Team after team entered to receive their scrolls.
Subsequently, they were led by the waiting Leaf Chūnin to different entrances, entering the Forest of Death in batches.
No one was allowed to know the scroll types of other squads, nor could anyone know the entrance locations of other squads.
This was the established rule of the second round of the exam.
As the squads departed one after another...
Finally, it was Team 7's turn to enter the tent.
"Heh, it's finally your turn, you brats from Kakashi's squad."
Sitting in the main seat, Anko's eyes lit up, clearly revealing a look of great interest.
"Eh? Does Anko-senpai know Big Brother Kakashi too?"
Naruto asked, looking at Anko with slight curiosity.
"Well, sort of."
Seeing it was Naruto.
Anko restrained her temper somewhat.
After all, this was the son of their Lord Fourth.
"Alright, although I'm acquaintances with your captain, rules are rules. You heard my answer to that Waterfall ninja earlier. Team 7 has four members. It didn't matter for the first round or future rounds, but not for this one. In a battle for scrolls, having an extra person is a violation. So, there is a special rule set specifically for you. No problem, right?"
Anko coughed lightly and spoke with a rare seriousness.
Actually, whether this rule existed or not didn't matter much. Inside the Forest of Death, teaming up was allowed regardless of village. The rules didn't forbid it. Even if Menma's group was one squad, others could gang up on them.
However, necessary superficial fairness had to be maintained.
Since everyone else was in three-person squads, Team 7 couldn't be an exception.
"Yes, of course, no problem. Kakashi-sensei mentioned this from the start. We are prepared. Please enlighten us, Anko-senpai."
Menma nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah! Just tell us, Anko-senpai, what's the special rule?"
Naruto chimed in from the side.
"Heh, good that you're prepared. The rule is simple: the four of you need to split up. Whether it's two and two, or three and one, it doesn't matter. The upper limit is three people per group. Also, you must enter the exam grounds from different entrances. Furthermore, the two scrolls you receive will be of the same type. The rules are that simple. I'll give you a few minutes to discuss how you want to allocate yourselves!"
Anko took out two identical Heaven Scrolls from behind her and placed them in front of the four, speaking with a grin.
This rule was beyond expectations.
Yet completely within reason.
"Ah?"
"Split up?"
It stunned all four of them momentarily.
But unlike the other three...
After the initial surprise, Menma felt a surge of ecstasy in his heart. He had been wondering how to find a chance to act alone to contact Orochimaru. Now, a legitimate opportunity was placed right in front of him. If he didn't grasp it, he'd be an idiot.
At this moment, Menma was truly grateful that they were a four-person squad; otherwise, where would such a good opportunity come from?
Thinking of this.
Menma even found Sakura much more pleasing to the eye.
At that moment.
Menma didn't hesitate in the slightest. He spoke up directly, "No need to discuss, Anko-senpai. I'll form a squad by myself."
After speaking, he reached out and grabbed one of the Heaven Scrolls from the table.
"Ho ho? You want to be a one-man squad? Are you sure?"
Anko raised an eyebrow, asking Menma with an intrigued look.
"Yes, I'm sure. They will be a three-person squad, and I'll be a squad on my own."
Menma continued with absolute certainty.
These words finally woke the other three from their stupor.
Sasuke merely frowned.
Naruto, however, looked anxious and spoke immediately, "How can we do that? Menma, let's split into pairs. That would be more balanced..."
"Then tell me, how do we split into pairs?"
Menma interrupted Naruto directly, speaking bluntly.
Sakura, standing to the side, completely understood the implication in Menma's words. Her expression changed slightly.
"Uh..."
Naruto also realized it at this moment.
He glanced at Sakura, instantly choked on his words, and showed a very hesitant expression.
Naruto was simple and hot-blooded, that was true.
But it was equally obvious that in Team 7, Sakura was on a completely different level of strength from the three of them. If they split into pairs, the one with Sakura would have to bear immense pressure.
Whether they could pass the second round would truly be a big question mark.
Sakura reacted after Naruto.
Realizing she was the one dragging them down.
Sakura took a deep breath and said, "That's not appropriate, Menma. It's best if the three of you go together. I should withdraw. That is allowed, right, Proctor?"
"Oh? You want to withdraw? That is indeed allowed. I just need to ensure that each squad does not exceed three people."
Anko raised an eyebrow, looking at Sakura with surprise.
"Then..."
Although she was a bit unwilling, Sakura felt this was the best course of action. After all, this wouldn't be the only Chūnin Exam.
Sakura also felt that proactively giving up here might raise her status in the hearts of Naruto, Menma, and Sasuke.
But how could Menma allow such a thing to happen?
What he wanted was a chance to act completely alone.
So, before Sakura could get her second sentence out...
Menma interjected, "Withdrawing is the least desirable action, Sakura. Since you've come this far, you cannot give up voluntarily. One can accept failure, because failure is also motivation for growth. But giving up is the easiest, yet most foolish thing to do. The more you feel you are a burden, the more you should prove yourself. If you retreat time and time again, you will never grow. Is that what you want?"
He spoke in a very solemn and serious tone.
These words, seemingly spoken entirely from Sakura's perspective...
Stunned Sakura.
"Yeah, Sakura-chan! I think Menma makes sense. You have no reason to give up. Let's stick to what I said: split into pairs. I'll be with you, and Menma can be with Sasuke. That solves everything!"
Naruto followed up on Menma's words.