ALL NOVEL Chapter 52: Practical exam
Once all the candidates who passed the written exam gathered at the training grounds, including myself, conversations buzzed around us. Everyone was speculating about the true nature of the written exam and what the upcoming practical test would entail. The atmosphere was a mix of nervousness and anticipation, with each team preparing for the next challenge.
A few chunin stood before us and addressed the group, "Teams that do not have three members are disqualified. The rest of you should proceed to the Forest of Death, where the second part of the Chunin Exams will take place." The announcement immediately shifted the focus, as everyone's attention turned toward the looming forest, infamous for its danger and unpredictability.
The group of candidates who had passed the first exam made their way toward the Forest of Death, the location designated for the second part of the Chunin Exams. Among those who passed, nearly all the Konoha ninja were still in the running, with only one or two teams having been disqualified earlier. As a result, the remaining Konoha shinobi walked together, chatting about the exam and sharing their thoughts on what challenges might lie ahead.
After about half an hour, we arrived at the entrance of the Forest of Death. Its ominous appearance loomed before us, casting long shadows and exuding an atmosphere of danger and mystery. The sight alone was enough to remind us that the upcoming test would be a true measure of our survival skills and teamwork.
The proctor assigned for the practical portion of the exam was Anko Mitarashi, a former student of one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, who had long since defected from the village. I knew that Orochimaru was planning to make his move during this exam, which added another layer of danger to the already intense challenge.
As soon as I saw Anko, I greeted her with a friendly smile, "Hey, Anko, how are you doing?"
She returned the smile, her tone lively. "Hey, Naruto! I'm good. So, you decided to join the Chunin Exams, huh?"
"Yeah, it's just for fun," I replied casually. "I'm participating because all my friends are taking part."
Anko grinned, catching on quickly. "Well, don't think I'll be giving you any special treatment, even if you ask," she teased, her playful yet firm demeanor setting the tone for what was sure to be a tough and unpredictable test ahead.
Anko POV
"Alright, listen up, everyone!" I announced, my voice cutting through the chatter. "This next phase is going to be a bit different from what you're used to. It's not just about fighting one-on-one—this is a survival test. We're heading into the Forest of Death, and trust me, it's not called that for nothing. You'll be dealing with more than just your fellow genin; there are wild creatures, harsh terrain, and plenty of other dangers waiting for you inside. Your objective? Get your hands on both a Heaven scroll and an Earth scroll by the end of the time limit. How you do it? That's up to you. Steal, trade, fight—it doesn't matter. Just make sure you end up with both scrolls if you want to make it to the next round."
I didn't sugarcoat the risks. "And let me be clear," I continued, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. "This isn't just some training exercise where you get a pat on the back if you fail. There's a real chance some of you might get hurt… or worse." I let that sink in for a moment, watching as a few faces shifted from eager to nervous. "If that makes you want to back out, now's your chance. Otherwise, get ready to push yourself past your limits, because only those who have what it takes to be chunin will come out of that forest in one piece."
Naruto POV
After Anko explained the rules of the second part of the exam, each team was handed a scroll, which could either be a Heaven or Earth scroll. Teams were then sent into the Forest of Death one by one, entering through different gates to maintain some level of separation.
Before my team and I entered, I took a moment to chat with Anko. We had a good friendship, having run into each other many times at the sweet shop where she loved to eat kibi dango during her breaks from missions. Our brief conversation helped ease some of the tension before stepping into the forest, where the real challenge awaited.
With our scroll in hand, we passed through the gate and into the depths of the Forest of Death, ready to face whatever lay ahead.