Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

Gengetsu Shimura sighed like a little adult, "Don't blame me if I kill you later."

"You want to kill me? Why?" Kakashi asked curiously, not angry.

"Because you stopped my old man from assassinating the Hokage back then."

Shimura Gengetsu replied matter-of-factly, "If it weren't for you getting in my way, my old man would have succeeded long ago. I would be the Hokage's grandson now. Shouldn't I blame you?"

[The host has formed a troublesome bond with Kakashi, and is rewarded with Lightning Release Chakra (Ultimate)]

"......"

Kakashi felt that this was a spoiled child.

Assassinating the Hokage is a capital offense, and the Third Hokage should be grateful that he didn't pursue the matter. How could Shimura Gengetsu complain that he wasn't cooperating?

Kakashi immediately lost interest in talking to Shimura Gengetsu and disappeared from the classroom in a flash.

Years later, whenever Kakashi recalls his first meeting with Gengetsu Shimura, he feels like slapping his younger self.

If you'd known he was a brat, you could have just been more lenient with him.

Otherwise, why would they have to suffer so much?

Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death.

This is the largest of Konoha's fifty training grounds, with a radius of fifty kilometers. Just like its nickname, the Forest of Death, it is filled with all sorts of deadly dangers.

Fierce wild beasts, dangerous environment, inconspicuous poisonous insects and miasma.

Such superior conditions make it the obvious choice for wilderness survival assessment sites.

The second phase of most Chunin Exams also takes place here.

Because the first exam ended so quickly, the candidates arrived before 10 a.m. The barbed wire fence was tightly closed, and the examiners in charge had not yet appeared.

During the wait, many people's eyes would fall on Shimura Gengetsu.

Taking advantage of the short time on the road, the clever man had already obtained some basic information about Shimura Gengetsu, at least knowing who he was—the youngest candidate in this year's exams, and the only one taking the exam alone.

"It was that brat's ninjutsu that got us in here."

"I really have to thank him."

"Having mastered that level of ninjutsu, we can't be careless. It's best to be able to deal with it as soon as we enter, otherwise we'll become another Kakashi Hatake."

Someone among the genin examinees present made a sinister remark, and immediately, many of them looked at Xuan Yue with murderous intent.

At this stage, the situation between the villages remains tense.

The reason I agreed to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams was twofold: first, to demonstrate my strength, and second... to eliminate the genius ninjas from other villages.

Xuan Yue ignored these stares, found a big tree to sit under, and poked the ground with two fingers.

"He really is a brat." A ninja from Amegakure sneered, mocking in a voice that didn't lower his voice at all. "Still at the age to play in the mud."

Xuan Yue looked up, then tapped the ground, memorizing the person's chakra information.

"Heh, don't let yourself get caught out of nowhere." His companion glanced at a small team out of the corner of his eye. "The kids from Konoha are never simple. There's also an Uchiha clan member over there; we need to be careful of them too."

"I understand." The Uchiha clan's reputation had attracted a lot of attention, and much less attention was paid to Shimura Gengetsu.

At this moment, the examiner for the second round arrived at the scene.

The examiner for this round was Bingzu Leitong, who was also the one who contributed the spatial talent fragment to Xuan Yue.

Behind him were several Konoha ninjas also wearing green vests. Without saying a word, he came up and handed each ninja an agreement.

Shimura Konaga also looked up at the girl with the bun hairstyle who was grinning mischievously at him, and frowned.

"Little guy, Hong and Xiyan won't be helping you today, are you scared?"

The girl with the bun patted Xuan Yue's shoulder casually, and before Xuan Yue could react, she burst into laughter.

"The ones who should be afraid are others."

Xuan Yue casually retorted, snatched the agreement from Mitarashi Anko's hand, and signed it without even looking at it.

Then, as he looked at Hongdou, his brows furrowed even more.

He suspected that the owner of the meatball shop had not completed the task he had assigned. After half a year, why hadn't the red beans gained any weight?

Not right either.

He has indeed gained weight in the areas where he should have.

It wasn't as good as the red one before, but now it's healthier than both the red one and the evening glory.

Damn it... she actually turned misfortune into a blessing?

Seeing his worried expression, Mitarashi Akane assumed he was just putting on a brave face and said with a grin, "Little guy, if you're scared, just call for your big sister. If you shout loud enough, I, who's on patrol, might be able to get there and save you."

"Very good, very responsible."

"It seems the position of examiner is a good fit for you. I wish you continued success as an examiner in ten years."

"Thank you," Hongdou said instinctively, completely unaware that Xuan Yue was cursing her for not getting a promotion.

No wonder she's the female version of Naruto, she's so thick-skinned.

"Good luck! When you become a Chunin, remember to treat me to dumplings."

Mitarashi Anko still had a stack of agreements to hand out, so she waved to Shimura Gengetsu with a grin and walked toward the next group of examinees.

"This is a 'life-or-death agreement'..."

After everyone had received their copies, Raido Nami finally spoke, "After signing, even if you kill your opponent in the next match, you will not be held responsible afterward. However, if you are killed... you will not be able to pursue anyone else."

"So...think it through before deciding whether to sign. You have ten minutes to consider."

After saying that, they began timing the game.

He sincerely hoped that more of these lower-ranking ninjas would be cowardly and willing to give up, which would save them a lot of trouble.

Raido Namiashi had never presided over the second round of the Chunin Exams with so many participants before. In the past, the total number of participants might have been more than this time, but at least half of them were eliminated in the first round.

Unlike this time, only one group of unlucky guys got kicked out early.

"What a hassle..."

Ten minutes were almost up, and both men sighed in unison, with no one returning the life-or-death agreement.

In other words, everyone intends to participate.

"In that case, I can only wish you good luck."

"Now I'll explain the rules... The rules are very simple."

"Each team will receive two different scrolls before entering the arena: the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll."

"Within 72 hours, each team needs to enter through the forest entrance, obtain two scrolls, and then reach the tower inside the Death Forest to hand over the scrolls to the examiner in order to successfully pass the test."

"However...all three must arrive. If they do not arrive within the allotted time, or if any member is eliminated, the entire group will be eliminated."

"And no one may open the scroll before reaching the tower, otherwise they will be immediately eliminated and held accountable."

At this point, Raito's voice suddenly became more intense, and the hideous scars on his face sent a chill down many people's spines.

"Alright, that's all the rules. In any case, half of the teams will be eliminated. I will wait for the final winner in the tower for the final selection."

As soon as the words were spoken, all the examiners, including Mitarashi Anko, rushed towards an iron net and opened the door.

"Now! The second stage officially begins!"

A group of genin rushed into the innermost entrance at lightning speed, maintaining their formation while also keeping an eye on the movements of other teams.

This is a test that demands extremely high comprehensive qualities.

Tracking, counter-tracking, traps, combat, and even diplomatic strategies are all employed; it all comes down to which team coordinates better and gains the upper hand.

Naturally...

Shimura Gengetsu, who was all alone, was targeted by many people.

Indeed, the Dark Travel Technique just now shocked many genin, but it was just a technique.

They were a three-person team.

Even if they're incredibly skilled, just how skilled can they be?

This kid looks only ten years old!

Three against one, the advantage is in my hands!

Faced with these people's ill intentions, some Konoha ninjas proposed an alliance, but Xuan Yue smiled and refused them one by one, then simply shook his head and disappeared into the forest.

In their view, this is the arrogance and haughtiness that comes with genius.

Once you've suffered, you should give in to reality.

"Hey! Gengetsu Shimura!"

Soon, all the teams rushed into the Death Forest, leaving only Xuan Yue outside.

Mitarashi Anko shouted at him, "Hurry up and go inside! What are you dawdling about here for?!"

"You're not really scared, are you?!"

Hongdou was filled with doubts. Although she did not know Xuanyue's true strength, she had learned some things from Hong, and that Xuanyue was much stronger than Hong.