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The dense canopy of the Forest of Death swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, the sunlight piercing through in fragmented beams that illuminated the battered forms of Team Hiruzen.
Sakumo, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru moved cautiously through the forest, their bodies weary but their spirits buoyed by their hard-fought victory.
Their mission now was simple: reach the central tower and submit their collected scrolls.
As the team walked in silence, the adrenaline of the recent fight began to wear off, leaving room for reflection.
Tsunade, her golden eyes narrowing with thought, broke the silence.
"Do you guys think it's strange?" she asked, her voice cutting through the tranquil hum of the forest.
"The strength of the teams we've faced so far—it doesn't make sense. That ino-shika-cho squad, and even the other team that ambushed us… they felt more like seasoned chūnin than genin. I mean, back in the academy, aside from the Uchiha or the Hyūga, no one else could even remotely pressure us."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly from behind her, his steps measured and quiet.
"I was thinking the same thing. It's almost as if they've been hiding their strength all this time. And how, pray tell, did they manage to bypass all of our senses? I pride myself on being rather perceptive, yet they managed to catch us completely off guard."
Sakumo, walking slightly ahead, turned his head slightly to join the conversation.
His voice, calm yet tinged with curiosity, added weight to their musings.
"You're both right. They were too organized, too skilled. That Yamanaka team felt like they'd been working together for years. And their strength… some of them could easily rival low-tier jōnin in terms of technique and execution. It's clear we need to tread carefully moving forward."
Jiraiya, usually the lighthearted one, nodded, his face unusually serious.
"I hate to admit it, but yeah. That was no ordinary genin squad. I don't recognize most of their faces either. Could they have been kept out of the academy system and trained secretly?"
Tsunade frowned, her fists clenching unconsciously.
"If that's true, it means the village has some elite genin squads we've never been told about. Why would they hide something like this from us?"
Orochimaru's smirk widened slightly. "Perhaps it's a test, designed by the Hokage or the council. Something to keep us on our toes."
Sakumo's sharp gaze scanned their surroundings as he nodded in agreement.
"Whatever the reason, we can't afford to let our guard down. It's clear we're not just being tested on our strength, but also our adaptability. Once this exam is over, we'll need to train even harder."
The team fell into silence again as they pressed on, their pace quickening as the central tower loomed closer.
The thick trees gradually thinned, revealing the imposing structure ahead. Its tall, cylindrical form jutted out from the dense forest, a testament to the hidden challenges that the Forest of Death held within.
As they approached, their steps grew lighter, realizing they were likely the first team to arrive.
The entrance to the tower was open, and the relief of reaching their destination washed over them.
---
After securing their scrolls in the designated area inside the tower, the team rested briefly before noticing another squad entering.
The quiet of the tower was interrupted by a familiar voice—a voice that made Jiraiya's blood boil.
"Well, well, look who's here," came the smug tone of Naito Uchiha, flanked by his equally self-assured teammates.
His raven-black hair and crimson Sharingan glinted in the dim light as he smirked at Team Hiruzen.
Jiraiya's fists clenched instantly. "Oh, great. The last person I wanted to see." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Jealous of real talent, I see," Naito quipped, crossing his arms. "Don't worry, Jiraiya. You're not the only one who's going to lose to me in this exam."
Tsunade placed a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder before he could retort.
"Let it go," she said firmly, though her tone betrayed her own irritation. "Save your energy for the next phase."
Naito chuckled and turned to his teammates. "Let's leave the losers to lick their wounds."
Jiraiya glared daggers at Naito's back as the Uchiha walked away. "I'm going to crush him," he muttered under his breath.
Sakumo raised an eyebrow at Jiraiya's outburst but didn't comment. Instead, he watched as more and more teams began arriving, each looking as worn and battered as they had felt earlier.
By the end of the day, most of the surviving genin squads had gathered, their expressions ranging from relieved to tense.
An ANBU operative in an earth-themed mask stepped forward and addressed the assembled teams.
"Congratulations to those of you who made it this far. The second phase of the Chūnin Exams is now officially over. You have earned a day's rest before the third phase begins. Use it wisely."
---
The next day, the remaining teams gathered in an open training ground in the heart of the village, which had been transformed into a makeshift arena.
The ground was marked with multiple circular arenas for combat, each designed to test the participants' skills in one-on-one battles.
A crowd of villagers, clan leaders, and off-duty jōnin gathered to watch, the air buzzing with anticipation.
Hiruzen stood on a raised platform, flanked by advisors and senior jōnin. His presence commanded silence as he stepped forward to address the crowd.
"Today marks the third phase of the Chūnin Exams," he began, his voice firm and clear.
"This phase is designed to test the individual strength, strategy, and resolve of each participant. These young shinobi have already proven their ability to work as a team; now, they must demonstrate their personal growth."
He turned to the genin gathered below.
"The rules are simple: this is a tournament. Matches will be one-on-one, and the victor is determined by incapacitation, surrender, or my decision as Hokage. Do your best to show the strength of Konoha."
The crowd erupted into applause as Hiruzen stepped back.
Flame-masked ANBU operatives began organizing the participants into brackets.
The sheer number of contestants meant that multiple battles would take place simultaneously across the various arenas.
Sakumo, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru stood together, scanning the brackets.
Sakumo's sharp eyes landed on his first opponent: a member of the Nara clan. He smirked slightly, already forming strategies in his head.
Jiraiya's opponent, however, was civilian ninja.
He grinned despite himself, a mixture of excitement and nervous energy coursing through him.
"Looks like I'll reach the next stage smoothly," he muttered.
Tsunade and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, each silently resolving to win their matches and prove their worth.
The crowd's roar grew louder as the first match was called, and the stage was set for the genin of Konoha to show the strength, strategy, and courage that would determine the future of the village.
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