Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 127: Sage Arts!

After completing the first exam with the diluted Salamander Poison, the Rain ninja distributed antidotes to all participants.

Had the poison been undiluted, none of the genin present would have survived—even Tonari, who had been inside his puppet, would have perished.

Scanning the crowd, Tonari noted that a significant number of participants had been eliminated.

Konoha had sent five teams, but one team was entirely eliminated when one member couldn't withstand the poison, even with Tonari's antidote. The failure of one meant the disqualification of all three.

Despite this, Konoha still had the highest number of participants remaining: four teams, or twelve individuals.

The Sand ninja, experienced with poisons, fared better than most, with three teams—nine individuals—remaining.

Iwagakure and Kumogakure each had two teams, totaling six individuals per village.

Kirigakure, though only sending one team, had effortlessly passed the first round.

As for the smaller villages like Kusagakure, Takigakure, and others from the Land of Bears and the Land of Hot Springs, their results varied. Some persevered, while others were eliminated.

It was a harsh testament to the disparity between major and minor villages. However, underestimating smaller villages could lead to severe consequences, as they often harbored unique abilities.

---

The proctor announced, "The first round of the exam is over!

"You now have thirty minutes to rest. Following that, we will begin the second round: a hunt in the Poison Mist Swamp, a hazardous area teeming with toxic creatures, including salamanders.

"If you couldn't handle the diluted poison earlier, entering the Poison Mist Swamp is a death sentence."

Clearly, the first round had served as a filtering mechanism, ensuring only the capable would proceed to the second round.

"The second round's task is simple: hunt one salamander per participant.

"Successfully capture your target and return to this point, and you'll pass the second round."

The proctor then stepped aside, his expression calm and indifferent.

---

The Poison Mist Swamp, an expansive area surrounding Amegakure, was rife with danger. The perpetual rain rendered the terrain treacherously muddy, with large patches of toxic bogs scattered throughout.

Salamanders thrived in this environment, their amphibious nature and potent venom making them apex predators of the swamp.

Upon hearing the task, the participants quickly realized the gravity of the situation. With only thirty minutes to prepare, tensions were high.

Nara Shikashin, ever the tactician, gathered the Konoha teams.

"Although we have the largest number of participants remaining, this also makes us a target. Other villages will likely focus on eliminating us.

"The second round may appear to be an individual task, but cooperation is vital. Stick together and support each other."

The rules required each participant to capture one salamander but didn't mandate that teams be eliminated if one member failed. This gave smaller villages a fair chance while maintaining balance for the larger ones.

---

Orochimaru, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"You're overthinking this," he said, his tone cold and calculating.

All eyes turned to him, seeking wisdom or strategy.

Even Hatake Sakumo looked at him with a mix of curiosity and trepidation, suspecting what might come next.

Orochimaru's snake-like tongue flicked out as he surveyed the young Konoha genin with a chilling smile.

"View the Poison Mist Swamp as one large arena. If others are targeting you, then strike first. Kill everyone.

"Once you've eliminated them, this farce of a Chūnin Exam will end prematurely. The only question is whether you have the resolve to do it."

His words sent a collective shiver through the group. Even Sakumo, who had known Orochimaru for years, couldn't help but smile bitterly.

---

Tonari rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression stiff.

Sakumo, attempting to ease the tension, cleared his throat. "Don't take it too seriously. If you're overwhelmed, find a place to hide until the round ends."

Orochimaru turned his gaze to Tonari, the chilling smile on his face growing wider.

"Once inside, follow these priorities," Sakumo continued. "First, obey Minato's orders. If he's unavailable, follow Tonari's lead."

"Understood!"

---

Soon, the thirty minutes of preparation passed, and the Rain ninja led the participants to three separate entrances into the Poison Mist Swamp.

Tonari, Uchiha Yoshinari, and Nara Yoshino entered through one entrance alongside teams from Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Kusagakure.

Among the Grass ninja, Tonari noticed a familiar face: Mogi Natsumi, the Grass Village leader's daughter whom they had encountered on their first mission.

She locked eyes with Tonari, her expression defiant and challenging.

---

"Tonari, what's the plan?" Yoshinari asked, already adopting some of Tonari's cautious habits.

As they moved through the swamp, they avoided lingering in one spot for too long and tried to leave as few traces as possible.

"First, gather intel," Tonari replied. "This is our first time in such an environment. The air may not be thick with poison mist, but the stench is unbearable."

The swamp was a mix of marshland and forest, with treacherously muddy ground that left clear tracks.

Even more disconcerting was the pervasive smell of rot and decay, a constant reminder of the swamp's toxicity.

Fortunately, none of the Inuzuka clan had entered the Chūnin Exams; their acute sense of smell would have been a liability here.

Yoshinari activated his Sharingan intermittently to scout the surroundings. Though less effective for reconnaissance than the Byakugan, it was still helpful.

Meanwhile, Yoshino remained quiet, focusing on using her Shadow Possession Jutsu to counter potential threats.

---

"Stop," Tonari commanded suddenly.

His companions froze, trusting his judgment implicitly after countless missions together.

Following his gaze, they scanned the area but saw nothing amiss.

"What's—" Yoshinari began but stopped mid-sentence as his Sharingan revealed the danger. His face darkened.

Tonari broke a branch from a nearby tree and tossed it toward the seemingly ordinary ground.

Splat!

Before the branch landed, a stream of dark purple liquid shot out, instantly dissolving it into nothing.

The air grew thick with a foul, egg-like stench.

"Hold your breath," Tonari whispered, his voice barely audible.

The three watched in stunned silence as the source of the liquid—a massive salamander—revealed itself. Camouflaged perfectly, it had been lying in wait for prey.

---

The creature was enormous, its body spanning several meters. Even its head alone was massive, resembling a frog's but more flattened.

"Are all the salamanders here this big?" Yoshinari asked, his tone grim.

Tonari nodded. "If this is average, capturing one will be nearly impossible."

"Could this swamp be the habitat of Hanzō's salamander as well?" Yoshino speculated.

"Let's not stick around to find out," Tonari said, leading them on a careful detour.

---

After evading the salamander, Tonari stopped in a dry clearing and drew a vial of his own blood from his pouch.

As he activated his chakra, an unusual transformation began. His puppet body sprouted cat-like ears, and faint markings appeared around his eyes.

If Jiraiya had been present, he would have immediately recognized the beginnings of Sage Mode.

Though incomplete, Tonari had successfully harnessed Sage Chakra to a limited extent, thanks to the collaboration between his own chakra and his summon, Little Blue.

"Sage Art: Serpent Summoning!"

A unique summoning seal appeared on the ground, and countless snakes began pouring out.

The writhing mass of serpents dispersed into the swamp, disappearing into the shadows.

---

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