Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

Ding-dong!

The bell rang to signal the end of the written test.

Lu Ying, who was leaning against the window reading a book, slowly closed the book and stretched comfortably.

"I haven't read a book in a long time."

"I've forgotten a lot of the knowledge points."

In her words, Lu Ying showed no hint of boasting, but rather a deep sense of reluctance.

He was genuinely pursuing the ocean of knowledge.

In order to improve his skills, he has basically stopped touching books.

Lu Ying was not about to let such a rare opportunity slip by.

However, he could still distinguish between what was more important and what was less important.

After putting all the books back in their original places, Lu Ying looked towards the entrance.

This is the outer base of the Forest of Death, the testing ground for the second stage of the Chunin Exams.

He was the first to arrive and had been waiting there for more than half an hour.

Although some candidates arrived intermittently during the period, the total number was still very small.

However, once the exam ends, a large number of candidates will inevitably arrive here.

He was curious about how many people in exam room 3B would pass the written test.

A few minutes later, Lu Ying blinked and counted several times before she could truly believe that only 8 out of 40 people in the 3B exam room had passed.

He found Hyuga Natsu, who looked exhausted, and asked her curiously:

"Did our exam eliminate so many people?"

Hinata Natsu, who was usually expressionless, gave him a rare glare:

"Without you, the pass rate would at least double."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ying raised an eyebrow; he probably knew the reason.

Hana Inuzuka, always eager to stir things up and prone to causing trouble, flashed her little fangs. Thinking Shikakage hadn't caught on, she excitedly explained:

"It's all because a ball of chakra was left on the exam paper."

"You have no idea how much of an impact that chakra had on them."

"Although the last bit of chakra dissipated, many people were caught red-handed by the proctors because they used too much force."

"..."

Lu Ying showed no remorse for her actions.

After all, copying his answers comes at a price...

Watching Shikakage, who was still handling things with ease and even joking with the cute girl, Shibuki felt a mix of envy and jealousy, as well as immense pressure.

The mere chakra of a deer shadow left him completely helpless.

And what about him?

For the first time, Daimaru took Shikakage seriously. Even someone as proud as him had to admit that Shikakage was indeed worthy of being his opponent.

But that's all there is to it.

Nara Shikakage is not qualified to defeat him, the Crimson Sands!

Masaki didn't have much of a reaction; her first impression of Shikakage had already determined her opinion of him.

She's only here to take the exam to become a Chunin; avoiding Shikakage would be the best option.

Dou adjusted his glasses, hiding in the crowd, and kept updating his data on Lu Ying.

The longer he spent with Lu Ying, the more fearful he became.

However, this fear did not stem from the deer's shadow, but rather...

—As expected of Lord Orochimaru!

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, the examiners for the second phase of the Chunin Exams arrived.

He stood in the middle of the field, next to a huge opaque box, holding a sealed roll in his hand.

After confirming that all candidates had arrived, he quickly unrolled the scroll and read aloud its contents:

"The second test is called the 'Number Plate Battle'."

"The exam rules are now announced. In the second exam, participants will compete with each other for number plates and must obtain 6 points within one day."

"Your own number plate is worth 3 points, the prey's number plate is worth 3 points, and everyone else's number plate is worth 1 point."

"Please collect your number tags in an orderly manner."

"The front of the number plate shows the candidate's number, and the back shows the prey's number."

"After all the numbers were confirmed, the candidates whose numbers were called entered the examination room in turn."

A solemn voice echoed in the empty space as Lu Ying stepped forward and casually picked up one.

He examined the front of the number plate, which was engraved with the typical Konoha symbol and had the number "35" written on it.

"Is it number 35 again..." Lu Ying muttered to herself as she flipped the number plate over.

Looking at the magatama shape above, he smiled slightly, feeling sorry for his prey.

Turning to look at the other test-takers around me, I noticed they all seemed to be observing each other cautiously and warily.

It felt as if the second exam had begun the moment I received my number.

Lu Ying was neither nervous nor afraid.

He casually hung the number tag around his neck, clearly not intending to hide his number.

Not to mention that he was already very confident in his own abilities.

More importantly, the exam only lasts one day.

If test takers can hide their number tags, the pace of the exam will inevitably slow down.

One day is definitely not enough time for the exam.

Therefore, Lu Ying is very confident that candidates are not allowed to hide their numbers in this exam.

However, he only guessed half of it correctly.

Every candidate who hid their number was warned by the examiner.

No one is allowed to hide their examination number after entering the examination room!

But until then, it is possible.

As a result, benevolent, malicious, worried, and mocking gazes all turned toward Lu Ying.

Among them, the prey that must be someone is the deer shadow number 35.

But so what?

Upon hearing her own number, Lu Ying strolled leisurely away.

Lu Ying didn't care who would "hunt" him.

Lu Ying didn't even care who his prey was.

There was only one thing he cared about from beginning to end.

Those were the ninjas of Takigakure.

If they intend to use the Hero's Water, then the Forest of Death is the best place.

The second practical test is the perfect stage to showcase the effects of Heroic Water.

Stepping onto the damp ground of the Death Forest, Lu Ying slowly put away his leisurely expression. This was the first time he had shown a serious expression since the exam began.

"Let's get started."

A clear voice landed softly.

The deer's shadow had vanished.

……

My heart is heavy.

Masaki looked up and surveyed his surroundings, a grim expression on his face.

Gritting her teeth, she gripped her number tag tightly—number 9.

After closing his eyes and flipping the number plate over, Masaki's eyelids trembled as he opened his eyes.

No matter how many times she saw it, she still found the number glaringly jarring.

—Number 35!

——Nara Shikage!

The worst has happened.

Her prey is the Nara deer.

……

The rough, large feet stomped hard on the ground.

Daimaru wasn't used to this soft, wet mud; it wasn't pretty at all.

He preferred dry, hard sand, just like his goddess, Temari.

Thinking about the situation inside Sunagakure, Daimaru grinned, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his arrogant eyes.

"Number 9, Masaki!"

"I finally got my chance."

"Let's see who can save you this time!"

"Temari would be very happy to kill you!"

"Hehehe..."

With the number tag pinned to his chest, the number 6 was faintly visible in the dappled light.

……

He carefully patted the number plate on his chest.

After making sure it wouldn't fall easily, Shibuki then began to observe the surrounding environment.

He crouched down, came to a tree, and carved a mark with a kunai.

Although I am "confident" that I am no less than others.

But without his companions, Shibuki always felt uneasy.

Seemingly having thought of something, Shibuki muttered to himself:

"Ah Da and Ah Er should still remember the Takigakure-ryu's code, right?"