Another day passed amidst the battles, leaving just one day remaining in the Chunin exams. Teams without any scrolls had only two choices now: quit the exam entirely or emerge from hiding and fight for one. Naturally, they chose the latter.
Lightning Valley had transformed into a small battlefield, with teams fighting desperately, their lives on the line. Meanwhile, Kaida and his team were relaxing in their cave, enjoying good food and training lightly to stay sharp.
---
"Only 200 pushups? I could do them with one arm," Kaida boasted, watching Itachi finish his exercise.
"Suit yourself. I'm not going to overexert myself just because of your childish provocations," Itachi replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Why don't you just admit that you're no match for me in physical strength instead of making excuses?" Kaida teased.
Before Itachi could respond, Kaida's clones dispersed around the forest, their purpose fulfilled.
"Enemy. Kirigakure team approaching," Kaida announced, as his chakra returned from the dispelled clones.
"I'll put the food away first," Kabuto said, quickly springing into action—not towards the enemies, but towards the deer carcass and the chili sauce that was almost ready.
'Tch, they just had to show up now. Couldn't they wait a little longer?' Kabuto grumbled inwardly.
"We're really not taking this seriously," Itachi remarked, watching Kabuto hurry to stash the food in the cave.
"Oh, come on. It's just one team. You could handle them yourself, captain," Kaida chuckled.
"Are they heading straight for us?" Itachi asked.
"Yes."
"How? I thought you placed concealment seals around the area."
"I did, but those seals don't hide smoke from the fire. They might have ignored it the first time, but smoke rising from the same spot for three days? That's no coincidence," Kaida explained.
"Well, we'll face the consequences of taking it easy for so long. How much time do we have?" Itachi asked.
"Ten minutes. We could take a quick bite if we want," Kaida joked.
"Kaida, this isn't the time for jokes. Make sure all the traps are ready," Itachi ordered.
"Yes, captain." Kaida created four shadow clones, sending them in different directions to check the traps.
"Kabuto, take your position," Itachi continued.
"On it," Kabuto replied, using Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Jutsu to conceal himself underground.
---
"Captain, we already have two scrolls. Is it really necessary to provoke someone who's clearly showing their location? They're probably from Konoha or Kumogakure," one of the Kirigakure team members suggested.
"We represent Lord Mizukage's faction. It would be shameful to perform only moderately. Besides, we're not afraid of Kumo or Konoha," their captain, Naoki, replied confidently.
With no further argument, the team advanced. After running for ten minutes, they stopped a hundred meters away from the smoke.
"They've likely set traps. Create water clones to scout ahead," Naoki instructed.
The water clones moved forward, but moments later, three fireballs shot out, dispersing them. The Kirigakure team quickly took cover.
"That was a warning. Leave now, and we won't pursue you. Stay, and we'll attack with intent to kill," a clear, confident voice rang out.
"It's the Uchiha... We can't hold our own against two Sharingan users," one of Naoki's teammates tried to dissuade him.
"Do you want to run with our tails between our legs? So what if they're Uchiha? Ready your senbon," Naoki commanded.
They stepped out of hiding, cautiously approaching the Konoha team.
"You're from Konoha, right? We're leaving, sorry for the intrusion," Naoki said, turning to leave. But in that instant, his teammates launched poison-coated senbon towards Kaida and his group.
---
"I told you talking was pointless," Itachi said calmly.
"I know. But now, I won't feel guilty if one of them dies by accident," Kaida replied, deflecting the senbon with lightning-fast movements.
The Kirigakure team watched in horror as their sneak attack was easily thwarted.
"We gave you a chance," Kaida said, launching four fireballs from different directions. Just as the Kirigakure team prepared to dodge, the ground beneath them transformed into a swamp.
With no time to react or conjure defenses, they coated their bodies in chakra, shielding their faces and chests with their arms.
"Boom," Kaida whispered before a massive explosion rocked the area, hurling the Kirigakure team into nearby trees with bone-crushing force.
Despite being elite ninjas, with Naoki at Jonin-level and armed with A-rank jutsu, they were overpowered in mere minutes. As Kaida and Itachi approached the defeated team, Kaida spoke again.
"I warned you we'd attack to kill. But it looks like you all survived. Good for you. Now, here's another deal: give me a scroll if you want to leave here alive. Give me two, and I'll even treat your injuries," Kaida offered, smiling kindly. To the Kirigakure team, however, that smile was nothing short of devilish.
Naoki, groaning in pain, handed over two scrolls. Kaida provided emergency treatment, just enough for them to walk away on their own.
"It was nice doing business with you," Kaida said, waving as they staggered away.
"Why are you just sitting here if you already have three scrolls? Was this some sort of trap to lure teams in?" Naoki asked, suspicious.
"Nope, we already have what we need," Kaida said.
"Then why take our scrolls?" one of Naoki's teammates asked, angry.
"Because you attacked us. We can't let that slide. But if you want, I have another deal for you," Kaida grinned.
"What is it?" Naoki asked, not wanting to risk finding more scrolls with time running out.
"Teach my friend the Water Prison Jutsu, and I'll give both scrolls back," Kaida said, still smiling.
Without a word, the Kirigakure team turned and left, unwilling to entertain the offer, let alone teach their enemies a valuable jutsu.
"I don't think it's a good idea to make enemies of every team," Kabuto remarked, emerging from his hiding spot.
"They attacked us. We're already enemies. So, what's the harm in pushing it a little further?" Kaida shrugged.