As dawn broke over the Forest of Death, the dense canopy shrouded the landscape in eerie shadows, the chill of the morning air still clinging to the leaves. The occasional rustle of leaves broke the silence, as three figures darted gracefully among the treetops, moving like nimble monkeys.
"Today's the last day," Obito murmured, his voice low. His eyes scanned the forest warily. "I wonder how many teams are still left."
Shisui chuckled softly, his sharp gaze unwavering. "We'll know when we reach the tower. But I doubt many teams would enter without hesitation."
Rin frowned slightly, pursing her lips. "Everyone's probably thinking the same thing. If too many teams enter the tower, they'll become easy targets. Most are likely gathering nearby, waiting for others to make the first move."
Obito scowled, his frustration evident. "This exam is messed up. Forcing us to fight our classmates just to survive—it's cruel."
Shisui didn't respond immediately, his calm demeanor unshaken.
"Come to think of it," Obito said, turning to Shisui with a puzzled expression, "why have you been taking all the protective gear from our opponents? What's your plan?"
"You'll see," Shisui replied cryptically, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Great. Now you're acting mysterious, just like Kakashi." Obito rolled his eyes, earning a quiet laugh from Rin.
"Let's move," Shisui said simply, signaling for them to follow.
As noon approached, the trio reached a large clearing near the central tower. Several ninja teams were already there, their wary gazes flicking toward one another as they maintained their distance.
"Looks like we're not the only ones with this idea," Rin observed quietly.
Shisui nodded. "Let's join them."
Obito hesitated but followed as Shisui led the group down. They landed at a spot equidistant from the others, drawing a few cautious glances but no immediate hostility.
For a moment, the clearing fell silent, tension hanging thick in the air. As the sun began its descent, the shadows in the forest grew longer, and the clearing was soon enveloped in dim twilight.
Ten teams had gathered, nearly half of the original participants.
Obito grinned, stepping forward confidently. "Well, that's that! Looks like we made it. Let's head to the tower—"
"Wait," Shisui interrupted, blocking Obito's path with an outstretched arm.
Obito followed his gaze and noticed several teams eyeing them with thinly veiled hostility.
"What now?" Obito asked, confused.
Shisui turned to his teammates. "Give me all your protective gear."
Both Rin and Obito blinked in surprise but complied without question. Shisui gathered the six headbands and tossed them into the center of the clearing.
The metallic clang of the headbands hitting the ground was followed by a ripple of movement. The hostile stares toward the trio faded, and six other teams followed Shisui's lead, throwing their protective gear into the pile.
"Twenty-seven," Shisui murmured, narrowing his eyes. "That means one team is still hiding somewhere in the forest."
"What's going on?" Obito asked, clearly bewildered.
Rin's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh, I get it! It's about preventing anyone from gaming the system."
Obito's confusion only deepened. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Rin smiled patiently. "There are 20 teams in total, right? We've accounted for 27 ninja here, so there's one team missing. If that team waits until the rest of us enter the tower, they could sneak in and exceed the limit. That would eliminate everyone."
Obito frowned. "But the forest is huge! How are we supposed to find those three before time runs out?"
Shisui's gaze hardened. "We can't. That's why the remaining teams have to eliminate each other here. The rules only state that the number of survivors can't exceed half. It doesn't specify how many fewer than half can pass."
As if on cue, the six teams that had relinquished their protective gear moved in unison, surrounding the three teams that still held onto theirs. Outnumbered and cornered, the targeted teams stood little chance. Within moments, the marks of the remaining three were destroyed, and they were eliminated.
Shisui's words proved prophetic. The remaining seven teams, now free of threats, made their way to the central tower.
Inside the tower, the surviving genin were directed to a waiting area. Time ticked by as they waited for the second exam to officially end.
Finally, just before the deadline, the last team—a trio of genin—arrived, their faces lit with joy at having survived.
However, their relief was short-lived.
A Konoha Chunin stepped forward, his expression cold. "You three are eliminated."
The room fell silent as shock rippled through the assembled genin.
"What?!" one of the three shouted. "We didn't break any rules!"
The Chunin's gaze swept over the crowd. "Do you think the Chunin Exams are just about passing tests? A ninja who hides while others fight doesn't deserve to serve Konoha. In a real mission, such behavior could cost lives. You are not qualified to be Chunin."
Protests died in the throats of the eliminated team as three ANBU appeared, escorting them out. The remaining genin exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the exam's true purpose settling heavily on their shoulders.
The announcement for the final round soon followed: an individual battle tournament.
Seven teams, a total of 21 genin, would compete. Each match was determined by random draw, with one unlucky genin eliminated by default.
Rin stared at the slip of paper in her hand, the number "1" glaring back at her.
Across the room, a girl with black curly hair and striking ruby-red eyes noticed the same number in her hand. She approached Rin with a polite smile.
"Hello, my name is Yuhi Kurenai," she said, her voice calm yet confident. "It seems we'll be facing each other next."
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