Chương 229: 228
Before entering the Forest of Death, each genin team was required to sign a waiver. It was a stark reminder that this stage of the exam was not a game—death was a very real possibility. Haruto stood alongside his teammates, Shisui and Daichi, silently signing his name. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the reality of the challenge ahead weighed heavily on everyone.
Once they handed over their forms, they were escorted to one of the 44 gates surrounding the forest. The gate creaked open ominously as they received their assigned Earth scroll, and without a word, they prepared to enter the forest.
Shisui, their leader, took the front position, his usual calm focus sharpened by the gravity of the situation. His recent mastery of the 3-tomoe Sharingan had turned him into an even more formidable shinobi, and Haruto found himself wondering if he could keep up with Shisui's growth.
Haruto nodded as he fell into position, serving as the team's sensor and medical-nin. Daichi, ever confident, held his position at the rear, grinning slightly as they prepared to launch into the deadly forest.
"Let's make this count," Daichi signed, his grin widening as his fingers moved swiftly.
As the gates to the forest opened, the team sprinted forward in silence, their movements fluid and coordinated. Communication was kept to hand signals and subtle cues; they were treating this like a mission, no unnecessary words exchanged. Haruto's senses flared to life as they navigated the thick foliage, his Tier 2 chakra sensitivity keeping him on alert for any sign of danger.
The forest was eerily quiet, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant creatures the only indication of life. Haruto's heartbeat quickened, but he kept his focus sharp, scanning their surroundings for any chakra signatures that could signal an approaching team.
It wasn't long before he sensed it—a group of three, moving swiftly to the east.
Haruto let out a soft bird whistle, signaling to his teammates without making a sound. Shisui and Daichi immediately froze, turning their attention toward Haruto.
Using swift hand signals, Haruto signed, "Another team, to the east."
Shisui nodded, his Sharingan glinting faintly as he processed the information. The team adjusted their path, moving silently toward their targets. As they crept closer, Haruto caught a glimpse of their headbands—they were genin from the Land of Tea. The Land of Tea, while not known for its military power, was treating this exam with remarkable discipline. The genin team ahead was communicating entirely through hand signals, moving with precision and caution.
Shisui held up his hand, signaling a stop. The Land of Tea genin were just ahead, setting up a defensive formation. They clearly hadn't detected Haruto's team yet, but their disciplined approach showed they weren't amateurs.
Daichi glanced at Haruto and signed, "Diversion?"
Haruto gave a small nod, a plan already forming in his mind. His fingers moved swiftly as he signed back, "I'll use the genjutsu."
Haruto recalled the genjutsu he had learned from Hisato, a technique that had proved highly effective. Quietly, he formed the necessary seals, weaving his chakra into the air around them. It wasn't flashy, but it didn't need to be. The subtle illusion crept toward the Land of Tea genin, slipping into their minds before they could react.
In an instant, all three genin were caught. Their movements slowed, their senses clouded by the genjutsu. Haruto felt the familiar pull of control as the illusion locked them into place, their chakra signatures flickering with confusion.
Now.
Shisui and Daichi moved in tandem, their speed and precision almost seamless. Shisui's Sharingan tracked every subtle movement the Land of Tea genin made, while Daichi used his shadow clones to create distractions. Within seconds, they had disarmed and incapacitated the team, moving so quickly that the Land of Tea genin barely had time to react before they were on the ground, outmatched and defeated.
The leader of the Land of Tea team, a boy with a determined look, raised his hands in surrender. "We surrender. Take our scroll," he said, clearly understanding they had no chance against Shisui and Daichi.
Shisui glanced down at the scroll in the boy's hand. It was another Earth scroll, the same as theirs. There was no need to take it.
Daichi, panting slightly from the exertion, looked to Haruto, who stood just behind. "What now?" Daichi signed, raising an eyebrow. "Take it or let them go?"
Haruto hesitated for a moment. The Land of Tea was heavily dependent on Konoha, and there was no point in making enemies when it wasn't necessary. Building goodwill might even benefit them in the future.
He signed back quickly, "Let them go. We don't need their scroll."
Shisui nodded in agreement. "Keep your scroll," he told the defeated genin. "We have no need for it. You're free to go."
The Land of Tea team exchanged surprised glances but didn't argue. "Thank you," their leader said before they quickly retreated into the forest, disappearing among the trees.
As soon as they were out of sight, Daichi shook his head, a grin creeping onto his face and signed "You're too generous, Haruto."
Haruto smirked in response and signed. "We're here to survive, not make unnecessary enemies. Besides, it's good to build alliances where we can."
Shisui motioned for them to keep moving, signing. "Come on. We've still got a scroll to find."
The trio took off again, heading deeper into the forest.
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