Chương 30: Chapter Thirty: Anzo III

[A/N: My deepest apologies, my friends. I had to attend to my own Chunin exams, I mean IELTS test, and had some official obligations that kept me away. But worry not, I am back now, and the previous schedule shall continue as planned!]

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July 6th, Year 70, Takigakure

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"Hmm, only 11 teams made it to the second exam. That's surprisingly low," said one of the Taki examiners in the monitoring room. I stayed quiet, watching the Genin teams on the screen, including my own, with a slight smirk on my face.

I thought with dark amusement, 'You brat... It was your doing, wasn't it?' What added to the amusement was the fact that none of the teams from the host village made it through, which should have been unlikely. After all, being their village, they should have had an advantage. Even some cheating might occur, considering they are a small village competing against the bigger ones.

Looking at the screen, everyone else was frowning, some were looking with interest, while the Taki Jonin in the monitoring room were all panicking.

I could see one of them speaking in harsh whispers. I had already put up Kuro's special listening seals for situations like this, of course. I tried not to grin as the Jonin from other villages were also present. It was essential not to reveal anything, as information was crucial.

However, I noticed the two Jinchurikis from Kumo also listening in on the conversation using their own means.

One of the Jonin seemed furious, saying, "Where the hell is Isami's team? They should've been the first team to arrive!"

"The audacity of the brats... But I think something might have happened... We left notes for all the teams in their rooms. I don't think any of them would miss the exam unless something actually happened," replied the other Jonin.

"Damn it! Send someone to check on them and find out what happened!" the first Jonin said, sounding annoyed.

"I have already done that. Tokoro should be here soon," the other Jonin replied, exhaling a breath.

Internally, I chuckled as I focused on the screens, where all the participants who passed the first test were gathered. The examiners seemed distressed, checking their watches and waiting for their own villages' teams to arrive.

Although it was already time for the next test to start, Kuro, with his fake cheery and friendly tone, reminded them of that fact. "Instructor-san, it's already 10:02. I think you should start the next test, yes? Are you waiting for anyone, perchance?" He spoke innocently.

My lips twitched at his act. If I didn't know the boy, I would have been fooled as well. Kabuto maintained his poker face, but Izumi struggled to hold back laughter.

The examiner appeared troubled, but knowing they had no other choice but to continue, they announced with a grim tone, "Okay, everyone, the 11 teams in front of me have passed the first test. Now, for the second test, it will be a treasure hunting, navigation, and survival challenge. I will explain the task only once, so listen carefully."

The Genin perked up, while Kuro just smiled innocently like a child. I couldn't help but worry about what he might have done. At that moment, one of the Jonin from Kumo approached me. It was Killer-B, who said, "Yo! Konoha konoyaro, this one's name is Kira BEE, and your boy there, is an idiot, isn't HEEE?!"

Yeah, that rapping was abysmal. But before I could ignore them and do my own things, one of the Iwa Jonin, I believe he was from the Kamizuru clan approached… Yeah, another one that wasn't on our side…

"Of course, a tree hugger's student shouldn't be any better than an idiot. I heard Konoha only sent this one team for this exams… Tsk, tsk, it seems Konoha must be lacking in the Genin department, to send measly kids, who haven't even grown their pubes." The Kamizuru Jonin sneered.

I found their words amusing and decided not to respond, simply lighting up a new cigarette. This seemed to anger the Iwa Jonin, who growled at me, "Oi! I am speaking to you, you damned bastard!" but refrained from attacking, knowing that fighting other Jonin during the Chunin exams held in a foreign village would lead to disqualification.

"Yo, bakayaro, konoyaro, you shouldn't have brought your ducklings to the test, 'cause Kumo has sent their best, if they don't forfeit, they will be put to rest, HELL YEAH! Bakayaro, konoyaro."

Killer-B continued his awful raps, and surprisingly, it only fueled my amusement. The Iwa guy seemed to want to say more, but a Suna Jonin intervened.

He stood between Killer-B and the Iwa Jonin, formally greeting me, "Greetings, Konoha Jonin-san. My name is Isago from Sunagakure. I've been meaning to have a conversation with you, but you've been elusive since you arrived. Now that I caught your attention, may we speak in private?"

Another political issue… he was being polite about it at least.

So, I decided to humor him, at least this will let me ignore the other 2 annoying guys. Hmm… Kuro's attitude might be rubbing off on me… Better be careful.

I looked back at the monitor before telling the Suna Jonin to wait, as the examiner finished explaining the test, "Your task is to find a special mushroom that only grows inside the cave system. It's called 'the Stranger's Touch Mushroom' you all will be given an illustration of the mushroom. All of you are required to find one to pass the test. Yes, you have heard me right. Each of you need to have a mushroom to pass. If your team only finds 2 you will fail. But if your team loses one member along the way, then 2 will suffice as a passing mark." Saying that far he gave a dangerous smirk to the Genin.

What a devious plan, basically telling them that if they don't have enough, they can decide to put one of their own in a ditch…

The examiner continued with a serious tone, "After you find the mushroom, your job is to locate an exit and climb the great waterfall. At the top, you will find the exam site, where your mushrooms will be collected and judged. That will conclude the second test. The time limit is 24 hours, and if you take longer, you automatically fail! Now, there are no rules inside the cave system, so I will require each contestant to sign a waiver. If you want to quit, now is your chance." The examiner's voice was firm as he finished the instructions.

I scoffed at the suggestion of any of my Genin quitting and decided to go with the Suna Jonin to the side to hear what he had to say.

…

"So… What is this about? No. Don't tell me. It's about Sasori's puppets, isn't it?" I asked with a hint of disdain.

Isago or whatever his name was seemed a bit distressed as he slowly took out a letter and said grimly, "Kazekage-sama has requested that you deliver this letter to Hiruzen-sama." He said in a small voice.

I felt a smirk forcing its way onto my lips. Shikaku did believe there was a chance that Suna might try to contact my father through me. They still think my father is a soft old man who might do foolish things for stability and peace.

But alas, we have a firm and strong Hokage, with great advisors by his side.

"Forgive me, Jonin Isago, but I have to decline. If Kazekage-sama wants to exchange letters with Hiruzen-sama, then he should use the proper channels befitting a Kage. Or he can directly communicate with Minato-sama, who is the current Hokage. I am quite sure our benevolent Hokage can help with any inquiries Kazekage-sama might have," I said with a straight face.

Isago looked troubled but accepted that I wouldn't deliver the letter to my father from my firm answer. He gave me a glare before walking away, leaving me behind with only my cigarette as company.

Well, that was a waste of time. I chuckled before throwing away my cigarette and listened closely to the listening seal that I put on the Suna Jonin.

After returning back to his fellow Suna Jonins, he started discussing.

"Did he accept the letter?" asked one of the Suna Jonin.

"The bastard refused," replied Isago with sheer anger.

That guy has some anger issues… And he seems to be fairly high up in Suna's command ladder, he might be useful. I smirked as I continued to listen.

"It's fine, Isago. Kazekage-sama did say it was a long shot after all… But that doesn't mean we will just sit back... Sasori's puppets belong to Sunagakure after all," said the Jonin.

"But how, Goturo? Ever since those bastards executed Sasori, they only sent us back Sasori's head… All his poison, knowledge, and most importantly, puppets are with them!" Isago spoke in harsh whispers.

Hmmm, so what will you do? Little Suna Ninjas… Tell me.

The wheels in my mind turned as I contemplated their words. There might be an opportunity here, and I was always one to seize any advantage that presented itself. I had to stay vigilant and watchful. Who knew what secrets those Suna ninjas might unwittingly reveal in their desperation to reclaim what they believed to be theirs?

I smiled grimly as I continued to hear more.

"Calm yourself, Isago… We will get back everything, in due time… Konoha isn't in a good position right now, you know…" spoke the man named Goturo.

"Sigh… You are right… I just want this pointless exam to end so our nations can make the deal. Konoha has grown way too powerful recently... they need to be cut down by the knee," Isago responded viciously.

The other Jonin didn't reply and only made a guttural sound before they all focused on the screens.

I grimly noted the conversation while remembering what Kuro had analyzed yesterday…

'The other nations are making an alliance… And Kumo is in the lead…' That's what Kuro assumed from the tidbits of information he had gathered. And it seems his speculation might just be true…

I released a muffled sigh as I thought, 'I just became a father… Let's hope the war doesn't occur too soon…'

…

I looked back at the screens as everyone watched the second phase of the exam continuing, and most of the teams had found themselves in small cavern clearings, making plans to proceed. All teams were doing that, but one caught my attention - my own team.

I smirked subconsciously as I watched Kuro confidently leading Kabuto and Izumi through a complicated layout of the caves towards a specific cave. How he knew about it was beyond me, but I couldn't help but be curious about what Kuro had in mind for Takigakure's precious poison resource.

Suddenly, a muffled shout came from one of the Taki Jonin, "No way! They have actually found the hidden cave… How's that even possible!"

Another one looked just as distressed, "How long has it even been? 10 minutes? 15?"

"11 minutes 13 seconds…" answered a speechless Jonin who couldn't believe his eyes.

Well, I could sympathize with that Jonin, but after spending so much time training the brat, I was already accustomed to Kuro's absurdity.

The Jonin from the other village looked stupefied, but their reaction wasn't as intense as the Taki Jonin, simply because they didn't fully understand the importance and difficulty of finding the location of the cave. Even from the screen, it was evident that the cave was covered with gas, and there was no visible light to aid with visibility.

And yet…

"Bingo! This should be the cave," came Kuro's voice from the screen.

Hmmm, Takigakure sure spent some money on these cameras… wait…

An evil smirk graced my lips as I understood how Kuro managed to find this place so fast. Observant, annoying brat…

"And how can you be so sure this is the cave? We can barely see with the chakra lights," asked Kabuto in wonder.

Kuro smiled innocently and said with a hint of gratitude, "Well, you see, our gracious host deemed it necessary to set up cameras all over the cavern system to monitor us, you see."

I could see all the Jonin looking intently at the screen, trying to understand where this was going.

"Yeah, I assumed as much. After all, they needed some way to monitor us for the exam, and maybe even watch for intruders," Kabuto offered with logical reasoning. However, that itself was the issue.

"Exactly! Good observation, Kabuto. But they made a teeny tiny discrepancy while installing the cameras, you see… Not all the cameras are the same," Kuro replied, wearing a smile as he put on a mask and entered the mushroom cave. Kabuto and Izumi followed suit, while Izumi asked, "But what does that have to do with anything?" She seemed genuinely curious.

I glanced around the room and saw the Taki Jonin looking pale and uneasy. One of them quickly ordered, "Cut off the feed! At least mute them! This is urgent!" He sounded frantic as he rushed to handle the technical aspects, and the channel showing my team went blank.

I couldn't help but smirk at the Taki ninjas, as one of their secrets had been uncovered by a barely 11-year-old kid. How did they even make such a blunder? Only the Sage knows.

I think it was pure luck that they haven't been invaded yet…

Looking towards the other Jonin, I could see thoughtful expressions on their faces, and some of them seemed to have grasped the crux of the situation. After all, the whole thing had unfolded right before our eyes.

…

After a few minutes, they turned the cameras back on, only to be given a whole new scare. "It's gone… All of the mushrooms… gone…," reported a Taki Jonin in horror. One of them looked about to faint, while the others didn't know what to do.

Anticipating that they would likely start blaming my team and our village, I knew I had to clear the matter. "No point in the debrief did the invigilator mention anything about the Genin only picking one mushroom though… So, whether they each take one or all of them, is still within the rules." I interjected loudly so everyone could hear.

The Taki Jonins wanted to protest, but their efforts were in vain. However, the Jonin from the other villages made their fury known. The Iwa Jonin from earlier shouted, "If the tree huggers take all the mushrooms, then how will our teams pass the test!" He seemed genuinely incensed with a tinge of worry. A few other Jonins also protested.

The Taki Jonins fell silent, realizing the enormity of their loss. I had a hunch that no Genin was even supposed to find this cave.

Proving my intuition right, the lead Taki Jonin walked up, attempting to calm everyone as he acted as if nothing was wrong. "Worry not, fellow guests. The mushroom that the Konoha team found wasn't really the Stranger's Touch mushroom that is essential for the exam. It was some other random mushroom. Worry not, as the Stranger's Touch mushroom grows all over the cave system in damp and dark crevices. So, all teams will have plenty of chances to find their own mushroom," he said with shaky confidence, trying to downplay their earlier panic.

Although no one fully bought the act, it did calm the other Jonin as their explanation about the mushroom growing in other places inside the cave system sounded logical. With that, everyone refocused on the screens, watching my team move with practiced ease toward what seemed to be an exit to the cave system. By this point, no one uttered a word about my team finding the exit so naturally.

Everyone then refocused on the screens as we all watched my team move extremely fast with practiced ease, seemingly heading towards an exit to the cave system. At this point, no one dared to question how my team found the exit so naturally.

If it were a Taki team, they would have pointed fingers at us for cheating. However, being a foreign team from Konoha, and with one of the youngest Genins present, they held back. Knowing that complaining will only make their own teams look pathetic.

To everyone's surprise, my team didn't immediately climb out to finish their exam. Instead, Kuro seemed to have other plans. He whispered something to Kabuto and Izumi, both of whom nodded obediently and settled comfortably near the waterfall. Meanwhile, Kuro lay down under one of the trees, making himself comfortable as if preparing for a nap.

"What are they doing? Why aren't they coming up to finish the test?" One of the Iwa Jonin asked, looking puzzled.

"I don't know," answered his comrade from the side, equally perplexed.

As I watched their confusion unfold, I couldn't help but smile internally. I knew exactly what they were up to, and I had to use all of my training as an ANBU to suppress the amusement.

However, another amusing event occurred, further souring the already bad moods of the hosts. A Taki Jonin rushed into the room, looking extremely upset, with a Genin following behind him, looking down in shame.

The lead Taki Jonin seemed surprised as he exclaimed, "Tokoro? Isami? What happened? Isami... why wasn't your team at the meeting place!?"

The Genin, Isami, looked indignant, while the Jonin named Tokoro sighed and passed a slip of paper to the lead Taki Jonin. As the lead Jonin read what was written on the note, his expression turned to one of resignation.

"We had been outsmarted," he muttered in defeat.

…

After 4 hours, another team finally found a batch of the Stranger's Touch mushroom, and that brought back hope to the Jonins overseeing the exam.

On the other hand, everyone else in the observation room was giving stink eyes to my Genin team, as Kabuto skillfully prepared a delicious stew using the mushrooms they had found. He generously shared some with Izumi and Kuro, who seemed quite content and relaxed.

In the meantime, Kuro's clones had resourcefully gathered soft leaves to create a makeshift bed for him, adding to the comfort he was already enjoying. If that wasn't enough to mock everyone else, I don't know what was. I could see the annoyance and wariness in the eyes of the other Jonins, as they couldn't help but feel riled up by my Genin team's seemingly carefree and efficient attitude.

I on the other hand only thought, 'If you get riled up from this… You haven't seen the meaning of frustration yet…'

…

Three hours later, the team from Iwa emerged from the caves and approached the vicinity of the great waterfall. It was around 6 in the evening, so there was still some light left.

As expected, the Iwa team had managed to find their way out quickly, utilizing their expertise in earth release techniques. Not far behind, a Suna team was also making steady progress, trailing the Iwa team.

With a cautious demeanor, the Iwa team approached the waterfall, only to be taken aback by the sight of my team leisurely barbecuing by the water. Kuro, always the provocateur, noticed their arrival and greeted them with a bright smile and a wave of his hand.

"Yo! You guys took your sweet time! I've been waiting here for hours to kick your asses, you know?" Kuro's playful taunt was sure to annoy the Iwa team, just as he intended.

…

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