Bab 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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