After 200 people entered the Forest of Death, they instantly rushed towards different directions.
Sora was also mixed in among them, choosing a relatively remote direction to proceed.
During the three months of training in the Anbu, although Sora was only average in most training programs besides the taijutsu classes, he still learned how to use the environment to hide his tracks and how to better observe the movements of others.
Along the way, Sora maintained a speed that was neither fast nor slow, while constantly shifting his gaze to search for possible locations where scrolls might be hidden.
After traveling for about ten minutes, Sora finally found a hidden scroll in a hollow of a large tree.
The scroll was cleverly hidden deep inside the tree hollow, with leaves and moss used as camouflage on the outside. If not for Sora's exceptional eyesight, he likely would have missed it.
'First one.' Sora thought to himself, quickly retrieving the scroll.
The scroll was entirely gray, covered with a layer of complex sealing formulas, exactly the type Instructor Eagle had shown.
Sora did not rush to decipher the code. Instead, he first stored the scroll away and continued his search forward.
According to the assessment rules, scrolls were divided into three types: True, False, and Key. There were also fake scrolls mixed in.
Only by collecting the True, False, and Key scrolls and deciphering the code could one be considered to have passed the assessment.
This meant that simply finding scrolls was not enough. One also needed to judge their authenticity and decipher the codes on them.
'This assessment method is indeed much more complicated than the Chunin Exams.' Sora thought while searching.
Although the second stage of the Chunin Exams was also held in the Forest of Death, it only required seizing the Heaven and Earth scrolls, far less complex than this.
The Anbu assessment tested not only strength, but also intelligence, judgment, and patience.
After another half hour or so, Sora found a second scroll.
This time it was discovered under a rock in a small stream, hidden very covertly.
Sora placed the two scrolls together and began trying to decipher the codes on them.
Although his code-breaking skills were not top-notch, they should be sufficient for this kind of assessment.
Sora concentrated, channeling chakra into the scrolls to sense the sealing formulas on them.
A moment later, Sora frowned.
'This scroll is fake.'
Although the code on the scroll was complex, it lacked the chakra flow patterns characteristic of a real sealing formula. It was clearly a counterfeit.
Sora tossed the fake scroll aside and began deciphering the second scroll.
This time it took a bit longer, but he eventually reached a conclusion: 'This is a Key scroll.'
The code on the Key scroll was completely different from the fake one, possessing clear chakra flow patterns. Moreover, it resembled a type of code Sora had studied during training.
'With the Key scroll, I still need the True scroll and the False scroll to complete the set.'
Just then, Sora turned and focused his gaze to one side. He sensed two unfamiliar chakra reactions appearing.
Quickly hiding behind a large tree, Sora held his breath and observed intently.
He saw two reserve members approaching from the distance. They also seemed to be searching for scrolls, but they didn't appear to have found much.
The two obviously also noticed Sora's presence. Their movements became cautious, and their eyes scanned the surroundings warily.
The atmosphere tensed up instantly. However, after a stalemate of only a few seconds, both sides tacitly chose to retreat without conflict.
'They should be from the same section as me. Otherwise, if it were just me alone, they would definitely have chosen to fight.' Sora pondered internally.
Just now, Sora and the two were always facing each other head-on. Although he didn't see the numbers on their backs, Sora could roughly guess.
After all, while he wasn't top-tier in other subjects, his practical combat training had always been among the top ranks. Moreover, he was the shortest, plus that lock of white hair on his head. Wearing a mask or not made little difference. Those two recognized Sora at a glance.
Therefore, without knowing for sure if Sora had any scrolls, and since rashly starting a fight would only expose their own location and attract other competitors, those two also chose to leave directly.
...
Afterwards, Sora continued searching forward and found two more scrolls.
After deciphering them, unfortunately, both were fake.
Looking at the scrolls in his hand, Sora was speechless.
Now he only had one Key scroll, and two hours had already passed.
Judging from the situation of the first group, the assessment would probably end within about five hours. At Sora's current pace, it would take six hours. Clearly, he could not pass the assessment.
But just then, he suddenly realized a problem.
'Wrong. The focus of this assessment might not be on obtaining scrolls.'
Sora stopped, leaning against a large tree, and began carefully considering the rules and purpose of the assessment.
Under these rules, the Anbu was screening for all-round talents. But in fact, few ninja could excel in all areas.
Some were good at reconnaissance and tracking, but might perform averagely in combat. Some were powerful in strength, but not skilled at deciphering codes or stealth.
'Like Kakashi in the original story. Although called the Copy Ninja, he also had shortcomings in certain aspects.' Sora thought.
And the rules of this assessment were clearly designed to test the reserve members' abilities in various aspects.
Finding scrolls tested reconnaissance ability. Deciphering codes tested intelligence. Seizing scrolls tested combat ability. Reaching the tower tested stealth and speed.
But the problem was, few people could excel in all these aspects.
'So, what does the Anbu really want to see?' Sora fell into thought.
He recalled Instructor Eagle specifically mentioning the term entire process monitoring, and also how, after the first group's assessment ended, besides the five who passed, another 15 were specially retained.
'Those fifteen people should be the ones who performed outstandingly in some specific aspect.' Sora concluded.
Even if they didn't pass the assessment, those who showed exceptional performance in a certain area would also receive special attention and training from the Anbu.
For most reserve members, that was already a good result.
But Sora's goal was more than that.
What he needed was to pass the assessment and become a full-fledged Anbu member, not merely to be noticed for excelling in one area.
'Given my current strength, wanting to excel in all areas is almost impossible.' Sora objectively assessed his own abilities.
In taijutsu, he had strength slightly above the average Chunin level. Even with the Eight Gates, he could briefly reach the level of a Special Jonin.
But in other areas, like stealth, reconnaissance, code-breaking, etc., he was only at an average level.
'In that case, it's better to play to my strengths and avoid my weaknesses.' Sora made a decision in his heart.
His advantage lay in taijutsu and combat ability.
Among the two hundred reserve members, most were at the Chunin level, with very few at the Special Jonin level.
This meant that in direct combat, Sora had a considerable advantage.
'Instead of spending a lot of time searching for scrolls, I should go directly near the final tower and wait for others.'
Sora thought of a bold plan. When others found scrolls and were heading to the tower, he could directly attack and seize them.
This way, he would save time searching for scrolls while utilizing his combat advantage.
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