CH_93

Early March in Konoha—the midday heat was as sweltering as summer.

When it wasn't raining, the sun blazed down so hard that the cicadas cried out without pause.

"Almost eleven." Three days ago, Yūhi Shinku had announced the "72 hours" right around eleven.

"Whether we pass the second round or not—it all comes down to whether our bet pays off." Tōji picked up where Natchi left off. A thin sheen of sweat formed at his temples—whether from the summer-like heat or from nerves, he couldn't tell.

"Natchi, keep your eyes on that Namiashi Raidō. We'll watch the other 'backup' targets." Neru emphasized, which only proved how tense she was.

"They're moving—they're making their move." Natchi's eyes widened slightly.

Three of the nine proctors were in their line of sight.

Those three were Namiashi Raidō—at the center of their view—along with Guy and Shiranui Genma. All three performed the same action at once—they turned toward the central tower and formed hand seals…

Then, a barrier gradually appeared in front of each proctor, like a bubble enveloping them. The barrier began to dissolve rapidly from the top down.

The three proctors each nodded to the others on their left and right, then stepped into the central tower…

"Just as we thought! The central tower is the key to this exam." Neru's voice carried a hint of satisfaction.

"Looks like our guess was right. I wonder how many other teams figured it out." Tōji scanned the surroundings while the proctors were still inside the tower.

They hadn't spotted any other squads lying in ambush nearby.

"Watch it—they're coming out." Natchi was the first to alert them.

"Scatter!" The three—Raidō, Genma, and Guy—exited the central tower at the same time. In unison, they shouted one word and used Body Flicker to disappear into the forest in different directions.

"Follow!" Tōji, having grown used to being their squad's commander, gave a low shout and moved immediately.

Based on Raidō's trajectory, he would pass about a dozen meters away from their original hiding spot.

Their plan was to cut diagonally across and intercept him on his predicted route—a "surprise attack."

All three activated Body Flicker simultaneously. Tōji quickly used hand signals to indicate their respective positions and attack angles once they closed in on Raidō.

Neru and Natchi both nodded, then increased their speed and broke away from Tōji.

『Fighting a "legendary" figure—this is intense!』 Natchi and Neru wouldn't share that particular feeling—only Tōji, who'd long heard of Namiashi Raidō's reputation.

『Three!』

『Two!』

『One!』

Tōji silently counted down the distance to Raidō while rapidly forming hand seals.

Crack! Three long strands of black hair shot toward Raidō from the front. He instantly leaped back to dodge—one of the hair strands, reinforced by the secret technique, lashed against a tree branch with a whip-like crack.

The other two strands continued to pursue him like snakes.

Raidō dropped from the branch to the ground, drawing the ordinary tachi from his back. "Seems this batch of examinees isn't as bad as the rumors said."

He even said it with a somewhat relaxed laugh.

But Tōji and his team weren't here for a friendly gathering—no greetings, no warnings…

Crack! Crack!

A figure burst up from the ground behind Raidō—a kunai already swinging toward his back.

At the same time, a pair of hands emerged from the earth beneath his feet, gripping his ankles tightly.

"Oh?" Raidō still didn't seem to be taking things too seriously.

This shinobi—who would later become a moderately well-known Konoha assassination specialist—hadn't yet developed that cold demeanor. But the large, jagged scar on his left face made him look anything but approachable.

In that moment, the two strands of black hair seized the opportunity to bind his upper body!