Forest of Death: Hunt for the Scrolls
The moment Kurota Gen vanished, Kaelen forced himself to stand. His legs felt heavy, shaky, but he refused to crumble.
Riku approached him slowly.
"Kaelen… you good?"
"Yeah."
Kaelen exhaled, staring at his trembling hand.
That killing intent… I couldn't even move. If he wanted me dead, I'd already be gone.
Riyomi rubbed her arms. "Why would someone like that show up in an exam…?"
Haru swallowed hard. "Maybe he's testing us… or hunting someone…"
Kaelen tightened his grip on his stick.
"No matter why he came… we still need the Earth scroll."
The team pushed deeper into the forest.
---
Ambush at the River Clearing
Hours later, they reached a flowing river surrounded by tall bamboo. The fog hung low, making it hard to see.
Riyomi held up a hand.
"Three chakra signatures. Up ahead."
"Finally," Riku smirked. "Let's take their scroll."
Kaelen nodded.
"Stay tight. Don't get separated."
As they moved, something shot toward them—fast.
A kunai wrapped with explosive tag.
"Move!" Kaelen shouted.
They dodged as it exploded, shaking the riverbank.
Three ninja from the Sand Village appeared, smirking.
"You Leaf kids look lost," their leader taunted. "Drop the scroll."
Riku cracked his knuckles. "Nah, how about you drop yours?"
The Sand ninja lunged.
---
Battle in the Bamboo Mist
Kaelen met the leader head-on, wooden stick against a kunai.
Clang — Clang — Clang!
The Sand ninja struck fast, jabbing and slashing.
Kaelen redirected the blade with smooth wrist movements, each step light.
I'm faster… keep staying ahead.
The enemy tried sweeping his leg—Kaelen jumped, twisting mid-air, and brought his stick down hard.
WHACK.
The Sand ninja skidded back.
"Not bad," he hissed.
He formed two hand signs.
"Wind Bullet!"
Kaelen felt the chakra whip forward.
If I block it, I'll get blown away—
He turned sharply, letting the attack slice past him.
Then he countered.
"Wind Palm!"
A burst of air struck the Sand ninja in the chest, sending him crashing into bamboo.
Riku engaged the second ninja with taijutsu while Riyomi kept the third trapped in genjutsu illusions.
Haru panicked at first—but Kaelen yelled,
"Support them! Throw kunai to interrupt!"
"Right!"
The moment Haru threw his kunai, Riku got an opening and dropped the enemy with a clean roundhouse kick.
Riyomi's target collapsed from chakra drain.
Within minutes… the fight ended.
Riyomi searched their pouches.
"We got it — Earth scroll."
Riku cheered.
"We're done! Forest clear!"
---
Reaching the Tower
Night fell by the time the team reached the center tower.
The proctor waiting at the entrance grinned.
"Congrats. You survived."
They exchanged their Heaven and Earth scrolls, passed the checkpoint, and collapsed into the rest room.
Haru fell asleep instantly.
Riyomi tended to Riku's bruises.
Kaelen leaned against the wall, staring at his hands.
That Sand ninja was strong… but nothing compared to Kurota Gen. How big is the gap between us…?
---
Preliminaries — The Arena Grounds
The next day, all surviving teams stood in the massive stone arena.
The Hokage spoke from the balcony.
"You will now fight in one-on-one battles to determine who proceeds to the final tournament."
Kaelen inhaled deeply.
Riku punched his shoulder.
"Don't overthink. Just fight."
Riyomi smiled softly.
"You'll be fine."
Haru nodded nervously.
"Please don't die…"
Kaelen laughed lightly.
"I'm not planning to."
---
Kaelen vs The Hidden Mist Prodigy
Kaelen's name flashed on the board.
Opponent: Renga of the Mist
A boy with sharp teeth and a calm, cold stare.
The proctor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Renga rushed forward, swinging a blade wrapped in water chakra.
Swoosh — Swoosh!
Kaelen barely dodged, feeling water slicing the air behind him.
He's fast… but I can read his rhythm.
Kaelen used wind-enhanced footwork, gliding just out of reach, striking Renga's wrist with precise stick smashes.
Renga stumbled.
Kaelen pressed forward.
"Wind Palm!"
The gust sent Renga sliding backward across the arena floor.
Renga gritted his teeth.
"You Leaf ninja are annoying."
He dashed again—this time disappearing in a water clone burst.
Behind!
Kaelen spun and blocked the real strike by instinct.
CRACK.
His stick parried the water blade, sparks flying.
Kaelen's movement flowed—light, fast, deliberate.
He struck Renga's chest with a sharp wind-driven palm.
BOOM.
Renga collapsed, unable to stand.
The proctor raised a hand.
"Winner — Kaelen!"
Riku and Riyomi cheered loudly.
Kaelen smiled, but inside, he whispered:
That still wasn't enough to face Kurota Gen…
---
One-Month Break — A Time to Grow
The Hokage addressed the finalists:
"You have one month to train. Use it wisely."
The moment the announcement ended… Kaelen knew what he needed.
Stronger speed.
Sharper jutsu.
Better reflexes.
A clearer mind.
Most importantly…
I need to prepare for him.
Kaelen left the arena that day with a single thought burning in his chest:
Next time I see Kurota Gen… I won't freeze.
---