"How are we supposed to watch the match?"
Tsunade frowned at the dense canopy of the Forest of Death.
"From the sky," Kitazawa replied calmly.
"You can fly?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"I can't."
Kitazawa formed hand seals. "But this can."
A seed dropped to the ground.
The earth shuddered—and vines erupted upward, surging skyward under the force of Wood Release chakra.
It was Wood Dragon Technique, though clearly a modified version.
The massive wooden dragon coiled in midair, its barbed spine shifting and interlocking until it formed a sturdy, spiraling ladder.
"Whoa!"
Gasps rippled through the Genius Class.
Even Kakashi, Iruka, Chen, and the other instructors looked visibly impressed.
"…Is Wood Release really supposed to be used like that?"
Tsunade stared for two seconds, then muttered in disbelief.
"Ninjutsu is just a tool," Kitazawa replied matter-of-factly.
"As long as it accomplishes the goal."
"That's… certainly a novel interpretation," Hiruzen chuckled.
It wasn't traditional ninja thinking, but Hiruzen was retired—he had no intention of policing Kitazawa's creativity.
"After you."
Kitazawa gestured politely.
Hiruzen, Kakashi, and the other instructors stepped onto the wooden ladder and ascended.
Once airborne, the Wood Dragon extended its branches outward, weaving together into a broad, stable viewing platform.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what about us?"
Naruto bounced impatiently, with Ino, Hinata, and the others watching eagerly.
"You won't be watching," Kitazawa said, shaking his head.
"If you do, you'll learn the terrain in advance. That wouldn't be fair to Sasuke's group."
The Genius Class students collectively sighed in disappointment.
Missing the match—and the chance to ride the Wood Dragon—hurt more than they expected.
"Iruka will relay updates on the battle," Kitazawa added after a moment.
"Use this time to think about tactics."
"Understood," Iruka replied immediately.
"Tsunade-sensei," Kitazawa said, turning back. "Are you staying behind on purpose?"
"No."
Tsunade snorted lightly, then stepped onto the ladder and climbed up.
Kitazawa followed, and the two quickly reached the viewing platform.
From above, the Forest of Death spread out beneath them like a green ocean.
Some blind spots remained—the foliage was simply too dense—but for veterans like Hiruzen and Kakashi, it was more than sufficient.
With their sensory abilities, tracking Sasuke and the others was effortless.
"Please, have a seat."
Kitazawa unsealed several office chairs from a storage scroll.
As Tsunade sat, she suddenly asked,
"Is there a time limit? What if they just hide the entire time?"
"Two hours," Kitazawa replied.
"When time's up, the winner will be decided based on overall performance—even if the battle isn't finished."
Just like the shrinking zones in survival games from his past life—something always had to force a conclusion.
Inside the Forest of Death—Left Sector
Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Sakura reached the base of a barren hill.
The mountain had been artificially created by Earth Release.
"Our opponents are Shino's squad," Sasuke said, stopping.
"In a forest, his Kikaichū have a huge advantage."
He glanced around the bare rock face.
"This mountain has no vegetation. The moment insects approach, I'll sense them."
Kimimaro and Sakura nodded—none of this was new.
Their instructor, Kosuke, had already drilled them on every squad's strengths and weaknesses.
"Still," Sasuke continued, "we can't stay here forever."
"This place is too exposed," Sakura said seriously.
"If Shino's team surrounds us and sets traps, we'll be pinned down."
"…You're right."
Sasuke glanced at her, a hint of surprise flashing across his eyes.
Then it made sense.
Sakura consistently ranked near the top in written exams—her theoretical understanding was solid.
"Do you have a plan?"
At that, Sakura's eyes lit up.
"I have a small idea!"
Her excitement bubbled over the moment she felt Sasuke's attention.
"Let's hear it."
Sasuke nodded, giving her the floor.
"Fight fire with fire."
Sakura spoke with quiet confidence.
"Sasuke-kun creates a Shadow Clone, transforms it into Kimimaro, and keeps it here on the mountain with us. The real Kimimaro circles around from behind."
Sasuke considered it briefly.
"Shino has Kikaichū," he said. "Flanking them won't be easy."
"As long as Sasuke-kun keeps Shino busy enough to notice," Sakura replied after a pause, "the plan can work. Everything hinges on your strength."
Sasuke fell silent.
The strategy wasn't brilliant—but it fit him perfectly.
If it worked, the Captain Point would almost certainly be his.
There was a slim chance Kimimaro could steal it by wiping out Shino's squad from behind—but that risk was small.
"Kimimaro," Sasuke turned to him.
"Do you have a better plan?"
Kimimaro hesitated, then shook his head.
He wasn't a tactician.
Back in Otogakure, his life had revolved around killing and obedience—not planning.
"Time's running out. We'll execute Sakura's plan."
Sasuke formed seals and created a Shadow Clone.
The clone immediately used the Transformation Technique, taking on Kimimaro's appearance.
"To avoid detection," Sakura added quickly, "we should use long-range Ninjutsu to keep them pinned down."
She wasn't trying to steal credit—she simply wanted Sasuke to notice her.
Team battles finally gave her a chance to contribute meaningfully, instead of being ignored as usual.
"Kimimaro," Sasuke said solemnly, "be careful."
"I will."
Unlike Sakura, Kimimaro fully intended to compete for the Captain Point.
A successful flank could decide everything.
Sasuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and scanned the area.
No Kikaichū.
"Go this way," he gestured. "Don't stray too far—you might run into insects."
Kimimaro nodded and disappeared into the forest.
"For now, we wait here—openly."
Sasuke withdrew his gaze.
"Sasuke-kun… what if they never come?"
Sakura asked.
"Then we go to them," Sasuke replied coolly.
"If necessary, I'll burn them out with Fire Release."
The rules didn't forbid setting the Forest of Death ablaze.
"As expected of Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura beamed.
"That's so cool!"
Right Side of the Forest of Death
Shino crouched beside a stream.
He lowered his hand into the water.
Tiny ripples spread as his bugs dispersed downstream in every direction.
"When we scouted earlier," Shino said calmly, adjusting his glasses,
"I noticed streams branching throughout this area."
"Too bad I don't have a Ninken," Kiba Inuzuka sighed.
"With scent tracking, we could locate them easily."
"It wouldn't be that simple," Shino replied.
"If they knew you had a Ninken, they'd erase their scent."
His bees, however, were another matter—few knew they existed.
If Sasuke's squad only guarded against Kikaichū, they'd be in trouble.
"That's true." Kiba nodded, then asked, "Are you using your Kikaichū at all?"
"I deployed them the moment we entered the area."
Kiba's eyes widened.
"As expected of you—I didn't notice a thing!"
"Shino really is reliable," Choji agreed.
"Sasuke's Sharingan makes it risky for Kikaichū to follow closely," Shino continued.
"That's why I deployed the bees instead—to look for openings."
"Knowing Sasuke," Choji said after thinking, "he might come straight at us."
"But they don't have a sensor ninja," Kiba countered.
"I think they're waiting—like a hunter by a tree stump."
"If that's the case, we can surround them with Kikaichū," Choji suggested.
"That would be unwise," Shino shook his head.
"Even with initiative, we'd struggle in a direct confrontation."
"Then what?" Kiba frowned. "Just… wait?"
"Exactly. We wait," Shino replied.
"Don't forget—we all have the same two-hour limit."
He paused.
"If both sides remain still, who do you think gets impatient first?"
"Sasuke,"
Kiba and Choji answered in unison.
Despite the equal time limit, Sasuke's squad—especially Sasuke himself—would crack first.
Because more than anyone else, he needed to win.
Given their strength, Sasuke's squad absolutely had the qualifications to take first place.
Shino's team, on the other hand, felt no such obsession.
Their chances of winning outright were slim to begin with.
For them, fighting cleanly and to the best of their ability was enough.
"Battle start!"
The moment the fifteen minutes ended, Kitazawa's voice echoed across the entire arena.
"I've already deployed Kikaichū throughout the area," Shino said calmly as he rose to his feet.
"I'll detect any movement Sasuke's group makes. For now, we'll set traps and wait for them to walk into our web."
Choji and Kiba nodded in agreement.
Time ticked by.
"This isn't good… they're thinking exactly what we are."
Sasuke rubbed his temple, irritation flickering across his face.
"Then should we take the initiative?"
Sakura reminded him.
"We've only got thirty minutes left."
"…Yeah."
Sasuke stood.
"That's our only option."
If two hours passed without decisive combat, the match would be declared a draw and replayed.
Sasuke had no intention of wasting time like that.
"Should I call Kimimaro back?"
Sakura asked.
"No."
Sasuke shook his head after a brief pause.
"The plan stays the same. We draw their attention head-on, and Kimimaro flanks them."
"They're weaker than us," Sakura said as they moved.
"They'll definitely be hiding behind traps."
"I'll use Fire Release," Sasuke replied coolly.
"Wherever the Kikaichū density is highest—that's where they're hiding."
"Sasuke-kun, you're amazing!"
Sakura's eyes sparkled.
"Move."
On the opposite side of the forest, Shino suddenly stiffened.
He motioned for Choji and Kiba to gather.
"They're moving," Shino said.
"Sasuke's squad has begun advancing."
"So I guessed right!" Kiba grinned.
"Only halfway," Shino corrected.
"My bees detected another Kimimaro."
"What?!"
Kiba froze.
"Two Kimimaros? A Shadow Clone?"
"I believe the Kimimaro with Sasuke is a clone," Shino said calmly.
"The real one is attempting to flank us."
"Good thing you deployed the bees," Choji said with relief.
"Yeah," Kiba nodded seriously.
"Otherwise we'd have misjudged everything."
"So what now?" Choji asked bluntly.
"Wait for them to trigger the traps?"
"No."
Shino's eyes sharpened.
"We deal with Kimimaro first—then turn back on Sasuke and Sakura."
"Split them up and defeat them one by one?" Kiba's excitement flared.
"We might actually win!"
"You two stay here," Shino ordered.
"Use the traps to stall Sasuke's team. I'll handle Kimimaro."
"Alone?" Kiba frowned.
"The forest is the Aburame clan's domain," Shino replied evenly.
"And if you leave, the traps won't hold them."
"…Be careful."
Shino nodded.
Before leaving, he quietly released a Kikaichū clone to maintain surveillance.
Then he vanished into the forest.
Elsewhere in the Forest of Death, Kimimaro advanced swiftly—yet cautiously.
Kikaichū were troublesome, but not impossible to sense.
They carried Chakra.
So far, he'd detected none.
Relief flickered across his face—
Then the stream beneath him exploded.
Yellow-and-black bees burst upward.
"Bees?!"
Kimimaro reacted instantly.
White bone spikes erupted from his palms, skewering them mid-air.
They burst—
And sticky honey wax splattered across his limbs.
His expression darkened.
The wax was unbelievably adhesive, clinging like glue.
Worse—
He recognized it.
Shino Aburame's Honey Technique.
In the next instant, Kikaichū swarmed from every direction.
Kimimaro roared.
Cursed Seal of Earth—Stage Two!
Power surged violently through his body.
Even bound by wax, he leapt into the air.
Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Larch!
Dozens of white bone spears erupted outward, shredding insects mid-flight.
A buzzing sound echoed above.
Kimimaro looked up—More honey wax poured down like rain.
His pupils contracted.
He tried to accelerate—But the lingering wax and the Kikaichū slowed him to half speed.
The honey engulfed him completely.
His body slammed into the ground, sealed in amber-like resin.
"…My apologies."
Shino stepped out from the shadows.
Kimimaro fell silent.
There was nothing to say.
By the rules of the team battle, he'd lost the ability to resist.
He was eliminated.
Shino stepped forward and removed Kimimaro's card.
Then—
His gaze snapped toward the distance.
A towering plume of smoke rose into the sky.
"…Sasuke's Fire Release."
Without hesitation, Shino turned and sprinted back toward Choji and Kiba.
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