Kaede's early submission left many of the other Genin in the Chunin Exams stunned. Heads turned, eyes wide with disbelief.
"…He passed?"
"No way! He solved all those impossible questions?!"
Some students still hadn't realized that the real point of the exam was cheating. For them, even one question was impossible to solve, and yet Kaede had already finished them all? Not even the top students could manage something that outrageous!
A few narrowed their eyes at his retreating figure.
"There's something off about that guy…"
one examinee, who had already deduced that the real objective of the test was to cheat, found it hard to believe. The Chunin hidden among them, tasked with solving the test, hadn't even finished yet, but Kaede was already done? That was beyond suspicious.
"He must've seen the exam and answers in advance… Damn it," the examinee cursed inwardly, shooting a hostile glance at Kaede.
under the scrutinizing eyes of the room, Kaede calmly walked out of the exam hall.
The moment he stepped out, he came to a stop.
Kakashi was already outside, leaning lazily against the wall with that signature cold, aloof gaze he always wore like the whole world was a stranger to him.
Kaede looked over and tilted his chin.
"What are you doing here?"
"Proctor duty," Kakashi replied, arms crossed over his chest. "I'm responsible for escorting out anyone caught cheating five times. But it seems like the examinees this time aren't doing too bad…"
Just as he said that, a voice rang out from inside the classroom:
"Candidate No. 51, disqualified!"
"…"
Kaede shrugged.
Kakashi sighed and headed inside to escort out three disqualified Genin.
As Kakashi disappeared into the building, Kaede yawned and made his way straight to the second test site for the Chunin Exams, he already knew where it was being held.
This time, instead of the infamous Forest of Death (Training Ground 44), the second exam would take place in Training Ground 31 better known as the Deathstone Cave.
From the outside, it looked stark and desolate. The entire area was fenced in with barbed wire, and vegetation was almost nonexistent. The terrain was treacherous and rugged, reminiscent of the rain-eroded landscapes of the Land of Rain. Jagged hills and craggy ridges were scattered across the field, and tunnel openings could be seen leading deep underground in all directions.
"This is a restricted zone for the Chunin Exams. No unauthorized entry."
A nearby ninja spotted Kaede and walked over, speaking in a stern tone.
Kaede glanced back at him and pulled out his examination pass. "I'm a participant. I already finished the first exam and came here early."
"Hmm…"
The ninja looked surprised, glanced at the pass, and said, "Then wait here for the proctor to arrive. No early entry allowed."
"Got it."
Kaede stepped aside and waited.
He didn't have to wait long. The first exam had ended, and over half of the sixty-some Genin had been eliminated. only about thirty remained.
Among those who passed were the three Genin from the Hidden Mist and the three from the Hidden Cloud. As elite picks from their villages, a basic exam like this was no real challenge for them.
"So this is the second exam site…"
one of the Mist Genin eyed the fenced-off cavern with a faintly eerie grin. Licking his lips, he muttered, "Tch. This place is practically made for us."
The rocky, uneven terrain was ideal for Water Style users like the Mist-nin. A single water-style jutsu in this maze of caverns could be devastating, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Even Hoshigaki Kisame cracked a smile. "Yeah… this is perfect."
"…Perfect for your graves, maybe."
A cold voice cut through the conversation.
Kisame's smile froze. The other two Hidden Mist ninja turned sharply, their gazes fierce.
The voice came from a tall, muscular man dressed in rough clothing. His skin was dark, his build intimidating, and his forehead protector marked him as a ninja of the Hidden Cloud.
"Might be your graves instead."
"Watch yourself, Cloud scum…"
The two Hidden Mist Genin glared.
The terrain suited them, but it was equally useful to Lightning Style users like the Hidden Hidden Cloud ninja. Lightning was a natural counter to water, after all. Mist-nin often came out worse in head-to-head clashes with Hidden Cloud ninja.
The three Cloud Genin clearly understood this as well. They didn't back down in the slightest, ready to throw hands if needed.
Just then—
"Quiet, all of you!"
A voice boomed across the area.
Yuhi Kurenai, proctor of the second stage of the Chunin Exams, stepped forward with a stern expression.
"Before we begin, all participants must sign this waiver," she announced. "The second exam carries the risk of serious injury… or death. If you're not willing to proceed, now's your chance to leave."
The remaining Genin exchanged glances. Anyone who had made it this far had no intention of backing out. Soon, one by one, they signed the form.
"Alright, now for the exam rules…"
Kurenai scanned the group of Genin and spoke firmly.
"There are thirty-four participants remaining, forming twelve squads, including those operating solo. Each squad will receive one of two scrolls: Heaven or Earth."
"The objective: acquire both a Heaven and an Earth scroll, and reach the central watchtower located in the middle of the Deathstone Cave within three days."
"Now, come forward to receive your scrolls."
With so few squads remaining, the distribution process was not hidden. Six teams were given the Heaven scroll, and the other six received Earth scrolls. They stood on opposite sides, exchanging wary, hostile glances.
Both the Mist and Cloud squads received Earth scrolls.
"So we got a scroll we can't use… No point taking you out."
"Heh."
The two groups exchanged cold stares before turning their attention to the teams with Heaven scrolls.
Among them, one figure stood out, and drew nearly every gaze from the opposing side.
Kaede.
Alone, with a Heaven scroll in hand.
"He really is solo…"
"Bold. He must be confident in his strength. But still… no matter how strong he is, one guy can't compare to a well-coordinated team."
More than a few eyes glinted with malice as they looked at Kaede.