The gates to the Forest of Death slowly opened. A group of Genin swiftly rushed in from their respective entrances.
The competition in this exam was fierce. Entering early meant gaining an advantage, whether it was to familiarize oneself with the environment or to set traps within the forest.
Even Uchiha Itachi was no exception.
Only Akihara Kagura walked leisurely into the exam area, weighing the Earth scroll in his hand and calmly observing the depths of the dark Forest of Death.
"Hey, kid!"
A female ninja responsible for opening the exam gates seemed impatient with Akihara Kagura's slow pace and scolded, "Hurry up and go in! If you're any slower, you might get killed tonight!"
"..."
Akihara Kagura turned back to look at her.
The female ninja was wearing a khaki trench coat, with a mesh shirt underneath, and mesh stockings on her legs that were visible. Her light purple hair was messily tied into a bun, making her appear not too old.
"Hurry up!"
The female ninja's expression showed impatience. Watching Akihara Kagura just stepping into the exam area, she forcefully closed the gate and patted her hands.
"Big sister, what's your name?"
Akihara Kagura stood inside, smiling amiably at the female ninja.
"Huh?"
The female ninja was surprised by the kid's boldness, then her face broke into a playful smile: "Kid, taking part in such a dangerous exam and still so bold... My name is Mitarashi Anko, if you make it out alive, treat me to dumplings!"
"I'll remember you."
Akihara Kagura didn't mention anything about treating her to a meal.
He hadn't mistaken her identity; this female ninja was Mitarashi Anko, once a disciple of Orochimaru, and she carried a trace of Orochimaru's chakra.
In a way, this Mitarashi Anko, once a colleague, was still a current colleague. He thought of introducing her to the old superior when there was a chance.
"He's quite a spirited kid..."
Mitarashi Anko tilted her head, squinting her eyes with a smile: "Then do your best and try not to die too early in the Forest of Death!"
"Yeah, I'll remember you."
Akihara Kagura nodded and repeated his words.
Just when Mitarashi Anko was about to say something, he saw Akihara Kagura suddenly raise his finger and form the sign of the serpent!
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
Thick vines and roots burst forth from the ground!
Tall, towering trees rose from the ground along with the spreading vines and roots!
Akihara Kagura controlled his chakra, raised his finger again, and manipulated the branches of the trees to converge together!
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
A huge wooden dragon emerged from the tree trunks!
The wooden dragon, like a giant beast, slowly lowered its body and slid in front of Akihara Kagura, lifting the boy's body with its head and slowly raising it again.
"How is this possible... Wood Release ninjutsu..."
Mitarashi Anko looked on in horror at the scene in the Forest of Death.
"I remember you now."
Akihara Kagura turned his head and repeated to Mitarashi Anko, controlling the wooden dragon to spiral and wander into the depths of the Forest of Death.
"First, let's go and greet the others..."
"This kid..."
Mitarashi Anko pondered for a moment and then swiftly rushed towards the direction of the examiner!
In fact, it was not necessary for Mitarashi Anko to report back, as almost everyone present had seen the giant wooden dragon. It almost floated above the Forest of Death, making people think they were under attack by an unknown enemy.
Hokage Tower.
A group of Konoha's higher-ups watched the screen in amazement.
Even though Shimura Danzo knew that Akihara Kagura had mastered the Wood Dragon Jutsu, he never imagined that the boy could fully replicate it with his abstract teaching methods.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, held a pipe in his hand but did not put it into his mouth. His brain was rapidly spinning, calmly considering what this kid, who had mastered Wood Release, meant for Konoha.
Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the other two Hokage advisors didn't have to think so much. Their proposals were all based on the interests of Konoha.
Their eyes immediately fell on Danzo.
One of the old men, wearing glasses, is named Mitokado Homura; the other, an old woman squinting her eyes, is called Utatane Koharu.
These two advisors of the Hokage were once teammates of Shimura Danzo, and they spoke more freely, asking directly the most crucial questions.
"Danzo, when did this kid awaken Wood Release?"
"Danzo, whose kid is this? How did the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai awaken on him? Does he carry the bloodline of the Senju clan?"
"..."
Shimura Danzo remained silent for a while before answering, "This is a kid from the Konoha Orphanage. Years ago, he survived Orochimaru's illegal Wood Release human experimentation. Seeing the kid's strong vitality, I brought him to the Root organization, and it was not until recently that he suddenly awakened Wood Release…"
"Is that so?"
Mitokado Homura's forehead wrinkled with age lines as he sighed, "It seems like a very accidental event…"
Utatane Koharu's tone was no longer as excited, "I thought we could let the village have the First Hokage's Wood Release Kekkei Genkai again, but those human experiments, after all, are too dangerous for those involved."
"It's just an exception."
Shimura Danzo also nodded slowly.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finished his thoughts, picked up his pipe again, and slowly exhaled his first sentence, "It seems that this kid's Wood Release is very powerful, almost completely replicating the First Hokage's Wood Release Ninjutsu. One day, he might become the next First Hokage!"
"Oh?"
The two advisors of the Hokage immediately became curious.
Mitokado Homura had never paid attention to the Wood Release jutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals, after all, Konoha had never been able to replicate the First Hokage's Wood Release. He instinctively asked,
"Can this kid become as powerful a ninja as the First Hokage?"
"Hm?"
Shimura Danzo almost immediately understood the meaning of Sarutobi Hiruzen's words and hurriedly said: "This kid's Wood Release jutsu cannot be compared with the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama's Advent of a World of Flowering Trees..."
"Danzo, you're being too narrow-minded."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Shimura Danzo, and seemed to seriously explain: "The technique of Advent of a World of Flowering Trees is not yet perfect... but the Wood Dragon Technique is different!"
"If the effect of his Wood Dragon Technique is the same as recorded in the Scroll of Seals, or even capable of suppressing the Tailed Beasts, then this kid's talent for Wood Release is much stronger than you think. It's a waste to have him do those dark deeds in the Root..."
"Wait..."
Shimura Danzo's eyes involuntarily widened.
"That's right, Danzo!"
Koharu Utatane, frowning, suggested: "Danzo, it's a waste to keep this kid in Root. He should be entrusted to Hiruzen..."
"..."
Danzo gripped his cane tightly.
Why does this sound so familiar? The words he always used to say to Sarutobi Hiruzen, why is it his turn to hear them today?
~~~
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