The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

"Oh? You mean that team? Don't worry, Konoha would never do anything to favor one's own people. This assessment will definitely be fair. The four of them will absolutely not act together. As the chief examiner, I, Mitarashi Anko, can guarantee that in this assessment, no team will have more than three people."

Hongdou smiled and said casually.

"So? Are you satisfied with my answer, Takigakure?"

"Since the examiner has said so, I will definitely choose to believe him, and I also believe that Konoha is fair."

This ninja from Taki was not afraid at all, and looked directly at Anko in response.

"Hehe, interesting."

Regarding this bold question from a Taki ninja.

Anko not only didn't feel offended at all, but also thought that this Takigakure ninja was very brave. Lady Mitarashi Anko likes people with courage the most.

That would make the game more interesting, wouldn't it?

"Anyone else have any questions? If not, please go into the tents in order and collect your scrolls."

After looking around and seeing that no one asked any questions or gave up, Hongdou nodded in satisfaction and waved her hand.

This also marks the beginning of distributing scrolls to the teams of candidates who have advanced to the second round.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 83 An Unexpected Joy

One line after another entered the queue to collect their scrolls.

They were then led by Konoha Chunin waiting on the side to different entrances and entered the Forest of Death in batches.

No one can know the scroll types of other squads, and no one can know the entrance locations of other squads.

This is the established rule for the second round of assessments.

The group gradually left.

After Menma and the others entered the tent.

"Heh heh, it's finally your turn, you little brats from Kakashi's class."

Hongdou, who was sitting in the main seat, immediately brightened up, and a look of great interest was clearly revealed in her pupils.

"Eh? Does Anko-senpai know Kakashi-nii too?"

Naruto, sitting to the side, looked at Anko with a hint of curiosity and said...

Well, I guess so.

I saw it was Naruto.

Red Bean also toned down her temper somewhat.

After all, this is the son of four generations of his family.

"Alright, although I'm acquainted with your captain, the rules still apply. You all heard what I said to that Takigakure ninja. Your Team 7 is divided into groups of four. The first round of assessments and the subsequent ones don't matter, but this round is different. In the scroll battle, having an extra person in your group is against the rules. So, here's a rule specifically set for you. Is that alright?"

Hongdou coughed lightly and spoke with a rare seriousness.

In fact, whether or not such a rule is set is not particularly significant. After all, once you enter the Death Forest, it is permissible for teams to team up with each other, regardless of whether they are from the same village or different villages.

The rules do not prohibit this.

In other words, even if Menma and his three companions are in one team, other teams can still unite to attack together.

However, a certain degree of superficial fairness still needs to be maintained.

Since everyone was in groups of three, Class 7 was no exception.

"Yes, of course, no problem. Kakashi-sensei mentioned this from the beginning, so we were prepared. Please enlighten us, Anko-senpai."

Mianma smiled and nodded in reply.

"That's right, that's right, Senior Red Bean, just tell us, what kind of special rule is it!"

Naruto, who was standing nearby, then added his own comment.

"Hehe, it's good that you're prepared. The rules are very simple: the four of you need to split up, whether it's two in a group or three in a group, it's fine, the limit is no more than three people per group. Also, you must enter the examination room from different entrances. In addition, the two scrolls you received are the same type. The rules are that simple. Now I'll give you four a few minutes to discuss how to distribute them!"

Anko took out two identical scrolls from behind and placed them in front of Menma, Naruto, and the other three, saying with a smile.

This was beyond expectations.

But these are rules that are entirely reasonable.

"what?"

"Break up?"

This surprised the four people, including Mianma.

But unlike the other three.

After his initial stunned silence, Menma was overjoyed. He had been thinking about how to find an opportunity to act alone and make contact with Orochimaru. Now, a perfectly legitimate opportunity was presented to him. If he couldn't seize it, he must be out of his mind.

At this moment, Menma was truly grateful that he was in a four-person team, otherwise, where would he have gotten such a good opportunity?

Thinking about this.

Menma even thought Sakura looked more pleasing to the eye now.

At this moment.

Menma didn't hesitate at all and said directly, "No need to discuss it, Senior Anko, I'll form my own team."

After saying that, he reached out and took a Heavenly Scroll from the table.

"Huh? You're all alone with a whole squad? Are you sure?"

Hongdou raised her eyebrows and looked at Mianma with a look of great interest before asking a question.

"Yes, I'm sure. They're in a team of three, and I'll be in a team of myself."

Menma continued in an extremely certain tone.

These are the words that followed and fell.

That's when the three people standing nearby were awakened.

Sasuke merely frowned.

Naruto's expression turned anxious, and he immediately said, "How can this be? Menma, we should divide into pairs, that would be more balanced..."

"Then tell me, how do we pair them up?"

Menma interrupted Naruto directly, speaking in a very straightforward manner.

Sakura, who was standing to the side, could also fully understand the meaning behind Menma's words, and her expression changed slightly at that moment.

"Forehead..."

Naruto realized what was happening at that moment.

He glanced at Sakura, then froze, a look of deep hesitation on his face.

Naruto is simple-minded and passionate, that's true.

However, it's also clear that Sakura is on a completely different level from the other three in their Class 7. If they were paired up, the person paired with Sakura would definitely face a lot of pressure.

Whether I can pass this second round of assessment is a big question mark.

Sakura reacted after Naruto.

Realizing that he was completely holding everyone back.

Sakura took a deep breath and said, "This is not appropriate, Menma. It would be best if the three of you did it together. I'll abstain. Is that alright, examiner?"

"Oh? You're abstaining? That's fine, I just need to make sure that each team has no more than three people."

Red Bean raised an eyebrow and looked at Sakura with a hint of surprise.

"Then..."

Although she was a little unwilling, Sakura still felt that this was the best course of action, since the Chunin Exams weren't just a one-time event.

Sakura even thought that by taking the initiative to give up here, she could improve her standing in the hearts of Naruto, Menma, and Sasuke.

But how could Menma allow such a thing to happen?

What he really wanted was the opportunity to act entirely alone.

So, before Sakura could say her second sentence.

Menma spoke up first: "Giving up is the worst thing to do, Sakura. Now that we've come this far, we can't give up on our own. People can accept failure, because failure is also the driving force for growth. But giving up is the easiest thing to do, but it's also the most foolish thing to do. The more you feel like you're holding us back, the more you should prove yourself. If you keep backing down, you'll never grow. Is that what you want?"

He said it in a very serious and earnest tone.

These are words spoken entirely from Sakura's perspective.

Sakura was also taken aback.

"Yes, Sakura, I also think Menma makes a good point. You have no reason to give up. Like I said, let's split into pairs. You and I will be in one pair, and Menma and Sasuke will be in the other. That way, everything will be fine!"

Naruto continued Menma's words.

(End of this chapter)

The second round of assessment begins in Chapter 84.

"No, we still need a three-on-one system. You three form a group, and I'll be alone. You don't need to say anything. Naruto, neither you nor Sasuke are a match for me, right? This is the most appropriate approach and the option that maximizes the chances of our team of four passing the test together."

At that moment, Menma's words were almost merciless. The instant they came out, not only was Naruto speechless, but even Sasuke's expression darkened. However, Menma was telling the truth, and the two of them really couldn't refute it.

Over the course of six years at the Ninja Academy, Naruto and Sasuke had their share of victories and defeats, but all of their sparring matches against Menma ended in defeat for both of them. Moreover, they could now clearly tell that Menma had undoubtedly held back back then.

Then, in the following six months or so...

Menma's power was demonstrated time and again in the mission.

Both of them saw it.

As proud as Sasuke is, although he would not admit that he is really inferior to Menma, he does know that he cannot defeat Menma in his current state.

"Remember that Rank B mission we did before? Wasn't I in charge of the solo infiltration? Don't worry, I can handle it on my own. Once we're inside, we can find a way to regroup. Naruto, you don't want to stop at this round of assessment, do you?"