I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

At that moment, a valiant female ninja landed on the open ground; she was none other than Mitarashi Anko, the examiner for the second round.

At this moment, Anko was in great shape, not yet the sweet potato she would become decades later. She looked down at the genin examinees not far away and said expressionlessly, "I am Jonin Mitarashi Anko, the chief examiner for the second exam."

"Unlike the first pretend exam, the second exam allows you to attack and kill other candidates. As long as you are strong enough, killing all the candidates is fine, provided that you can actually do it and avoid their relatives' revenge."

At this point, a cold glint flashed in Anko's eyes, and she continued, "If anyone is afraid, they can forfeit the exam right now and give up becoming a Chunin leading a squad!"

Chapter 225 Reunion

Despite Mitarashi Anko's warning, none of the genin examinees present took it to heart.

Those among them with weak wills had long given up on the exam. Moreover, those who had carried out numerous missions had their hands stained with the blood of enemy ninjas and had begun to understand the cruelty of the ninja world.

After surveying the genin examinees present, Mitarashi Anko began announcing the rules for the second exam.

This is the battle for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. Different teams each have a Heaven Scroll and an Earth Scroll. Only by obtaining both scrolls can a team advance to the next test. This test assesses teamwork skills.

After listening to the exam rules, Sasuke returned to Team 7, but his gaze remained fixed on Naruto and Hinata.

Unlike the others, he participated in the Chunin Exams because of a promise he made to Kakashi. Kakashi promised him that if he successfully became a Chunin, he would tell him about Itachi Uchiha and the other members of his clan.

He originally thought that becoming the winner of the Chunin Exams was a sure thing.

But unexpectedly, a panda-eyed kid appeared out of nowhere and fought him to a draw. Then, two female ninjas appeared who could heal their wounds on their own and who had mastered ice release, making him wonder if bloodline limits were really that rare.

What Sasuke feared most were the Uzushio Village ninjas who were chatting and laughing with Hinata; he couldn't see through their strength at all.

Soon, as Mitarashi Anko announced the start of the exam, Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai entered the Forest of Death. After jumping around for about ten minutes, they squatted on a tree trunk and pondered their battle plan.

The Forest of Death is a forbidden area of ​​Konoha, and it is home to many poisonous insects and ferocious beasts whose strength is comparable to that of ninjas.

However, their biggest enemy is still the ninjas from other squads. They must snatch the necessary scrolls from them in order to travel to the tower in the central area and advance to the next round of the exam.

After some discussion, Sasuke's team came up with two plans. One was to actively seek out other teams and steal the missing Earth Scrolls from them.

Secondly, they went to the central tower ahead of time to ambush the team that arrived at the tower.

Both options had their risks. Sasuke preferred the latter, but he still listened to Sakura and Sai's advice and chose the first option. He wanted to meet the Uzushio Village team.

As Sasuke traversed the damp jungle, keeping his Sharingan activated, he headed towards the direction of the Uzumaki Team.

Before long, Sasuke and the others were stopped by the Sound Ninja Team.

When the Sound Ninja Team saw Sasuke, a smile appeared on their faces. Sasuke was the ninja that Orochimaru had specifically ordered to be captured alive. They had been waiting for so long, and finally, they witnessed Sasuke's passing by.

Seeing the Sound Ninja team approaching menacingly, Sasuke drew his short sword and shouted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

As chakra coalesced, a massive fireball erupted from Sasuke's mouth, the intense heat distorting the surroundings as it swept towards the Sound Ninja team.

At that moment, one of the Sound Ninja raised his palm, and air pressure surged from his palm, blocking the Great Fireball Technique.

The other two Sound Ninja also launched their attacks, using sound waves to unleash slashes and genjutsu, spreading outwards and engulfing Sasuke, Sakura, and the others.

Using genjutsu to influence the Sharingan?

Sasuke chuckled, then activated his Sharingan genjutsu on the Sound Ninja. The next moment, he vanished from his spot, his short sword crackling with lightning slashing towards the Sound Ninja who was under the control of the genjutsu.

Sakura and Sai had already circled around to the back of the Sound Ninja and subdued the remaining two Sound Ninja.

After dealing with the Sound Ninja team she encountered, Sakura immediately went to collect her spoils.

Kunai, soldier pills, and explosive tags—upon seeing the 'Earth' scroll, Sakura quickly said, "Sasuke, we've got the Earth scroll! As long as we reach the central tower, we can participate in the next round of exams."

Sasuke ignored Sakura and said to Sai, "Can you sense the killing intent around us?"

Sai was taken aback at first, then looked at the dense forest not far away and nodded: "You're right, there are other ninjas hiding around, and they're coming for us."

Before they finished speaking, a white-haired ninja dressed in Otogakure attire with a shimenawa rope tied around his waist appeared before them.

Although the white-haired ninja was pale and looked like he was about to die, his brows were filled with a murderous aura. As he walked towards Sasuke, he revealed the bone blade hidden in his body.

After closing the distance enough, he pounced directly on Sasuke.

……

In the woods not far away, Naruto and Hinata's two teams were slowly making their way towards the central tower area.

While the other genin candidates were fighting tooth and nail for the Heaven and Earth Scroll, Naruto and Hinata seemed to be having a picnic in the Forest of Death rather than participating in the Chunin Exams to showcase the strength of the new generation.

Sipping milk tea made with Haku's bloodline limit, Naruto was discussing picnic spots with Hinata. After confirming what they would have for lunch, Hinata nodded shyly.

The rest of the team members, seeing this, felt nothing but envy and helplessness.

After all, they all had the same 'Heaven' scroll, so there was no need to fight before encountering the Earth team. Kiba and Shino also didn't dare to provoke Naruto, who looked like someone they couldn't mess with.

Sitting on a large rock, Hinata timidly asked Naruto, "What's your name now?"

Naruto handed Hinata the milk tea, and while sensing the movements in the distance, he said, "Just call me Menma. I don't want to use my original name yet. The people in this village don't welcome Uzumaki Naruto."

Hinata nodded slightly, then revealed a section of bone blade: "Menma, is this a gift you gave me?"

"This is the Shikotsumyaku bloodline of the Kaguya clan. The Hyuga clan's bloodline itself contains the Shikotsumyaku gene. I'm just helping you activate this part. With this power, at least you won't have to worry about being bullied."

"Was it because I was too weak that Mianma didn't take me with her a few years ago?"

Hinata swung her legs, her pure white eyes fixed on Naruto as if trying to see through him. She had always thought that Naruto abandoned her because he thought she was too weak.

Feeling Hinata's breath, Naruto shook his head: "You and I are different. I have few attachments in Konoha, but your clan is still in Konoha. If the Hyuga princess were to go missing, many people would be worried about you."

Hinata sensed loneliness in Naruto's tone and whispered, "I've been worried about you these past few years, but neither Father nor Kakashi-senpai know where you are..."

"By the way, Naruto, how long are you staying in the village this time...?"

As Hinata finished speaking, her voice gradually became inaudible.

Naruto remained silent for a long time before standing up and looking into the distance. "Parting is for a better reunion. I sense that Sasuke is in danger. Let's go and help him first. We can talk about the rest later."

Chapter 226 Chakra Gun

Hinata grabbed Naruto's arm, veins bulging around her eyes, and said earnestly, "I'll go with you this time. I've already learned the main family's secret technique, so I won't hold you back."

Naruto glanced at Hinata, then took her hand and activated the Body Flicker Technique.

After returning to their team members, both teams noticed that Naruto and Hinata looked a little off. As they were wondering about it to themselves, Naruto explained the situation.

Upon learning that Sasuke was in danger, the two teams fled into the depths of the Death Forest.

On the way, Karin's face turned pale, and she said in a pretentious tone, "Bai, my love for Lord Ma ended before it even began. This is the greatest pain in the world."

Bai couldn't hold back any longer and said, "You and Lord Mianma are from the same clan, and he has always treated you like a younger sister."

Karin recovered and said with a determined look, "Even if Menma-sama treats me like a little sister, I will not give up on love. In fact, a little sister is more important than a lover."

Upon hearing this, Bai quickly turned his face away. He wanted to laugh out loud, but that would be very impolite.

A few minutes later, Naruto and Hinata arrived deep into the Forest of Death, where a fierce battle could be heard, and rocks, trees and other foreign objects were flying out from time to time.

After confirming that Sasuke was not in immediate danger, Naruto was in no hurry to show himself.

Instead, he observed the battle between Sasuke and the others and Kimimaro, took out sunflower seeds and potato chips from his backpack, and handed them to Hinata, asking her to distribute them to the other team members.

"Menma-kun, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Isn't Sasuke your friend?"

Hinata took the potato chips, feeling a little guilty, and said, while Naruto seemed indifferent, pointing at Kimimaro and saying, "See that white-haired ninja? He's Kimimaro, the last ninja of the Kaguya clan. Interested in taking him under your wing?"

"A ninja from the Kaguya clan?" Hinata frowned, lost in thought.

Naruto continued to observe the battle between Sasuke and the others and Kimimaro. In terms of absolute strength, Kimimaro was clearly superior. Kimimaro was close to adulthood and had the Earth Curse Seal implanted on his body, which allowed him to mobilize some natural energy.

With the support of natural energy and the Corpse Bone Pulse, Kimimaro was able to threaten even a Kage-level powerhouse.

However, Sasuke's strength should not be underestimated. Under his training with Kakashi in previous years, he awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and reached the level of a Jonin. He is practically a younger version of Kakashi.

Otherwise, with two Chunin-level teammates, Sasuke would have lost to Kimimaro long ago.

At that moment, Sasuke formed hand seals, and the blade emitted dazzling lightning as he lunged at Kimimaro once more. The powerful electric current pierced through the bone blade's defenses and pierced Kimimaro's arm.

Kimimaro smiled, activated his Shikotsumyaku technique to break the Shikotsumyaku short sword, and then stabbed it at Sasuke.

Sasuke quickly released his short sword, threw out a kunai with an explosive tag attached, and used the smoke and dust from the explosion to create distance, keeping his eyes fixed on Kimimaro in front of him.

Aside from Gaara, this was the most formidable opponent he had ever encountered.

Kimimaro's body appeared to be on the verge of collapse, but his defensive and offensive capabilities were surprisingly strong. He had never seen a strange bloodline limit where bones grew from the body before.

Why did such a monster appear in the Chunin Exams? And where are Kimimaro's teammates?

At that moment, Sasuke glanced at the treetops out of the corner of his eye, searching for the location of the cameras. These cameras, scattered throughout the Death Forest, were the tools used by the examiners to monitor the exams.

The next moment, Sasuke noticed that most of the surrounding cameras had been destroyed, and his heart tightened.

This suggests that the other party is most likely not a candidate for the Chunin Exams, but rather an outside ninja who came specifically to cause trouble in the Forest of Death, or simply to attack them.

With that thought in mind, Sasuke instantly appeared beside Sakura and the others, and said calmly, "The other party is not a test taker. You should retreat first and go notify the proctors of the Chunin Exams."

"You useless people are only a burden to me if you stay here."

Sakura and Sai were startled and immediately left the area.

During the battle just now, they knew the difference in strength between themselves and Sasuke, and staying here would only be a burden to Sasuke.

After watching Sakura and Sai leave, Sasuke looked at Kimimaro and took out his spare short sword: "You must have been sent by Itachi Uchiha. Tell him that killing me won't be so easy!"

Kimimaro's head was filled with questions. What was his relationship with Itachi Uchiha?

However, his mission was to break Uchiha Sasuke's arms and legs and bring him to Lord Orochimaru. No matter what the other party said, it would not change the outcome of the mission.

Seeing Sasuke spouting nonsense, Naruto smiled and said, "Sasuke still loves to show off, doesn't he?"

What does "showing off" mean... Hinata was a little confused, then looked at Naruto and asked, "When are we going to take action to subdue Kimimaro? If this continues, it might attract the attention of the examiners."

Naruto withdrew his sensory abilities, then slowly stood up and said, "Hinata is right, it's time to make a move against Kimimaro. The Konoha Jonin have already noticed this place."

"Haku and Karin, stop resting and bring out your chakra weapons."

Hearing this, Hinata was a little confused, but soon saw Haku and Karin take out weapons that looked like guns from the scroll and mutter to themselves:

“Menma-kun, I’ve seen ordinary people use this kind of weapon when I’m on a mission. It’s not effective against ninjas, and it’s even less effective than the bows and arrows used by some of our clansmen.”

"This is no ordinary firearm; it's a chakra gun powered by chakra."

Naruto patiently explained to Hinata, took out an enhanced version of a weapon from his storage scroll, handed it to Hinata, and began to teach her how to use it.

To some extent, Hinata's statement was not wrong.