Kaito Chapter 77
Kaito nodded in approval and added, "That's a good plan. But i think we should also make sure to display our scroll to lure other teams towards us. that way if we are attacked on the way to the tower we don't waste time fighting a team that doesn't have the scroll we need." Both Itachi and hotaru nodded to his suggestion,
Team 11 quickly signed their consent form and summited it to receive a heaven scroll, they made sure to display the heaven scroll prominently after they received it and as they waited for the second part of the exams to begin.
…..
After receiving the scrolls, Team 11 arrived in front of a tall, imposing iron gate. The sign above it read "Gate 12" in bold letters, Standing beside the gate was a chunin supervisor, holding a clipboard and speaking into a radio They were waiting for the second part of the chunin exams to begin.
Each team had been given a specific gate to enter from, and they were now patiently waiting for the other teams to arrive at their designated gates as well. Kaito stood beside his teammates, gazing intently at the dense forest beyond the gate. while looking at the forest "I wonder how big this place is," Kaito thought to himself. "if i remember correctly it took Naruto five days to reach the tower, but that was due to Orochimaru's interference."
Kaito's gaze flicked from the chunin "I might as well ask while we're here, ya know," he thought to himself.
"Hey chunin-san," Kaito spoke up, addressing the proctor with respect. "Do you happen to know the exact size of this training ground?"
Itachi and Hotaru both turned to look at the chunin, their interest piqued by Kaito's question.
The chunin paused, glancing up from his clipboard as if deep in thought. "Huh, oh yes, the training ground," he said, stroking his chin contemplatively. "I would estimate it's about 10 to 15 kilometers from here to the tower, which is located in the center of the forest."
Kaito nodded in understanding while hotaru followed up with another question. Tilting her head slightly, she asked the chunin, "And what happens if we reach the tower before the five days are up? Will we be escorted back to the village or would we have to stay in the tower?"
The chunin's hummed and said "Hmm, well if any of you completed the test before the allotted time, you will have to remain at the tower for the remaining duration and you receive further instruction from the posted chunin there," the three of them nodded in understanding
Itachi's asked. "What would happen if one or more of us were unable to compete once we reach the tower?" he asked, turning to the chunin overseeing their test. Kaito raised an eyebrow at Itachi's question, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "Is he planning on offing us?" he thought to himself.
The chunin met Itachi's gaze before answering. "It depends. If any of your teammates are dead, then your team is disqualified even if you bring back both scrolls. This is a team test after all. However, if they are injured and unable to participate in the next round, then you may continue as an individual," he explained.
Itachi nodded in understanding before turning his attention back to the forest ahead.
Kaito sighed, already knowing this information. "Well, I guess we just have to make sure we all make it through alive and reach the tower by today. Hopefully there won't be any preliminary rounds."
He turned to the chunin again with another question. "How do you keep track of our performance during this test?" he asked.
The chunin hummed in thought before responding. "This is a survival test, so as long as you survive and complete the objective, you will pass. There are also cameras scattered around the training field, although not everywhere."
Kaito closed his eyes and reached out with his senses, confirming his suspicions. He thought to himself, "I see, no wonder Orochimaru targeted Team 7 during the second test in the original timeline. there are practically no one monitoring the Genin. "
After waiting for a few more minutes, the chunin's radio crackled to life and he swiftly clicked his earpiece. "Hai, gate 12 is ready," as he replied.
He turned to face the three members of team 11, who were eagerly awaiting for the start of the second stage exams. "Get ready, you three" They all nodded in unison, their determination clear in their expressions.
The gate suddenly swung open and team 11 rushed through.
"Good luck," the chunin called out after them before they disappeared into the trees.
Team 11 wasted no time and immediately began executing their plan as they made their way towards the center of the training forest. They moved at a steady pace, careful not to exhaust themselves too quickly.
After awhile of jumping thorought the forest Kaito turned to Hotaru beside him and asked. "Hotaru-chan, can you use your Byakugan to scan ahead of us for any signs of the other teams?"
Nodding, Hotaru activated her dojutsu and scanned the area around them. After a moment, she shook her head. "No, I cannot see anyone within my vision, Kaito-kun."
Both Kaito and Itachi noded before they continued on their path, Kaito used his kagura minds eye to ensure they wouldn't be ambushed while Hotaru only made periodic checks with her Byakugan so as not to exhaust herself too quickly.
The group had been traveling for about an hour when Kaito suddenly stopped in mid-jump, landing gracefully on a nearby tree branch. He turned with a serious look on his face as he stared intently in one direction. Both Hotaru and Itachi followed stopped, knowing that something must have caught Kaito's attention.
Hotaru was the first to speak up, her voice filled with concern. "What's wrong, Kaito-kun?"
Itachi stood alert, scanning their surroundings for any potential threats. He knew that Kaito wouldn't just stop like this without sensing something.
Closing his eyes, Kaito reached out with his Kagura's Mind's Eye ability and sensed in the direction he was facing. After a moment, he opened his eyes and narrowed them at the direction, his mind already calculating possible scenarios. "There are seven of them," he said , "all have Jonin-level chakra."
Turning to Hotaru, he asked her for assistance. "Hotaru-chan, could you use your Byakugan and look in that direction, around 2 kilometers?"
Without hesitation, Hotaru activated her Byakugan and peered into the distance. She quickly relayed her findings to the team. "It seems there are seven ANBU heading straight towards us."
As Kaito nods his head, Itachi's eyes narrow in the direction were kaito and hotaru were facing. "Why would they be heading towards us?" he asks.
Hotaru shakes her head in confusion. "Perhaps they are heading towards the tower," she offers.
Kaito hums thoughtfully. "It doesn't make sense that they wouldn't know the way to the tower. I believe their target is us."
Hotaru looks at Kaito with concern. "But why would the ANBU target us?"
Kaito's expression turns grave as he replies, "Not unless they are not under the leadership of the Third Hokage."
Both Itachi and Hotaru realize the gravity of Kaito's words and simultaneously ask, "Danzo?"
Kaito simply nods, confirming their fears.
In his mind, Kaito thinks, "It must be ROOT. They must have been sent to eliminate me since I am seen as a threat by Danzo. And what better place than the Second Stage of the Chunin Exams to do so without raising any suspicion towards him."
Turning to Itachi and Hotaru, Kaito speaks with determination. "You both should go on ahead. I'll catch up with you later. I have a feeling they are after me."
Itachi shakes his head, his expression serious. "No, if what you said was true, then I don't think you can handle 7 anbu at the same time."
Hotaru nods in agreement, her ponytail bobbing as she speaks. "Hai, we are not letting you fight them alone."
Kaito lets out a heavy sigh, knowing that they won't back down and the approaching anbu only add to the urgency. He nods, resigned to their decision, and tells them, "There is no point in arguing with you guys." He rubs his forehead in frustration before pulling out something from his pocket and tossing it to Itachi and Hotaru. They both catch it and look at Kaito expectantly.
"Alright," Kaito begins. "Here's what we're going to do..."
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