Chapter 374: Aren't Those Iwagakure Ninjas?
"You can't answer it!"
The Aburame ninja stared at the ninja guarding the entrance of the tower. In fact, he was not very sure, but because Aoba was next to him, he needed to be careful.
Looking at it now.
There were three people here.
One was Aoba, and the other was the ninjas guarding the tower.
However.
He was not clear.
If these two guards were really the proctors...
They might also be Aoba's other two companions who use the transformation technique!
"Take out the Scroll of Heaven and the Scroll of Earth. We will check it and register your clearance time. Then you can enter the tower." The other ninja guard stepped forward and said.
However.
Just as the ninja guard took a step forward.
The three people took a step back almost at the same time. When they looked at the ninja guard, their eyes flashed with caution.
Now they were afraid that this person was with Aoba.
They were worried that the two ninja guards were Aoba's two teammates who used the transformation technique. This way, they could use the proctor's identity to steal the Scroll of Heaven in their hands in front of them.
After all, this was the Chunin Exams' second exam.
Anything could happen!
Everyone wanted to achieve their goal.
They would do anything!
In the face of such a situation, they had no choice but to be on guard.
"..."
The two ninja guards were stunned when they saw the team's reaction. After that, they quickly reacted and revealed a helpless smile.
After that.
The two of them looked at Aoba at the same time.
"Aoba, you standing here, causing us to be misunderstood as your teammates. Why don't you go back to the tower..." One of the ninjas said helplessly.
"That is your business," Aoba said indifferently. He did not deliberately make things difficult for these two people, but he did not want to enter the tower again.
"If we are misunderstood, it will be very troublesome to explain!" The ninja said again. After he said this, he found that Aoba had ignored him. So he turned his eyes to the three-man team again.
Right at this moment.
The proctors and the three ninjas' line of sight collided.
The two ninja guards instantly received the meaning in the other's eyes.
Acting!
Continue acting!
Act hard!
We will watch you act!
"..."
The two ninjas were completely helpless. They found that once they were misunderstood, it would be more troublesome to prove themself again.
They didn't even know how to explain it.
They were proctors.
This was just an identity for them.
However, there was nothing that could prove this identity...
After so many Chunin Exams that they handled.
They had never met such a cautious person.
....
The Aburame ninja and his teammate continuously examined the two proctors.
They had no intention of getting close.
They were all focused on safety. They did not care about the time. After all, the record had nothing to do with them. As long as they could successfully pass this round within the stipulated time, which was five days, everything didn't matter.
"Unless you prove that you are the proctor here, I will not give you the Scroll of Heaven!" This Aburame ninja said coldly. He now seriously suspected that these two ninjas were Aoba's teammates.
"Up to you..."
When the two ninja guards saw this scene, their expressions also became cold. They were the proctors here,
To be questioned by the examinee and has to carry out inexplicable self-certification.
This kind of thing.
They were too lazy to say anything more.
"I have already fulfilled my duty to inform you. Now it all depends on whether you pass or not. As long as you give me the Scroll of Heaven and Scroll of Earth and let us verify your condition, we will let you guys pass this round." The ninja said again.
This proctor also had a temper.
We ask you to let us check it, but you don't want to.
If we can't check it, you will not pass.
It doesn't matter.
Anyway, the Chunin Exam was yours, not ours. We don't care about your so-called caution.
...
Aoba leaned against the wall of the tall tower, silently watching everything that was happening there. He faintly felt that this Aburame ninja was cautious because of him. This Aburame ninja might have felt that the two proctors and him were together.
However.
Such a phenomenon.
He was too lazy to explain.
After that.
Aoba slowly closed his eyes. He was waiting here for the end of the Chunin Exams' second round and for a suitable opportunity to do something sensational.
Gradually.
The six people here were in a stalemate here.
Rather than a stalemate...
It was better to say that Aoba and the two ninja guards were still the same as before. However, the three-man team that had come here to wait had always maintained their vigilance and refused to take out the scroll for verification.
...
After a few more hours.
Aoba slowly opened his eyes.
As he opened his eyes, the people at the scene immediately focused on Aoba.
"Coming."
Aoba lightly spat out this word. Through his powerful perception, he felt that another three-man team was rushing over.
If there were no accidents.
This team also obtained the Scroll of Heaven!
As a result.
Now, three Scroll of Heaven had been found.
There was two more Scroll of Heaven in the Forest of Death. One was scattered somewhere, and the other was at entrance No. 1. No one should be able to find it.
That was to say...
After another team appeared.
The people who passed the second round were all here.
The premise was that nothing unexpected happened to them. After all, they needed to pass the verification of these two ninja guards; only then did they pass the second round of the Chunin Exams and enter the tower.
Now, even if these teams had found the Scroll of Heaven.
They were still in the second round of the Chunin Exams and hadn't passed the exam yet, and what they were doing now was just treating the exam cautiously.
As soon as Aoba said this.
The other five people present all showed different expressions.
Among them.
The three people led by the Aburame ninja had puzzled expressions. They did not know what Aoba meant by "coming".
However, their expressions had already become serious.
This kind of thing.
They were extremely concerned.
They had no idea what they were about to face, which made them nervous.
As for the other two ninjas standing guard at the tower entrance, they had meaningful smiles on their faces.
They had experienced such a thing before.
It was when they were waiting for these three ninjas.
Aoba had said that they were coming. About ten minutes later, the team in front of them appeared.
Now, it was the same scene.
The difference was...
The two ninjas were already experienced. They immediately looked forward, waiting for a new batch of ninjas. They did not care about the three-man team led by the Aburame ninja.
"???"
When the Aburame ninja saw the two guards' actions, many question marks appeared on his head. He did not know what the two ninjas were planning or what they would do now. However, he still quietly stayed where he was.
Just like this.
Several people waited here together.
About ten minutes later.
Several people heard the rustling sound and immediately looked in the direction of the sound. They immediately realized that other teams were coming over.
As time passed...
A three-man team appeared in their line of sight.
Until this time.
The ninjas here finally understood what Aoba meant when he said "coming", which also stunned the three people.
All three of them had a very exaggerated idea in their hearts.
This was no longer a simple matter!
This person had discovered someone coming over ten minutes ago!
What kind of terrifying perception was this?
In a moment.
The three ninjas led by the Aburame did not know how to describe their feelings, especially the Aburame ninja. He could not help but look in Aoba's direction. The expression on his face behind the sunglasses had changed.
At this time, figures flashed out and appeared in their line of sight. It was another team that had participated in the Chunin Exams' second round.
The three ninjas in this team were stunned when they saw the six people in front of the tower, so they stopped.
Immediately after.
The three people gathered together.
Their gaze swept over these people.
The people here.
Apart from the two ninjas guarding the entrance, they had seen the rest of the people. They were all participants.
"What's going on?"
The three ninjas maintained a distance from the people here so they could still react when something happened. After all, they held the Scroll of Heaven in their hands. They did not know the purpose of these ninjas in front of them, but they became cautious because of these few people.
The ninja from the Aburame clan sneered. He did not answer these people. They were all competitors. He was still waiting for these people to explore the way for them.
The three ninjas who came from behind looked at the three people from the Aburame clan team doubtfully. They did not know what they were thinking, but they did not act rashly.
"Why are you not entering the tower?"
One of the three ninjas asked. However, after he asked this question, he still did not get any response. It was as if he was talking to air.
"..."
When the three ninjas saw this situation, they were even more confused. They all looked at the people here with strange gazes and felt something was happening.
"Let's go!"
The leader of the three waved to the two ninjas next to him. After that, they circled the people here, preparing to enter the tower.
The situation here was too subtle.
None of them could understand the situation.
The top priority was to enter the tower and pass the second round so that no more accidents would happen.
As these people walked, they cautiously stared at the people around them as if they wanted to see the situation here clearly. Moreover, they were already mentally prepared to fight at any time. In their eyes, they always felt that these people had no good intentions.
However.
Just as the three of them walked to the entrance of the tower.
The ninja guarding the entrance suddenly moved and immediately walked in front of the three ninjas, directly blocking them from entering.
"We are the proctors in charge of the second round. If you want to enter the tower, you need to go through our verification. Please give me the Scroll of Heaven and Scroll of Earth scrolls in your hands." The ninja raised his hand in a gesture of inspection.
In a split second.
The three ninjas seemed to have been electrocuted.
They suddenly took a few steps back.
Every one of them looked at the two ninjas with extreme nervousness in their eyes.
"I'm sorry..."
"We didn't get the Scroll of Heaven."
"You should ask for it from the other teams!"
The leader of the three immediately pulled his two companions and retreated. At this time, he understood why the Aburame ninja and his team did not enter the tower.
It seems...
The two ninjas guarding the entrance were not simple!
This was not a small matter.
If they couldn't confirm the other party's identity and rashly handed over the Scroll of Heaven in their hands, then once there was a problem, it would cause their Chunin Exams to fail.
This was a very dangerous matter!
They were not willing to take the risk.
They did not even admit that they had scrolls in their hands.
"..."
When the ninjas saw that the three people were almost the same as the previous team and did not dare to let them verify it.
It had to be said.
Such a phenomenon.
It was really too strange.
"Aoba, it's your fault!"
The ninja looked at Aoba helplessly. He did not expect Aoba to produce such an effect by standing here alone.
"This is their own choice. It has nothing to do with me." Aoba said lightly.
"That is true, but if you were not standing here, they would not mistake us as your teammate..." The ninja said helplessly.
"This is also their own judgment. It has nothing to do with me." Aoba said indifferently.
"You push it cleanly..." The ninja sighed faintly. Now that things had developed to this point, he had nothing to say. After all, he was only a ninja supervising the exam. Whether these participants entered or not had nothing to do with him. It was their own choice.
Aoba stood there silently, no longer answering the question.
In fact.
Things had developed to this point.
It was also something that he did not expect.
He did not expect that such a low-profile person like him could actually scare these participants into not daring to believe anyone casually.
This was too baffling!
Not only that.
From this posture.
Human-to-human transmission has already occurred.
Aoba closed his eyes again. He no longer paid attention to the opinions of these people. What they wanted had nothing to do with him.
What he needed to do now was to wait for the right time to come.
...
Gradually.
Four days had passed.
More and more ninjas had gathered at the entrance of the tower.
These ninjas were all participants in the second round of the Chunin Exams. Whether they have the Scroll of Heaven scrolls, they all gathered here. Moreover, no one had any intention of passing through to get certified.
This place had become the gathering place for the Chunin Exams.
These ninjas looked at each other with caution and seriousness in their eyes. They were always on guard. After all, no one knew whether the people they were facing now were enemies.
Aoba's gaze swept over these ninjas.
He had already seen the figure of Hyuga Hanamichi, who he had injured in the crowd.
At this time.
The participant who participates in the second round of the Chunin Exams.
Almost everyone knew that Hyuga Hanamachi's team had already lost the qualifications to pass the exam.
And the reason why this person was here now.
It was to see the situation here.
After all, even if they were injured, they could not leave the Forest of Death ahead of time. The place where the crowd gathered was safer for Hyuga Hanamachi's team.
After all, this way, they would not encounter any teams and would be injured.
However.
There were still a few teams not here.
Among them were Uchiha Kaede's team and Iwagakure's ninja team.
"Why didn't I see Uchiha Kaede?"
"Could it be that he hasn't gotten the Scroll of Heaven yet?"
"He definitely didn't get it!"
"If I'm not wrong, all the Scroll of Heaven are here, but I don't know which team they are on!"
"Uchiha Kaede and the others are not still searching in the forest, are they?"
"This is also uncertain."
"..."
There were sounds of discussion in the crowd. Many of these participants had not obtained any scrolls. Originally, they did not hold much hope. However, even they had not expected that these people would actually gather here. There seemed to be a trace of hope now, but it was not much hope.
When Aoba heard the discussions of these people, his gaze turned to look at Hyuga Hanamichi on the other side. A very strange thought appeared in his heart.
Logically speaking...
There was indeed no need for these people to discuss whose people were not here.
However.
Since the beginning of the discussion.
Until now.
The most discussed ninja was Uchiha Kaede.
It could be seen that the influence of the Uchiha clan in Konohagakure was extremely strong.
The Hyuga clan was more stable.
While the Uchiha clan was full of talent.
It was a clan of geniuses.
...
In the tall tower.
First floor.
Saki and Rin waited here for four days.
Not a single person came in.
So much so that both of them were numb from waiting!
"Saki, tomorrow afternoon is the end of the second round. Why hasn't anyone come in until now? What is going on?" Rin was so bored that she was going crazy.
In the first two days.
She was like: the few people that pass the second round, the better.
This way, their opponents could be much fewer.
But at this time...
Her thoughts had already changed.
She was looking forward to seeing people come in quickly!
This way, she would know that she was still participating in the Chunin Exams...
The current situation gave her an unrealistic feeling. It seemed that they had participated in fake Chunin Exams.
"There is indeed a problem!"
Saki nodded. Two days ago, she could still comfort Rin and say that this was because the Chunin Exams were more difficult. After all, they could come here smoothly, all thanks to Aoba's guidance.
But...
No matter how she looked at it now, it was a little abnormal.
Something was very wrong!
It was getting closer and closer to the deadline.
However, no one had come in.
The talented youth of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Kaede, did not come in!
The Hyuga Hanamichi, who claimed to be proficient in Eight Trigrams from the Hyuga branch house, didn't come in either!
Even the three Iwagakure ninjas also did not have any news.
Where did everyone go?
This was too strange!
"Could it be..."
"Is the second round really that difficult?"
"Has it already caused a fight between each other?"
Saki pinched her chin and thought carefully. Now, not to mention asking her to give Rin an answer, even she herself did not think of a reasonable answer to these things.
"Saki, don't tell me that there were only the two of us in the final round?" When Rin asked this question, the corners of her mouth twitched violently. Even she felt that this question was so unrealistic. However, it was such an unrealistic question. Now, this question was placed in front of them. It might really be possible.
"It can't be..."
Saki smiled helplessly. Even she couldn't explain this situation clearly.
"But..."
"I'm sure..."
"The other participants are in trouble!"
Saki said in a low voice. She had already realized this problem. After all, if those people had gone smoothly, they would have already arrived here.
"What kind of trouble can there be in this exam?" Rin immediately asked. She also didn't know many things very well, such as the difficulty of this exam. She couldn't even imagine how difficult this exam was that she could quickly pass and even break the record.
"Actually..."
Saki pinched her chin with her right hand. Her brows were tightly knitted, and she was already deep in thought.
"I can think of Big Brother Choza's original intention when he designed this exam. It is to avoid casualties between each other as much as possible. After all, most of the people participating in this Chunin Exams are all Konohagakure's people!"
"According to the previous example of the Chunin Exams' second round, they are fighting over scrolls from each other hands. But our exam this time belongs to searching for the scrolls, so there will be a team like ours who directly find the scrolls and pass the exam very quickly. Then there will also be very slow teams, which is an inevitable result."
"This is also the reason why no one came in in the first two days. I didn't think there was any problem. When those teams were looking for scrolls, they would consume a lot of time."
"But..."
"This examination system has one of the most deadly problems!"
As Saki spoke, she suddenly realized something and immediately looked at Rin beside her.
"That is, once no one finds the scroll, they will attack the team that has found it and then fight for it. Moreover, the entire team will be eliminated once a member cannot continue fighting. This phenomenon makes the team that can clear the next round has a lot of suspense."
She forcibly analyzed this matter.
Moreover.
As she said this herself.
She really felt that this was what happened. This caused the phenomenon that only the two silently waited for the third round of the Chunin Exams in the tower.
"I see!"
After hearing Saki's explanation, Rin immediately felt that it made a lot of sense. She nodded repeatedly. She was already used to it. With Saki by her side, she did not need to think about anything else. She just needed to listen to Saki's analysis and explanation.
"Saki."
"You said..."
"Did Big Brother Choza do this on purpose?"
Rin suddenly turned her head. After Saki explained so many "inside stories" a few days ago, she had already been led astray. What she was thinking was basically the same thing.
"It was possible!"
Saki suddenly widened her eyes. A few things in her heart that she did not understand suddenly came to her mind.
As the saying goes, one word awakens the dreamer!
This was how Saki felt right now.
"If..."
"The reform of this competition system is not to reduce unnecessary struggles among Konohagakure participants."
"In fact, it is to pave the way for our third round!"
"Then it is completely reasonable!"
"I understand!"
"No wonder Aoba wanted to take us through the second round so quickly and didn't want us to encounter any teams in the process."
"This way, we can enter the third round without any injuries!"
"This change in the examination format can block many people in the second round. As long as there are casualties in some teams, then the whole team can not pass!"
"Even if they pass the second round, they will still be physically and mentally exhausted!"
"This is the help that Big Brother Shikaku and the others have done for our third exam!"
Saki successfully connected all these inexplicable things to Shikaku.
I didn't know if it was because she admired Shikaku.
At least...
In the process of Saki's growth.
Whenever she encountered something that couldn't be explained, she would think in Shikaku's direction.
Sometimes.
She would think for a while.
Then she would understand.
"Why isn't it Big Brother Choza's help?" Rin pouted and said. Akimichi Choza was a member of the Akimichi clan and the chief examiner of the second round. She felt that her relationship with Choza was more important.
"Big Brother Choza could not plan such a deep arrangement. Only Big Brother Shikaku could do such a thing!" Saki said with certainty, "If I'm not wrong, Big Brother Shikaku should be the mastermind behind this matter. Big Brother Choza only planned the second round in name, but it was actually what Big Brother Shikaku thought of!"
"Alright... alright..." Rin was unwilling to admit such a thing in her heart, but she also knew what Saki said was true. She could not find any problems with it.
...
The tall tower, the second floor.
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza held countless meetings.
Until now, there has been no result!
No...
Strictly speaking.
It was not that there was no result.
It was that the result was not what they wanted!
The three did not reveal the questions and answers to Aoba, and those who knew the questions and answers also proved themselves one after another, not revealing the answers to Aoba.
The result they get...
No one told Aoba the answer!
However.
This result was something they could not accept, so it could be said that there was still no result.
"Chief examiner, this is bad!"
All of a sudden.
A hurried voice sounded.
A proctor ran in.
His expression was hurried, and he looked very flustered. Even when he spoke, he was panting. It could be seen that he had rushed over.
"What happened?" Shikaku immediately asked. In fact, the chief examiner for the second round was Akimichi Choza. However, just as Saki had analyzed, the one who had suggested the idea to Choza had always been Shikaku.
"A large group of participants gathered at the tower entrance, and they seemed to be very cautious with each other. No one holding a scroll appeared. It seemed that they might fight at any moment!" The proctor immediately reported. He had just looked out of the tower when he saw this situation.
"This is not important..."
Shikaku waved his hand. This was all within his expectations. There was no panic on his face at all.
"One of the important tasks for us proctors is to not interfere with the examination. Right now, those participants are all people who have signed the consent form. It is normal for them to compete with each other. There is no need to make a fuss. After tomorrow's deadline, only the people inside the tower pass." Shikaku said with a smile. He did not feel any nervousness or panic because of such a thing.
"Yes!"
After hearing Shikaku's words, the proctors who came to report had no more complicated emotions. His heart calmed down and slowly retreated.
"Shikaku, will there really be no problem?" Choza asked Shikaku in a low voice after the proctor left.
"It's not like you haven't participated in Chunin Exams before. It's normal to have a little friction. You can't turn the second round into a simple hide-and-seek game!" Shikaku explained.
"That's true." Choza nodded. After that, he did not think too much about it.
It was just...
In fact.
The Chunin Exams' second round this time.
They had indeed made it into a game of hide-and-seek.
They only saw such a phenomenon now.
However.
From Aoba's perspective.
He clearly saw which group of ninjas reached the tower first but didn't go in because of his existence.
Aoba only needs to look at the crowd blocking the tower entrance, who these people had the Sroll of Heaven in their hands.
It could be said that...
Aoba had accidentally become the biggest variable in the Chunin Exams this time. With his own strength, he had changed the direction of this Chunin Exams.
"Eh? Why don't I see Iwagakure ninjas?"
At this time, it was unknown which ninja in the crowd made such a confused sound.
This voice was not very loud.
However, when he was speaking, everyone had just finished discussing Uchiha Kaede's matter.
All of a sudden.
The ninjas waiting in silence suddenly remembered that the people who participated in the Chunin Exams with them were not only Konohagakure ninjas but also Iwagakure ninjas.
"I remember that Iwagakure only has one team left after the first round!"
"Iwagakure sent two teams in total!"
"Iwagakure is too weak! One team was eliminated in the first round! Another team was eliminated in the second round! Two teams have been eliminated!"
"There's no need for the Tsuchikage to come!"
"Those three ninjas probably don't have the face to come here. After all, this place has been surrounded by Konohagakure ninjas!"
"They didn't get the Scroll of Heaven, so it is useless to come here. It is better to hide in the forest to avoid losing face!"
"Wait, think about it. Uchiha Kaede hasn't arrived yet. Don't tell me they have already collided with each other?"
"No way! There is no movement at all!"
"..."
The topics focused on Iwagakure ninjas, and it clearly transmitted into Aoba's ears.
All of a sudden.
The corners of Aoba's mouth curled up into a cold and arrogant smile.
'You finally remembered the Iwagakure ninjas!'
Aoba had been waiting here for them to discuss this for a while. But these ninjas here seemed to have forgotten about their existence. It could be said that they did not mention anything until now.
'Hehehe...'
Aoba laughs silently in his mind since everyone had gathered together by accident.
Then he might do it at this time!
Through his powerful perception, Aoba had covered the entire Forest of Death.
There were still six masses of chakra outside.
Three of them didn't move. According to the position, it was Uchiha Kaede who he had sealed and his two teammates guarding him.
There were also three other masses of chakra stopping and going. It was obvious that they were looking for the Scroll of Heaven. They didn't know that almost all the participants had already gathered at the tower entrance.
In other words...
In addition to Uchiha Kaede's team, the three-man team, Iwagakure's team, Saki and Rin, who had already entered the tower, the rest of the participants who were participating in the second round of Chunin Exams were already gathered here.
Now was indeed a very suitable opportunity.
Aoba slowly lowered his head and narrowed his eyes as much as possible, hiding the brilliance in his eyes.
'Since you are all discussing Iwagakure's ninjas.'
'Then it is time to call out those Iwagakure's ninjas for you to see.'
'After all...'
'I am a man of my word!'
'I promised the three Iwagakure ninjas I would give them a gorgeous appearance.'
Instantly.
Aoba's mind moved.
That piece of white paper silently hanging on the top of the tower began to emit chakra fluctuations.
This chakra triggered the technique on the white paper.
CHI CHI CHI CHI CHI
The white paper seemed to be burning. Black lines appeared on the white paper. It was a Flying Thunder God Formula.
Hum!
Just after this, Flying Thunder God Formula appeared.
This piece of white paper suddenly moved.
It directly released a space-time chakra fluctuation, connecting to the three Iwagakure ninjas in the tree forest.
Hum! Hum! Hum!
In the blink of an eye.
Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru's bodies instantly appear and hang high on the top of the tower.
Right after these three corpses appeared, the white paper that had transferred them over immediately ignited, instantly burning up and turning into a wisp of black ash that drifted away in the wind.
The entire process happened in the blink of an eye.
At this time.
In the crowd.
These ninjas seemed to have sensed something.
After all, three corpses had appeared out of thin air.
All of a sudden.
Everyone looked toward the top of the tower one by one.
The corpses of the three Iwagakure ninjas were completely reflected in everyone's line of sight.
"Hiss..."
The ninjas at the scene were stunned for a moment before they couldn't help but suck in cold air. Everyone's eyes started to tremble. They had all signed the consent form, but at this time, none of them had killed or were killed. The shock after seeing the corpse was very strong.
"Aren't those Iwagakure ninjas?"
A cry of surprise came from the crowd, causing everyone's expressions to change greatly. No one had expected that the ninjas they were discussing just now, who hadn't arrived, would appear in such a manner.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m