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She swept her sharp gaze across the classroom, quickly assessing the situation. When she counted the teams, her eyebrows shot up. "Twenty-seven teams?!" she exclaimed. "That's a lot more than I expected."
Turning to Ibiki, she smirked, her tone dripping with mockery. "Looks like you're going soft, letting this many candidates pass your test."
Ibiki's expression didn't waver. He responded with a faint smile, his calm voice tinged with subtle amusement. "Or maybe it's just that this batch is exceptionally skilled."
Anko rolled her eyes, waving off the comment. "Whatever," she said dismissively. Her smirk widened as she added, "I'll make sure to fix that in the next round. By the time I'm done, more than half of them will be gone."
The words sent a ripple of unease through the room. Nervous whispers broke out among the Genin, their earlier relief now replaced by anxiety.
Anko noticed their reactions and grinned—a sharp, almost sinister smile that sent chills down spines. "Alright, listen up, maggots!" she barked, her voice cutting through the chatter. "You've had it easy so far, but that ends now. The real test begins tomorrow."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "Your squad leaders will receive the location of the second test. Be there at the crack of dawn. And bring your A-game—if you even think you're ready."
With that, she turned on her heel, her presence like a storm that left the room charged with tension. The Genin exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the Chunin Exams finally sinking in.
By the time the first test ended, the sky had already deepened into the warm hues of evening. The Genin began filing out of the classroom, each heading towards their respective homes. Exhaustion weighed on their steps, but determination gleamed in their eyes—they all sought a good night's rest to prepare for the trials ahead.
As Inoiki made his way through the dispersing crowd, he couldn't help but notice the stares directed his way. Some were curious, others veiled with malice, yet none of them fazed him. He kept his composure, his expression unchanging, and made his way home without sparing a second thought to the scrutiny.
The following morning, the sky was painted in shades of soft orange as the sun began its slow rise. Inoiki, having just finished his light cardio routine, returned to his doorstep only to be greeted by Izumo.
"Good morning," Izumo greeted, his expression serious yet friendly. He wasted no time, getting straight to the point. "The location for your test today is the 44th Training Ground," he said. A faint smirk played on his lips as he added, "Also known as the Forest of Death."
Inoiki nodded, his expression calm as ever. "Understood," he replied.
Izumo's smirk softened into an encouraging smile. "Good luck, Inoiki. I hope you pass this second round with record-breaking speed."
Inoiki allowed himself a small grin. "I'll do my best," he said confidently.
With that, Izumo gave him a nod and left.
Inoiki quickly prepared for the day ahead. He had a light breakfast, mindful of not overburdening himself before the physically demanding test. As he prepared to leave, he thought of joining Ino, his sister, but a problem presented itself—Ino wasn't speaking to him.
Ino's anger burned quietly but intensely. She couldn't believe her brother, Inoiki, had hidden so much from her. Learning from an outsider that he had been attacked by a team of ninja led by a Jonin and that he had completed multiple B-rank missions without telling her felt like a betrayal. They were siblings—she thought they shared everything. And yet, he had kept her in the dark about things that could have endangered his life.
Inoiki, for his part, felt helpless. He understood why Ino was upset, but he also knew there was no fixing it in the short term. For now, his focus had to remain on the Chunin Exams. He resolved to smooth things over with Ino after the second test was behind them, though he knew it wouldn't be easy.
By the time Inoiki reached the 44th Training Ground, commonly known as the Forest of Death, the area was already bustling with activity. Dozens of Genin teams had gathered, their energy a mix of nervous anticipation and determination. Teams continued to trickle in, and within ten minutes, the entire group was assembled in front of the massive fence encircling the ominous forest.
The atmosphere grew tense as Anko Mitarashi arrived, flanked by several invigilators. She exuded confidence, her sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered Genin.
"Alright, listen up!" she barked, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Now that everyone is here, I'll be handing out consent forms. If you want to participate in the second test, you'll need to sign it."
She smirked, holding up a sheet of paper for emphasis. "These forms state that you're entering this exam willingly. If any of you die in the Forest of Death," her voice turned darker, "it's not my problem."
The crowd stiffened. A nervous Genin near the back hesitated before timidly asking, "D-death?"
Anko's sinister smile widened as her gaze fell on him. "That's right," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "In this round, you'll be fighting for survival. Death is always a possibility."
Her words sent a wave of unease through the crowd, the weight of the test suddenly hitting home. This was no ordinary exam—it was a battle for survival, and only the strongest, smartest, and most determined would make it through.
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