Chapter 322 Kana: Save me!
Chapter 322 Kana: Save me!
The second test in the Death Forest is now in its final countdown.
Those genin who had struggled through the forest, encountering all sorts of monster puppets and venomous beasts, were now gathering from all directions toward the tower in the center of the forest, exhausted and wary.
However, the area around the tower is far more dangerous than the depths of the forest.
A strong sense of impending doom permeated the air here, and countless bloodshot eyes lurked in the dense tree canopy and waist-high grass.
This is the so-called "Owl Strategy".
Some teams wandered in the forest for three days without even finding a trace of the bracelet.
Some teams may have bracelets, but they don't have all the required attributes.
Instead of wandering aimlessly through the forest like a headless fly, it's better to wait at the finish line and rob those exhausted low-ranking ninjas who are returning laden with loot.
On a thick, ancient tree, three genin clung to the trunk like geckos, peering intently through the gaps in the leaves at a path leading to the tower.
"Boss, we've been squatting here for ages, how much longer are we going to have to wait?" A genin lowered his voice, rubbing his arm which was covered in mosquito bites, his tone full of impatience.
"Shut up, what do you know? You can't even wait this long, what great things can you possibly accomplish!"
The genin, addressed as "boss," sneered, holding a small notebook filled with various intelligence notes.
This is the information they collected over the past three days on the powerful figures in various villages, risking their lives (mainly by spying from a distance).
"Listen up, our targets now are those lone individuals or weak teams that seem easy to bully. Don't mess with the tough ones."
The eldest brother opened the notebook, pointed to the few simple drawings inside, and solemnly instructed:
"First, if we encounter any Konoha genin wearing green bodysuits, we should just go around them. Those four green-skinned monsters can even dismantle puppets that can withstand B-rank ninjutsu with their bare hands. If they target us, we won't even know how we died!"
"Secondly, that Uchiha brat whose eyes turn red—absolutely do not touch him! That guy can summon a demonic arm; one punch from him can turn someone into mincemeat!"
"Third, that big black guy in sunglasses who raps in Kumogakure, and that kid in Kirigakure carrying a big sword, are also extremely dangerous individuals. If you see them, immediately lie down and play dead, understand?"
The other two genin nodded repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down their backs.
In these three days, they witnessed firsthand what it meant for gods to fight and mortals to suffer.
"So who are we supposed to rob?" a genin asked, looking aggrieved. "We don't dare mess with the strong ones, and the weak ones have probably already been taken by others."
"Idiot! Konoha has so many genin, are they all monsters?"
"Konoha hosted this exam, so they must have sent a lot of low-ranking ninja just to make up the numbers. Those who are unknown and look young are our targets. If we can steal their bracelets, we can pass smoothly!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a rustling sound of footsteps suddenly came from the grass below.
"Someone's coming!"
The three genin immediately held their breath and gripped their kunai tightly.
Through the gaps in the leaves, they saw three figures walking along the path, chatting and laughing.
Leading the way was a little girl with bright red hair tied in pigtails, who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old. She was skipping along, humming an unknown, off-key song.
Following behind her was a black-haired girl of similar age, looking helplessly at the red-haired girl in front of her.
Behind them was a red-haired boy carrying a huge scroll, walking with his hands in his pockets and an expressionless face, as if everything around him was irrelevant.
"Boss...the target has been spotted!"
A genin lowered his voice, his tone revealing barely suppressed excitement.
"Two little girls, plus a frail-looking boy who didn't even bother to put on his headband properly."
The eldest brother carefully examined the three of them, then flipped through the small notebook in his hand.
"No green bodysuit, no Sharingan, and no exaggeratedly large sword. That guy with the back scroll looks a bit strange, but he doesn't have that dangerous chakra fluctuation."
"Confirmed, it's an easy target from Konoha!"
A glint of greedy malice flashed in the leader's eyes.
"Attack! Finish this quickly!"
……
on the trail.
Kana was tossing a wild fruit she'd picked up from somewhere in her hand, in a very good mood.
"Shizune, do you think Kushina will praise us for being amazing when we get out? We not only got the completion bracelet, but we also brought back so many points!"
Chanel said smugly, completely forgetting how she had been terrified of King Kong and fled in terror.
After successfully paralyzing King Kong with a sealing technique and obtaining the spoils, Kanae's confidence had swelled to an unprecedented level.
She now believes that she is the strongest new generation in Konoha, and that all poisonous insects, ferocious beasts, and geniuses from other villages are nothing but trash in her eyes.
"Kana, it's better to be careful. We're very close to the tower now, and the closer we get to the end, the easier it is to encounter an ambush." Shizune held Tun Tun and looked warily at the dense forest around them.
"Don't worry, don't worry~ I'm here, what are you afraid of!"
Chanel patted her flat chest and pointed confidently at the scorpion behind her.
"Besides, Brother Scorpion is here. Brother Scorpion, if we encounter any bad guys later, you can just stand by and watch. You don't need to lift a finger! This big sister will protect you!"
Scorpion, who had been silently following behind, rolled his usually expressionless eyes slightly upon hearing this.
He never intended to deal with these two girls; if they hadn't stubbornly followed him, he would have finished the game long ago.
"Whatever you want," Scorpion coldly uttered.
"Hehe, it's settled then!"
As soon as Chanel finished speaking...
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three whooshing sounds suddenly came from the treetops above, and three shuriken, arranged in a triangular shape, were aimed directly at Kana's face.
"Watch out!" Shizune exclaimed.
"Hmph, a mere trick!"
Instead of panicking, a glint of excitement flashed in Chanel's eyes.
"Finally, some work!"
She slipped and dodged the shuriken with incredible agility, then quickly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Chaos Waves!"
A powerful jet of water spurted from her mouth, forcing the three genin who had jumped down from the tree to retreat.
"Wow, this little girl is quick-witted."
The leader of the genin steadied himself, looked at Kana, and sneered, "But you think you can stop us with your water-style techniques? Hand over the bracelet obediently, or you'll suffer some physical pain!"
"Trying to steal our bracelets? We'll see if you can manage it!"
Kana stood with her hands on her hips, completely disregarding the three genin.
"Shizune, step back! Scorpion, you stand further away too! These guys are mine now. I'll show you the true power of Uzumaki Kana!"
Seeing Kana's overconfident, even arrogant, demeanor, the three genin were all stunned for a moment.
"This kid from Konoha... is he out of his mind?" a genin muttered under his breath.
"Regardless of whether she has any problems or not, let's all attack together and finish this quickly!"
At the leader's command, the three men surrounded Kana in a fan shape, their kunai gleaming coldly.
"Well done!"
With a loud shout, Chanel charged towards the three of them.
Initially, thanks to the Uzumaki clan's vast chakra reserves and some basic taijutsu she learned from Kushina, Kana was able to hold her own against the three genin.
It was a truly evenly matched battle.
Kana repelled a low-ranking ninja who tried to approach: "Hehe, how about that? Now you know how powerful this big sister is!"
However, the difference in combat experience quickly became apparent.
Although these three genin were not very strong, they cooperated extremely well.
They quickly saw through Chanel's weakness—she only knew how to charge recklessly and lacked practical adaptability and defensive awareness.
"Second brother, block her left side! Third brother, prepare the earth trap!" The eldest brother immediately changed tactics.
Under the combined attack of the three, Kana's movements began to become chaotic.
He almost stepped on an explosive tag hidden in the grass, and his arrogant attitude was instantly suppressed.
"Hey! You guys are shameless! Three against one!"
Kana frantically dodged the attacks while protesting loudly, but all she got in return was an even fiercer offensive from the genin.
"All's fair in war, little girl, go back to school and retake your course!"
The leader seized the opportunity and delivered a flying kick to Kana's abdomen.
However, Kana smiled. She had only feigned weakness to the enemy, and when the boss got close, she gathered her chakra in her hand.
"Boom!"
The eldest brother was sent flying like a kite with a broken string.
"What kind of superhuman strength is this?" The other two genin were also startled by this sudden power.
In that instant, Kana lunged forward, sending two genin flying.
At this moment, the roles of offense and defense have reversed!
"Hmph~ Hand over your bracelets, and I, Boss Chanel, promise not to make things difficult for you!"
Chanel clapped her hands and walked arrogantly in front of the group.
"Stop hiding, everyone attack together!" The leader felt embarrassed lying on the ground, so he called for reinforcements.
Whoosh whoosh.
Four genin emerged from the nearby woods; they were also with this group.
Seven against one!
Chanel looked at the grinning group of people and felt completely overwhelmed.
"It's over...it's really going to turn me into a meat patty this time..."
She thought she was invincible, but reality gave her a resounding slap in the face so quickly.
"Damn it... I've defeated a giant monster before..." Kana muttered stubbornly, but her body betrayed her by shrinking back.
"Little girl, admit defeat and hand over the bracelet." The leader stood up, raised his kunai, and walked towards Kana.
Kana turned her head and looked pitifully at Scorpion, who stood not far away with his hands in his pockets, expressionless like a spectator.
"Um... Brother Scorpion..."
Chanel sniffed, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"I take back what I just said... Quick, help me beat them up!!!"
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