Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 59. The Forest of Death

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Ibiki's explanation wrapped up, and he removed the band from his head.

Six deep scars ran across his scalp, grotesque reminders of a life steeped in pain and survival. The sight sent chills through the Genin ranks. Many of them had been too relaxed. Not anymore.

"This is what it means to be a shinobi," Ibiki said, voice low and grave. "Sometimes, intel is worth more than your life. And on the battlefield, getting that intel... might cost you everything."

He didn't need to say more. The silence spoke volumes. freewebnσvel.cѳm

But just as the air began to settle—

WHOOSH!

A blur descended like a thunderclap, landing dramatically in front of Ibiki.

"I wouldn't get too comfortable just yet."

A woman in a mesh bodysuit and trench coat stood confidently before the candidates. Purple markings on her face. A smirk on her lips.

"I'm Anko Mitarashi, proctor of the second exam!"

A massive scroll-banner unfurled behind her, plastering her name across the background in bold lettering, completely blocking out Ibiki.

"Let's move, kids. The real test starts now."

Neji raised a brow, chin resting in one palm. Ah yes, here comes the potato demon of the future...

Anko's entrance was so over-the-top that no one even knew how to react. The room was silent. Just wide eyes and awkward stares.

Ibiki leaned out from behind the banner, half his long face visible. "Yeah... no one's impressed."

Anko scowled. 'Did he really need to say that out loud?'

She turned and scanned the room. "Seventy-eight left?"

Then she shot Ibiki a suspicious glare.

"Only twenty-six teams made it through? What kind of kiddie quiz did you run?"

"They were just strong," he said flatly.

"Sure they were..." Anko cracked her knuckles. "Guess it's up to me to thin the herd."

With a grin and a snap of her fingers, she waved the candidates forward and marched them toward the next trial.

---

Soon, the Genin arrived at the edge of a fenced-off forest, an eerie, towering grove with no visible path, no sounds of civilization.

A bold warning sign stood at the entrance: RESTRICTED AREA – ENTRY FORBIDDEN

Anko gestured proudly. "This is the site of your next trial, Training Field 44, better known as..."

She paused dramatically.

"The Forest of Death."

The trees loomed overhead, gnarled and ancient, their canopy so thick it blocked out the sun. Paths were non-existent. Even a narrow animal trail was hard to find.

It was wild. Untamed. Lethal.

While Anko toyed with Naruto, a group of foreign shinobi stood silently nearby, Cloaked Grass ninja. Neji's attention flicked to them.

So... he really came after all. Still chasing the ghost of Itachi. The Uchiha lives rent-free in his head.

"Neji," Tenten asked quietly, "what do you think this exam is going to be like? She said she plans to cut us in half..."

Her eyes swept over the ominous forest and the other teams gathering nearby.

Neji closed his Byakugan. He wasn't worried. Most of the Genin here were too focused on each other to notice his scan.

"We'll know soon enough. No need to overthink it."

"...Right."

Tenten nodded, but before they could speak further, Anko startled Naruto so badly, in fact, that her kunai grazed his cheek.

That's when one of the Grass ninja, an unsettling figure with a disturbingly long tongue, plucked the weapon from the ground using his tongue and handed it back with a smile.

The air around them dropped ten degrees. The killing intent was unmistakable.

Anko narrowed her eyes but shrugged it off.

Moments later, she pulled out a thick stack of papers.

"Before we begin," she said sweetly, "you'll each need to sign these consent forms."

Naruto raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because there's a chance you might die in there. And I don't want to be sued."

She beamed, saying the most brutal thing imaginable with the friendliest smile.

The Genin stared at their forms in silence, some hands trembling.

"Once signed," Anko continued, "submit your team's form at the check-in booth over there. Then we'll begin."

A small pavilion housed two tea-drinking Chūnin, ready to accept the waivers.

"Now, for the rules—"

Anko's voice sharpened.

"The second exam is a full-blown survival challenge inside the Forest of Death. Twenty-six teams. Seventy-eight Genin. Each team will receive one scroll, either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll."

"To pass, you must obtain both types and reach the central tower within five days."

She paused to let that sink in.

"It's entirely up to you how you do that. Fight, steal, trick, trap, it's all allowed. But there's a catch."

"No one knows what scroll the other teams have. You might get lucky. Beat one team and move on. Or you might get unlucky and fight five before you get what you need."

"This means fewer than half of you will make it. And that's if no one dies."

"The fail conditions are simple:

1. Your team fails to deliver both scrolls to the tower within five days.

2. Any team member dies or is incapacitated.

3. No one may leave the forest.

4. And absolutely no opening the scrolls until you reach the tower. Got it?"

With that, scrolls were handed out, and teams were assigned different gate entry points around the forest perimeter.

The second exam had officially begun.

---

Team Guy entered from the east.

Neji took point. As the team's only sensor type, he naturally assumed command.

The three moved swiftly, silent as shadows. Every step was calculated.

"Tenten," Neji whispered, "what's our move? Ambush? Defense? Bait?"

She glanced at him, gauging the surroundings.

Lee remained on high alert, eyes sweeping the treetops. He knew he wasn't the strategist, just the muscle. He trusted Neji to lead.

"Let's stay hidden the first day," Neji said. "That's what most teams will do. We don't need to rush."

He had no interest in fighting just yet—but that didn't mean he'd sit idle.

"We'll find a water source. A defensible position. If we're lucky, someone will bring us what we need."

"Smart," Tenten nodded. Let them come to us...

Her blood was pumping. This was her chance to finally show her worth. The last test barely gave her a moment. This time? She'd make sure they remembered her.

Neji activated his Byakugan. His vision swept across a vast stretch of jungle.

There is an ideal spot. Secluded, close to a stream, shielded by thick roots and terrain.

"Follow me."

They moved as one. Within minutes, they arrived at the hidden camp.

"Perfect," Neji said. "We'll set up here. Tenten, lay traps. Lee, gather wood. I'll catch us something to eat."

"Roger!" they answered in unison.

Neji's eyes lingered on the woods. His senses stayed sharp.

He caught a rabbit and returned. Calm as ever.

Let's see how long it takes for Orochimaru to make his move...

The Chūnin Exams weren't what interested him. He was already looking beyond.

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