Which team got a scroll was pure luck.
Unfortunately, Minato Namikaze drew a blank lot during the draw. This meant Satoru's team had to eliminate one of the participating teams to advance to the next round.
"So, I declare! The competition has begun!"
The head examiner sent teams into the Forest of Death one by one. The interval between groups was at least five minutes. Satoru's team entered later, but he didn't mind, as the exam lasted three days.
Upon entering, Yoshime immediately asked:
"We don't have a scroll; what do we do now?"
"I suppose many have already targeted us. After all, we give the impression of being weak," said Satoru.
"Those who have a scroll probably won't attack us first. It's much more likely that those without one will attack us," Minato speculated.
"Yes, but I always accept challenges. If someone attacks us, we'll definitely respond."
"Those with scrolls should head to the central tower at maximum speed. So our goal is there too."
"If someone attacks—win! If not—keep moving!" Satoru immediately shared his strategic plan.
As Satoru said, they were acting too inconspicuously. No sooner had they entered the Forest of Death than one team of ninja attacked Satoru's team.
"Ding-ding-ding!" Kunai flew around everywhere. Obviously, the enemies were hiding nearby.
Satoru's team deflected all the kunai that attacked them from hiding, after which the boy said:
"Come out; what kind of heroism is hiding?!"
The opponents didn't reveal their position, likely intending to quietly finish off Satoru that way.
But Satoru instantly spotted their positions. After all, Byakugan had x-ray vision and observation functions.
"Minato, Yoshime, their positions are at three o'clock and five o'clock," Satoru, using Byakugan, quickly located them. Since the System concealed his Byakugan, others couldn't see it.
The hiding ninja also didn't expect this brat to detect their positions. There was nothing to do; they had to come out themselves.
"Didn't expect a sensor among Konoha ninja? This truly exceeded my expectations," the speaker had some kind of filter over his mouth, and his forehead protector had several stripes. Obviously, they were ninja from the Hidden Rain Village.
"Since we've been discovered, so be it. You three, hand over the scroll, and I might let you live," said the Rain ninja.
"Oh? Not to mention whether I have a scroll, even if I did, do you really think I'd obediently hand it over?" Satoru also thought this guy was speaking without thinking.
"If so, then forward!"
The Rain ninja immediately used a clone, then genjutsu.
Using himself combined with genjutsu, he made Satoru and his teammates struggle for a while.
"These guys don't seem like ordinary enemies. We need to dispel the genjutsu as soon as possible," Minato and Yoshime deflected several incoming shuriken with kunai and said.
Satoru, unhurriedly, addressed the Rain ninja:
"Not a bad idea. Make the enemy fall under genjutsu, then physically attack using genjutsu? That way, you can indeed wear down an ordinary ninja. But this technique doesn't work on me."
"Genjutsu Reflection!" Satoru easily dispelled the opponent's genjutsu.
"How is that possible?! Our genjutsu didn't work?!" The Rain ninja were extremely surprised. This technique was always foolproof; could a child dispel it?
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!" Satoru not only dispelled the opponent's genjutsu but also "gifted" his own. Using the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, he instantly deprived the opponent of vision.
"What... can't see?! We're under genjutsu?!"
"This seems like the Second Hokage's genjutsu!" Minato Namikaze loved studying techniques and naturally recognized this move instantly.
"Minato, finish them," Satoru didn't even bother fighting these Rain ninja.
Minato's power was also growing quickly. He was already studying Hiraishin. Using his speed, dealing with a group of genin under genjutsu was a piece of cake for him. He instantly took care of these three Rain ninja.
The three Rain ninja were easily defeated by Satoru's team. However, as they expected, these three didn't have a scroll.
"What a pity," Yoshime said with some disappointment.
"No big deal; it's just the beginning. After all, there are still three days until the exam ends!" Satoru smiled slightly. There was still plenty of time; they definitely couldn't be eliminated.
After defeating the Rain ninja, the trio continued toward the central tower while staying vigilant.
After walking for about three hours, everyone was a bit tired. Satoru said:
"Let's rest a bit. After all, here you need to stay on guard constantly; such high concentration tires us out."
"Wood Release: Four Pillars House Technique!" Yoshime, being from the Senju clan, had mastered this technique.
After forming seals and using the jutsu, she immediately created a small "mansion" of wood in front of Satoru.
"Really impressive! Didn't expect you to have such a move!" Satoru and Minato praised Yoshime profusely.
"Ha, Wood Release ninjutsu," Yoshime smiled too.
"Let's set some traps and genjutsu, and I'll use a shadow clone to guard us," Satoru didn't take turns standing watch with his teammates, or the point of resting would be lost.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Satoru used a shadow clone and rested in the Mokuton-created house with his Chunin teammates for a while.
Then Satoru heard something, and his expression suddenly changed.
There was a "radio link" between the shadow clone and Satoru.
"What happened, Satoru?" both teammates asked.