In this ranking-based confrontation, individual strength was deliberately reduced to its lowest point. Victory in the second stage of the Chunin Exams depended entirely on cooperation. Only by protecting one's own large flag while capturing as many small flags as possible from other Genin camps could a village secure advancement as a group.
From the current situation alone, Konoha and Kumogakure clearly held the top two positions. The reason was simple. They possessed the largest number of Genin among all participating villages.
However, geography told a different story.
Konoha's camp was positioned at the very center of the training ground, making it significantly less defensible than Kumogakure's location.
Some of the more perceptive Genin had already noticed something unusual. The thirteen camps, divided according to hidden villages, mirrored the distribution of nations across the Ninja World.
In other words, this was no ordinary second-stage examination.
It was a compressed simulation of a Ninja World War.
The difference was that every village's military strength had been reduced to the Genin level.
It was unclear how many participants recognized this truth, but once Minato Namikaze realized it, the information spread rapidly among the Konoha Genin.
Most of the Ninjas present had experienced the Second Great Ninja War firsthand. Only a handful, such as Kushina Uzumaki and Might Duy, lacked real battlefield experience.
One fact was beyond dispute. This was not a competition between small squads. It was a large-scale team operation, and intelligence had to be shared without reservation.
With the absence of the most outstanding Uchiha of this generation, Uchiha Hayashi, and the sharp-minded Shikaku Nara, Minato naturally became the acting commander.
There were a few dissatisfied voices, but with the open support of major clan members such as Nawaki Senju and Uchiha Mikoto, any opposition was quickly silenced.
After an entire day passed, Minato was still organizing intelligence and memorizing the terrain map when Aburame Shibi approached.
Hearing footsteps, Minato looked up.
"How is the situation now?"
As a member of the Aburame Clan, Shibi's reconnaissance abilities were unmatched. Thanks to him, Konoha had already gathered information on several enemy camps.
"We've confirmed the camp locations of Kusagakure and Amegakure," Shibi reported. "The movements of the remaining small villages are still unclear."
Minato nodded.
Given that the camps mirrored the real-world layout of nations, the smaller villages were scattered between the great powers. Remaining passive was not an option. Since final rankings depended on flag count, every village would eventually need to take the initiative.
However, attacking blindly would be foolish.
Once battle began, injuries and eliminations were inevitable. The Genin of the Five Great Nations were far stronger than those of minor villages. A direct clash at the start would only lead to unnecessary losses.
Targeting weaker villages first was the logical choice.
"What about Sunagakure?" Minato asked after a moment of thought.
Before the exams began, Konoha had gathered detailed intelligence on every village. Among them, Rasa of Sunagakure, wielder of Magnet Release, was undoubtedly the greatest threat.
"They're actively scouting as well," Shibi replied. "But due to a lack of reconnaissance specialists, their progress is slow. Their numbers are limited, so they've split into two squads."
"What's their formation?"
"Rasa is operating alone and has moved north. Another group of six has headed east. The remaining Genin are guarding their main camp."
Minato nodded thoughtfully.
"A cautious setup. With this arrangement, their base is nearly impossible to raid."
After a brief pause, Minato asked Nawaki to gather everyone.
Half an hour later, all Konoha Genin assembled.
"Thanks to Shibi's efforts," Minato began, "we've identified two minor village camps and confirmed Sunagakure's movements."
He distributed the compiled intelligence.
"We have numerical superiority, so I propose splitting into two units. Mikoto and Nawaki will lead the first team to probe Amegakure. I'll lead the second team to attack Kusagakure. The remaining Genin will stay behind to guard our camp, with Inoichi in command."
No one objected.
With the plan decided, Minato handed the map to Mikoto. He had already memorized it, so he no longer needed it himself.
At the camp entrance, the two teams exchanged brief farewells before heading off in separate directions.
This training ground was far smaller than the Forest of Death. Moving at full speed, Minato's six-person team reached their destination quickly.
"This… is horrific."
The Kusagakure camp was engulfed in scorched earth and lingering heat. The remains of Earth Release techniques littered the ground, along with crushed limbs and shattered Kusagakure headbands.
Aburame Shibi released his insects and surveyed the area.
"There are traces of extensive Earth Release Ninjutsu."
"It must have been Iwagakure," Minato said after a moment. "During the war, Kusagakure sided with Kumogakure. That likely made them a target."
This was still an exam. Such ruthless attacks would not occur without history behind them.
"Can you track the Iwa Genin?" Minato asked.
After a short pause, Shibi nodded.
"They moved southeast."
"Southeast…" Minato crouched and reconstructed the camp layout from memory. "That leads toward Kumogakure."
"Are they planning to attack Kumo?" Kushina asked.
Minato shook his head.
"Unlikely. Kumogakure has the second-largest force. Iwa wouldn't attack them after already fighting. That leaves only one explanation. Some Kusa Genin survived and fled in that direction."
"What should we do?" Shibi asked.
"Intercept," Minato replied without hesitation.
"But wouldn't that force us into conflict with Iwa early?"
"Iwagakure lacks numbers," Minato said calmly. "If you were outnumbered and encountered fresh Konoha Genin, would you fight head-on?"
Shibi answered immediately.
"No. I'd withdraw."
Minato smiled faintly.
"Still, I wouldn't mind if they chose to fight. I trust our strength."
Meanwhile, three Kusagakure Genin were hiding in tall grass, panic written across their faces.
"There they are!"
"Don't let them escape!"
The moment the shouts reached them, all three bolted forward. Behind them, five Iwagakure Genin pursued relentlessly, hurling kunai and shuriken without restraint.
The air filled with sharp impacts as weapons embedded themselves into trees and stone. The trio did not dare look back.
Suddenly, the barrage stopped.
"Don't slow down," said a young man in his twenties. "They're preparing something stronger."
His warning proved accurate. Exploding tags followed, detonating in rapid succession. The shockwaves battered their backs and slowed their escape.
"Iwaki, this can't continue!" another Genin shouted. "Someone has to stay behind!"
Iwaki's eyes turned cold as he glanced at the panting red-haired girl behind him.
"Kana," he said flatly. "You cover the retreat."
Fear overtook her instantly.
"If it weren't for us, you'd be dead already," Iwaki snarled. "You owe Kusagakure your life."
The other Genin sneered.
"You and your parents were nothing but refugees."
Kana's voice trembled.
"I… understand."
Iwaki tossed his remaining exploding tags at her feet. Then he seized her arm and bit down hard.
The other Genin followed suit before fleeing.
Left alone, Kana collapsed to the ground.
She hugged herself, shaking uncontrollably as memories surfaced. Of running as a child. Of her father dying young despite Uzumaki vitality. Of her mother's body covered in bite marks.
Tears streamed down her face.
"…So this is how it ends."
As she prepared to detonate the tags, six figures appeared in the distance, wearing Konoha headbands.
At the sight of the girl, Kushina froze.
"That hair… She's from my clan!"
She ran forward.
"Kushina, stop!" Minato shouted, then immediately ordered the others to advance.
"Don't come closer!" Kana cried.
Hearing the word "Iwa," she began forming hand seals.
A kunai tore through the air, striking the tags in her hand and sending them flying. The explosion detonated harmlessly in midair.
In the same instant, Minato used the Body Flicker Technique, grabbing Kana and retreating.
Kushina exhaled in relief. Anger flared as red chakra surged around her.
High above, Uchiha Hayashi whistled softly.
"Minato has good timing."
Sakumo frowned.
"That's the second time you've interfered."
Hayashi smiled lightly.
"Interfered? The tags were already detonating."
Sakumo sighed.
"The Third Hokage will dock my pay."
"It'll be fine," Hayashi replied. "Minato saved her, not me."
After a brief exchange, Hayashi departed in a flash of movement, leaving the battlefield behind.