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On the morning of the second phase, at the foot of Mount Taka;
Naruto stood quietly with Anko beside him, He took in the scenery around him and the other genin teams.
Earlier today, the Genin teams went to the academy for the second phase. There, the Chunin supervisors told them that the test was being held elsewhere and they were going there. So, after a one-hour travel time, they reached the foot of a very tall mountain.
At first glance, the mountain appears very high, with its peak barely visible. Its sides are covered in vegetation, the peak is capped with snow, and the ground features varying angles. Some areas look almost flat, while others are so steep they seem nearly vertical. Who knows what else is up that mountain?
"Hello, Genin. And welcome to Mount Taka." A Chunin said as he was standing on a large rock. In front of him stood a line of other Chunin who were facing the Genin teams.
"This is going to be the grounds of the Second phase of the Chunin exams, which has a duration of 5 days or 120 hours to end." The chunin said, making the genin look at each other.
"The exam is what follows. You are going to be put in different entrances to the mountain. You are required to reach the top of the mountain, where you are going to find a post with a group of chunin inside. There, you will be given a scroll that you need to bring back here intact." The chunin explained
"This isn't as easy as it sounds. The mountain is very high with difficult and hard to maneuver terrain. One wrong step can lead to your death." The chunin warned
"That is not all. There is also some dangerous wildlife along the way to the top. But the most dangerous thing today is you." The chunin said, which got him some looks of confusion and some wide eyes of understanding.
"You are permitted to do as you wish during the time of the exam and try to get a scroll using any method." The chunin said as his colleagues started distributing a slip of paper to every participant.
"You need to sign this paper to enter this part of the exam. It is a declaration that if something were to happen to you during this part of the exam, Kumo isn't responsible." The Chunin said
"Are you saying that killing is allowed in this part of the exam?" A genin with a face half covered in bandages and a Kiri headband asked, making the genin teams look at him and then back at the Chunin.
"Yes. As I said, everything is allowed." The Chunin confirmed making some genin's looks turn bloodthirsty, worried, scared, or blank.
As Genin completed the declaration forms, the chunin stated: "There are four straightforward rules. First, you must obtain the scroll from the peak outpost to qualify. How you acquire it is your choice. Second, you must return with your entire team and the scroll to pass. The number of individuals and their identities in each team is already recorded. If you return with even one missing member, regardless of how many scrolls you have, you will be disqualified. Third, if you return after the deadline of 5 days pass, you are automatically disqualified. Fourth, you are prohibited from attacking any of the Chunin supervisors."
After that was said, the other Chunin started to collect the slips from the genin, then verify and count them.
"Everything seems in order. Now, each team will be led to a different entrance to the mountain. Wait for the start signal. You will hear it. Good luck. You are going to need it." The chunin said as the others started to lead each genin team away.
At Mount Taka entrance 7;
Naruto and Anko stood in front of the entrance with a white-haired and dark skinned Kumo Chunin with them. They stood in silence, waiting for the start signal.
"Is your team just two, Konoha genin?" The Chunin asked casually
"Is there a problem?" Anko said, crossing her arms.
"No need for the sass. It is really uncommon to see a genin squad consisting of only two genin." The chunin said with a sigh. He seemed to be easygoing compared to his colleagues.
"Yes, our team only consists of two genin instead of the usual three due to some circumstances." Naruto said simply, making the chunin nod in acknowledgment.
BANG
The three looked where they heard the explosion coming from
"Well, that's the start signal. It is just a paper bomb thrown up in the air; no need to worry. Your time starts now. Good luck." The chunin said before leaving.
Naruto and Anko looked at each other, then took off through the mountain entrance, anticipation coursing through them at what would happen next.
Several hours later, near sunset time;
Naruto and Anko have been moving at high speed since the start of the second phase. Other than some difficult terrain and some wild animals, they haven't encountered anything difficult.
As they moved, they ran through a bush before continuing. And a couple of moments later, three figures appeared near the bush and seemed to continue following Naruto and Anko.
"Keep up with them. I want to get my hands on those Konoha brats." An older genin with a Kumo headband whispered to his two teammates, making them nod as the three tried to keep up.
After they had left for some time, Naruto and Anko walked out of the bush from earlier.
"If they can be fooled by this basic trick, they aren't worth it." Anko muttered
"You know that most chunin, even some jonin, would struggle to identify shadow clones with one using Transformation, right?" Naruto said to Anko, as he was the one who made the diversion. He already sensed that the team was following them for a while, so he used the bush as cover to make two shadow clones, with one transforming into Anko and leading the pursuing Genin team away.
Naruto didn't want to waste his time on a weak team, so he is making the clones lead those Genin for some time before dispelling, leaving them confused.
"Not my problem, they should be ready for anything. I wanted some action." Anko complained
"Too bad." Naruto said with a shrug before continuing: "Now we are going to find a suitable place to stay for the night. We are already past the mid-point of the Mountain. We should reach the peak by midday tomorrow." To which he received a nod from Anko.
They searched for some time and they hit a jackpot. As the sun set, they found a big cave with two entrances, one big and the other small and hidden. The cave is a perfect spot for staying the night. So after checking that it is safe. The first thing Naruto did was set traps around the cave and on the main entrance.
After Naruto finishes putting the regular traps around the cave, like trip ninja wire, paper bombs, spikes, and many others, he pulls out a paper from his utility belt.
"What is that? It looks like a paper bomb from afar, but looking closely, it looks different." Anko asked, looking at the paper
"It is something experimental I made. I would like to see its effect." Naruto said as he walked to the main entrance of the cave. He bent down slightly before sticking the paper at waist height on the side of the entrance.
"Now, you need to enter the cave before I activate it." Naruto said, to which Anko complied and entered the cave before standing behind Naruto.
"I will activate it now. As long as it is active, don't walk in front of or near it. Even though it is still an experiment, I promise you that if it works, you will die a gruesome death." Naruto warned with a serious tone, getting a nod of understanding.
"Aren't you going to tell me what it is?" Anko asked as she saw Naruto make a half-ram seal, making the Fuinjutsu lines and Kanji on the paper glow for a second before returning to black.
"Won't it be better if you saw it in action?" Naruto said with a smirk as he walked deeper into the cave, Anko walking beside him.
"Are you really going to leave me in the dark about it?" Anko complained
"If it works, you would be the first to witness it. If it doesn't, telling you would be spoiling the surprise." Naruto said with a mysterious smile, making Anko sigh in resignation.
After that, they started getting ready for the night. Since they used little to no Chakra, there was no need to consume soldier pills. They ate some dried meat and other dried foods before getting into their sleeping bags and fell into the embrace of a dreamless sleep.
Very early in the next morning, before the sun rises;
Naruto's eyes snapped open as he felt three chakra signatures enter the nearby vicinity of the cave.
He very quietly got up and silently walked towards Anko.
He shook her slightly, making her eyes open groggily. She looked at him with sleepy eyes and opened her mouth to speak. But Naruto shut her up by putting his palm on her mouth.
He got near her ear and whispered very quietly: "Our position is compromised." Making Anko's eyes lose all their sleepiness and focus sharply.
"They seem to discover some of the traps outside. Get your things ready to leave through the small cave opening. Fighting in a closed cave is a bad Idea." Naruto whispered, to which he got a nod from Anko, making him remove his hand from her mouth.
The two quickly and quietly packed their thing before squeezing through the small cave opening.
Outside, the sky has a slight glow to it, meaning the sun was about to rise soon.
"Let's fight with them. I am dying for some action." Anko said quietly with excitement.
"Me too, partner. I crave a good warm-up." Naruto replied with a smirk. And as quietly as the wind around them, the two disappeared towards the main cave entrance.
On a tree top, about 100 or 150 meters away from the main cave entrance. Naruto and Anko appeared to see who their guests are.
Near the cave, a group of three genin are getting ready to enter it. Seeing them, Anko was about to step into action, but was stopped when Naruto extended his arm in front of her.
She looked at him to question him, but before she could utter a word.
BOOOOOOOOM
An explosion rocked the grounds and the air in the vicinity.
As soon as the shock wave passed them, Naruto made his move with Anko right behind him.
End the Chapter.
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**Important** Please vote. Go to the chapter named 'vote relocation'. It will take you to my Patreon page and Poll links. Please find the two polls posted there, read them, and vote on what you prefer. All your opinions matter to me.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
I would appreciate feedback, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments, I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
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