I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

After entering the forest, the Kumogakure team walked into the dense woods but didn’t venture too deep. They stopped at a distance that couldn’t be observed from the outside.

”Kenjin, let’s wait for them here. Those Konoha kids are way over their head; we must show them how cruel Shinobi world can be,” the tall and thin Kumogakure Genin said menacingly.

Kenjin looked around and nodded and said, ”Alright, let’s stay here. Those Konoha kids will surely pay the price.”

They certainly couldn’t handle Nagasawawa, but a few kids wouldn’t be a problem for them!

Kenjin didn’t care even if Kabuto and Itachi were geniuses. He had been hailed as a genius himself!

”It seems like this second stage is quite simple. If they happen to have the Scroll of Heaven, we’re halfway to success,” the brown-haired Kumogakure Genin said with a smile.

They were given the Scroll of Earth. Obtaining a Scroll of Heaven would allow them to proceed directly to the central tower.

”Even after we collect the other scroll, don’t head straight to the central tower. Try to collect various Tags in this forest, especially the Spirit Steel Tag; we must seize one,” Kenjin said in a deep voice.

Although he wasn’t a smart Shinobi, as a Shinobi, he could feel the importance of those Tags. He wanted to collect them and hand them over to the Raikage for their village to analyse after the Chunin Exams.

So, Kenjin planned to collect the scroll first and then spend the remaining time searching for various Tags. He would only go to the central tower when this stage about to end. After all, the tower wouldn’t run away.

”Yeah, the village should be very interested in those Tags,” the tall and thin Kumogakure nodded.

While they said they were ambushing Kabuto and the others, the three Kumogakure ninjas didn’t specifically set up any traps. They simply hid themselves, preparing to ambush.

First of all, they weren’t skilled at setting traps. On top of that, they were confident in their strength, thinking that ambushing them like this was more than enough for the likes of Kabuto his team.

Fifteen minutes weren’t long. After hiding for a bit, Kabuto’s figure quickly entered Kumogakure Team’s field of vision.

Kabuto and his team didn’t seem on alert at all. In Kumogakure Team’s eyes, Kabuto appeared to be chatting instead of cautiously looking around.

”Kids are just kids at the end of the day. Even if they’re a little talented, they are too soft,” Kenjin thought coldly.

Without a loud yell to alert the opponents, the three Kumogakure Genin instantly rushed towards Kabuto’s Team when they approached.

Kumogakure Team’s ambush didn’t surprise Kabuto. Their malicious intent was too obvious, like ink dots on a white paper. He had noticed it the moment he entered the forest.

The ”chatting” that Kenjin saw earlier was actually Kabuto informing Itachi and Isamu Uchiha about the Kumogakure Team’s positions.

”The biggest tree on the right has the strongest presence; that should be the muscular guy. The first tree on its left has the weakest aura; that should be the brown-haired one...”

So, before the Kumogakure Team made a move, Kabuto had already devised his plan.

The moment the Kumogakure Team rushed toward them, Itachi immediately threw two Shurikens he concealed in his hands towards Kenjin, while Isamu Uchiha swiftly unsheathed the sword at his waist! His breathing rhythm changed, and the air he slowly exhaled carried a hint of heat.

Kabuto swiftly made hand seals, unleashing the classic Wind Release.

”Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!”

A two-meter-high whirlwind erupted from Kabuto’s mouth, blowing away the approaching brown-haired Kumogakure ninja and slamming him into a tree.

Swish, swish!

The two Shuriken Itachi threw earlier came from a tricky angle. Even though Kenjin did his best to dodge, the Shuriken collided against the tree, and one of them grazed his cheek, leaving a trail of blood.

”You little...,” Kenjin touched his face and could feel the blood fripping.

Watching the seemingly enraged Kenjin, Itachi’s expression remained unchanged. He took advantage of this opportunity and quickly made hand seals.

Having been hurt by someone he looked down, especially on the face, enraged Kenjin.

”Lightning Thrust!” Kenjin roared, and bright lights made of lightning instantly covered his arm and leg.

In the next instant, Kenjin disappeared and reappeared next to Itachi at a speed ordinary people couldn’t see.

”Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun.” Facing the Kumogakure Shinobi that came from above the tree, Isamu Uchiha decisively utilized Flame Breathing Second Form as it was upward slash!

Perhaps because this was the first battle, after Kabuto and the Kumogakure Team clashed, the screen no longer showed a nine-grid display. Instead, the entire screen displayed the battle between Kabuto’s Team and the Kumogakure Team.

Seeing that they were Kumogakure and Konoha’s Genin, Rasa shook his head. If only his Sunagakure’s Team were there. Unfortunately, from what he saw on the screen earlier, it seemed that the Sunagakure Team were quite cautious. They immediately searched for Tags to enhance their strength upon entering the Forest of Death.

”It’s that kid Kenjin. I recall that he’s quite skilled, but his opponent seems too young. Are you Konoha Shinobi graduating so early nowadays? You should nurture them for a few more years.” Seeing his Kumogakure Team ambushing Konoha Team, Raikage grinned briefly before asking Minato.

While it seemed like a question on the surface, there was an underlying tone suggesting, ”Is Konoha running out of capable Shinobi?”

Nagasawa felt that the Fourth Raikage was probably asking for trouble again.

Minato’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled faintly, ”Raikage-sama, please don’t judge a book by its cover. Those two are both Konoha’s prodigies, having passed the early graduation assessment at the Academy. One of them is the disciple of Lord Third, and the other is a disciple of Nagasawa.”

”The disciple of the Third Hokage and Nagasawa...” Raikage’s face showed a hint of surprise. It sounded like they were no ordinary Genin; he hoped his Genin wouldn’t mess up.

Raikage shook his head. Kenjin was one of the strongest Genin he brought from Kumogakure, and it was impossible for him to lose against those two kids.

It would be really embarrassing if Kenjin and his team lost to two kids.

”My Genin can’t possibly lose to such young Konoha Genin,” Raikage turned his attention back on the large screen, watching the battle unfold.

”Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”

Right when Kenjin thought he was close enough to attack Itachi before Itachi could complete his hand seals, Itachi’s hand seal speed exceeded Kenjin’s expectations. A massive fireball was spewed out from Itachi’s mouth and Kenjin took the brunt of the impact head-on.

Boom, boom!

The tremendous force of the fireball sent Kenjin flying, and it eventually exploded, engulfing Kenjin in scorching flames.

The tall and thin Kumogakure Genin didn’t expect that Kabuto and his team were already prepared. He himself was completely overpowered by Isamu Uchiha’s fiery strike because he let his guard down. His right arm was severed by the impact, and he crashed to the ground like a broken puppet.

The brown-haired Kumogakure Genin who had hit the tree also couldn’t escape unscathed. He was knocked out after being struck by Kabuto’s Ninjutsu combination.

After searching for a while, Kabuto found a Scroll of Earth on Kenjin.

”Looks like luck isn’t on our side.” Kabuto sighed. The scroll they had was also the Scroll of Earth, meaning their opponent’s scroll was useless for them.

”Let’s go find some Tags. I have an idea.” Itachi thought for a moment and said.

”Okay.” Kabuto nodded. He also planned to search for Tags.

Tags were the unique feature of the Forest of Death this time. Using a Tag against the opponent could yield surprising results.

”Fourth Raikage, it seems our prodigies surpass your expectations,” Nagasawa said mockingly.

When he saw Kenjin’s Team and Kabuto’s teams fought, he knew that the Kenjin’s Team would likely fail.

Kabuto himself was a genius, coupled with the careful guidance from him and the Third Hokage; his strength far surpassed everyone’s expectation.

Color of Observation Haki, Water Breathing, Water Release Techniques, and the Combination Ninjutsu from the Third Hokage.

Originally, Nagasawa thought that he had been bullying the Kumogakure quite a bit recently, and it was time to give them a break. However, the Fourth Raikage was still trying to pick a fight with him, so he might as well continue tormenting him.

Raikage’s face turned grim and he didn’t say a word.

He felt like he shouldn’t have come here and shouldn’t have taken this position.

Onoki looked at the kids on the big screen enviously. Those two were at most seven or eight years old, yet they were that skilled already. The fight might have been brief, but someone of Onoki’s level could tell how strong Kabuto and Itachi truly was, and he could say for sure that their future seemed promising.

”Kabuto is indeed a remarkable child, with potential surpassing even the Sannin,” the Third Hokage said while stroking his beard with a smile.

Hearing the Third Hokage’s words, Onoki felt even more disheartened. It wouldn’t hurt to give talented kids like them to Iwagakure. He wouldn’t ask that many, just two would be fine.

”Kurotsuchi, once you start training, you must practice diligently. There’s no slacking off, alright?” Onoki suddenly said to Kurotsuchi.

”Yes, Grandpa. I will definitely do better than them.” Although he didn’t know why his grandfather mentioned training, Kurotsuchi confidently and enthusiastically responded. After saying that, he swung her little fists a couple of times.

After the battle between Kabuto’s Team and Kenji’s Team ended, the focus shifted away from them. The screen returned to a nine-grid display, occasionally giving close-ups during other Genin’s battles.

However, on the first day, everyone was more focused on finding Tags rather than engage in unnecessary fights. In their search for Tags, they even transformed into locusts, so that there was no stone left unturned.

What was supposed to be a Battle Royale turned into a treasure hunt, especially for those who found Medical Tags. Some of them were so excited that they nearly attempted to inflict wound on themselves to test the Tags’ effects, but thankfully, their teammates intervened to prevent such foolish acts.

However, as the clock struck midnight, some participants, fixated on searching for Tags in their surroundings, noticed a peculiar phenomenon. At the edge of the Forest of Death, a faint red light screen was slowly advancing.

”What is that thing? A barrier?” someone speculated.

”Regardless of what it is, it’s probably best not to touch that thing,” someone suddenly recalled Orochimaru’s warning.

Orochimaru had advised them before the exam started not to stay in one place for too long, as something undesirable might happen.

So, those who camped on the outer part of the forest began to delve deeper, just in case Orochimaru’s ominous warning was right.

Late at night, the large screen continued broadcasting scenes from the Forest of Death, but there weren’t many viewers. Most people were resting, and there wasn’t much to see late at night. The participants were also resting anyway.

The next morning, many people gathered at the venue to watch the live broadcast. Most of them had nothing better to do; most of them were wealthy businessmen, honorary guests who came to Konoha to watch the matches or other village’s Shinobi who happened to have nothing to do.

Much to Nagasawa’s surprise, the Kage seemed more enthusiastic than Minato and himself. The three Kage were already watching the live broadcast by the time Nagasawa and Minato arrived.

Starting from the second day, the number of battles among the participants began to skyrocket. Many teams intended to use the Tags they found on the first day to defeat other teams and collected both scrolls so that they could focus on finding more Tags without worrying about failing the exam.

There were confrontations between various ninja villages. Although usually Shinobi from minor villages were not as powerful as those from Great Shinobi Countries, only those skilled enough were sent to participate in the Chunin Exams. So, some minor village Genin still emerged victorious occasionally when facing some average team from Great Shinobi Countries.

”As expected of the Fourth Kazekage. All of Sunagakure Genin in this Chunin Exams seem to be performing exceptionally well. At this rate, I believe the Sunagakure will prosper under your leadership,” commented Onoki as he watched the impressive performances of many Sunagakure on the live broadcast.

”You’re exaggerating, Third Tsuchikage. Compared to Iwagakure, we still have a long way to go,” Rasa replied modestly while cursing the sly Onoki for being so pretentious. Praising Sunagakure here in Konoha was practically telling Konoha to be wary of Sunagakure.

Rasa wasn’t foolish. He wasn’t the type to let praise get to his head, so he immediately returned the compliment.

He carefully handpicked those Genin to make Sunagakure famous, so it wasn’t surprising that they performed well.

”Ahaha, you’re joking, right, Fourth Kazekage? Iwagakure doesn’t perform as well as Sunagakure,” Onoki smiled as he stated the fact.

Iwagakure’s performance in the Chunin Exams was indeed mediocre.

”Everyone knows that Iwagakure is cunning. They might be plotting something big right now,” Rasa said jokingly, but his words had another meaning behind it.

Iwagakure was known for their cunning strategies, and Third Tsuchikage was especially sly, much like his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage.

”Hehe,” Onoki didn’t take it as an offense. He just smiled and remained silent.

While the two Kage bantered, the Fourth Raikage couldn’t restrain himself. His father, the Third Raikage, died during the war with Iwagakure. Even though he died in battle, the Fourth Raikage believed it was all because of Iwagakure’s scheme.

Under normal circumstances, a situation of one versus ten thousand wouldn’t happen, right? If his father had brought three thousand elite Kumogakure Shinobi, the outcome would have been completely different.

However, with Nagasawa present, the Fourth Raikage didn’t dare make any moves and could only snort in dissatisfaction before turning his attention back to the big screen.

The exciting moment was approaching. The wooden boxes containing Summon Steel Tags had been released. The boxes were marked with conspicuous red smoke, perhaps to attract teams to fight over it, and the smoke indeed drew a lot of attention, and the battle for the Summon Steel Tag began!