasts on both sides of the river, there were fewer poisonous insects.
Of course, it also made it easier to run into enemies.
However, Hanabi had the Byakugan, so the journey had been smooth.
After all, before the enemy could spot them, Hanabi had already chosen to avoid them.
The group was now resting by the river and replenishing their energy.
Hanabi was grilling fish by the river while explaining things to Moegi and Hiroyuki, "We're still very far from the central tower. The other teams will be moving more slowly."
"On the first day, we should avoid conflicts with other teams as much as possible and save our strength."
"Even though we found the river right away, other people aren't stupid. They'll find it after some time too."
"Starting from the second and third day, when everyone has generally covered more than half the distance, conflicts will begin."
"If we preserve our stamina now, we'll have a better chance of competing for scrolls later."
She had prepared for this Chunin Exam for a long time, and her thinking was very clear.
Moegi obviously had less experience than Hanabi. Seeing how organized Hanabi's plans were, she felt completely reassured.
"I'll follow your lead, Hanabi."
Hiroyuki was around fourteen years old this year and had already awakened a one-tomoe Sharingan. Among the younger generation, he was considered fairly capable.
Although this was the first time he had teamed up with Hanabi and Moegi, he knew Hanabi.
They often ran into each other at the clan training grounds while working hard on their training.
"I'll handle the direct fights. My taijutsu and Fire Release are pretty good."
When Hiroyuki was little, he had a round face and round head. Now that he had entered puberty and started growing taller, his frame was somewhat slender.
But because he spent so much time at the training grounds, his skin had been tanned to a healthy wheat color. At a glance, he gave people a sense of reliability.
"After we eat, let's get some rest early. Moegi and I will keep watch during the first half of the night. Hiroyuki and I will take the second half."
"You two will handle the time before dawn."
While adding firewood to the campfire, Moegi asked curiously, "Why do we need two people on watch?"
There were only three of them. If they arranged things this way, everyone would get much less rest.
Hanabi had her own reasons, "In this Forest of Death, fighting is what drains the most stamina."
"As long as we do our best to avoid fighting, sleeping a few hours less won't affect our battles on the third and fourth days."
"This is also the safest approach. I don't want to take this exam one more time."
Having someone to take charge felt good. Both Hiroyuki and Moegi felt that teaming up with Hanabi had been the right choice.
"Alright, we'll do it your way."
After assigning their tasks, the group ate and went to sleep.
Not far from them, however, a pair of eyes was watching.
Hinata deactivated her Byakugan and let out a breath.
After all, Hanabi was her younger sister. Hinata still cared about her.
So she had quietly followed Hanabi by taking advantage of her position.
Hanabi had improved far too much since the last Chunin Exam. Every decision she had made along the way had been flawless.
She had not encountered any danger either.
At that moment, a golden-brown grilled fish was handed to her.
Naruto said cheerfully, "Here, Hinata. Try some grilled fish."
Looking at the Forest of Death, Naruto could not help feeling a little nostalgic. It was the same place as before.
But now he and Hinata had become exam proctors.
Earlier today, Naruto had even saved two people, and his mindset was different now.
"Thank you, Naruto."
As she spoke, Hinata accepted the grilled fish.
The fish was not only delicious, it was comforting too.
Hinata could manage on her own, but the way Naruto had been raised would never allow him to leave his girlfriend outside by herself.
He had stayed with her the whole way.
———
[Land of Grass]
Obito, who had been searching for the Box of Ultimate Bliss in the Land of Grass for some time, was resting on a tree.
The moon was especially bright and round tonight.
Cold moonlight spread across the land.
Looking at the huge moon, Obito became distracted.
Scenes from the past appeared in his mind one after another, then shattered like smoke.
Obito showed little reaction throughout. Even when images that had once shaken him deeply appeared, there was barely any change in his gaze.
He shook his head and let out a cold snort, "You can only affect me with tricks like this now."
The voice of the young Obito was no longer in his mind.
Occasionally, the young Obito would use more stimulating scenes to influence him.
But the current Obito had already cut off everything connected to his past. Everything the young Obito did was useless.
At that moment, a figure quickly approached him.
Not long afterward, it stopped behind him.
Obito did not turn around.
He knew it was Moryo.
"Any news?"
Moryo shook his head.
"No. There are only a few people at the top of the Grass ninja hierarchy. Making a move against them would easily alert them."
"With just the two of us and no White Zetsu, it's hard to gather information."
Obito fell silent after hearing that.
He had gotten used to using White Zetsu in the past. Now that he no longer had White Zetsu, even finding the Box of Ultimate Bliss had become difficult.
Although he possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, he had no starting point for locating the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Based on the clues available so far, the Land of Grass was constantly searching for the Box of Ultimate Bliss as well.
They wanted to restore the glory of Grass Village.
What Obito did not know was that the Grass ninja who had always been searching for the Box of Ultimate Bliss were actually part of a deception set up by Mui to mislead outsiders.
Nine years earlier, after Rengoku told him what was inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss, he had spoken with the Zodiac Elder.
On the surface, he claimed it was to prevent others from learning about the Land of Grass's Box of Ultimate Bliss.
In reality, he had already joined the "Flower of Grass" faction, the doves, and used that as an excuse to weaken the "Fruit of Grass" faction, the hawks.
Under normal circumstances, it would not be easy for Obito to find the Box of Ultimate Bliss now.
"No one knows what Black Zetsu is doing at the moment, but he should be looking for you."
"You might as well continue working with him and use White Zetsu to find the Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Moryo's words caused Obito to fall into thought.
He hated not only Madara, but also Zetsu.
If he got the chance, he intended to drag both of them down together.
Moryo had a firm grasp of Obito's mentality and added:
"If you fall out with him this early, he'll become even more wary of you. The plans in your mind won't be able to proceed."
A light flashed in Obito's eyes, "You know what plans I have?"
Moryo shook his head.
"No. You just need to keep your Zero-Tails trump card hidden from Black Zetsu."
"Right now, Black Zetsu still needs you."
A thoughtful look crossed Obito's eyes.
He looked toward the power chamber. Inside, Rasa, the One-Tail Jinchuriki, was still being held there to provide chakra.
"Then let's head back and see what's happening."