Kapitel 68: Chase

[Sunday's Chapter]

The finish point of the first phase of the Chunin Exams was a towering structure in the middle of the Forest of Death.

Tall trees surrounded the tower, their branches creating a natural fortress that concealed its entry points.

The tower was not just a structure but also a testament to the village's history.

Originally, it served as the Hokage's building when The Hidden Leaf was founded. The stones that composed its sturdy walls had witnessed the village's growth, evolution, and the rise of its legendary shinobis.

Surrounding the tower was the forest which was the handiwork of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. The great leader and founder of Konoha had crafted this forest with his unparalleled Wood Release.

The creation of the forest was deeply linked to an attempt on the First Hokage's life. It was recorded that an assassin, dispatched from the distant village hidden in the waterfalls, Takigakure, had targeted Hashirama.

Remarkably, this would-be assassin stood alone as the only individual to survive an attempt on Hashirama's life.

In the aftermath of the attempted assassination, Konoha recognized the strategic value of this now-forested expanse. The village intentionally cultivated the area, turning it into a breeding ground for various beasts.

These creatures served as an additional layer of security, enhancing the natural deterrent provided by the dense foliage.

Following the demise of the First and Second Hokages, the Hokage's office underwent a significant relocation.

It moved from the tower to a more central location within the village. This strategic shift aimed to enhance administrative efficiency and accessibility, placing the seat of the village leader closer to the heart of Konoha.

The vacated tower found a new purpose. It became the residence of the Jinchuriki, beginning with Senju Mito. Over the years, the tower continued to serve as the dwelling place of the Jinchuriki as Uzumaki Kushina, the current Jinchuriki also resided within its walls.

However, a pivotal incident altered the tower's fate once again. The kidnapping of Uzumaki Kushina prompted the village to reconsider its use. Clearly, it was no longer safe to house any of the village's assets.

In the aftermath, the tower was reassigned, finding a new role as a venue for the Chunin Exams.

The Forest of Death now played host to a different kind of challenge, the proving ground for the next generation of shinobi during the Chunin Exams.

With it as the finish point, The genins had to enter the Forest of Death through the numerous entrances scattered in the forest.

This was to ensure they didn't run into each other immediately after the exam started. The case between Team 15 and the three Genin teams was just an exception. A mere stroke of luck, or lack of it, for the genin teams.

Inside the tower, the atmosphere buzzed with tension as dawn painted the sky.

A group of seasoned shinobis, responsible for monitoring the ongoing Chunin Exams, gathered to assess the progress of the participating genins.

At the forefront of this operation was Shimura Taki, the appointed exam proctor, whose experienced gaze scrutinized the unfolding events.

As the third day of the Chunin Exams dawned, Taki leaned forward, his focus intense. He turned to a fellow shinobi holding a clipboard and requested a detailed rundown of the current status.

The shinobi scanned the gathered information, eyes moving swiftly across the entries. After a moment, she raised her eyes to meet Taki's gaze.

"Proctor Taki, as of now, only one team has successfully arrived at the tower. The others are still locked in battles for the scrolls."

'Within two days? That must be a new record.' Taki Wondered.

The shinobi holding the clipboard reported to Taki with information relayed by the sensor unit deployed within the Forest of Death.

The periodic updates provided crucial insights into the genin's progress and the unfolding dynamics of the Chunin Exams.

"Keep a close eye on them. If there are any changes in their status or movements, notify me immediately. We need to stay informed about all teams during this critical phase of the exams," he instructed.

With that, the sensor unit continued to monitor the situation at Forest of Death.

Back at the Forest of Death, Team 15 had been venturing through the dense and treacherous landscape of the Forest.

Having covered a substantial distance from their initial entry point, the team found themselves drawing nearer to the tower.

As the genins continued their trek through the Forest of Death, luck seemed to be on their side as they managed to avoid encountering other genin teams.

The dense foliage served as a great backdrop and concealed them from potential adversaries, allowing the team to navigate the terrain without unnecessary conflicts.

However, surviving in the forest presented its own set of challenges. The team had packed rations to sustain them, but they didn't pack enough. A rookie mistake.

The team members had to rely on their training and instincts to discern edible plants from potentially harmful ones, to supplement their sustenance during this phase of the Chunin Exams.

Moreover, the wilderness also posed a formidable environment. All in all, they were in a race against time for their survival.

As Renjiro rose from his makeshift bed of leaves and twigs, the soft murmur of the forest greeted him.

The rustling leaves and distant calls of unseen creatures blended into a symphony that underscored the serenity of the early morning.

"Morning, Renjiro," Hiro yawned, stretching his arms wide, the lingering traces of sleep still evident in his voice.

Aiko, nearby, sat up and rubbed her eyes, a faint smile forming on her lips. "Good morning, we should get ready to head out."

Renjiro, still shaking off the last remnants of sleep, managed a half-smile.

Little did they know, the tranquillity of the early morning would soon give way to a cascade of unforeseen events, setting the stage for a day that would test their mettle in ways they couldn't yet fathom.

Renjiro, feeling the need to relieve himself, ventured to a nearby spot for privacy as he answered nature calls.

As he went about his business, the soothing sounds of nature surrounded him. However, his tranquil moment was abruptly interrupted by Hiro's sudden approach.

"Hiro! What's the hurry?" Renjiro called out, a mix of curiosity and concern in his voice.

Hiro, with a sense of urgency, zoomed towards Renjiro, his expression that of fear. It was evident that something significant had transpired.

"Renjiro! Just run!" Hiro exclaimed. The anticipation hung in the air as Renjiro, still in the process of washing his face, looked at Hiro with a raised eyebrow, ready to hear the revelation.

"???" Renjiro was confused, mostly due to the fact that he still had the lingering after-effects of sleep

'What the hell is happening?'

Soon Aiko trailed a few meters behind Hiro. The atmosphere, initially filled with the tranquillity of the forest, now brimmed with tension and urgency.

"Aiko, what's the hurry?" Renjiro asked again, his confusion growing.

Before Hiro could respond, Renjiro's eyes widened as he saw the cause of their hastened retreat – a horde of giant spiders emerging from the shadows of the forest. The arachnids, with their menacing size, skittered rapidly, their movements creating an unsettling rustle in the underbrush.

"Giant spiders! Move, Renjiro!" Hiro shouted with a sense of urgency in his voice.

Reacting swiftly to the imminent danger, Renjiro joined Hiro and Aiko in their mad dash through the Forest of Death. The trio weaved through the trees, manoeuvring around roots and bushes as they sought refuge from the relentless pursuit of the giant spiders.

'You have to be kidding me!' Renjiro thought.

=====

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Kapitel 69: Death, Taxes and Spiders

[Monday's Chapter]

"Spiders? You've got to be kidding me," Renjiro muttered, his tone a mix of disbelief and dread.

Ever since he came into existence for the very first time, Renjiro came to fear and hate certain things in life. The three things were Death, Taxes and Spiders. He had strong emotions when it came to these three things.

Death, because of obvious reasons, Taxes was because he did not subscribe to the school of thought regarding collective civic responsibility. Spiders, however, bugged him for as long as he could remember.

After being reincarnated into this world, Renjiro adopted a new life with a different set of challenges than his previous one. He had come to overcome his fear of taxes since Konoha was not asking for much from his earnings, and death since he had already experienced it.

Unfortunately, he still feared Spiders. It was as if this trait was etched into his very core.

His arachnophobia was not just a mere discomfort but a full-blown phobia that sent shivers down his spine. The fear was so intense that the mere sight of spiders triggered a cascade of emotions, ranging from anxiety to panic, leaving him dreaded.

This phobia could be traced back to his experiences in his previous life. Whether it was an incident from his childhood, a traumatic encounter with a particularly venomous spider, or simply an irrational fear that developed over time, the exact origin remained buried in his subconscious.

The fear, however, was undeniably real. Leaving flight was his only option when he saw the giant spiders on their heels.

The five colossal spiders in question bore a nightmarish semblance to the ordinary spiders Renjiro knew from his past life. Their hairy legs, thick exoskeletons, and multiple eyes glowed eerily in the dappled light filtering through the dense canopy.

The spiders moved with an uncanny synchronicity, their predatory instincts heightened by an earthy aura that cloaked their monstrous forms.

Earth Release jutsus manifested as rocky protrusions covering their exoskeletons, providing an additional layer of armour to these already formidable creatures.

As they closed in, the forest floor quivered beneath the weight of their massive bodies. Each spider's legs, adorned with jagged rocks and sharp edges, served as both a means of mobility and lethal weaponry.

Their eyes, multiple and unblinking, gleamed with an otherworldly intelligence.

"Is this really worth it?" His phobia was getting the better of him as he even considered leaving the test.

That was how bad it was for him. However, just as quick as the thought came, Renjiro quickly shut it down.

Surprisingly, their journey for the last two days had been devoid of the usual perils one might expect in a place with such a foreboding name and for a moment, they almost forgot about the notorious beasts that often lurked in the forest were also a threat as opposed to their fellow genins.

As they continued their frenzied escape, Hiro's voice cut through the chaotic environment.

"Guys, I think we've lost their trail."

The words prompted Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro to a stop. Breathing heavily, Renjiro looked around, his eyes darting nervously in search of any sign of the gigantic arachnids. The forest, however, seemed devoid of the relentless pursuit that had haunted them moments ago.

'Most preditors are territorial, so maybe we might have gone beyond their territory.'

Renjiro thought as he took a deep breath, attempting to steady his nerves.

Hiro scanned the surroundings before remarking, "We might have flickered a bit too far away from our intended path, but at least we got away with the scrolls. That's a silver lining, I guess."

Aiko suddenly went pale. Her eyes widened in realization, and she blurted out, "Guys, the scrolls! I forgot to get them when the Spiders started chasing us!"

Hiro's expression turned from relief to disbelief, and Renjiro couldn't hide his frustration. Aiko's revelation sparked an immediate argument among them.

Renjiro exclaimed, "What? Are you serious, Aiko? Those scrolls are our ticket out of this forest!"

Aiko, feeling the weight of her mistake, defended herself, "I didn't mean to forget them! It's just that with those spiders chasing us, my mind was focused on getting away. I thought we had them with us."

Hiro interjected, trying to diffuse the tension, "Alright, let's not waste time arguing. We need to go back and retrieve the scrolls. Every second we spend here puts us at risk."

'I knew we should have gotten all the scrolls from those three genin teams.'

Renjiro suggested an alternative plan for obvious reasons. "Guys, instead of going back for our scrolls, why don't we find other teams and take their scrolls? It's more efficient, and we won't risk encountering those spiders again."

Aiko retorted, " We can't just abandon our scrolls."

Hiro found himself torn between the two options. "Renjiro has a point, but we can't ignore our scrolls either. What if we can't find another team with either scroll?"

After a brief but intense discussion, Renjiro found himself outvoted. The team decided to head back to their makeshift resting place to retrieve the scrolls.

'I just hope that the spiders are no longer there.' Renjiro hoped as they headed back but deep down, he knew it was just a pipe dream for him.

Unfortunately for Renjiro, the spiders were indeed at their former resting place. They had no choice but to engage them in combat while looking for their scrolls

'Fuck this shit!'

As the spiders attacked them with earth jutsus, Renjiro unleashed a barrage of Fire Release techniques to counter their defences. Flames danced through the air, clashing with the spiders' earth-based attacks.

Aiko, recognizing an opportunity, joined the assault. Renjiro, focused on the battle, shouted instructions to his teammates. "Aiko, aim for their legs with your wind jutsus! Hiro, look for the scrolls!"

'They have Earth chakra nature, so counting their earth jutsu will be tricky. Hiro should take point on this.'

Since the spiders had earth chakra affinity, They switched up their strategy with Hiro and Aiko fighting against them while Renjiro had to look for the scrolls. Between Aiko and Renjiro, Aiko was better at Lightning release as Renjiro's experience wasn't so high.

The shift in strategy unfolded seamlessly as Renjiro took on the responsibility of locating the scrolls while Hiro and Aiko adjusted their tactics to engage the arachnids effectively.

Renjiro meanwhile, navigated the battlefield with calculated agility, focusing on locating the scrolls amidst the tumultuous clash.

'Where did Aiko place the scrolls?'

Renjiro asked as he retraced their steps to their previous resting place. The once makeshift campsite bore the marks of a brief but intense struggle.

As Renjiro approached the clearing where they had set up their temporary camp, he scrutinized every inch of the ground, hoping to catch a glimpse of the concealed scrolls.

Not finding them, his Sharingan scanned every inch of the surroundings, seeking any subtle disturbances.

Renjiro's mind raced, considering every possibility. Could another team have stumbled upon their camp and taken the scrolls during the chaos of the spider battle? Or had they misplaced the scrolls in their panic?

"Either Aiko does not know where she placed the scrolls or some other team found the scrolls. Or maybe something else happened because the scrolls aren't here."