A dense forest loomed ahead, its tangled branches and thick canopy nearly blotting out the sun and casting an eerie gloom over everything.
After entering the Forest of Death, Minato and Kushina separated from the others. In unfamiliar surroundings, anyone could be an enemy.
The two hid among the thick foliage of a massive tree. Right now, before their eyes, a crushing battle was unfolding.
A team of three Genin had encountered a group of ten students from the Ninja Academy.
Although the students had the clear numerical advantage, within just a few minutes, all ten had their chakra marks removed—wiped clean from their foreheads and chests.
These chakra marks were applied to each participant upon entry into the exam. Removing them was simple—just shatter the mark with physical force or erase it using chakra.
Those whose marks were erased were disqualified. However, even in failure, they couldn't leave the Forest of Death immediately. They still had to survive in the wild for three days.
This method wasn't just about testing the kids' strength—it was meant to forge their resolve and force them to grow fast.
Most of the eliminated students wore expressions of frustration, but in terms of both skill and experience, they simply weren't at the same level as their opponents.
"Weak brats," one of the Genin casually remarked after easily defeating the ten. Then they turned and walked away.
Once the three Genin were gone, Minato quietly led Kushina away from their hiding spot.
There was no need to engage in unnecessary combat right now. Out of nearly three hundred participants, only ten would pass this trial.
That'd just be a waste of energy. In a place this dangerous, every drop of stamina matters if you want to make it through.
Kushina disliked this sneaky approach, though she might not think things through as thoroughly as Minato did. Still, she understood that pointless fights should be avoided.
But she couldn't shake her irritation at how those Genin mocked the academy students like they were nothing.
As they continued moving deeper into the forest, Minato noticed Kushina's displeased expression and comforted her, "We'll face those Genin eventually. For now, preserving our energy is our top priority."
Minato knew this trial was like sifting gold from sand. Those who survived until the end would certainly have real ability, but ultimately, there would be only one final spot available.
And when that time came, every fight would mean life or death.
Upon hearing his words, Kushina frowned slightly, but she fully trusted everything Minato said.
Smiling gently, Minato casually glanced around. He realized that the Anbu assigned to protect Kushina hadn't followed them into the Forest of Death.
Did the Third truly entrust Kushina's safety in the Forest of Death entirely to him?
"I hope Mikoto's holding up okay."
Kushina was a bit worried about Mikoto, who wasn't on the same team as her and Minato.
After confirming there were no potential dangers nearby, Minato replied, "I think Mikoto should already be hiding somewhere in the Forest of Death. With her strength, there's no way she'd be eliminated that easily. I believe we'll meet again in a day or two when there are fewer people left."
Mikoto's power had left both him and Kushina impressed during their last encounter with Yan Uchiha. She was absolutely formidable. Moreover, she'd trained since childhood. Facing a situation like this, she'd handle it better than they could.
Minato wasn't worried about Mikoto getting eliminated at all.
"Mm," Kushina nodded, then eagerly said, "If we see Yan Uchiha again this time, you can't stop me anymore! He's our opponent!"
Hearing this, Minato couldn't help twitching his lips slightly. Kushina had never forgotten that grievance...
Right, as the "Red-Hot Habanero," how could she easily forget an opponent who had once ignored her?
Minato also recalled his conversation with Yan Uchiha in the classroom a year ago. This time, when they met again, he probably would go straight after him.
The two continued forward through the forest, occasionally stopping, but didn't run into any trouble.
With their current abilities, if they focused on hiding, no one would be able to detect them...
It was almost lunchtime when Minato picked some wild fruits from the forest.
Since they couldn't light a fire—it would reveal their location—the only thing they could eat now was fruit.
The wild fruits were vividly red and about the size of a fist.
After walking for so long, Kushina was clearly hungry, grabbing one to eat immediately, only to be stopped by Minato first.
"What's wrong?"
Kushina asked, puzzled. Smiling slightly, Minato took one fruit and took a bite himself first.
"Wait a moment."
He swallowed hastily and said. Right now, he couldn't tell whether these fruits were poisonous or not, because his teacher Jiraiya had mentioned that the Forest of Death contained many toxic insects and fruits.
After some time passed without any discomfort, he looked at Kushina and said, "It's alright now. Eat."
Kushina blinked, then gazed at Minato with a slight shimmer in her eyes.
"Minato, thank you." Kushina said, then picked up a fruit and began eating.
Upon hearing this, Minato softly smiled. Only now did he feel his own inadequacies. If he possessed enough knowledge, he wouldn't only be able to identify whether the fruits were poisonous—he might even predict their taste instead of having to test them every time before foraging.
Although chakra could resist toxins, doing things this way was still somewhat risky.
But there was no other choice.
Rustle-rustle.
Just as the two finished eating, a strange gust suddenly blew over from one side.
[Wind Release Technique!]
Minato quickly sensed something unusual. This wasn't natural wind; it was the rapid air movement caused by a Wind Release Ninjutsu.
Swish! Swish!
Instantly alert, Kushina leaped onto a large tree behind her.
The wind reaching this place meant that a battle was definitely taking place not too far away, and one of the parties involved was using a Wind Release Technique.
It was unlikely that students from the ninja academy could master the Wind Release Technique, which indicated that at least one of the fighters was an actual ninja.
Quickly, the two masked their presence and made their way toward where the wind was coming from. Soon, they approached a clearing deep within the forest.
Before them stood several figures looking extremely battered.
Among them were actually Minato's and Kushina's former classmates.
"Rina Takeuchi... Yu Akasaka?"
...
...
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