Naruto: Faint Smile - CH 93

[Arata Takeshi - POV]

The trial the summoning clan wanted me to do was simple. Surviving the hunt for 24 hours.

From what I was able to understand, apparently, their reasoning is that if I surviving being a prey for more than 24 hours it means I’m a hunter… a rather flawed analogy if you ask me, but I was up for the challenge.

Once my trial was announced, Chanua took me to a large hunting area, where I was to be hunted. As soon as we arrived at said place, my guide slinked back into the tall grass, leaving me alone in the middle of the savanna.

Despite my inability to sense chakra, I could feel multiple targets watching me.

Their movements were subtle, blending seamlessly with grass, but every now and then, a flicker of movement would catch my eye, a tail swishing, a flash of teeth, a shadow disappearing just as quickly as it appeared.

The big cats were waiting, observing.

Smiling, I adjusted my stance, glancing around. The openness of the savanna was working against me here, and without any cover or my chakra sensing to rely on, I had to be sharper than usual. But if the trial was to avoid them, I’d just need to stay a step ahead.

Simple enough, I thought, already planning my next move.

Keeping my pace steady, I started walking toward a rocky outcrop in the distance. If nothing else, it would give me some height and a better view. A faint rustle to my left told me I wasn’t alone, so I adjusted my path slightly, keeping my speed casual. No need to rush just yet.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of one of them, a cheetah, its spotted coat barely visible as it prowled low in the grass. It was trying to flank me, probably hoping I’d break into a sprint so it could cut me off. Alas, I kept my pace steady, not giving it the reaction it was looking for.

The cheetah paused, seeming to reassess his strategy, and I smiled faintly, continuing on my path toward the rocks.

Another rustle, this time to my right. I looked over and saw a lion slinking through the grass, its golden eyes fixed on me, tail flicking as it prowled closer. This one was bigger, with a calm confidence that suggested it was in no rush. It was testing me, seeing if I’d make a mistake.

I really wanted to pet them all. Maybe I would be allowed to after I passed the trial. Crossing my fingers.

I tilted my head slightly, acknowledging its presence with a faint nod before continuing forward. It kept pace with me for a few moments before veering off, circling wide, clearly planning to come at me from another angle.

They’re not going to charge in head-first, I mused. They’re sizing me up first, waiting to see if I’ll panic.

Keeping my breath steady, I moved closer to the outcrop, watching the shadows in the grass. Another flash of movement, a lynx this time, its tufted ears flicking as it kept low, watching me with a predator’s patience. I couldn’t help but admire its quiet approach. They were all incredibly skilled hunters, but I’d dealt with assassins back in the village who were nearly as stealthy. This would be manageable.

As I climbed up onto the rocks, a low growl sounded nearby, followed by a shadow darting across my path. A massive leopard slipped out of the grass, nearing me. It was close, much closer than the others had gotten so far.

I adjusted my position on the rock, keeping my balance steady. The leopard’s eyes narrowed, as if it was considering pouncing, but it held back, prowling a few steps away to circle me. Its muscles were coiled, ready to spring, but it seemed to be waiting for a signal, perhaps a sign of hesitation or fear.

But I wasn’t planning on giving it either.

The leopard shifted its weight, eyes locked onto mine, and I gave it a slight smile. “Well, hello to you too.”

It paused, as if surprised, then bared its fangs in a grin that was almost… impressed? The look was gone in a flash, replaced by the cold, predatory focus of a hunter as it circled me, drawing closer.

I stepped back to the edge of the rocks, my gaze still on the leopard. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a shadow flicker nearby—a lioness, slipping through the tall grass to close in from behind. They were coordinating now, closing in from two angles. Clever.

They probably expected me to bolt. Or to fight. Neither was an effective strategy right now.

Instead, I stood my ground, watching as the leopard advanced, its muscles tensing, ready to lunge. Just before it sprang, I sidestepped, letting it land exactly where I’d been standing a moment before. I took a step back onto the rocks, the leopard’s claws scraping over the stone as it skidded to a stop, momentarily thrown off balance.

The lioness was fast, but I was faster. With a quick pivot, I jumped down from the rocks and slipped into the grass, moving quickly but steadily, keeping my steps quiet. I didn’t run. Running would only make it easier for them to track me, so I kept my pace measured, letting the tall grass conceal me as I moved.

Behind me, I could hear the leopard and lioness regrouping, their low growls rumbling through the grass. They were close, but they weren’t reckless. They’d take their time.

Good. That would give me more room to work with.

Smiling, I made my way toward a cluster of trees, pausing every few steps to listen. The sounds of movement were faint, distant. They were repositioning, adjusting their strategy. I had to give them credit; they were persistent, but it was clear that they were testing me as much as they were hunting me.

I ducked under the branches of one of the trees, glancing up at the sky. The light was shifting, casting long shadows across the savanna. I could see a pair of eyes watching me from the tree above—a lynx, its ears flicking as it observed me with a calm, almost curious expression.

“Still running, little cub?” it asked, its voice smooth and slightly mocking.

I met its gaze with a faint smile. “Running? Are you sure you’ve been watching me? I have been walking all day.”

The lynx let out a soft, amused huff. “You’re clever. But cleverness alone won’t be enough.”

I gave a slight shrug. “Guess we’ll see.”

The lynx’s gaze sharpened, but I was already stepping away from the tree, slipping back into the open grass. The hunters could take their time, close in from every angle if they wanted. But as long as I kept moving, kept them guessing, I’d be one step ahead.

As I moved farther into the savanna, I caught sight of Chanua perched atop a distant boulder, watching the trial unfold with a look of barely contained amusement. She gave me a nod as our eyes met, as if to say, Let’s see how long you last.

I nodded back. Challenge accepted.