Chapter 74: After the Curtain Falls (Please bookmark and recommend!!!)

"Why?" 

Sakumo Hatake's sudden command left everyone bewildered.

"No explanation to offer," Sakumo said. Whether it was the genin like Nawaki Senju and Sarutobi Ao, or the academy students like Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, they all had to obey the order unconditionally. 

Secrecy is one of the ninja rules, and even someone as carefree as Kushina understood this.

Minato frowned, unable to comprehend the reasoning behind Konoha's rules for this ninja exam, or Sakumo's orders. Moreover, for him, passing the ninja exam was not as important as gaining the Third Hokage's acknowledgment of his ability to protect Kushina.

However, regardless of the outcome, he would not give up. For Kushina's freedom, Minato would never back down.

"Let's go," Sakumo said, ignoring everyone's confusion, as he led them out of the tall tower at the center of the Death Forest.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In the Death Forest, twenty figures darted through, with Sakumo leading them in a straight line. After three days here, everyone knew that the forest harbored many ferocious beasts, some so formidable that even true ninja would have headaches upon encountering them.

Minato, Nawaki, and others had faced such beasts before, so they remained extremely cautious, avoiding them as much as possible during their journey.

However, unlike their previous encounters, whenever they came across seemingly fierce beasts this time, those beasts swiftly fled as if for their lives.

Most believed it was due to their large numbers, but only the elites like Minato, Homura Uchiha, and Nawaki knew the real reason – it was because of Sakumo Hatake, who was leading them at the front.

Sakumo exuded an indescribable aura of authority, and many creatures in nature have instincts that far surpass humans. Sensing this aura, they instinctively retreated.

This is the true strength of a powerful shinobi, second only to the Third Hokage in Konoha, a figure that even the Third's three students paled in comparison to!

Minato gazed at Sakumo's back, his expression flickering. One day, he too would become as strong as Sakumo, or even surpass him. He would become the Hokage, protect Konoha, protect Kushina, protect his loved ones in the village, and protect everything he cherished!

He would never fail again!

"Huh? Why would I have such a thought?" Minato murmured to himself. He seemed to have said something similar to Kushina before, about no one being able to take her away from him. It felt rather strange.

"What's wrong, Minato?" Kushina noticed his odd behavior and immediately asked.

Minato snapped out of his daze and replied, "Nothing, hehehe."

His dismissive response made Kushina skeptical. Although she was often oblivious, she seemed to become more perceptive when it came to Minato.

Mikoto, who was walking behind them, also smiled. Minato and Kushina could always sense each other's slightest change in demeanor. This feeling was truly wondrous.

As the group finally emerged from the oppressive Death Forest, the setting sun spilled its warm light onto the earth, as if washing away all gloom and ominousness.

At that moment, another group approached them.

It was also a team of around ten people, including some genin and academy students.

One of the female genin left her team and walked towards them.

"Hey, Sunao, were you guys also disqualified? That shouldn't have happened," the female ninja said, her eyes filled with disbelief upon seeing Nawaki and Sarutobi Ao.

Those two were the strongest among their batch of students.

"Uh..." Sunao blinked, unsure of how to respond. She turned to look at Sakumo Hatake.

"The exam is over. Go and rest," Sakumo stepped forward and told the female genin.

She could only leave begrudgingly.

Sakumo led them away from the area before departing himself. The others also gradually dispersed.

"Minato, although you're really strong now, I don't want you to surpass me yet. Next time we get a chance, we should spar!" Nawaki said with a smile.

"Same here," Sarutobi Ao chimed in.

Minato smiled wryly, glancing at Homura Uchiha, who had a gloomy expression. Minato didn't know if Homura would lose control again and attack.

However, Homura didn't cause any trouble and left without a word, perhaps due to the presence of many hidden Anbu around them since they exited the Death Forest with Kushina.

Minato sighed. Earlier, Sakumo had mentioned that they would be notified about the rewards for passing the exam. Now, he wanted to meet with the Third Hokage immediately to gauge his reaction.

After Nawaki, Sarutobi Ao, and the others left, Kushina was also led away by the woman who usually picked her up from the academy.

However, Mikoto didn't return to the Uchiha compound with Homura. Instead, she went with Minato for a while, as she felt some aversion towards Homura.

After parting ways with Minato and the others, Kushina wasn't taken back to the secluded residence where she lived on the outskirts of Konoha. Instead, she was led to a large mansion in the center of Konoha – one of the few residences of such grandeur in the entire village.

"What is this place?" Kushina asked the woman beside her, but received no answer as they entered the mansion.

Inside was a sizable courtyard with only one pathway, while the rest was densely overgrown with lush trees.

"How strange," Kushina muttered, finding it odd for any household to have so many trees planted in their courtyard.

Not just the courtyard, but even the corridors, entrances, and rooms had many small potted trees.

It seemed the owner of this place really loved trees.

Finally, Kushina was brought to a room, where the woman who had led her left. There were only two maid-like attendants and a large bed, seemingly with someone lying on it.

One of the attendants approached Kushina, taking her hand and leading her towards the bed.

(End of Chapter)