Chapter 150: Blocking the Tower
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Naruto: Start With Tenseigan
On the way from the bloody clearing toward the central tower, the atmosphere of the team was somewhat somber.
The shock of the previous scene and Naruto's decisive order to retreat left many with questions and a trace of reluctance in their hearts.
Finally, the most straightforward one, Inuzuka Kiba, couldn't hold back any longer.
He slowed his pace, waiting for Naruto at the back of the team to come up to him, and asked in a low voice:
"Naruto, just now... why didn't we fight him?"
His voice carried confusion as well as a hint of regret for not being able to fight to his "heart's content."
Akamaru let out two "woofs" from atop his head, seemingly puzzled as well.
Kiba's words drew the attention of many of the surrounding companions.
Although Shikamaru, Sasuke, Neji, and the others didn't speak, their gazes involuntarily turned toward Naruto, waiting for his explanation.
Clearly, they had similar questions in their minds.
With the strength of the twelve of them, did they really need to retreat without a fight when facing that red-haired Sand Ninja and his two teammates?
Naruto's gaze calmly swept across the deep forest path ahead.
Hearing Kiba's question, he didn't answer immediately, appearing to organize his thoughts.
After a while, he finally spoke slowly.
"You saw it too; he killed several Sunagakure Genin just now with ease."
Naruto said, "Although those people were caught off guard and the red-haired Sand Ninja succeeded through a sudden sneak attack, still..."
He paused, his tone becoming heavier:
"This is enough to prove that the red-haired Sand Ninja is very strong."
"I know everyone has put in a lot of effort for these Chunin Exams and is eager to prove themselves and achieve good results.
The Chunin Exams are important; they are a significant step in our Ninja careers and a stage to showcase the strength of Hidden Leaf Village's younger generation."
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming exceptionally solemn:
"But compared to our lives, it's not that important."
These words were blunt and harsh, yet they were the most realistic truth of the Ninja World.
No matter how important the mission or how noble the goal, if it requires life as the price—especially unnecessary sacrifice—it's worth reconsidering.
"We are companions, friends, and partners who will protect Hidden Leaf Village together in the future."
Naruto's voice carried an unquestionable firmness.
"I don't want any one of you to be injured, or even... die, in this exam."
He looked at Kiba and then at the others:
"A momentary retreat isn't cowardice; it's for advancing more steadily.
Our goal is to pass the exam, advance as many people as possible, and secure an advantage for the Village.
It's not to fight to the death here against an obviously abnormally powerful and dangerous Ninja, gambling with our companions' safety."
The group arrived in front of the tower but chose not to enter; instead, they set up a pot to cook.
Shikamaru, Sasuke, Choji, Sakura, and Kiba were responsible for the first watch; Neji, Shino, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Ino were responsible for the second watch.
Naruto and Hinata cooked together.
"Sasuke, help me out. Use the Great Fireball to light these logs; the freshly cut trunks are very damp."
Naruto called out to Sasuke.
"Tch, can't you use Fire Release Ninjutsu too?"
Sasuke, who was about to go and lie in wait, stopped in his tracks.
"When it comes to Fire Release Ninjutsu, who in the entire Ninja World doesn't know that the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release is the strongest? Hurry up."
Naruto pointed at the freshly chopped firewood with a smile.
The corner of Sasuke's mouth curled up slightly.
This guy Naruto is just too honest; he can't tell a lie at all.
——————————
Anko Mitarashi quietly arrived at the central tower.
"I say, you guys should have gathered the heaven and earth scrolls by now. Why aren't you going in?"
"We haven't gathered the heaven and earth scrolls, Examiner."
"Haven't gathered them?"
Anko's eyebrows shot up, and she almost laughed out of anger.
She pointed at the guy who actually had the leisure to stew ribs, then pointed at the tightly closed doors of the tower nearby: "You kid, your ability to lie through your teeth is quite something, isn't it?"
The exam has only been going on for over an hour, and you're already here starting a fire to cook.
Anko Mitarashi wasn't that easy to fool.
She absolutely didn't believe they hadn't even gathered the heaven and earth scrolls.
She sensed the area; including the blond kid in front of her and the young lady from the Hyuga Clan Chief's family, there were twelve people in total.
And among these twelve people, with a luxurious scouting and tracking capability consisting of two Hyugas, an Inuzuka, and an Aburame, they couldn't even get another scroll and just ran to the tower entrance to wait?
Even if they split into four teams and acted alone, with these kids' strength, obtaining another scroll would be no trouble at all.
Not to mention they were now acting as a group of twelve; this combat power was enough to walk sideways through the Forest of Death.
Naruto didn't seem to notice Anko's doubt; his right hand steadily turned the ribs in the pot, ensuring every piece was evenly coated in sauce.
Meanwhile, his left hand casually reached into the ninja tool pouch at his waist, felt around, and pulled out two identical scrolls, tossing them onto the nearby makeshift wooden dining table with a "thud."
On the scroll cylinders, the character for "Heaven" was clearly printed.
"We're waiting for the other half of the scrolls to deliver themselves to us."
Naruto finally looked up at Anko, his lips curling into a half-smile.
Anko's gaze fell on those two heaven scrolls, then she looked at Naruto's composed expression as if everything were under control, and she understood instantly.
So that's it.
They probably already had more than four sets of heaven and earth scrolls.
These kids were guarding the tower area, but in reality, they were waiting at their ease for the enemy to tire themselves out, waiting for the prey to come to them.
They were waiting for those teams from other Villages who had finally managed to gather their scrolls and were rushing excitedly to the tower to deliver themselves to their doorstep.
When the guys from other Villages arrived, they would strike all at once, thereby reducing the number of people entering the next stage of the exam.
Truly... interesting kids!
Anko couldn't help but praise them in her heart. This wasn't just a competition of strength, but a contest of strategy and psychology.
'Are they planning to eliminate more people in the second stage of the exam?'
Anko realized that it seemed Hidden Leaf Village's current generation had no small ambitions.
The anger on her face dissipated, replaced by a playful look of understanding and a reminder.
"Just don't go too far."
Anko waved her hand dismissively, her tone casual, but her eyes held a hint of warning.
"Although the rules allow for stealing, you must also mind your limits. If it causes large-scale chaos or... too many 'accidents,' it'll be a hassle for us examiners too."
The "accidents" she referred to were, naturally, uncontrollable casualties.
Although they signed a waiver, if there were too many deaths or injuries, it would still cause diplomatic disputes.
Naruto nodded and evenly poured the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the ribs; the rich, sweet-and-sour aroma instantly became even more enticing.
"We know our limits, Examiner Anko."
He smiled.
"After all, we're just a bit hungry and want to have a meal here, and 'entertain' some passing 'friends' while we're at it."
"Fine, as long as you know your limits. If something happens, they'll go to your Jonin teachers, not me."
Saying that, Anko grabbed two skewers of three-color dango from the table.
"You've prepared quite thoroughly, kid. I'll take these two skewers to tide me over; I'll treat you to a meal later."
After speaking, she didn't wait for Naruto's response. With a skewer of dango in each hand, she turned around and, just as she had arrived, vanished into the shadows of the surrounding trees with a few light leaps.
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