Training Ground 44 was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.
This perpetually sealed training ground was surrounded by layers of rusty barbed wire, and the only iron gate for entry and exit was tightly bound by several chains as thick as bowls. Five rusty copper locks gleamed coldly in the morning light.
The red seal on the doorframe trembled slightly in the breeze, and a warning sign hanging on the barbed wire had two large characters written in vermilion: 'No Entry.' The writing was faded but still conspicuous.
Looking over the wall, ancient trees intertwined their roots and branches, forming a deep, dense forest. Thick tree roots emerged from the earth like coiling dragons, and crisscrossing branches wove a giant, impenetrable net overhead, cutting the sunlight into fragmented patches that scattered onto the leaf-strewn ground. The entire forest was filled with the damp scent of decaying wood, and the occasional cry of a crow added to the eerie atmosphere.
When Mamoru arrived with Hinata and Shino, the open space in front of the training ground was already filled with many ninjas participating in the second exam. Amidst the bustling crowd, a scorching gaze pierced through and locked onto them.
"You're finally here."
Tenten walked quickly from the edge of the crowd and stopped in front of Mamoru, arms crossed over her chest, her chin slightly raised with a hint of playful blame.
"I thought you weren't planning to come today." Her tone had a deliberately drawn-out ending, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to the side.
Mamoru's expression was calm, as if he had already anticipated this encounter. He offered a composed smile. "How could that be?"
His voice suddenly lowered. "Where you are, I will naturally be too."
"Wh-what?" Tenten was stunned for a moment, then covered her blushing cheeks, shyly exclaiming.
"What do you mean where I am, you will be too? Aren't you embarrassed to say such things?"
Seeing her shy appearance, Mamoru was taken aback, thinking to himself, 'Is it that easy to win over?'
So he suddenly felt confident, his voice growing a few shades louder as he patted his chest and said, "What's there to be embarrassed about? I'm speaking from the heart. If you don't believe me, dig into my heart and see, it's filled with Tenten."
As soon as he finished speaking, even Mamoru himself secretly clicked his tongue, feeling utterly disgusted inside. He couldn't believe he could say such cheesy words without batting an eye, it seemed he had truly fallen.
"What do you mean 'filled with Tenten'? You..."
Tenten's face was beet red with embarrassment. She lightly punched his chest, then covered her face and ran off.
"Heh... heh heh..." Mamoru's lips involuntarily curved upwards, emitting a series of peculiar chuckles.
Finally, he had a way to deal with such situations. No matter how sappy or disgusting, as long as he could say it, the problems that troubled him would be easily solved.
Just as he was getting carried away with his smugness, he suddenly felt a gaze from his side. He turned his head to see Hinata pursing her lips, a gloomy expression on her face, looking up at him. But as soon as their eyes met, she nervously lowered her gaze, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, unsure how to speak.
Mamoru sensed her unease, thinking he couldn't show favoritism. He reached out his other hand and gently stroked her soft hair, softly saying, "Don't worry, only death can separate us."
Hinata suddenly looked up, her fair cheeks instantly flushed, then she shrunk her shoulders.
Mamoru maintained a faint smile, but inwardly he was groaning, 'I must control my emotions, lest I throw up first.'
Just then, Anko and several ninjas walked over from a distance.
Those ninjas walked to the small wooden house in the center of the clearing, while Anko, as if no one else was around, walked to the tall fence and loudly announced to all the examinees, "This is the venue for the second exam, Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death."
Before her words even faded, a chilling wind howled from the depths of the forest. Combined with the ominous name 'Forest of Death,' it instantly sent shivers down the spines of the examinees, making their hair stand on end.
"I have a bad feeling about this place." Sakura hugged her arms nervously, her voice trembling slightly.
"That's because many people have died in this forest, your intuition is quite accurate." Mamoru's hands were in his pockets as he led Hinata and Shino toward Team 7's position.
"Eh! What do you mean 'many people have died'?" Sakura's face grew even paler, and she asked nervously.
Even Naruto couldn't help but gulp, his eyes fixed on Mamoru, silently urging him to continue.
"Literally. This is the second examination site for the Chunin Exams, isn't it normal for some people to die here every year?"
As he spoke, Mamoru walked up to Sasuke, patted his shoulder, and said, "Don't be afraid. If anything happens, just call 'big brother,' and I'll be right there."
"I'm the older brother, you idiot." Sasuke slapped his hand away and awkwardly turned his head.
Hearing Mamoru speak so lightly of death, Sakura looked stunned. "People dying, that's too..."
"Haha..."
At this, Anko's low laugh rang out, a half-smile appearing on her face.
"You'll soon find out why this place is called the Forest of Death."
Naruto had long been annoyed by this female examiner, and seeing her speak in such a roundabout way, he grew even more irritated.
He put his hands on his hips, wiggled his butt, and mimicked Anko's tone in a high-pitched voice. "You'll soon find out why this place is called the Forest of Death."
After mimicking her, he reverted to his original voice, shouting spiritedly, "No matter how much you try to scare me, I'll be fine! I'm not scared at all!"
With that, he pointed at Anko, flashing his signature goofy grin.
"Is that so? You're quite energetic."
A Kunai slid nimbly from Anko's sleeve into her palm like a snake, then transformed into a cold flash of light as it was thrown at Naruto. The sharp Kunai grazed Naruto's cheek, drawing a trickle of blood, and coincidentally flew towards Mamoru, who was standing behind him.
Facing the incoming Kunai, Mamoru couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Was this an undeserved calamity or an attempt to kill two birds with one stone? Why was he suddenly getting a display of intimidation?
Just as Mamoru firmly gripped the Kunai between his two fingers, Anko had already moved behind Naruto, laughing sinisterly. "Little children like you usually die the earliest."
One hand caressed Naruto's cheek, and she extended her tongue to lick the fresh blood trickling from his wound, then uttered chilling words, "Spill my favorite crimson blood."