Chương 238: 237
Chapter 38: The Calm Before the Storm
For the next three days, Haruto kept to a strict routine—eat, train, rest, repeat. He used his shadow clone to work on fuinjutsu while his real self focused on pushing his body to the limits with conditioning exercises. His teammates, Shisui and Daichi, trained alongside him, but as the final day approached, they all agreed to rest, saving their strength for the next stage of the Chunin Exams.
The tower had started to fill slowly with survivors of the Forest of Death. Teams trickled in, one by one, and with each arrival, it became clear just how brutal the trial had been. Some teams arrived early, looking relatively fresh, their injuries minor. But others dragged themselves in during the last half-day, battered and exhausted, their eyes showing the strain of the grueling challenge. Each new team that entered added to the tension in the air, as the remaining genin realized just how close they were to the next phase.
By the time the last teams made it to the tower, the count stood at seven: three from the Leaf, two from the Sand, one from the Land of Tea, and one from the Sound. These were the teams that had made it through, each one having fought, survived, and outlasted the rest.
As Haruto and his team entered the main hall of the tower, they spotted their Jonin instructor, Sakumo, standing off to the side, arms crossed. His calm presence was reassuring, and Haruto nodded toward him as they joined the other genin teams. The other Jonin were there as well, standing by their teams with varying expressions of pride or concern.
Haruto's eyes landed on Rasa's team. The blonde-haired boy stood confidently, his face a calm mask, surveying the room with calculating eyes. Beside him was Pakura, her sharp green eyes taking in the surroundings with the poise of someone several years older. Her short orange hair framed her face, and she carried herself with an air of authority that made it clear she was the senior member of their team. The third member of their group was a boy wrapped almost entirely in bandages, with only his eyes visible beneath his hood.
Haruto glanced toward their Jonin instructor, a woman wielding a large fan strapped to her back. She looked formidable, but Haruto couldn't place her. He thought back to the anime, remembering how the Third Kazekage was supposed to have taught Rasa magnet release. Maybe things had shifted here, just like other parts of this world had. The differences were becoming more apparent, but Haruto didn't have time to dwell on that now.
As they stood beside Sakumo, Haruto's gaze swept over the remaining teams. The other Leaf teams were familiar, but it was the team from the Sound that still caught his attention. In the anime, the Hidden Sound wasn't supposed to exist yet. Orochimaru hadn't even gone rogue. He had no idea what was going on in this timeline, but he pushed those thoughts aside for now. He needed to focus.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, and the tension rose as the Hokage entered, flanked by several proctors. His presence immediately commanded the attention of everyone in the room. The hall itself was large, an arena of sorts, perfect for the next phase of the exams.
The Hokage stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. "Congratulations on making it this far. You've passed the survival test of the Forest of Death, proving your ability to work as a team, to adapt, and to endure. But now, you will be tested as individuals. Only those who demonstrate true strength and strategy will move forward."
The weight of his words sank in, and Haruto could feel the shift in the room. This was no longer about working as a team—this was about proving yourself.
"For this stage, you will face each other in one-on-one combat. There will be no second chances. Win your match, and you will advance. Lose, and you will be eliminated from the exams."
Haruto's pulse quickened, the reality of the next challenge settling in. He glanced at Shisui and Daichi, both of whom wore determined expressions. They had trained for this moment, and now it was time to show what they could do.
"Each of you will draw lots to determine your opponent," the Hokage continued. "One of you will receive a bye and automatically advance to the next stage. The rest will fight. May the strongest among you rise to the occasion."
A large box was brought forward by one of the proctors, and one by one, the genin approached to draw their numbers. Haruto stepped up, reaching into the box and pulling out a lot. He glanced down at the slip of paper in his hand.
"Number 8," he muttered to himself as he stepped back, the reality of the draw sinking in.
As the other genin finished drawing their lots, Daichi's voice broke through the silence. "Looks like I got the bye!" he said with a grin, holding up his slip of paper proudly.
Haruto couldn't help but smirk. "Of course, you'd be the one to luck out."
Daichi shrugged with an easy grin. "What can I say? Luck's a skill."
Haruto laughed looking forward to the 1st round of matches.
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