Ding-ding-ding.
With the sound of the class bell, Iruka walked into the classroom and directly announced, "Today, the shinobi academy will be organizing a survival training exercise in the wilderness!"
"Wilderness survival?"
Uchiha Shinji, who was daydreaming, frowned upon hearing this.
On the platform, Iruka continued, "This survival training will take place in the Forest of Death on the outskirts of the village. Teachers will accompany you throughout, so there's no need to worry too much."
Soon, someone raised their hand and asked, "Iruka-sensei, can we bring food?"
"Hmm," Iruka nodded.
"What about a grill?"
"Can we bring pets?"
"I want to wear new clothes!"
The class immediately became noisy.
With teachers accompanying them, there was no need to worry about safety, so everyone quickly started viewing the survival training as more of a camping trip.
Iruka sighed and knocked on the table, "There will be other classes participating in the training as well, and there will be competitive events. Losing teams will face punishment!"
Tenten grinned, "Iruka-sensei, do you think our class will lose?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Uchiha Shinji and Neji, looking confident.
Iruka shook his head, "The wilderness is very different from what you imagine. If you participate in this survival training with this mindset, you'll surely suffer! Alright, you're dismissed. Go home and prepare, and meet back at school at noon."
The students rushed out of the classroom.
Uchiha Shinji also returned to his apartment to prepare his shinobi tools.
Although the event seemed straightforward, he had a strange feeling about this so-called wilderness survival training. Following his principle of being prepared for anything, he meticulously readied various ninja tools.
At the same time, he pondered how to seize all the Sharingan from Danzo.
As his understanding of the Susanoo Tomoshibi grew, he had a vague premonition that if his Mangekyo Sharingan successfully evolved into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, the power of the Susanoo Tomoshibi might also be further enhanced.
"How can I divert Danzo's attention away from the Sharingan and get him focused on something else? What does Danzo want most right now?"
The answer was simple.
Right now, Danzo most likely wanted Sasuke. But again, that brings things back to the Sharingan.
Uchiha Shinji rubbed his chin.
From Danzo's secret studies of the Uchiha Clan's forbidden techniques, to his body modifications and transplanting many Sharingan, it was clear that his obsession with the Sharingan far exceeded anyone else's.
Trying to divert Danzo's attention away from the Sharingan at this point would be incredibly difficult.
Do I need to storm in again?
He quickly shook his head.
In the original timeline, when Danzo faced off against Sasuke, who had awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, Danzo's strength had proven formidable.
In that battle, if Obito hadn't been there to threaten him, Sasuke might not have won.
After all, Danzo had reserved the Mangekyo Sharingan he took from Shisui to deal with the mysterious Obito. If he had used Kotoamatsukami on Sasuke, Sasuke might have faced a big setback.
Uchiha Shinji admitted to himself that he was nowhere near as strong as Sasuke from that period.
Moreover, Danzo was not alone in the Root base. Besides his subordinates, if things escalated, other forces in the village would provide support.
If he rashly charged into a trap set by Danzo, the outcome would not be favorable.
Suppressing his urge to act impulsively, Uchiha Shinji forced himself to remain calm.
If an opportunity arose, he would seize it. But when something was clearly beyond reach, he wouldn't foolishly force it.
At noon.
After gathering at the shinobi school, the two classes participating in the survival training headed towards the Forest of Death.
Uchiha Shinji glanced at the group and noticed that, aside from his class, the other participating class was the one with Sasuke and Naruto. Even Naruto, who had recently been discharged from the hospital, was among them, which made Shinji uneasy.
"What's going on? Why are only our two classes participating in the training?"
He felt that something was definitely off.
Perhaps because of the recent campus fight, many students from both classes were already familiar with each other. Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, treating the survival training like a school field trip.
Some even shared snacks with each other, as if it were a group picnic.
Soon, under the guidance of Iruka and Mizuki, the group entered the Forest of Death.
"Wow!"
"Look at that giant tree!"
"Is that a snake over there?"
Many of the students were entering the Forest of Death for the first time, and they were instantly captivated by the sights, exclaiming in awe.
Uchiha Shinji, having snuck into the forest before, felt no particular excitement.
Sasuke initially showed signs of amazement, but upon seeing Uchiha Shinji's calm demeanor, he quickly masked his own expression.
Neji activated his Byakugan, scanning the surroundings.
After walking about one or two kilometers, Iruka finally said, "Alright, let's set up camp here!"
The students immediately got busy.
Some started setting up tents, others built grills, and a few began gathering firewood.
While directing the group, Iruka also reminded them loudly, "Stay within the area! Don't wander into the deeper parts of the forest alone!"
"We got it!" everyone responded in unison.
At that moment, Uchiha Shinji approached Neji: "Have you noticed anything?"
Surprised that Uchiha Shinji had spoken to him, Neji hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It seems that because we're in a large group, the wild animals are avoiding us."
Uchiha Shinji replied, "Stay alert."
Neji, unsure why Shinji was so cautious despite having teachers around, nodded slightly, "I understand."
Nearby, Sasuke pretended not to care, but he subtly leaned closer, trying to overhear Shinji and Neji's conversation.
Meanwhile, Haku and Karin took the opportunity to team up and set up a tent together. Naruto, Kiba, and Lee were noisily gathering firewood. Shikamaru and Choji had set up the grill. Sakura, Hinata, and Ino were gathered around a rabbit.
Seeing these scenes, Iruka smiled.
He then leaped into a tree to join Mizuki, who was keeping watch, and said with a sigh, "Looks like this survival training is going to turn into a camping trip."
Mizuki chuckled, "It's not a bad thing for the kids to relax a little."
Still worried, Iruka frowned, "But this is the Forest of Death after all. I'm concerned that something unexpected might happen!"
"Relax, we're here," Mizuki reassured him. "Plus, the ANBU assigned to protect Sasuke is here as well."
Boom.
Just as Iruka was about to respond, a dull thud echoed in the distance.
Everyone turned to look and saw an ANBU member fall from the sky, crashing to the ground, their condition unknown.