Masumi and his two companions rested by the river for about ten minutes before getting up and leaving.
The five-day exam period for the second stage seemed sufficient, but in reality, it was not as ample as one might imagine.
When examinees search for other examinee teams to obtain scrolls, they are also affected by a crucial condition: if the scroll held by the defeated team is the same as their own team's scroll, it is useless.
There are 27 teams participating in the second exam, but there are only 12 Heaven Scrolls. In other words, in the most ideal scenario, only 12 teams would be able to pass the second exam, and this is without considering teams that might damage scrolls or hold multiple scrolls.
"Thump... thump... thump."
The three moved quickly along the river. As they passed a seemingly ordinary rock, a sudden change occurred!
"Bang!"
"Crash, crash..."
Two golden chains shot out from the smoke, pinning Yuuhi and his companion to a tree.
"Leaf Whirlwind."
A powerful low sweep kick harshly swept Masumi's ankle. Masumi lost his balance and fell to the side, but Yuta's right fist, wrapped in Chakra, had been waiting for a long time.
"Taijutsu: Adamantine Fist."
"Bang!"
A wave of dizziness swept through Masumi's mind, and he fainted. Yuta reached into Masumi's embrace, took out the scroll, and put it away. Then, he retracted the chains that had pinned the two: "I didn't injure any vital points on you two. Go apply for Konoha Anbu rescue. Goodbye."
Yuta, clutching the scroll, happily returned to where Nao and her companion were waiting, staring blankly at the food remnants in front of them: "You... you two!"
"What 'you'? How could I not leave some for you?" Nao pulled out a small box from behind her, which still had a few sushi pieces: "Yosei bought them at noon."
"Thank you, Yosei." The hungry Yuta took the sushi and gobbled it down, but such a small amount of sushi could only satisfy his craving; filling his stomach was completely unrealistic.
"There are also some wild fruits you can eat safely." Nao handed Yuta the wild fruits, which she had washed clean with Water Release.
After eating until he was about 60% full, Yuta stopped eating and looked at the two seriously: "Nao, Yosei, I have an impolite request, and I hope you two can agree to it."
Nao asked, "What is it?"
Yuta said, "We have already obtained the Heaven Scroll we need. Under normal circumstances, we could go directly to the central tower in the forest to complete the exam. However, I wish to search for Team 7 before that. I always have a bad premonition."
Nao rolled her Byakugan: "Is that all? It's fine."
Yosei nodded in agreement: "Since it's Yuta Brother's team, it's fine to pass the exam a little later."
Yuta thanked them, "Thank you."
Every minute spent longer in this forest increases the danger. This is very irresponsible to his teammates. If he didn't know Naruto would encounter danger, Yuta wouldn't have made such a request.
After eating, Yuta's team searched for Team 7 in the forest. However, in over four hours, besides encountering one group of enemies and obtaining a Heaven Scroll, Yuta found no clues about Team 7.
"Orochimaru should have already placed the Cursed Seal on Sasuke by this time. Then, my brother should also have the Five Elements Seal placed on him. Damn it!" Yuta pursed his lips, looking at the bright moon high in the sky.
"If I remember correctly, the three Otogakure Ninja found Team 7 the next morning. My brother and Sasuke had no combat power when they were discovered. I can't bet all hope on Lee and others' rescue."
"Ha." Nao, who had been continuously using her Byakugan, yawned, rubbing her tired eyes hard.
Turning his head to look at Yosei, who was also trying hard to stay awake, Yuta said helplessly, "Let's find a place to rest first."
"Let's still... ha... find Team 7 first." Nao said, yawning continuously.
"Forget it, you're already this sleepy." Yuta reached out and gently tapped Nao's forehead.
There were still enemies in this forest that made Yuta feel dangerous: Gaara of the Sand, and Orochimaru, whose whereabouts were unknown. Continuing to search for Naruto and the others in this state would be too irrational.
After a difficult night of rest, Yuta's team set off again to search for Team 7 in the early morning of the next day.
Time passed bit by bit, and the chance of finding Team 7 before they encountered the Otogakure Ninja became increasingly slim.
Nao activated her Byakugan to carefully scan her surroundings. If one observed closely, they could see the pain in Nao's eyes; after such a long time of using her Byakugan, Nao was close to her limit.
"Is that...?" Nao, observing several Ninja at the maximum range of her Byakugan, said excitedly, "Yuta, I found Team 7! Three enemies nearby, Ino, Lee, Shikamaru, and others are aiding Team 7."
"Thank you, Nao." Yuta twisted his right foot, forcibly changing direction: "I'll go support them first. Nao, Yosei, you two be careful and guard against any potential enemies."
With that, accompanied by a burst of Chakra, Yuta's movement speed more than doubled.
In front of a cave somewhere in the Death Forest.
Neji stood on a tree, looking at the unconscious Lee below, then turned and said angrily to Dosu Kinuta, "Do you think you're amazing just because you bully a few weaklings?"
Dosu Kinuta looked up disdainfully: "Kid, do you think you alone can make any difference?"
"Heh." Neji scoffed, activated his Byakugan, and prepared to join the battle.
"A Hyuga Clan brat, I need to be cautious." Dosu Kinuta channeled Chakra to his hands, wanting to find an opportunity to defeat him in one blow, otherwise, it would be very troublesome later.
"Is that..." Neji narrowed his eyes, looking directly behind Dosu Kinuta, then chuckled and deactivated his Byakugan.
"Turned off his Byakugan? Finally gave up struggling and waiting to die?" Dosu Kinuta didn't miss any opportunity to mock.
"Waiting to die? No, solving you guys no longer requires me." Neji looked at the three with pity; a certain Ninja, called the Nine-Tailed Brother by the villagers, seemed very angry right now.
"What did you say?" Dosu Kinuta looked at Neji, puzzled, but Neji no longer needed to answer that question. An angry roar, like a thunderclap, rang out.
"You! Are! Dead!"
Yuta, enveloped in terrifying red Chakra, descended from the sky. To rush, Yuta had even borrowed Nine-Tails Chakra. Three translucent tails stood tall, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Crash, crash..."
The golden chains were covered in red Chakra, adding an eerie touch to what should have been dazzling chains.
"I need to avoid that thing."
Having learned his lesson once, Dosu Kinuta quickly dodged to the side. Once entangled by the chains, he would instantly lose his combat ability.
"Heh." Yuta scoffed, moving at five times his usual maximum speed to get behind Dosu Kinuta, then fiercely punched his right fist towards the heart.
"Pfft."
"Drip... drip..."
Yuta withdrew his blood-soaked right hand and kicked Dosu Kinuta, whose chest had a large hole, to the side.
Turning his head to look at Zaku Abumi and his companion, who were stunned in place, Yuta gave a cruel smile: "It's your turn now."
"Run... run!" Zaku Abumi roared and ran towards the nearby forest. In Zaku Abumi's eyes, Yuta at that moment was like a demon!