Ino, Hinata, Kiba, and Chōji all turned serious at Karin's words. Having fought firsthand against Kawakami Shiman—the rogue shinobi they'd recently defeated—they knew his strength wasn't something ordinary Genin could match. And now, Karin was telling them that someone with even more chakra than him was nearby?
Their expressions stiffened.
Even though chakra levels don't determine everything in a fight, they remain a strong indicator of a shinobi's overall ability. Whoever was up ahead… clearly wasn't weak.
Kiba gently stroked the head of Akamaru, who looked a bit fatigued from earlier battles. Sensing his master's touch, Akamaru perked up slightly and sniffed the air, trying to identify the presence Karin had warned them about. But even Akamaru, with his heightened senses, couldn't gauge how strong the potential enemy was.
As for Hinata, she could've activated her Byakugan, but she was still recovering. The group silently agreed not to burden her again unless absolutely necessary.
"What should we do? Go around?" Shino asked calmly, turning to Shikamaru for direction.
Despite being from different squads, both Team 8 and Team 10 had started to fall naturally under Shikamaru's lead. His strategy during the ambush on Kawakami Shiman had likely saved all their lives. What none of them knew, of course, was that Shikamaru had also been prepared to activate the Heaven and Earth scrolls early if things had gone south—an emergency option that would've summoned a Chūnin proctor to intervene.
"Of course we go around," Shikamaru replied without hesitation.
He'd already expended a significant amount of chakra treating Ino and Hinata with basic medical ninjutsu. And if his hunch was right, the chakra Karin sensed belonged to Gaara and his team from the Sand. If that was true, then a direct confrontation would be suicide. Other than Shikamaru's Rasengan, they didn't have anything capable of breaking through Gaara's absolute defense. It was better to avoid a fight they couldn't win.
Kiba clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated. But he knew Shikamaru was right. Their primary mission now was to get Kawakami's body to the central tower and report everything. If it turned out he was a Jōnin from another village who had illegally entered the exam, they'd likely receive high-level commendations—or even rewards.
"Well, it sucks we can't take down another threat… but I get it," Kiba muttered.
Avoiding the battlefront where Gaara's group might have been, the two Konoha squads—Team 8, Team 10—and Karin successfully arrived at the central tower without further incident.
Among the many Genin in the exam, their arrival was among the fastest.
"You go in first," Shikamaru said to Karin, his voice calm but firm. "Find one of the exam proctors. Explain the situation. Then drop out of the exam."
"Yes," Karin responded with a respectful nod.
She paused, then turned back suddenly. Facing all six Konoha Genin, she bowed deeply and said loudly, "Thank you—for saving me. And for avenging my teammates."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and ran off toward the entrance to the tower.
"Heh," Kiba scratched his nose and smirked. "Guess not all outsiders are jerks after all."
Though Karin was from the Grass Village, she'd been a huge help during their journey—especially since Hinata couldn't use her Byakugan after being injured. Even Kiba, who had developed a strong distrust of foreign shinobi after their earlier run-in with Amegakure, found himself warming up to her.
"Alright, what about us?" Shino asked, turning back to Shikamaru. "Should we go in together?"
He motioned subtly toward the body of Kawakami Shiman, which Chōji had been carrying slung over his shoulder. They had to report his presence—and find out who he really was.
"Think this counts as cheating?" Hinata asked quietly, concern in her voice. "If the proctors find out we teamed up with another squad, could we get disqualified?"
Kiba scoffed. "We didn't break any rules. The exam's rules don't forbid alliances. We worked together inside the Forest of Death. That's fair game."
"You're overthinking it, Hinata," Shikamaru added gently. "The rules are intentionally vague to allow different strategies. I doubt they'll disqualify us for being efficient."
With that, Shikamaru and Shino led the group toward one of the large doors at the tower's base. They pushed it open, tearing the sealing tag that had been placed across it, and stepped inside.
The entrance opened into a wide, quiet hallway. On the far wall hung a massive scroll bearing cryptic writing.
Kiba tilted his head, frowning as he read aloud:
"When Heaven is absent, seek wisdom to foresee its arrival.
When Earth is absent, pursue it in the wilds to grasp its benefit.
When Heaven and Earth both align—the path of peril returns to the path of order.
This is... the way of the leader!?"
"…Huh?" Kiba blinked. "What does that even mean?"
Shikamaru pointed to the bottom corner. "This is a quote from the Third Hokage."
Shino narrowed his eyes as he read:
"When Heaven and Earth align, peril becomes order."
He turned to Shikamaru. "He's telling us to open both scrolls, isn't he?"
Shikamaru nodded. "Looks like it."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out the pair of scrolls. Shino did the same. They didn't hesitate.
Shikamaru and Chōji tore their scrolls open simultaneously. As expected, sealing formulas appeared within. They quickly tossed the scrolls to the floor.
Poof!
With a puff of smoke, a tall, wild-haired Konoha shinobi appeared—wrapped in a white forehead band and instantly recognizable.
"Ah, that was quick," he said, stepping out of the smoke. It was Ibiki's assistant, Mid-level Chūnin Kotetsu Hagane.
He glanced around, and his brow furrowed. "What's going on here? Why are there two squads… and a body?"
"Don't worry, sir," Shino said, raising the two sets of scrolls. "We both earned our way here. But we have something important to report."
Shino handed over the scrolls. Though the summoning jutsu within had momentarily surprised him, he remembered Shikamaru's earlier theory: the scrolls were designed to detect cheating. If anyone had tried to open them early, the proctor summoned might not have been so friendly.
"What's the issue?" Kotetsu asked, glancing at the body. "And who's that?"
"We found this man in the forest," Shikamaru replied. "He claimed to be a Genin, but based on his strength and the jutsu he used, we believe he's actually a Jōnin—possibly from another village. We'd like to request an investigation."
Kotetsu's expression darkened. "You think he wasn't a real participant?"
"That's our suspicion," Shikamaru said. "He wore a Grass headband, but we can't confirm if it was legitimate."
Kotetsu and another Chūnin, who had appeared alongside him from the second scroll, exchanged glances. The second shinobi—taller, face wrapped in bandages—was clearly puzzled too.
"…We'd better notify Anko," Kotetsu muttered.
What none of the Genin knew was that Orochimaru had left behind just enough evidence for Konoha to discover the bodies of the real Grass shinobi. It was no accident. He wanted Konoha to know he was here. He wanted them to tighten security around Sasuke.
That pressure, he believed, would drive Sasuke straight into his hands.
Of course, this was all Shikamaru's speculation. The proctors, like Kotetsu and Anko, had no idea what Orochimaru's true intentions were.
They only knew this much—
A dangerous man had returned to the Hidden Leaf.
And no one knew what he would do next.