Chapter 209 The Forest of Death, The End
Sunlight shone on the ground, and the once dark Death Forest, which had been tragically destroyed in the battle between Hashirama and Orochimaru, was now bathed in sunlight for the first time in years.
The originally damp land became unusually warm under the sunlight.
"Today is the last day. We can head towards the central tower now."
Naruto covered his eyes, looked at the sun in the sky, and said lazily.
"Let's go, if we finish early we can go home and rest."
Shikamaru squinted and looked around. Great, this area can be turned into a tourist attraction from now on, and there's this thing called a Ferris wheel.
If you promote it using the gimmick of promoting romance, and then build a large amusement park around it with shopping stores, it's highly likely to become a hit in the ninja world.
If someone starts dating, people around them will definitely ask if you brought your belongings to the Ferris wheel in Konoha.
If you don't go, then your relationship is incomplete.
In this way, Konoha's GDP will definitely increase several times over.
After all, apart from ninjas, the world is mostly made up of ordinary people, and most of the material foundation is created by ordinary people.
However... Shikamaru glanced at the still dark forest in the distance and sighed softly.
This is the Forest of Death; it's not easy for ordinary people to get in.
Forget it, I'm not an official, and I don't need to think about Konoha's future.
"Yes, let's go. I'm really curious about what's inside this scroll."
Ino nodded and said.
The group of ten set off in a grand procession toward the central tower.
"At this time, there will definitely be people waiting near the tower to steal the scroll."
On the way, Sasuke said to Naruto.
Then he was stared at by the other nine people in the group.
"It's okay, who knows who will snatch it from whom in the end."
Karin said to Sasuke, "You know, not every ninja village can be like Konoha. Right now, there are still four ninja teams active in the Forest of Death."
"Besides, with Hinata-nee here, we'll definitely spot each other before they do."
Sasuke nodded, seemingly agreeing. He realized he was still a bit nervous because of Orochimaru.
The nine people walked down seemingly chatting, but they were actually just chatting. However, they all kept a little attention to their surroundings, since no one was sure if Orochimaru would suddenly pop out of the ground.
After walking for about half an hour, Hinata stopped and pointed to the ground ahead.
"There was a hole there, but it was covered with leaves."
Shikamaru thoughtfully observed his surroundings, then pointed in one direction.
"That should be the best ambush location. If it's just a simple hole in the ground, it doesn't meet the level of the students who have survived to this point."
so....
Shikamaru pulled a kunai from his waist and shot it at the open space.
With a thud, almost the instant the kunai pierced the leaves covering the surface, a wooden pillar flew over from the side, detached from the rope connecting it to the pit, and slammed down hard.
Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply; this wooden pillar was aimed at killing someone as it crashed down.
"Hiss~"
Kiba and Ino both let out a terrified hiss. Who was behind this? How could they be so ruthless?
Is there anyone around?
When Shikamaru asked Hinata, he was actually also asking Karin and Naruto.
"Mmm, no."
Hinata nodded, while also looking at the wooden pillar. Logically, she should be able to bounce off it easily, but what if Karin accidentally fell down and didn't react in time...?
"It seems to have been set up simply to sabotage other teams."
This kind of trap, where no one is around and it's designed to kill instantly, isn't meant to steal someone else's scroll; it's meant to kill the enemy outright.
If teammates are nearby, they might be able to save him. But if he's alone, even if he's not crushed into a pulp, he'll be maimed and eventually die inside.
"Be careful from now on, we'll have to trouble Hinata again."
Hinata nodded, focused her attention, and carefully searched the details around her to avoid falling into a trap.
Once such a trap is set to annihilate the opponent, there will definitely be many more.
Since it involves taking lives, we should go all the way.
Next, Naruto and his group destroyed about a dozen traps before finally encountering a small team.
"Wait, what's going on with you guys?!"
The small team hiding in the shadows was spotted by several sensory ninjas from the Konoha brigade, and then they walked out dejectedly.
It's from an unknown ninja village, definitely not one of the five great ninja villages.
One of them had a bandage wrapped around his arm, and it looked like he was injured.
"Huh? We just came together, and we already have scrolls."
Karin came out, squinting at the three people in front of her, seemingly lost in thought.
"We admit defeat, can you please let us off the hook?"
The leading ninja decisively put down his kunai. How could he fight like this? Do we still have the advantage in a three-on-ten battle?
"Did you set these traps?"
Shikamaru sized up his opponent and sensed that he had some strength, but not much.
"No, we also accidentally fell into Sima's trap."
The team leader shook his head decisively, then pointed to his teammate whose arm was wrapped in bandages and said indignantly.
This is truly outrageous; this Chunin Exams...
First, there were the rubbish questions on the written test. If they hadn't been smart enough to realize that the question was actually about gathering intelligence, they might have been eliminated in the first round.
Then came the second round of the Death Forest, where I even signed a death waiver. After struggling for so long, I planned to wait for the rabbit to run into my trap, but before I could succeed, I was caught in a trap.
Then another team of ten people arrived. You have ten people?
Forget it, let whoever wants to take the exam take it; I'm going to give up.
That's what the team leader thought anyway.
"Okay, then please go a little further away."
Seeing that the man didn't seem to be lying, Shikamaru simply told them to move aside.
"Seriously, if I ever find out who's so evil, I'll definitely beat them to a pulp!"
Naruto said angrily.
"Alright, if you have time to do this kind of thing, you've probably already entered the central tower, and you'll encounter it in the upcoming exams."
Shikamaru reassured Naruto. By this time, the other team had already gone far away with their belongings, and they could continue on their way.
"Ouch."
Naruto nodded, and as time passed, the group arrived at this building.
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End of this chapter...