"Ahhhhhh!" Team 16 screamed as they ran for their lives through the dense forest.
"What is wrong with this forest?" Daichi cried out while running, his voice tinged with panic.
This forest was actually one of the dimensions Daniel had "claimed" for himself. It was a place where he had dumped all his animal experiments, aiming to create intelligent creatures without the need for a summoning contract. Over time, these creatures had evolved into formidable beings, making the forest a perfect testing ground for his students.
"Who would've known I could use these guys so soon," Daniel chuckled to himself, watching over them from a high vantage point. "Some of these guys are even capable of high-level taijutsu," he mused. "Although I did command them not to kill anyone, just beat them up and send them back to a different starting point. There are more than fifty start points, so they'll be here for a while. I even set up a time barrier," he laughed, knowing the three Hyugas would surely be tested to their limits.
"We're gonna die!" Daichi yelled, his voice cracking with fear as they dodged through the underbrush. Not long after following the arrow's direction, they encountered a large salamander that shot big water bullets from its mouth and began chasing them.
"How did he even know about such a place?" Ryuu panted, exhaustion creeping into his voice. The weight of their suits demanded a lot of chakra, and maintaining the flow required immense focus, draining their energy rapidly.
The forest was a chaotic blur as they ran, the heavy suits making every movement a challenge. "I... I can't anymore," Ryuu gasped, collapsing to the ground, utterly spent.
"Who thinks of this as training? Is this what the Sandaime did to train him as well?" Ryuu asked between gulps of air, trying to catch his breath.
"If that's true, then I don't want to get stronger. Forget being the Hokage," Daichi said, also struggling for breath.
"There's... There's no way that can be true," Hikari said, though her doubt was evident.
Their brief rest was abruptly disrupted by loud footsteps and the sound of trees falling. The salamander loomed over them, its presence casting a shadow as they screamed. What followed was a blur of fear and confusion.
"Wait, we're... We're alive," Daichi said, waking up and feeling a sense of disbelief.
"Guys... Guys, wake up," he urged, shaking the others awake.
"Huh, we weren't eaten?" Ryuu asked, groggy but relieved.
"No, we're alive," Daichi said happily, though the challenge ahead still loomed large in their minds.
After Hikari got up, they noticed another letter lying nearby. She picked it up, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"What's it say this time?" Ryuu asked, annoyance clear in his voice.
Hikari unfolded the letter, reading aloud, "This is your training. Follow the arrows and survive the forest. Every time you give up or lose to these guys, you'll start over again. Oh, and the starting points will change every time you're sent back."
As she finished reading, Hikari crumbled the letter in frustration. "Great, just great. This is impossible!" she exclaimed, throwing the crumpled paper to the ground.
Ryuu's face turned red with anger. "Seriously? We're supposed to survive in this nightmare forest and start over every time we fail?"
Daichi clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure. "This is madness. How does he expect us to get stronger by running for our lives?"
Hikari took a deep breath, her determination slowly returning. "We have to find a way. This is our training, and we need to face it head-on."
Ryuu sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know if I can do this, Hikari."
"We don't have a choice," Hikari replied, her voice firm. "I'm there's a purpose to this. Just... Just hang in there"
Daichi nodded, his earlier frustration giving way to resolve. "Alright, let's do this. We won't give up, no matter how many times we have to start over."
With renewed determination, the trio set off once more, their eyes scanning the forest for any sign of the elusive arrows. They knew the journey would be grueling, but they were ready to face it together. The forest's challenges would test their limits, but they were prepared to fight and grow stronger.
"Byakugan!" Hikari's voice echoed through the dense forest as her eyes darted around, searching. "Found it, it's pointing north this time," she announced, her tone laced with newfound enthusiasm. The team moved forward with a burst of energy, but Hikari's cautionary voice followed them, "Careful, now we know what to expect…"
Lost in their vigilance against the forest animals, they overlooked other dangers. A sharp *snap* reverberated through the air, and the three of them froze. Realization dawned upon them as the thin wire triggered a hidden trap. "Yep. I'll definitely never forget this," Ryuu said with deadpan annoyance, throwing a side glance at Daniel. Out of nowhere, a weird powder rained down on them from a bucket above, activated by the snapping wire.
*Cough* *Cough* *Cough* "What even is this? It smells awful!" Daichi spluttered, his face contorted in disgust. "We should look for a river to wash it off," Ryuu suggested, his eyes scanning their surroundings warily. They continued walking, but soon noticed they were being followed.
Their steps grew slower and more deliberate. "Can we run?" Ryuu asked, a note of urgency in his voice.
"No, we're surrounded," Hikari replied, tension seeping into her words.
"Damn, that fast! Are there many?" Daichi's question was laced with worry.
"Yes, it's a pack of monkeys," Hikari answered, her Byakugan revealing their pursuers. "But they seem different..." Sweat trickled down her face as she assessed the situation.
They were quickly surrounded. "Sigh, we can't run. So, we'll stand our ground," Ryuu declared, his resolve hardening as he readied himself for the fight. "Come to think of it, it seems we're required to use our abilities to the max more and more often," Ryuu observed, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Yeah, so?" Daichi responded, not catching Ryuu's drift.
"Nevermind," Ryuu shook his head, focusing on the approaching threat.
"Here they come," Hikari warned as the pack of monkeys emerged from the shadows, leaping towards them. "Food!" they screeched, charging at the team with a frenzied hunger. The powder that had coated them made the monkeys mistake them for food.
"They can talk? Are they summons?" Ryuu wondered, but it didn't matter now. They had to defend themselves from the attack. The air filled with tension as they prepared for the battle ahead.
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