Chapter 26: The Forest of Death's Predecessor
"From here, the other side of the Valley of Thunder is your destination for the next stage."
"Look at the scrolls in your hands. They are divided into Heaven and Earth. Each of your teams currently possesses only one. Upon reaching the destination, only teams holding both a Heaven and an Earth scroll will qualify for the third stage."
The dark-skinned Kumo ninja raised his voice. "You have seven days. If you fail to arrive within that time, you will be considered to have forfeited this Chunin Exam!"
"Is that… understood?!"
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
...
The order of departure for the second round was determined by lottery.
Liumu's team, having drawn a later slot, set off half an hour after the exam began. However, the moment the three of them entered the valley, Mizukage pulled them all into the shadow of a massive boulder.
"What are we doing?" Liumu asked, looking at the cautious Mizukage.
"Are you dense?" Mizukage retorted, her hands already forming rapid seals. "Did you hear what that Jonin said? Each team has only one scroll, but to qualify for the third round, you need both Heaven and Earth. What do you think that means?"
"Steal them," Kakashi whispered immediately.
"Exactly!" Mizukage affirmed, her senses extended, detecting movement nearby. She addressed Kakashi and Liumu. "Our team's overall strength isn't high. If we charge in recklessly, we'll definitely become a target for many other teams. So, I plan to…"
"Bide our time, let them fight each other, then swoop in for the spoils?"
"Damn!"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Liumu immediately grinned. "Why don't you two just do a comedy routine together? Three idioms in a row, just like that."
Kakashi: "…"
Mizukage: "???"
"Comedy routine? What's a comedy routine?" Mizukage looked at Liumu blankly.
"Ah… this…" Liumu chuckled awkwardly. "It's a classic performing art, divided into setups, punchlines… oh, no, it's…"
"We'll talk about that later!" Before Liumu could finish mumbling, Mizukage cut him off. "What are your thoughts?"
Kakashi frowned inwardly. What Mizukage said was true. With himself, Liumu, and Mizukage—whose direct combat ability wasn't her forte—their team's strength wasn't outstanding. Moreover, if the examiners intended for teams to compete for scrolls, their team would undoubtedly face challenges from many.
But if they could lie low until the end, then target a team holding an Earth Scroll—or even a team already holding both—the risk would be minimized.
Seeing Kakashi's conflicted expression, Liumu's face was full of disdain.
He turned to Mizukage. "You're overcomplicating it. In my opinion, we should just head straight for the destination. Whether to steal or not is something to decide later. Besides, it's just an Earth Scroll. We can set an ambush near the finish line and snatch one then."
"Also, we have seven teams from Konoha this time. Maybe someone will feel kinship for fellow villagers and just hand one ov—"
Before Liumu could finish, Mizukage suddenly frowned, stepping forward to cover his mouth.
Simultaneously, she wrote on the ground: "Quiet! Someone's coming. Moving slowly."
As a sensor, Mizukage had extended her perception upon entering. The team she sensed now had likely followed Liumu's team into the valley.
"Where?" Liumu asked aloud.
"Four o'clock direction. Less than 30 meters."
"Got it."
Seeing the team was so close, Liumu immediately stood up. He said to Kakashi and Mizukage, "Alright, let's go ask them what scroll their team is holding."
Mizukage: "???"
Kakashi: "???"
While the two were still stunned, Liumu had already dashed off by himself.
"Idiot…" Watching Liumu's retreating back, Mizukage finally swallowed the curse on the tip of her tongue.
"What do we do?" she asked Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't know Liumu well, but he understood Liumu wasn't a reckless person. If he chose this course, he must have his own reasoning.
So, facing Mizukage's question, Kakashi nodded. "Follow him. Regardless of who we face, we're a team."
...
Following Mizukage's directions, Liumu spotted the team's figures within a minute.
Seeing the Iwagakure forehead protectors, Liumu immediately hopped in front of the three of them, wearing a sly grin. "So, you're friends from Iwagakure. Do you happen to have an Earth Scroll? If so, I'd like to… borrow it."
Iwa Ninja: "???"
Liumu's sudden appearance put the three Iwa ninja on high alert.
"It's you!"
The sole kunoichi among them seemed to recognize Liumu. She sneered, "I wondered who it was. It's the idiot who handed out all his answers during the written exam."
Liumu: "???"
Hearing this, Liumu examined her face. Confirming he had no memory of her, he asked, "You know me? Were you in the same exam room? Did you copy my answers?"
The kunoichi chuckled darkly. "Why wouldn't I copy? I was sitting to your left front. You didn't notice?"
"My apologies. I usually don't pay much attention to… unremarkable things."
"You!"
The kunoichi's temper flared. As a woman, even a young one, she cared deeply about her appearance. Liumu hadn't used ninjutsu, but his words struck a heavy blow.
At that moment, a burly man beside the kunoichi stepped forward. His face was expressionless as he eyed the forehead protector on Liumu's arm. "You're a Konoha ninja?"
The six-year-old Liumu seemed as insignificant as an ant before him. Relying on physical advantages alone, this man was undoubtedly formidable.
The enmity between Iwagakure and Konoha was long-standing, too complex to explain in a few sentences. Though an uneasy peace had followed the Second Great Ninja War, no one could say when the next conflict would erupt. As a Konoha ninja, he naturally inspired hatred in Iwa shinobi.
"That's right." Liumu tapped his forehead protector. "You still haven't answered my question. Are you holding a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll?"
(End of Chapter)
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