Chapter 58: She Possesses the Same Ability as Me

Chapter 58: She Possesses the Same Ability as Me

2:40 PM.

Izayoi and Hinata Hyuga arrived at their usual meeting spot with Shino Aburame before heading together to the outskirts of Hidden Leaf Village’s 44th Training Ground—better known as the Forest of Death. One of the village’s restricted zones, it was rarely opened except under special circumstances.

A temporary booth and tents had already been set up outside the training ground, with a sign marking the assembly point. Though the exam was still twenty minutes from starting, Team 8 wasn’t the first to arrive. A large group of genin teams had already gathered in the clearing, with at least a dozen squads present. Over the next ten minutes, more teams trickled in until the space became crowded.

“Hey, Izayoi! You guys came early,” called a familiar voice.

“Long time no see, Izayoi-kun, Hinata Hyuga,” greeted Minako, as Team 7 and Team 10 approached. Soon after, Team 6—led by Kiba Inuzuka—joined them.

“Did you hear?” Minako said. “Out of all ten teams in our class, only our twelve of us earned our jōnin instructors’ approval. The rest were eliminated.”

Hinata’s eyes widened. “So everyone else is repeating the academy?”

“Two teams went back to the academy,” Minako sighed. “Others were recruited by different departments. A few… quit altogether after some kind of breakdown. Becoming a proper ninja doesn’t seem all that great. Last month, we barely survived a C-rank mission—poisonous smoke nearly killed us until Akamaru saved me.”

“You’ll get stronger,” Hinata encouraged gently. As the Byakugan’s range had expanded to twenty kilometers, she’d never truly understand the fear of near-death.

“I heard the Forest of Death is a restricted zone,” Sasuke Uchiha interjected, his tone as smug as ever. “This exam’s probably survival training. If it turns into a free-for-all, watch your back. Don’t let me eliminate you.”

Izayoi arched a brow, tilting his head slightly. “Have you been drinking?”

“Are you kidding? I’m twelve!” Sasuke scoffed, though he couldn’t help sniffing his sleeve at Izayoi’s skeptical look.

“Oh,” Izayoi said flatly. “I thought you were hungover and talking in your sleep.”

Kiba and Naruto burst into laughter.

Sasuke crossed his arms, his usual stubborn pride resurfacing. None of them noticed how much he’d changed since the academy—how he’d regressed to his first-year self.

The gathered genin turned toward the cluster of elite teams. Recognizing their forehead protectors, shinobi from smaller villages exchanged wary glances. After all, eight of these twelve were formidable: the top graduate who’d outshone every clan heir, heirs to the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka bloodlines, the last Uchiha, and the new Ino-Shika-Cho alliance. These weren’t just prodigies—they were living legacies of kekkei genkai and secret techniques.

If we run into them in the second exam, some thought, we’ll have to flee.

Others eyed Izayoi’s group greedily. This is our chance. Kill the clan heirs here, in their home turf. One pair of eyes lingered on Sasuke, tongue nearly lolling out. Another—belonging to a red-haired kunoichi named Karin—studied Hinata and her companions.

So this is what Hidden Leaf’s female genin look like, Karin mused, admiring Hinata’s elegance and the pampered appearances of Sakura and Ino. Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her. The white-robed boy beside Hinata was watching her with a faint smile. Karin’s face flushed crimson, her eyes darting away before stealing another glance at his striking features.

“Izayoi-kun, are you staring at that Grass Village kunoichi?” Hinata asked, catching him.

“Yes,” he admitted. “She has the same ability as me.”

Hinata’s eyes narrowed. “The Byakugan?”

“No,” Izayoi chuckled. “The one you and Hanabi use.”

Realization dawned as she studied Karin, who flinched under her gaze like a startled rabbit. Could she be Izayoi-kun’s relative? Grass Village borders Fire Country…

“Candidates, line up to sign the death waivers! The second exam starts soon!”

By 3:00 PM, the crowd formed orderly lines. Without Naruto’s usual antics provoking Anko Mitarashi, the process moved smoothly. Each team signed their waiver, received either a Heaven or Earth Scroll, and followed examiners to their assigned gate.

“The second exam is survival training,” the proctor explained. “You have 120 hours—five days—to obtain both Heaven and Earth Scrolls and reach the Central Tower. Fail to arrive on time, lack both scrolls, or open them prematurely, and you’re eliminated.”

Hinata activated her Byakugan. “Our gate is 8. Gates 7 and 9 hold Earth Scrolls.”

“No problem,” Izayoi said, glancing at their Earth Scroll. “With 24 teams, there’ll be plenty of Heaven Scroll carriers coming after us.”

Hinata frowned. “Gate 7 has someone with immense chakra.”

“Oh? Who?” Izayoi asked, intrigued despite not activating his Rinnegan.

“A Sand ninja with a gourd,” she replied.

“Sasuke mentioned him yesterday,” Shino noted. “If Sasuke remembers him, he’s dangerous.”

“A strong one,” Izayoi agreed, smiling faintly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end